The Savior of Seattle

by Nat Kozinn

  The boy was bleeding from his belly. His eyes were open, but he was barely conscious.

  David looked toward Mario with bleary eyes and started stumbling over to him.

  “We’ve got to get him to the hospital,” David said.

  He reached down to pick up Mario, but David just kept going down. He landed next to Mario face-first. He made no attempt to catch himself.

  “David!?” Sister Berta said and tried to rouse the giant man.

  But there was no response. David was out cold.

  15

  David woke up, but the vision in his right eye stayed black. He was lying on his belly with his face turned to the side. The sun was shining now. David pushed himself to his knees. At least those still worked.

  “Looks like somebody’s finally up. How you feeling, big guy?” Alexis asked.

  She was sitting on the stoop of the church and drinking water from a cup.

  David was too unfocused to answer. He took a glance around to make sure he was still on the planet Earth. There was blood everywhere—none of it his. There was an especially big pool next to him that was just starting to dry around the edges. Upon seeing this, David sprung the rest of the way to his feet. He stumbled as he did.

  “Woah there. Calm down. Everyone’s okay. Well, not okay, but the kid’s alive and there’s nothing you can do to help right now,” Alexis said.

  “What happened to him?”

  “Sister Berta took him to the hospital. She called me and told me that they got him there; he was in serious but stable condition. His mother is there with him.”

  “What are you doing here?” David said in an unfriendly tone.

  “That’s nice. Sister Berta managed to get my think.Net info from the paper and she called me up to tell me she was going to the hospital. She told me you were lying unconscious in the alley behind the church. Obviously, there was no way to take you to the hospital, but she didn’t just want you out here alone. That’s why I’m here. Good thing you woke up. Sister Berta is on her way back here to rouse the neighborhood and have them all carry you to the hospital. That doesn’t sound like the kind of thing you’d enjoy.”

  “No, I would not,” David said as he stumbled over to the stoop. He noticed his wig on the ground. He snatched it up along the way and struggled to put it back on his bald scalp.

  Not all of David’s wounds were clearly visible under his clothes, but the large slashes in his clothes, his stumbling, and his mangled hand made it quite clear that he was not doing very well.

  “You look bad. Really bad. Like a lot worse than you’re supposed to be able to look. What happened? How’d whoever did this to you do this to you?”

  David did not answer with words; he gave Alexis a hard stare instead.

  “This is all off the record—way off the record. I swear. I’m even on church property here. This is me asking as your friend, or whatever we decided we are. Are you okay?” Alexis asked.

  “No, I’m not. I can’t see out of my right eye. And I’m missing two fingers. And that’s just the obvious stuff,” David said.

  “How did this happen?”

  “I guess I finally ran out of sand in the hourglass. I always knew this would happen. Or something like it anyway. Once it became obvious I was getting weaker, it was only a matter of time until my body started giving out one way or another. The guys who studied me theorized on a bunch of possible outcomes. They told me maybe I would just go back to being a normal person and get to live the rest of my life as a mortal, but the scientists couldn’t even keep straight faces when they mentioned that one. All the other theories resulted in my death, the only differences being how long it took. I can’t say I remember crumbling like a statue being on the list, but after a while they all started to run together.”

  “Maybe you wouldn’t be crumbling like a statue if you didn’t keep picking fights with vandals.”

  “Could be. But at worst, all I’m doing is speeding up the process a bit. I always get weaker; that’s how it works. No matter what I do, eventually I’ll stub my toe and the toe will come off.”

  “Is this something you’re an expert in? I don’t remember from our interviews. Was your doctorate in biochemistry or just biology? Oh, wait. Now I remember. You stopped going to school when you were thirteen, thanks to the Plagues, and you spent the rest of your life picking up incredibly heavy objects. You need to try to get some help. I know you managed to burn every bridge you’ve ever seen, but there’s no way anybody wants to wake up and read a story about how you slowly withered away to sand while sleeping on a street corner. The government will step in if you tell them what’s happening to you.”

