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03/28/2004: "Breathing Under Water"

By Carol J. Warren

(This story tells the gospel story in a different kind of way using Science Fiction. This works very well with a younger generation that is into TV and Video Games.)
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Usually a story starts with a long time ago or once upon a time but this story happens in the future, so a long time into the future, there was a family. Well there not exactly like your average family around the corner but in some ways they are. You see this family lives on the floor of the ocean.

In the future with the ozone being seriously damaged and all the pollution and other problems, the plant life and food crops were seriously affected. Scientist became increasingly aware of the shortage of food and the ill effects the sun was having on people’s health. So the scientist of that day decided to try to genetically altar mankind in such a way as to enable him to live and breath under water. The vast oceans of the world covered much more territory than the inhabitable landmasses did. It would provide more room and more food, which at that time was an ever-increasing problem and some protection from the environment.


This new breed of man would grow vast crops of kelp and seaweed and various other forms of underwater vegetation to insure safety for the entire planet. It was thought that sometime in the future everyone would be forced to live under the water because of the harsh affects of the environment on the surface world. So a certain group of people was created, by genetic experimentation to live on the ocean floor. Most of them were scientist themselves, coming up with new ways to grow and harvest plants to feed the world as well as new ways to work on the worlds problems concerning the loss of ozone and pollution. As they had to adapt to living under water they discovered many wonderful things that helped all of mankind.

They helped mankind so much and resolved so many of their problems that it was determined it would not be necessary to have more people altered genetically to live under water. The planet was saved, so to speak, there was now no shortage of food with the ocean as a source and the harsh effects of the sun had been softened by a new way the water people had discovered of restoring and filtering the ozone.

That was years ago. There have been several generations of underwater people born since then. But the Air Breathers decided that the Water Breathers were not really humans. They called them mutants and treated them harshly. Water Breathers could not understand why Air Breathers hated them so. Had they not undertaken a special task to save the world and now that they had saved the world they were hated for being different. But they weren’t really different. The only real difference was they lived under water. They still had the same emotions and family ties. They still believed in God and many were Christians. Though the air breathers had decided Water Breathers could not be saved and go to heaven, the Water Breathers did not believe that was true.

They knew the only difference was their ability to breath underwater and that God would love them just as he would love someone who had a heart transplant or kidney transplant. What they had was no different, the body only had been altered but not the soul and spirit within. But Air Breathers said they were not really human and often refused to allow them to be a part of their world.

I want to introduce you to a certain family of Water Breathers, the mom Lyra, the Dad Saim, and their young son Peem who was about 10 years old. They had been through a particularly stressful time with the loss of their oldest son Bill. He was 20 when he died. He had been exploring an old wreck for the Cost Guard and was caught off guard when an old bomb on the ship went off unexpectedly. His weight on the ship had caused it to shift just enough to cause the bomb to hit the side of the rail and detonate.

It was a tragic loss. Families under the water usually live further apart than families on the dry land, sort of like the old pioneers, so families under the water are very close to each other. It was very hard for them to continue with out their beloved son. They had taken a leave of absence from their work with the Ocean Science Center and taken their son Peem to the beach to play to get their mind off things. Isn’t it funny, air breathers go to the beach to play in the water yet be close to the land they feel safe in and water breathers come to the beach to play on the land and yet stay close to the water they feel safe in. Water Breathers could come out of the water but not for long periods of time, they could usually only stay out of the water 2-3 hours, after that it became uncomfortable. After 4 hours the subject would under go certain misery and soon die.

The beach was a welcome relief from their daily duties. They bought ice cream cones and played in the sand. But other families at the beach began to talk about them and point their fingers at them. The other children began to call his son names and their parents didn’t even try to stop them. Soon a crowd had gathered just to stare at them. It wasn’t the restful, healing time they had hoped for. (It reminded Saim of the way people in Bible times treated Jesus. They thought he was different too. Very few people believed his mother had a virgin birth. Being strict in the law, I am sure there were many rude comments and glaring stares as Jesus grew up. Jesus knew what it felt like to be ridiculed, rejected and not have a true friend.) Soon Saim told his family, “Let’s go home. We’re not wanted here.” His family was very relieved to get away from the rude Air Breathers.

