The Short Memoirs of a Madman Read online

desperate to go on living undisturbed, knowing that if this man’s presence was nearby they could not.

  “Leave us!” They were shouting now, moving towards the Master with the intent to throw him back into the boat He came in.

  I quickly stepped between them. “This man did no harm. He has done a miracle here and yet you wish to send him away!”

  “No harm! He has cost us much money in sending our swine into the sea. We want no more of His miracles here!” The spokesman said with a glare.

  “You look down on this man for destroying your business and yet it is you who are in the wrong. Jews keeping swine! Perhaps He is here to give you freedom from your uncleanness and teach you to return to the ways God prescribed to us?”

  The spokesman’s face turned a deep red. His massive jaw bobbed open and closed as he conjured up a reply, but he was interrupted before he could speak.

  “It is enough.” Jesus said. “We will go.”

  Panic seized me and I turned to clutch his sleeve. “Please, Master. Do not leave me! Take me with you! Wherever You go, I will follow.”

  “No, Benjamin.” He smiled and took my shoulder firmly, reassurance in His eyes. “You have long been away from your family. Return to your home. Show your friends the great things that God has done for you.”

  In no time at all Jesus and His disciples had reloaded the boat and were shoving off the shore to return from where they had come. The disgruntled group behind me had already tapered off, with only a few frowning men standing guard to ensure that Jesus left for good.

  I wanted to jump into the waves and swim after them, but I did as He told me and remained. As I watched them sail away I expected that my heart would have felt empty from His absence, but it was strangely full. So full that it felt painful to bear.

  “Benjamin,” Timothy approached me timidly, his eyes searching for any sign that I could turn back into the beast I had been. “How did this happen?”

  I explained what I knew and I told him of all that Jesus had said during our time on the beach. Timothy listened in amazement.

  “You must return with me to tell the family!” He exclaimed.

  “Yes! But not just the family, I plan to tell the whole city of what Jesus has done for me!”

  Timothy slapped me on the back heartily. “Then let us go!”

  I laughed and nodded, excitement bubbling up in me as I thought of my wife and children. I took one last longing gaze out at the boat that sailed at the horizon’s edge, grateful for the ability to choose my own path, my own destiny. Grateful that it was marked by Him.

  THE END

  For the original account this short story is based upon read: Mark 5:1-20 and Luke 8:26-39

  About the Author

  A Short Bio for a Short Story: Vanessa Speer is a 24-year-old writer, photographer, graphic designer and world traveler in the making. She loves quick witted sarcasm, Vanilla Coke, Classic Literature and her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

  Connect with Vanessa Speer

  Thanks for taking the time to read my little book. In some way it's like we're already connected through story, but if you'd like to connect further I'd love to hear from you! Check out my media pages and follow me to track my writing progress and other creative outlets.

  "Like" my photography page on Facebook (author's page coming soon!): https://facebook.com/52films

  Follow me on Twitter: https://twitter.com/vanessaspeer