  “No thanks. I spent a long time with a whole lot of government doctors, and I’ll tell you what I know for sure: none of them has any idea of what’s really going on with me. Any doctor who says he can help is really just trying to satisfy his own curiosity. If I’m going, I’m sure as hell not spending my last few days, weeks, months, or whatever it is getting poked and prodded by a bunch of college boys who think I’m a neat new toy.”

  Alexis opened her mouth to argue but caught of glimpse of David’s mangled hand when she turned toward him. How could she possibly try to provide medical advice to a man whose biology she did not understand?

  “Okay, you don’t want to die in a lab. So what then? What are you going to do with however long you have left?”

  David let out a heavy sigh. “Well, right now, I’m going to go down to the hospital and check on Mario,” David said and got to his feet. “Thank you, Alexis.”

  “All I did was sit here.”

  “That’s right, and thank you. Now, I’m sure you’ve got some story you have to go chase that’s a whole lot more interesting than a relic from the past, especially when I’m not even helping you pay the bills. Like your takedown of Alderman Acado. I can’t imagine anyone who deserves it more.”

  “I might disappoint you on that one. I know he’s dirty, but I can’t print an article based on my gut feelings, no matter how clear they are. I need someone to go on the record, but everyone’s smart enough to keep their lips closed.”

  “Petey Boy!” David said with excitement. “Pete Twolops. Two Lips. Something like that.”

  “Peter Tulup from Amalgamated Processes? What about him?” Alexis asked.

  “That’s him. I played golf with him in exchange for a donation. He was dying to spill the beans to me before Ms. Hanson and the alderman stepped in. He’s your ticket. Get him alone, and bring lots of liquor.”

  “And I was just trying to quit. I’ll give it a shot,” Alexis said.

  “Let me walk you to the Slug. It looks like I’ve already missed the Strong-Man Slug, which means I’m going to have to walk all the way to the hospital. That will give me time to come up with what I’m going to tell Ms. Marquez.”

  “Sister Berta told me the boy took a bullet trying to save you. Why don’t you tell her that? Her son wanted to be a hero and save his own hero at the same time. Every now and then, the truth is the best story to tell. And, David… Go see your mother.”

  ◆◆◆

  David’s mother was sitting in a recliner next to a window. Her new room was noticeably larger and nicer than the room David had paid for years ago. The Springdale’s owner had delivered on his promise. There were crystal fixtures over the WormLights, a real wooden bed frame, and leather recliners instead of the usual Pho-Plastic chairs. Not that any of that mattered to Laura Gilbreth. She was looking out the window, but her eyes were wide and lacked focus. It was hard to believe she was really seeing anything.

  David walked into the room, knocking on the open door. It was always kept open as a matter of safety.

  “Hi, Mom,” David said quietly as he walked into the room.

  He was bent over to keep his head low, lower than the ceiling required, like he was trying to hide his massive size. But that was, of course, impossible.

  It took her a moment, but Laura did turn and look at her son and smi
led.

  “Oh my, aren’t you a big one!” she said.

  “Mom, it’s me. It’s David. Your son. Can I sit down?”

  She eyed him warily like she didn’t believe his comment, but she said okay and gestured toward the other leather recliner.

  David was not about to test the structural integrity of the chair, so he took a seat on the floor. His head was still at an appropriate height for conversation.

  “Do you like your new room, Mom?”

  “I guess so. It takes forever to get down to bingo, but who am I to complain?”

  “And they’re treating you nicely? They take good care of you?”

  “My hip hurts, but when I hit the button they come give me a pillow.”

  “And you’re eating?”

  “There’s that one girl. She watches me and makes sure I finish it all whether I want to or not.”

  “Good. That’s good. Listen, Mom, I don’t know if you know this, but it’s been a while since I’ve seen you. I’m sorry I haven’t visited. It was wrong of me.”

