"The Fifth Step" is a 2020 short story by Stephen King, published in the March issue of Harper's Magazine.
It's about a retiree attempting to enjoy his morning's peace while reading a newspaper on a park bench, when a strange men sits down beside him. The man explains that he is an alcoholic who recently completed the fourth step of his AA program, and now needs his help to finish the fifth step, which requires him to relate all of his wrongdoings to a complete stranger.
The story can be read in its entirety here
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Tropes found in this story include:
- Bottle Episode: The entire story takes place on a park bench.
- Domestic Abuse: Jack talks about how much he wanted to beat his wife during an argument they had one night. This is our first clue that something's a tad off about the guy.
- Surprisingly Creepy Moment: The story is uncharacteristically low-key for King. Right up until the ending, when we find out that we've been listening to the life story of a ruthless murderer, and that our protagonist is his next victim.
- Tropaholics Anonymous: This is Jack's fourth time going through the AA program, and he says that he feels it may be his last chance to complete it.
- Twist Ending: Jack's misdeeds are pretty innocuous for the most part. It's not until the very end that we find out that he's a murderer, at which point he promptly sticks an ice pick between Jamieson's ribs.
- Wham Line: "I did leave, but I cut that bitch’s throat before I did."