Their home was a bit different than the homes we have on dry ground. It was made of heavy metals and anchored deep into the sand so that it would not shift with the water flow. It had iridescent lights instead of direct lights because being under water they were not used to direct bright light. Their eyes were different. They could see things in darker murky water others could not see but bright light hurt their eyes. As a result their eyes were larger and flatter looking than Air Breather’s eyes. Because their home is full of water and they can float, they do not necessarily have beds that look like ours. They have cubbyholes called sleeping holes. They may float near the ceiling or anchor to the floor to sleep.

They have few conveniences because; well they simply don’t need them. They eat their food raw and unprocessed because it is healthier. They do on occasion heat a drink but then again most drinks are in compressed tubes, because if it is not then it will mix with the water they live in and that can get messy.

They do not have restrooms like we do. They have a suction tube in a special bathroom that removes the waste to a selected storage tank. They wouldn’t want to be swimming and living in their own floating waste. They do not take baths or showers. They used to try to bath like Air Breathers but they soon discovered that it was not good for them. Their skin developed a thin slimy greenish coating. If they bathe with soap this green slim was washed off, then their skin would get diseases and develop serious problems. So they just clean as necessary to remove dirt but they don’t get really dirty except for algae build up sometimes because they are in the water all of the time. Their skin was very pale from living deep under the water. With the slim it gave them a pale green look. The slimy coating is on their hair as well. It doesn’t look bad under the water but when they come out onto dry land it makes their hair look greasy. When it dries in the sun it looks terrible, flaking and leaving patches of dried slime all over them. It makes them look like they have a terrible disease, which doesn’t help air breathers like them. They do have certain cleaning fluids they use on clothing or other items. It is then placed in a large sealed tube and washed with a solution. But usually they just wear something similar to a swimsuit because after all they do live in the water. It is sometimes difficult for them to walk on dry land. They have strong legs for swimming and standing under water but the water lifts much of your weight. Different muscles are used for walking than for swimming. This can be a point of ridicule as well.

They had soft webbing hardly noticeable, between their fingers and toes. It is very flexible but also very sensitive. Their hearing is more acute and of course the way they handled medical situations is different. They really didn’t have many sicknesses though. No heart problems, blood pressure problems or weight problems because they didn’t eat like the Air Breathers.

Most items they eat are simple and raw as I said because anything else would mix with the water they live in. For example, how would you like to eat a cheeseburger and French-fries under water; wouldn’t that be a soggy mess. How about mashed potatoes, or chicken soup. Nothing does well in water but the foods that were created to be in water like raw fish, kelp, seaweed, mmmm good and especially plankton. It’s just a matter of taste. They don’t eat sweets because cake and ice cream just don’t hold up well under the ocean. Though they do have a special vacuum packed room they can enter to prepare and serve surface food, they usually only use it when the science team sends over Air Breathing guests.
(Funny the Lord’s food was different too, He said, “His food was to do the will of the Father God.”)

Saim and his family lived very far away from most of the other Water Breathers because Saim and Lyra were doing special research on a new food source they had recently discovered. For this food source to grow correctly it needed to be in a certain environment that was only found far away. They kept in touch with their science headquarters by special computers and telecommunications systems but really other than the Lord, family was everything to them. That is why losing their dear son had been so very hard on them and so difficult to get over. It was a comfort to them to remember that God knew how they felt because He had to deal with the death of His son died too, even though he came back from the dead, God still suffered the agony of seeing His son suffer and die.

They had just gotten back to their own home and settled in from their so-called vacation. It was late so they went straight to there sleeping holes to rest. They were all awakened in the middle of the night when they heard a large crash. The whole area was shaken by it. Saim slid down from his ceiling perch where he had been curled up. Lyra followed him to the living area. “What do you think that was?” she asked looking around in fear.

“I have no way of knowing.” Saim said, “It could be a herd of whales moving through. But it just didn’t sound like a whale herd.” They waited to see if there were any other unusual sounds. There weren’t but they did notice and unusually bright light that flashed through the area twirling and swirling almost like a saw blade made of light and then it was gone. They waited for a while but since nothing else developed they decided to at least try to go back to sleep.

Early the next morning Saim prepared for an expedition to explore the area of the crash. “Where do you think you’re going?” Lyra asked. “I thought we weren’t going to go back to work for at least a few more days.”