  “It’s okay. I wouldn’t want to come to this place if I didn’t have to either,” she said and leaned down to put her hand on the giant man’s leg.

  It was too much for David to bear. He turned away like he was hiding some tears, but of course, his eyes no longer produced those.

  “I’m glad you’re here now,” she said. “Do you want me to have them bring you some food? A man your size has to eat a lot.”

  “I don’t eat anymore. Remember?”

  “You kids these days, always worrying about your weight. You know there are a lot worse things than having a little cushioning.”

  “I know, Mom. Listen, there’s a reason I finally came. It was to say goodbye. I don’t think I’m going to be able to see you again. I wanted you to know that I love you.”

  “Are you moving away? I hope it’s somewhere with sunnier weather.”

  “No, Mom. I’m not moving. It’s something else,” David said and looked at the floor.

  “Oh,” Laura said, realizing what David was saying. “Sound like maybe you’re off your rocker to me. What could be wrong with a strapping man like you?”

  “I’m not as healthy as I look,” David said and held up his mangled hand.

  “My God,” she said and turned away, her hand over her wide-open mouth.

  “I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have done that. But you have to understand I’m not what I was. I’m not as strong as I used to be. I’m getting weaker and it’s not going to stop. I don’t know how long I have.”

  “Oh, you’re one of them: the freaks.”

  “I’m your son. I was the Savior of Seattle. I’ve been all over the news lately. Don’t they let you read the newspapers?”

  “I like to read the recipes, but they won’t let me cook.”

  “You really don’t remember? The bomb? How it changed me? What it did to Carter?”

  “Carter? Where is that sweet little boy?” she said and looked toward the door as if her youngest son might come running in.

  David ran his hand over his face. “I knew this was a mistake.”

  “I’m sorry. Please don’t be angry with me,” she said.

  “I’m not mad at you, Mom. I’m just sad. I want to talk to you. I want to say goodbye. I want to thank you for all you did to take care of us after Dad went to jail. I want to thank you for how hard you worked to keep us alive after the Plagues. I want to apologize for letting you down after the bomb, for not being there for you even though you needed me. I was a coward. I didn’t know how to deal with what happened. It was so much easier to just run off and smash a mountain or dig a ditch or sink a battleship. After all you did for me, I should have found the courage to help you. But I couldn’t do it. I couldn’t face you because it was my fault. It was all my fault. I should have been a better son. I should have been a better brother. I should have saved him. But I couldn’t do it. I’m sorry, Mom. I’m so, so sorry.”

  David buried his head in his hands and hunched low to the ground. He sobbed as if somehow recreating the breathing of a crying person would make him cry. But he had no tears, and the breaths were forced and unnatural.

  Laura rose out of her seat with great effort. She winced and grimaced as she sat on the floor next to her son. She put her arm on his shoulder and rubbed.

  “It’s alright, it’s alright. You don’t have to be sorry for anything,” she said.

  “No, I do. I do.”

  “I don’t believe that. You seem like such a nice person, a good person. I bet you always tried to do what was best.”

  “I did try. I do try.”

  “That’s all anybody can do. Nobody gets it right a hundred percent of the time.”

  David leaned into his mother, sinking his head into her chest. She did not push him away.

  “I love you, Mom.”

  “I love you, too.”

  David did not know if she finally recognized him, and he did not care. He just sat there, getting hugged by his mother until a few minutes later when an orderly told him it was time to eat. Then David left his mother’s side.

  ◆◆◆

  David walked down the street at a gingerly pace. He had been moving more slowly ever since he lost vision in his right eye a week ago. Instead of his normal delivery of sundries for the neighborhood, he was carrying a box filled with two genuine leather baseball gloves and a pair of Billy the Kid high-tops for Luis and Mario, respectively. The haul took most of his remaining cash, but David could think of nothing better to spend the money on. Mario was due back from the hospital, and the kid deserved to have his spirits lifted.

