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.

[Jenny Nelson]

They're sure you know how to give a baby a bath before you leave the hospital with a newborn, but they never let you know how stressful your new blessing can be... for years to come. People have an unrealistic view of parenthood... it is a blessing, but it's a lot of work and the biggest and longest and most important committment one will ever make. If you're not willing to put out the effort, don't have children, and if you do find yourself "with child" without really wanting to be, there's a waiting list years long for adoption of newborns because there are lots of folks who truly want to be parents. But in a country that has no respect for human life, it's not surprising that so many innocents get the blunt of our selfishness, frustration, and ignorance. Your story hits hard and well makes it point. Well done!

[Dom Macchiaroli]

A powerful piece my friend. And there will be justice in the end for all...
Good job.

[Coyote Poetry]

A amazing story. I do believe in karma. We will pay for our deeds here on Earth or in hell. Abuse of a children in all religions is not a way to teach or begin a child life. I believe should be a test before people have kids. Some folks don't realize kids are a lifetime investment. A outstanding story. I like the ending.
Coyote

[emmajoy]

Oh my, what a story .. almost a mythical tale, almost a fantasy yet based on fact, awful fact. You've wrapped its meaning in a story that urged this readerto keep going to the end.

Tis amazing how the law can be manipulated .. but maybe guilt cannot, who knows.

' The gate was open and trumpets blew, harps played, angels danced and sang. He was swept away into the purity of Heaven. '

Thank you for bringing this terrible event to light.

(one minor crit., I think you use too many commas and consequently, break the flow of your writing in parts)