“I’m going to see if I can discover what caused that noise last night.” He screeched quietly. Living underwater it was just not effective to talk like Air Breathers, so they had developed a language similar to that of the dolphins with a series of chirps, screeches, squeals and grunts. He was trying to keep the level of his voice down because he didn’t want to wake Peem their son. But it was too late. There he was floating near the side of the entrance. “Can I go too dad.” He screeched.

“Not this time son.” His dad said slowly, “We’re not sure what it was and I… we just can’t take any chances.” Peem knew what he meant. They were still getting over the tragic loss of their oldest son and they weren’t going to allow him anywhere near anything that was even possibly dangerous. He didn’t think it was fair but he knew his dad and their was no sense in trying to talk to him once he had made up his mind about something.

Saim used his scientific underwater instruments to take readings of the area. The area in question seemed to be somewhere north of them. His sensors indicated a power source and perhaps some sort of life force but he couldn’t be sure. The readings were different than anything he had ever seen before. He headed off in that direction constantly checking his gauges. All Lyra and Peem could do was wait and pray that it was nothing serious. They just wanted their lives to go back into a normal routine.

Saim soon came to an area where huge rocks had been torn from the cliff. There was a deep ditch in the bottom of the ocean floor like something very large had skidded quite a ways. Saim followed the skid marks with an eerie feeling. It was as if something were watching him. He looked all around. There was no sign of anything unusual but he couldn’t shake that feeling that something or someone was watching him. “Oh Lord protect us.” he prayed thinking of his family. “Only you know what lies ahead. I claim your guidance and wisdom.” He continued to murmur prayers as he walked along. Talking to the Lord was just part of his life. He talked to the Lord all of the time. It would feel strange not to talk to Him.

Then he spotted a huge massive object of some sort. It was covered with dirt and rock and half buried in the ocean floor. Whatever it was he could tell it had been manufactured and that it was not a meteor or anything natural. He could also tell that it wasn’t a local watercraft. The closer he got the more unusual the craft looked. It had a bright green glow about it. He reached out and touched the substance the craft was made of. It was colder than ice. His hand stung from the coldness of it. Whatever it was it wasn’t anything he had seen or heard of before. Slowly he began to study the outside hull. The more he walked around it the more pieces of something he saw floating in the water. He couldn’t quite tell what they were. It was like a very soft rubber substance and yet very lacy and delicate. Each piece seemed to be a random size and shape.

Then he spotted an open entryway. Why? Why would they leave the door open? If this was as he suspected an alien ship of some sort, then why didn’t they try to hide their presence from him? They wouldn’t just leave the door open, unless of course it was some sort of trap. He had a strange feeling in the pit of his stomach. Everything in him wanted to turn around and run but he was also a scientist and he was on a fact-finding mission that just might be extremely important. The Bible said in 2 Timothy 1:7, “For God has not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.” He rebuked the fear and called on the Lord for strength.

He felt stronger as he moved closer to the door of the space ship. He had to know what this space ship was, why it was here and why it had evidently crashed? Where were the beings that brought it here? Was there any danger to him or his family?

Saim straightened up and braced himself. He was going in. The ship was a series of open tunnels and rooms done in a lace like pattern. He still couldn’t get over the feeling that something or someone was watching him. He tried to move very carefully, slowly and cautiously but the deeper he went into the craft the more he battled with fear. The soft green glow of the lights was perfect for Saim. These creatures must have been water breathers like he was. The further he walked into the ship the more debris he discovered. It was everywhere in various shapes and sizes, these delicate rubbery, lacy looking pieces of something. Finally he entered what seemed to be an officer’s quarters. He could not read the writings on their control panel or on any of the other items. They seemed to have something similar to a computer. He tried to bring it up but it had been damaged in the crash.

Finally after trying several things he managed to bring something on screen. It was still at least a little functional. He just wasn’t sure what keys he should push. Pictures of star charts and maps came up. It was very interesting though it was not Saim’s area of expertise he could tell that they covered a vast area, some of it yet uncharted on earth. Then a bright picture came up of something – Saim turned sideways, what was it? Did he bring it up sideways? No, it was some sort of creature. No, it was 3 creatures, a big one, one just a bit smaller and a very small one. Maybe it was a family. Their appearance was beautiful, like nothing he had ever seen. They were made of a transparent substance that looked like lace that glowed with various colors. It looked so delicate and soft and full of light. They had several extensions going out from them like long arms, similar to a squid’s tentacles.

