Entry #68

The Good Samaritan
by Al Kramer


I looked up and saw it all – murky clouds giving way to brilliant light. Perpetual flooding. Everyone seemed so startled. Not me. I knew it was coming, and the world would never be the same.

Twenty years ago, in Jersey Park, a man pulled out a Colt forty-five and pointed it at a pregnant
woman. Tears dribbled down her face; shaky hands encircled her belly.

I leaped in front of the man, just as the gun fired. The bullet burned through my chest. In agony, I
lunged for him, screamed at the woman, "Go." As she sped away, the shooter, confused, stumbled in the opposite direction.

I slumped onto the dewy grass and the world faded.

A moment later, I felt air-born as if I grew wings. I knew where I'd be heading. After all, I had
saved two lives.

When I finally landed on solid ground, I opened my eyes, jumped up. For a moment, I stood transfixed by the feral beast before me. My body quivered.

"Welcome."

"Where am I?"

"Where do you think?"

I glanced around and saw nothing but black rock. Sweat began to trickle into my eyes. I now knew
my home. But why? My act had been selfless.

As if reading my thoughts, the beast said, "It is I who impregnated the woman. Angels dispatched a human to destroy my child. You saved his life. In twenty years, he and I will enslave the world. Thank you for being a Good Samaritan."