Latter-Day of the Dead Read Online Free Page A

The King was a prophet in ancient times. He ruled the land of Zarahelma. That’s really all I know about that.
    As I continued helping my father unload the grain I could see B.G. making a beeline straight towards me. Well, he was walking all crooked-like so I suppose beeline isn’t the best choice of word. At any rate, point being, he was heading my way.
    “Brother Elias! I was hoping I could borrow you for a few moments,” Benjamin said, standing cross-legged and hunched over. I could see stained blood darn-near everywhere on him.
    If I had to describe myself in two words I would probably use: righteous and doctor .
    “Is everything alright?” I asked. “What is all this blood from?”
    “That’s what I need to talk to you about.” He looked up at my father, and then leaned in closer to me. “Do you think we could go into your office to talk?”
    “Sure. Why don’t you head over and take a seat. I’ll tidy up and meet you over there.”
    Relief washed over his face. “Thanks, Doc.”
    I don’t believe I was named after anybody in particular, but my name, Elias, means: a prophet who helps restore something of particular importance . That’s really all I know about that.
    After unloading the final sacks of grain, I cleaned off and headed to our medical station. I ran my hands through my neglected, dingy blonde hair, trying to make myself presentable after the hard morning work with my father.
    It was just a quick walk away from the house to the medical station, as most things on the compound were. Our modest community was huddled tightly between a thickset forest that ran along the base of towering red rock mountains.
    When I arrived B.G. was already sitting on the examination table, folded over himself. I went to the drawer and grabbed a pair of surgical gloves.
    “Oh, Brother Elias! I am in bad shape…bad, bad shape,” Benjamin explained.
    “Okay. Well, why don’t we have a look?”
    “I got hurt…right down here.” Benjamin removed his hands from his lap.
    “Right here?” I asked.
    After Benjamin’s solemn nod I peeled back the unbuttoned fly which was sopped in blood. I immediately tried to change the shocked look on my face as I knew he was watching my reaction.
    “Okay,” I tried to compose myself out loud. “Can you tell me what happened?”
    If I had to describe what I was looking at in two words I would probably use: mangled and mess .
    Benjamin tried to explain, “You see, Doc, I fell into this nasty thatch of sticker bushes.”
    “You fell into some bushes? I must say, Brother Benjamin, that these wounds are much too deep to be caused by something like that. And if I can be honest, I don’t see any other scratches on you.”
    “Well that’s the thing of it. When I fell into the bushes I was bitten by a raccoon. Ornery fella bit me something fierce!”
    I couldn’t quite establish what exactly had happened. “Okay, but…did you have your pants off?”
    “Doc, can you just help me out here? I am in a lot of pain.”
    I looked at the worry and embarrassment on his face and decided not to push. “At least tell me it wasn’t from a raccoon or else I will need to give you a rabies shot.”
    Benjamin kept his head down in shame and slowly shook it side-to-side, indicating no.
    “Let’s get it cleaned up so I can get a better look. This is going to sting.” I grabbed alcohol and swabs and was still concentrating on making sure shock could not be seen on my face.
    He gritted his teeth and grabbed tightly onto the edge of the examination table while I tried to clean up the dried blood. After cleaning I delicately inspected the area.
    “Multiple lacerations. It looks like the dorsal vein is still intact, which is a good sign, but we will need to get you outfitted with a catheter for the time being. I’ll get you some antibiotics to prevent infection or disease.”
    “Will I be okay, Doc?”
    “Beyond some scarring and general discomfort you should recover just fine,