Suddenly it dawned on Saim that this looked very similar to the bits and pieces of substance he saw floating everywhere. “Oh my Lord no,” He screeched as he realized that what was floating around him were pieces of these creatures. But why? What could have possibly torn them to bits like that? Saim felt sick at his stomach like he was going to vomit. Just then something moved. Saim froze. He studied the area the sound had come from but there was definitely nothing there to move. Fear rose in Saim like a volcano. He swam out of there as fast as he could. Even after he was out of the ship he just kept swimming. He couldn’t get the picture of what he had seen out of his head. He finally had to stop by a big rock to throw up.

His mind began to race trying to logically think about what might have happened. Again he prayed rebuking fear and asking the Lord for help, trying to clear his head. Something caused the ship to crash. That much was evident. Something destroyed the creatures on the ship. Were there others of these creatures, survivors? If so where would they be? “Well,” he thought, “If it were me I would be hiding.” But what about the – well whatever it was that destroyed them. Was it still around? Was it a threat to his family? At the thought of his little family out here all alone so far from every other outpost, he shuddered. He simply couldn’t handle it if anything happened to them. Lord you are my strength and shield; you are my high tower, a refuge for me and my family. He prayed as he swam.

Just at that moment a bright light swirled by. It looked like a saw blade made of laser beams twisting and turning. It was the same light he saw last night at his house. It began to go in circles around him. He couldn’t really look directly at it because it was too bright; it hurt his eyes. It had several projections of light that came out at angels and then bent like a sickle. After a couple of times around him it left. But when it left it left so fast that almost instantly he couldn’t even see the slightest trace of it. “Wow, what was that?” he said out loud. He wasn’t sure what it was but it seemed to be looking him over and checking him out. What ever it was looking for it wasn’t him. Something about the light seemed sinister, even downright evil. He had that same feeling of danger in his gut. He wasn’t sure where that thing went but he was going home to check on his family.

It reminded him of the devil, Lucifer, he started out as an angel of light and beauty but he turned out to be evil and destructive to all. Some were enticed by his light and beauty and caught in his trap; very few realized how deceptive he really was. But Saim wasn’t about to fall for that. As a scientist he knew things are not always what they seem and to always question the obvious.

He wondered what the light really was. Was it one of the creatures from the ship or was it what harmed them? He didn’t know? How could you fight a light? Considering how fast it went, it could come in attack and leave before he even realized it was there. Could it go through solid objects? How could he protect his family if he didn’t know what it was or how to fight it? He swam faster racing home, his fears and worries swarming him as he went.

He entered the code to the entrance and came in through the vacuum lock. Lyra knew instantly something was wrong. “What is it?” she asked stopping her work.

“Maybe nothing?” he said trying to sound calm but he knew he hadn’t quite pulled it off.

“And maybe not?” his wife asked. His look said it all. Whatever it was it was serious. “OK,” she said, “No more secrets. Whatever it is we face it together. What is it?”

Peem came in floating near the ceiling, which had special handholds and grooves just for that purpose. “I want in on this.” Peem squeaked, “I’m tired of being treated like a little kid. I’m 10 years old now and I’m part of this family. I want to know too.”

Saim hesitated, well, he might as well tell them. Three heads are better than one. Besides he wanted them to be on the alert so they would be more guarded against any possible danger. Little by little he explained all or most of what he saw. Several times he had to stop as his stomach began to feel squeamish. Finally they had the entire story.

Lyra said, “I think we need to alert headquarters. Whatever it is we need more research teams and maybe even more weapons. We can’t fight this thing by ourselves.”

Headquarters was mainly made up of Air Breathers. Often they seemed to not take them seriously when there was a personal threat to a water breather. Saim didn’t feel he could trust them. “Not just yet. I just have a feeling that they would make things worse instead of better. Besides we’re so far out that if we are in immediate danger they would never be able to get here in time. Remember you not only have to consider the time it takes to travel but all the red tape and meetings they would have to go through just to get an action approved.”

