Salt

The power was mine. Legions at my disposal. The war was ending, and I was losing it decisively, but I did have one ace more up my sleeve. I did, after all, have one more wish on my monkey’s paw. And that might, with sufficient forethought, make all the difference.

My first two wishes had led indirectly to my destruction. I had to be careful with my words.

“Destroy them all,” I told them, “and salt the earth, so nothing will grow there again…”

…now, all over the earth, plants are withering and dying. I know it won’t be long…