The Shaken Innocent

A story for the rash of mothers who are able to avoid prosecution for killing the innocents by means of "shaken baby syndrome," using the defense of postpardum depression!

THE SHAKEN INNOCENT

 

Ethan felt himself drifting up into the sky, past the clouds, past the stars.  He came to rest upon a golden walkway.  He had a new form and great knowledge.  A man looked into an enormous book and read, "Ethan Allen Bowman, died at the hand of his mother May 10, 2010, born May 1, 2010.  Named by God at conception, on August 2, 2009, 'babbalifnozed.'  He has a task for you to perform, before you can enter into purity.  Please, kindly wait."

 

Ethan sat patiently, for many long years, watching new arrivals and seeing them disappear past the gates.  Then, the man with the book spoke to him, "Stand in the light and start your journey, babbalifnozed."

 

The form that he, now, had become floated into the blinding light and he could feel himself falling and falling and falling, as weightless as a snowflake.  Soon, he came to rest, but could not see past the radiant brightness.  And, he waited and waited and waited some more.

 

Outside of the protective ray, all was darkness.  A crowd had gathered and each member of the mob tried to touch "the innocent."  Ethan looked anonymous and featureless, in the beam where he was protected.  None could touch him and the crowd continued to gather, for eons of eons.  All believed that if they could touch him, they would be saved from their prison.  As each tried and failed, they continued to stand about gazing at "the innocent" in awe.

 

Deanne Lyn Bowman, Ethan's mother, tried and failed, too.  For a brief moment she wondered whether "the innocent" could be her little baby son.  Suddenly, as quickly as he had arrived, Ethan floated back to the gate, with the brillant glow disappearing behind him.  It seemed to him that he had, only, been gone for a brief moment.  The gate was open and trumpets blew, harps played, angels danced and sang.  He was swept away into the purity of Heaven.

 

Once again left in the blackest darkness imaginable, Deanne felt around for anyone who may have been in the crowd.  Finally, she realized that she was alone with her ceaseless, restless, torturous hellmares.  Her memories of any love or happiness or peace were, quickly, fading from her being.

 

With an earth rattling boom, a magnificent illumination appeared to her and she had to shield her eyes from its glare and turn away.  A thunderous voice spoke, "You have murdered one of my innocent children.  You shook your son to death, when he was crying for your attention."

 

She pleaded back to the voice, "But, I was found innocent."

 

The blaring voice roared back, "You were found innocent by an earthly judge.  Now, you will be judged by Me Deanne Lyn Bowman, 'babdelifnozed.'

 

The light had begun to fade, again, and the presence appeared to be departing to leave her stranded here alone in the abyss of sin, forever.  The voice blared into the cavern of her demise, endlessly echoing and repeating,

 

"Go to Hell,

 

"Go to Hell,

 

"Go to Hell, . . .!

Reviews

[ChristianM]

I thought this was intriguing, yet I didn't agree with the end.
If we are talking about the Heaven of the Bible then only God himself has the power to judge. And I thought the whole name thing was a little odd. If you explained that more it might make more sense.
Good story.

[Warrior]

Great story telling. This did justice in the realm of getting the message across. Great message. There's lot of times where a story can have a great message to aim for, and have a lot of under lining things but then no one gets it, and if no one gets it, then the point has failed. But in my opinion this did well to get the message across. You made it clear, which is why I think it's good. Keep up the good work. What was also great was that I could imagine the story as I read it, and that is also a strong point of stories. The ability to have the reader imagine it because after all we're reading not watching it, but it was as if I was there as I read this, and that is great. Good job once again.

[Woja]

http://sellpros.wix.com/breakthecyclebooks#!submit/c1pz
Please go to link and submit for publication

[Ice QueenJen]

This was a great story Christina, and how it should be for all those whose lives are taken away by this disorder. My sister had it but never did she hurt her child, nor did she even want to. Sorry it took me so long in reading this too!

[Sarah Amanda Fletterich..]

Very powerful and it had a very good picture. Thanks for sharing.

[biggerthenu]

chills rushing through my body
that was a earthly judge for real ms Christina
powerful write loved it such a vivid picture

[Maya Storm]

The image you have painted here is so real for a fantasy piece. This story is a well written catholic tale of a child's soul getting lost in the abyss. Well done!

[Tom Benson]

I was a practising RC until I joined the British army. Once I'd been in service a couple of years I had difficulty dealing with religion of any sort. For certain crimes though, including the one in your well written piece I do hope there is eternal damnation. I know it's not for us to judge, but every means of dealing out punishment these days seems to be drifting towards human rights for the perpetrator - what about the rights of the victim - especially the innocent ones ...
Superb write.

[Chris]

There are instances only God can know of intent and action. Our laws judge responsibility, technicalities, and probabilities/possibilities over and for actions. Human proofs outweigh moral certainties. Lack of intent OR KNOWLEDGE (of law OR events) does not equal innocence. Even court judged innocence doesn't always restore a defendant's life from inaccurate, inappropriate, or improbable accusations.

We aren't God and can't just replay actions with the thoughts also in view... and I truly don't know that I would want to attend such courtrooms as judge - lawyer - or jury...

[John Jackson (El Juero)]

You said a whole lot here. It is good to confront uncomfortable subjects. Much too much abuse in the World.
Excellent writing.