“Let alone the fact that they don’t care if something happens to a Water Breather.” Peem added

They all felt that way but it was rude to say so. But for some reason this time he didn’t feel like correcting Peem. It was getting late. “We’ll talk about this in the morning.” Saim said. “If that light thing is the attacker it may not be a problem because he just didn’t seem interested in me.” They all agreed. They had a little dinner. No one was really hungry and went to their sleeping holes but it was hard to sleep. Finally Saim was so tired that he fell into a fitful sleep.

He was awakened to the sound of the buzzer at the air lock. Since there were no neighbors the only time the buzzer was used was when someone was coming in from the science lab or they had Air Breathing visitors. But when someone was coming they always knew about it in advance. They just rang the buzzer to let them know they had arrived and so they would open the air lock. But they weren’t expecting anyone. Saim looked at Lyra but neither of them moved. The buzzer sounded again.

Saim was shaking so hard he could hardly swim. He slowly began to make his way to the door. His wife grabbed his fin and was floating behind him. Peem peeked from his sleeping hole but one wave from Saim let him know that he had better not try to come out. Finally in front of the air lock Saim peeked through the glass to see who was there. “Probably just some stray fish.” He said out loud making a lame attempt to calm everyone, and then he bent over to look.

“Yeah,” Lyra added, “A fish that knows our security code to the buzzer. That’s a good one. Even Peem’s pet eel can’t pull that one off.”

Saim froze. Lyra kept pulling on him asking him what it was but he wouldn’t answer. The look of shock on his face told Lyra it was too terrifying for words. The buzzer went off again. Lyra pushed her way past her stupefied husband and peered through the glass herself. “It can’t be.” She said. “It’s not possible.”

Slowly she began to turn the vapor lock key. “No,” Saim shrieked, “It’s got to be some kind of trick. It can’t be….” He trailed off unable to say the words.

“You may be able to take that chance,” Lyra said determined, “But I can’t. I’ve got to know.” Slowly the vapor lock opened. They both stood there staring, unable to move because there in front of them stood Bill, their dead son. He looked like Bill and he even talked like Bill. His gestures, the way he held his head, everything was just like Bill.

Lyra couldn’t stand it any more. She rushed to his side holding him tears streaming out of her eyes mingling with the water.

“No,” Saim said, “don’t you see that can’t be Bill. I don’t know who he is but he’s not Bill. Until we’re sure of who he is we need to be careful. Get back, Lyra please back away from him.”

A strange look came into Bills eyes as he looked at Saim. “She only did what you wanted to do.” Then with a sigh of resignation he said. “I may not be Bill but I could be Bill if you would let me be.”

What in the world did that mean? Saim reached over and pulled his fin sharply just to make sure he was really awake and not sleep walking. There was something very appealing about this imposter. “Yes it’s real.” Bill said, “As real as what you saw yesterday.”

“You were there?” Saim asked grimacing at the memory of it.

“Yes,” Bill said, “I was there.”

Then you are one of the creatures I saw – I mean in the picture.” Saim stuttered unable to say what he had really seen. “I thought some one was watching me.”

“Yes I am the only one left.” Bill said. You could see the sorrow in his face. A sorrow they could understand having just recently lost someone they loved. Especially sorrow in the face that looked just like the face of their son.

“What if you are the one that destroyed them?” Saim asked, “What if you are here to harm us?” Without thinking he pushed Lyra behind him.

“If I had wanted to harm you, you would be dead. It would have been easy by now.” He grimaced, “Did it look like the monster responsible for destroying my people gave us time to talk to him or try to trick him?”

Saim shuddered as he thought about the light he had seen and how fast it was. “Then how did you survive?”

“I am a very special breed of my people. There are very few of us left.” Bill said, “I am what you would call a shape shifter. I can assume the shape of most anything. Which is how I escaped from the monster. When I saw what was happening I changed my shape. I was the wall just behind you that made you feel as though someone were watching.”

“Which explains why you look like our son.” Saim said, “I wish you wouldn’t do that. It is hard enough to deal with as it is.”

“Really it makes it easier for both of us. I am in a shape you are familiar and comfortable with and the monster will not recognize me in this form.” Bill paused, “We also are a very emotional people. It is important to me, to my very existence to be loved and accepted. Perhaps in this form it will be easier for you to accept me. But in any case I could not change into something else now because it takes a few minutes to change back into something else and the moment I change into my true form the monster will sense it. He will come with great speed and kill me and perhaps you before I even have a chance to change back.”

