On the Precipice of Disbelief

On the Precipice of Disbelief


It is almost a whisper, as she looks in his direction with unmistakable arrogance.

"I am God!"

"Many have claimed that."

He takes his head back and pushes the open folder a few inches from him.

"I've never heard it from a female, but you hear everything for the first time sometime. And: what evidence can you provide for your...hm...somewhat daring claim, young lady?"

"Do you want to know what heaven is like?"

Her eyes look questioningly and - this time - almost innocently in his direction.

"If, rather what it looks like down there - below us - in hell!"

The corners of his mouth curl - almost as if against his will - into a smirk toward his ears.

„Then close your eyes and relax.“

***

He becomes the observer-

A man kneels bent over in the grass. A tiny foot, tucked into a white sock, peeks past his right knee. The socked little foot is dirty and the white sock is spotted with black at the top edge. The tiny shin is smeared with a black liquid.

The scene would be colorless except for the fact that black and white are colors. A pure black and white scene, then. The man rises, turns around with his head bowed. The body of the little girl is now uncovered for the viewer. The child is naked except for the socks on her feet. Its little body is covered with gray spots and a black liquid flows sluggishly in small rivulets from its meager breasts - similar to a spring - which becomes many tiny rivulets.

The man is of tall gaunt build. Flowing white hair blows around his head as if a wind were caught in them. Around his shoulders hung - the gloomy gown of a judge. His naked body is pale between the cloak, as if behind the parts of half-pushed curtains.

He lifts his head. Eyeless eyes grope in the direction of the secret observer. Black drops hang viscously from his lips, trailing slowly line by line to the angular chin.

***

"Oh God - it was you father?!"

It is his own glaring voice, his primal scream, silently tearing him into a million pieces. And he feels his soul burn in the same instant.

***

She smiles at him, nods encouragingly.

"Do you believe me now, doctor?“