Skin Deep
by Michael C.
Keith
An object the size and
shape of a nickel dangled in the air just inches
from Saul’s face. At first he thought it was
an optical illusion or maybe even an eye floater,
but when he grabbed the object, it caused his arm
to fly upward and then side-to-side. Oh, my
God, it’s real! he thought, more than
mildly startled.
Indeed, whatever he held in
his fist was trying to break free, and it quickly
achieved its goal by burning a hole clear through
Saul’s hand. What shocked the young man
nearly as much as the bizarre occurrence was the
fact that he felt no pain, despite the fact that
his skin appeared to be smoldering.
Although he felt nothing,
his instincts prompted him to submerge his
afflicted appendix in water, which immediately
began to boil from the heat emanating from the
fissure. When he finally removed his extremity
from the basin, he saw that the tear showed no
signs of trauma. In fact, the circular opening
looked as if it had existed all of his life.
He raised his hand to his
face and peered through the portal. What he saw
astounded him. Before him stood a woman so
beautiful he was instantly smitten.
“Who are you?” he
asked, barely able to speak.
“I am your mistress,
if you want me,” she answered, in a voice
that sounded like sweet music.
“Of course, I want you.
Why shouldn’t I? You are the loveliest woman
I have ever seen.”
“Then will you marry
me, sir?”
“By all means,”
responded Saul, clearing his throat. “Will
you be my wife?”
“Yes, I accept your
proposal.”
“What is your name?”
asked Saul, continuing to gape through the hollow
in his hand.
“Endora . . . my name
is Endora.”
“That is so perfect
for someone as graceful and exquisite as you,”
said Saul, lowering his hand.
As soon as his view was
fully restored, he let out a gasp when he beheld
the woman to whom he had pledged his life’s
devotion.
“You’re not who I
saw through the breach in my hand. You are far
less pretty . . . perhaps even ugly. Yes, that’s
it. You are ugly.”
“Oh, shut up and put
your hand back over your eye,” barked the
crone.
Saul did as he was told and
again found the woman of his dreams through the
cavity in his mitt. It was the last time he ever
let his guard down.
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