“Then you are a threat to me and my family.” Saim shrieked thinking of Lyra and Peem.

“Not as long as I keep this shape. He does not recognize this shape. That’s why he left you alone when he saw you yesterday.” Bill said solemnly.

“Then that was the monster?” Saim asked

“Yes that was the monster.” Bill said sadly

Lyra stepped out from behind
Saim. “We can’t just leave him to that monster. What kind of Christians are we. We must help him, as we would want him to help us if we needed it. It isn’t just because he looks like my Bill. It’s because it’s the right thing to do. How could we live with ourselves if we didn’t intervene? There’s a monster out there. Perhaps he is not interested in us today but maybe with no enemy he recognizes and because he is used to being a monster and destroying, we will be his enemy tomorrow. We must work together to do what he can to stop him now.”

Saim knew she was right. But he also knew that at all cost he must protect his family. Bill headed for the door. “I didn’t think about him turning on you. I really don’t want to put anyone in danger. I wouldn’t have come if I hadn’t thought it was safe.”

Saim couldn’t help but think of how much Bill sounded like the Lord Jesus. He came to earth from somewhere that was completely different, Heaven. The devil was bent on killing him. He assumed the form of the people he came to help. He became a son. He too couldn’t go back until the monster, the devil was defeated on the cross and the people were free from the terror of him.

“Wait,” Saim squeaked. “Lyra’s right, we have to face this together. Come slither to this resting place and tell us about this creature and why he is so bent on killing all of your kind.”

Bill hesitated as though weighing whether he really was putting them in any danger or not. Then he slid onto the resting seat. “It started many years ago on a planet far away. We were made by the One Great God as you were. But as it happened here it happened there as well, evil crept in and changed things. We were content to be a simple, peace loving people at first. But evil forces created this light that you have seen. It is truly a monster with only one purpose and that is to destroy. Many of the ancient ones were killed by them until one day they began to hide in the great holes in the earth. The monster is made of a laser like light. He will not go into a place where there is no light at all. So we learned to seal ourselves into the holes in the ground with a thick ore. It is the same cold ore that our ship was made of. Once the entrance is sealed the monsters cannot sense us. By the grace of the one true God, the Lord developed His light in us. So that even though we had to live beneath the ground in the dark we would have light.

My people began to grow things and develop great technology. We never could defeat the monsters but we are able to block them out. The main danger comes when we open a door to go outside even for a moment. For then the creatures sense us. We have lived this way in a under water world like yours for many hundreds of years.”

Again Saim’s thoughts drifted to the Lord. He too came from a perfect world, heaven. But Satan, an evil force began to cause much trouble in heaven, so much so that the Bible says a third of the angels fell with him. Their living under ground was like the people who lived on the earth compared to heaven. The monster, the devil was constantly trying to find a way to destroy them. Through the blood of Jesus we have a special protection like the ore he spoke of but if we ever open a door through sin or disobedience the enemy is ready to attack. That is why we have to be quick to repent when we sin. The Bible says in John 10:10 “The thief (the devil) comes not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I (Jesus) am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.” – It was one of Saim’s favorite passages.

“Is there no way to defeat the monster then?” Saim asked.

“The ancient writings say if you can trick them into going into a place where there is no light at all they will simply go out, die, like permanently turning off a light. But there is nothing to prove that. It may be more legend than not. Until now we have done such a great job of keeping them out that we have never had to deal with them, so we have never tested this legend.”

“Until now?” Saim asked, “What happened this time?”

“It is always dangerous when we open the shield.” The water on our planet is losing its ability to sustain life, so we needed to find a suitable planet that is not hostile to migrate to. It would also solve our problems with the monster.”

“Unless of course you bring it with you.” Saim said

“Yes,” Bill continued, “We were only coming to explore this time and not contact anyone. Since most of the hostile creatures on this planet live out of the water this was a planet we were seriously considering. We just wanted to be very sure.”

Saim couldn’t help but notice that the hostile beings really were the ones that lived out of the water, the air breathers. But it didn’t have to be that way. He only wished it weren’t.

