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.

[Huggy Bear]

Great Story:)

[Sean Allen]

Very powerful and sad. I can think of nothing to say other than that.

[Marie Harrison]

I enjoyed this read of yours Christina. I've never had children, I'm sure it's harder than it looks. But to shake a baby to death, one would deserve whatever their vision of hell would be. Mine would be sitting in my guilt for what I did. Your story was a gripping one for me. Thanks for sharing.

[An owl on the moon]

What a powerful, sadly moving glimpse of the world.. a place that should be the safest for a baby, becoming so dangerous. When a teen, I drove a hearse for short time... just had to stop after a baby funeral .. small white coffin. Stunned to silence.

[Jason Ellis]

This was a great story from the beginning, all the way to the end.
It's so true, as well.
One may be found innocent here, in our mortal world. Yet, God isn't so quick to pardon such transgressions.

The only thing wrong: "With a earth rattling boom," should be be, "With an earth rattling boom." (:
Aside from that one little type-o, this was a fantastic piece. I thoroughly enjoyed reading it.

[Luke]

what a fantasic story this had me from beginning to end. i think u have cleaverly manipulated several clever ideas within this story while also making it fun and enjoyable for the reader

[aftervision]

i have read the writing on the walls of life here my poet -- i work with at risk children -- it should be at risk parents -- loved the awareness that you send

[zappy]

wow wat a great story

[Janice Ann]

What a story! This had me from beginning to end. It is a really rare glimpse at a awful situation, and the innocent that can't protect themselves. This really puts this sort of horrible thing in the spot light...thanks for sharing something that means something! And God bless those little innocents that have lost their precious lives because of this!
Janice ann