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.

[Jeff Hunt]

Good meaningful subject dealt with by strong christian analogies. A bit nineteenth century for me. There is heaven and hell on earth of our own making and Deanne Lyn Bowman is also a victim.
Powerful and compact.

[Larry Dyson]

powerful imagery...you write it like sand sifting thru fingers..it is all over yet defined..Im watching your profile..i'm lauryames on face book...picture of purple dragon photoshoped...nice to meet you..read some of mine please?..

[Alicia Schroeder]

this is so powerfully written and sad , it has great imagery and great meaning behind those words, Awesome job

[Jessica Mai]

I was engrossed in yet another one of your stories. This is a very very powerful and moving write.

[Eric Cox]

Cool story. So many people do horrible things in this world (like shaking a baby to death) and find Hell, they should of never done those things in the first place. An amazing write of a sad topic.

Ghost (Eric Cox)

[Tom W.]

The imagery here is excellent. My mental hiccup is at the thought of a childs soul simply waiting and without ever learning transforming into a instrument af heavenly wrath.
The power of the imagery is classic christian< I just have a slightly different take on it all

[Jamie S.]

This one hits ya right in the gut, thank you for shedding light on such a tender subject. The ending is haunting and a nice touch and the title is fitting as well.

[Middling]

very interesting...

[Gomer LePoet]

Sad and true. Do not believe these mothers/fathers do not live in there own hell.
the taking of anyone's life, especially an infant who cannot protect themselves, is, has been, and always will be unacceptable.