  David knocked on the door to the Marquez’s apartment, and for once, Fernanda was there to answer the door during the day instead of being hard at work at one of the many jobs it took to keep her family afloat.

  “Hi, Fernanda. Is Mario back?”

  Fernanda did not open the door all the way. She looked at David through the crack for a moment, her brain mulling conflicting thoughts. Ultimately, her desire to make her son happy overran her anger over the danger the boy had been put through.

  “He’s in the bedroom, but you’ve got to be quick. He’s still got a lot of healing to do, and that means a lot of sleep,” Fernanda said and stood out of the way so David could come in.

  David didn’t make it far before Luis came running up and threw his arms around David’s leg, the only appendage the boy could reach.

  “Savior!” he squealed.

  Then he noticed the box in the man’s arms. He could just see the top of the baseball glove peaking out over the top.

  “Is that a baseball glove? Is that for me?!” Luis said, his voice dripping with delight.

  “It is,” David said, and he put a finger over his mouth to quiet the boy. “But I want to see your brother first, and then maybe we can go try it out. Assuming you wait patiently, that is.”

  Luis would not risk saying even another word. He nodded and went back to sit in the living room, making sure to show David that he was dutifully attending to his school work.

  David gave him a nod of approval and then went to the door of the only bedroom in the apartment, knocking as he pushed it open.

  “I’m looking for my hero. Is he in here?” David asked.

  Mario was dozing in the bed, but as soon as he saw David, he became fully awake. He propped himself up in his bed, grimacing as he did so.

  “Woah there. Don’t hurt yourself. You need to heal quickly so that you can get out of bed and try out your new shoes,” David said as he held up Mario’s prize.

  “Wow, are those real Kids? Where’d you get them? It musta cost a fortune. They haven’t put ’em out ever since… you know.”

  “Let’s not bring the mood down with talk of massive and devastating explosions. I know they’re a little old, but they’re still cool, right?”

  “Oh yeah. In fact, I’m not sure I can really be wearing them around. Especially now that I got a target on my back. They’ll
get jacked when I walk out the door.”

  “You think the 49ers are still going to come after you after Big H got his hand blown off and the rest of them ran away with their tails between their legs?”

  “How long you been living out here and you still don’t get it, Savior? When you get punked on is exactly when you got to step up. Otherwise the whole neighborhood is going to know you’re weak and they’re going to walk all over you. That’s why you better do something about Scales.”

  “What are you talking about?” David asked.

  “Man, you really don’t know squat, Savior. How you think the 49ers knew we were going to be there delivering that Manna? I didn’t tell anybody, Sister Berta didn’t tell anybody, and Linden can’t tell anybody. Who else knew what we were doing? Why you think he didn’t show up? How do you think they knew that they could hurt you? Why did they suddenly grow balls? Scales was there when that splinter went in your shoulder. He knew when the Manna was getting delivered. He’s the one who told them everything.”

  “No way,” David said, shaking his head as if it could somehow make his denial true. “Scales wouldn’t do that. He’s got his troubles, but turn on the church? Where’s he going to eat if the church isn’t giving him meals?”

  “Junkies don’t think about the future unless it’s thinking about getting their next fix. Trust me. I know. I used to see one every day before my mom kicked him out. He knew he’d be out of here if he kept getting calm, but he did it anyway because everything else came after getting high. My dad was willing to turn his back on his whole family, and you don’t think Scales would turn on the church? Turn on you? Savior, man, you lucky you so strong or you’d never make it.”

  “Yeah, maybe I should talk to him.”

  “Good idea. And while you’re out there, watch your back. You’re on the 49ers’ hit list now. That isn’t a good place to be.”

  “I can handle myself. You just worry about getting better. And just to be safe, I won’t stray too far from you guys. Not for a while at least.”

  On cue, Luis walked into the room.