Original B.A.H by Alex Davis
(B.A.H = Barely Average Hero)
The sun was beating down on the small Arizona town. Drought seasons were bad, but this one slugged on for weeks longer than usual. Sweat poured from the brow of a young Benny Slydes, a small town kid with small town problems. Benny had a secret, but had only the barren wasteland to confide in. He stared down at his hands. “Why have I been cursed this way?” he said, mournfully. He threw his hands into his gunslinger pose, like a child playing in the Old West.
Slowly, the bones in his hands broke and shifted. Agonizing screams echoed as the Smith & Wesson .45s replaced his hands.
The cold steel touched his temple. He sighed deeply. He focused himself and flexed his forearm. Cool waters streamed down his face and evaporated before touching the ground.
“Damn it!” he said, hoping his suffering would finally cease.
He picked himself up and lumbered back toward town. Buzzards circled nearby. He rushed over, hoping to find an easy meal. He stumbled over the lifeless leg of a young woman. His shadow shielded her face from the sun. He lowered himself to listen for her breathing. She was breathing! He looked down at his deformed hands.
He straddled her stomach and put his .45 water pistols into her mouth. He flexed again and the water streamed into her near-lifeless body. His own body was losing color as life filled her once again. She gasped and lunged forward as Benny fell from her.
The young maiden hauled her still heavy body to her savior. She pounded on his chest, trying to revive him.
“I won’t let you die,” she said, wobbling to her feet. “I owe you.”
She shuffled over to Benny and tore a yard of cloth from her skirt hem. She wove the cloth under his body and around each shoulder.
“I’m gonna drag you now, sir. Please don’t be mad at me.”
She struggled to pull his lifeless body through the scorching sun. Benny’s body slithered over each stone in their path. Heat waves impaired the water well that appeared on the horizon. She pushed on. The blurry well cleared with each step.
The young maiden saw redemption nearing. She released her crude sleigh and raced to the well. Water sloshed into bucket. She lugged the heavy pail to Benny’s body. A gentle stream fell into his mouth. Life filled his body once again. He choked and sprang forward.
“Cool yer jets, sir. You almost died…”
Benny’s shoulders slumped. He let out a long sigh. “Thank you. I guess I owe you one.”
“Nope!” She said, picking him up. Dust billowed as she brushed his ragged clothes. “If anything, I owe you a drink!”
“I’m Dana, by the way,” she said, reaching out to greet her hero.
Benny hid his misshapen hands. Embarrassed.
“Ya know, we shake hands around here, fella.”
“I don’t wanna scare you away.”
Benny dropped his hands by his side. Startled at first, Dana grabbed his hand and studied it in awe.
“Is this how you did it?” she asked, her eyes welling up.
“Saved my life, dummy!” She smiled.
A lone tear rolled down her cheek. Benny desperately wanted to wipe the tear away. Her acceptance made his heart swell.
“My gift helped me save your life.” He looked down at his hands. “Don’t be afraid of what’s about to happen.”
Benny’s agony drove him to his knees. She ran to aid him. He threw his mutating hand up, stopping her.
“It’s alright,” he said, regaining his hands. “It’s alright. I’m okay.”
“What the hell was that all about?” She rested her hand on his shoulder.
“That is my gift at it’s finest, ma’am.” Benny pulled himself back to his feet.
Dana steadied him. He felt her hand slipping down his arm. She giggled lightly, feeling the goose bumps on his arm. Dana grabbed his hand before he could pull away. Benny blushed.
“Never held a girls hand, huh?” Dana said, holding him firmly.
“Never felt a woman’s touch before.”
Dana blushed, smiling like a crushing schoolgirl. Benny turned to her. Their eyes met for the first time.
“Let’s get that drink, shall we?”
“I think that’s just what we need.” Benny gazed into the distance.
He and Dana walked slowly to town, hand in hand. New love blossomed in the heat of the desert.
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