"I can’t stay," he said. "I haven’t told you… I guess I should, though."
"You don’t have to tell me anything," Tina said.
"I do have to tell you. I killed Sam’s parents. It was a mistake. So, you see, how can I stay when--"
"Then you owe her," Tina said, cutting him off.
"Owe her?" Henry asked.
"Yes. You owe Sam a father. You took her father, and so you owe her. And a mother. And you owe your own family. You must dedicate your life to being the best father. and husband, that you can possibly be, no matter how hard it is. In fact, the harder it is for you, the better. Those are the terms of your redemption, Henry. If you leave, you will never get another chance like this again. I think you know that."
Henry thought about it. "What if she doesn’t want me as her father?" he asked.
"Then you have to work to make her want you as her father."
"And what if…"
"Don’t worry about the other part. I think that’s covered."
Henry thought about it some more, and finally sighed. "Okay, then. A good father, and a good husband. I accept the terms."
They were in a resort on the ocean in Cancun. Samantha was down by the water building a sand castle. The waves rolled in gently, whispering the names of Henry’s wife and daughter. He saw them standing in the shallow water, smiling, and waving goodbye. His wife blew him a kiss, then took the hand of their daughter, and they turned and walked into ocean, disappearing forever.
"A good father, and a good husband," he whispered to Tina. "That’s all I ever really wanted to be, you know." And he held her tightly while they watched Sam.
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God Drug by Stephen L. Antczak
About the Author
Stephen sold his first short story in 1990 and has sold over 50 stories since then, mostly science fiction, fantasy and horror. Some of his stories were collected into a book called DAYDREAMS UNDERTAKEN, published by Marietta Publishing, 2004. His novel, GOD DRUG, was originally published by Marietta Publishing in 2004.
Anthologies that he has had stories in include: ADVENTURES IN THE TWILIGHT ZONE edited by Carol Serling, SUPERHEROES edited by John Varley & Ricia Mainhardt, A CONFEDERACY OF THE DEAD, CHILLED TO THE BONE, GAHAN WILSON'S ULTIMATE HAUNTED HOUSE, 100 WICKED LITTLE WITCH STORIES and MONDO ZOMBIE.
He co-wrote the short film NO WITNESS featuring Shawn Mullins, and co-wrote the feature film based on it, also called NO WITNESS, starring Corey Feldman, Jeff Fahey and Marisa Petroro. He also wrote the script for the feature film SEX & CONSEQUENCES starring Corbin Bernsen & Joan Severance.
Connect with Stephen at:
http://stephenlantczak.blogspot.com/
Copyright
The Oracle Paradox
Written by Stephen L. Antczak
ISBN: 978-1-988863-25-2 (ebook)
This story is a work of fiction. All of the characters, organizations, and events portrayed in the story are either the product of the author’s imagination, fictitious, or used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual persons or aliens, living or dead, would be coincidental and quite remarkable.
God Drug - Copyright © 2017 by Stephen L. Antczak. This story and all characters, settings, and other unique features or content are copyright Stephen L. Antczak. Published under exclusive license by Digital Fiction Publishing Corp. Cover Image Copyright © 2017 the artist. This version first published in print and electronically: October 2017 by Digital Fiction Publishing Corp., LaSalle, Ontario, Canada. Digital Science Fiction and its logo, and Digital Fiction Publishing Corp and its logo, are Trademarks of Digital Fiction Publishing Corp.
All rights reserved, including but not limited to the right to reproduce this book in any form, electronic or otherwise. The scanning, uploading, archiving, or distribution of this book via the Internet or any other means without the express written permission of the Publisher is illegal and punishable by law. This book may not be copied and re-sold or copied and given away to other people. If you’re reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your use, then please purchase your own copy. Purchase only authorized electronic or print editions and do not participate in the piracy of copyrighted materials. Please support and respect the author’s rights.
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The Oracle Paradox Page 32
