Some Kind of Monstrosity

The Silver Phoenix on Sep 6, 2011

Tags: adventure, metamorphosis, science fiction, suspense, triceratops

“Oh my God!” Father Adams brushed his hair with both his hands and they too were covered in blood. At first he though he may have injured himself rushing into the church, but this was not his blood.

Doc Prancer, a good-for-nothing two-timing troublemaker, known by many as a devil of a man, had been banished from the friendly town of CrickleWood five years ago. If rumors were to be believed from the neighboring town, he was on his way back once again. The bad news had leaked to Sheriff Kane who decided to put his foot down and take action, with the help of Father Adams, by calming the panic-stricken townsfolk by making a public announcement outside the town church itself. Father Adams was the first to speak. He clasped his hands and looked at all the worried faces.

“Children, may I please request you to calm down and hear my words of comfort?”

One angry resident protested, “Father, we don’t want your comfort; we want our safety! Some of us have wives and small children you know and we don’t want that evil man interfering in our lives again.”

The crowds backed him up, raising their voices and fists. “Yeah! Here here!”

Sheriff Kane raised his long pistol up in the air and fired two shots.

“Silence! Shame on you all! I hope you all realize this is no ordinary man who I have by my side. Why this is Father Adams! Now, I don’t like to throw my weight around, but I must warn you that I am the sheriff and, by God, I won’t tolerate any man arguing with the good Father Adams. You’re all going to have to get past me first if there’s going to be any more trouble. Isn’t it upsetting enough that that devil of a man is already rumored to be on his way? Now just be silent and listen to what the good Father has to say.”

The townsfolk settled down, some of whom were still muttering in the background but at least the Father was able to speak.

“My children, I know how troubled you are. I am only too aware that this man whose name, even I, am afraid to utter, especially after learning from Sheriff Kane that he’s rumored to be on his way back here. All I ask you is to go home and pray that he does not show up again.”

“That’s silly. Praying alone won’t make him disappear and besides, that’s exactly what you said the last time we threw him out of town, five years ago, Father,” yelled an elderly lady in the forefront. Father Adams could only lower his head in deep thought.