“But somehow when we opened the shield even though it was just for a moment one of the monsters must have been close by and attached himself to our ship. Once we entered the water where we could breath freely we opened the vents to the water. The monster then entered and destroyed everyone, everyone but me that is. That’s why we crashed. Now he is loose on your planet. I’m sorry.” Bill said sincerely.

“You have suffered enough at this monsters doings.” Saim said, “The question is what do we do now. Our head quarters would never understand.” Lyra nodded in agreement.

Just at that moment a strange bright light came suddenly from nowhere. It entered in the room through the window. As a light it could easily pass through a window. It swirled about the room twisting and turning like a saw blade, hovering over Bill for a moment and then as quickly as it had come it was gone. You couldn’t even see a trace of it in the distance. “Is that the monster?” Lyra asked shaking.”

“Yes.” Bill said. It was evident that he was shaken as well.

“Do you think he knows who you are?” Saim asked

“No, he is not capable of reasoning.” Bill said, “He is like a wild animal hunting for his prey. He simply acts on instincts. He senses something but he can’t tell what it is.”

“What do you think we should do?” Saim asked, “Since you have the most to lose. It is evident that he is looking for you.”


Bill shuddered, “They live looking for us. I am just concerned that what Lyra said is true. If they do not find something to hate soon they may turn their hate to something new. Their one true desire is to kill and destroy. We have no way of knowing what it will do. All we can do now is go on with our lives and do whatever you would have done before I came.”

Again Saim thought of the scripture that said Satan is like a roaring lion seeking whom he may devour.

“We?” Saim asked, “You intend to stay with us.”

“Where else would I go?” Bill asked. “My ship is wrecked. I can’t go home. I certainly have nowhere else to go, unless you won’t let me stay. I won’t force myself on you. That is not our way.”

Again this creature’s simple direct and caring ways made Saim think of the Lord. He doesn’t push himself on anyone either, even if it’s for their own good.

Lyra pinched Saim’s fin to let him know how she felt. It was again a sharp stinging reminder to Saim that he really was awake. “Ouch, yes you will stay here with us. But you mustn’t go near the Science Lab Information Center over there, because if they see you it will most certainly be hard to explain. But since we live so far from others it shouldn’t be too hard to keep you a secret.”

You could tell that Bill was visibly relieved. They talked for hours until the night was gone and the day was well spent. Saim began to teach Bill about the work they did and everything he could about the planet earth. Bill was a very fast learner. It was easy to forget that he was not really Bill. He looked so much like Bill and talked so much like Bill. It gave their hearts a rest to just let him be Bill, even though inside they really knew that he was not Bill.

Saim again thought of Jesus. So many thought that he was not God and man, that he was only a nice man. But that just wasn’t true. He knew that you couldn’t judge things by their appearance; it’s what’s on the inside that counts. On the outside Jesus looked just like everyone else but sometimes we have to look with other eyes to see the truth, the eyes of our heart. Only with the eyes of our heart can we see that Jesus really is the Son of God. Sometimes it’s just easier for us to take things at face value but is it really easier if it causes us to miss out on the truth. Jesus is the Son of God. That he allowed himself to become part human to rescue us is more than we can comprehend but it is truth nonetheless. No matter how much this creature looked like Bill; inside he was someone else; a nice someone else. Saim couldn’t let the way he looked prevent him from knowing the real creature and appreciating him, even if it was hard to do sometimes.

They had received orders from the Science Center to check out an old World War II wrecked ship to see if they could find anything of significance. What that really means is someone on the surface thinks there is something there they want but they won’t just come out and say that. They have to make it sound like there is some kind of scientific significance. So Bill and Saim went to check out the old wreck. It was very old and pretty unstable. Saim warned Bill to be very careful where he let his weight touch down. By now they’d had several conversations about what Bill really looked like and sounded like. But Bill tried to avoid those conversations as much as he could because it was best for them and for him just to see him as Bill. But Saim couldn’t help but wonder about this kind caring creature. He wanted to know him as he really was.

There was a large hole in the deck of the ship. “Supposedly whatever the Air Breathers want is down there.” Saim squeaked. “Just be very careful because this old ship is very brittle and unstable.” Just then Saim himself lost his footing and that entire section of the deck where he was gave way. He went tumbling down head over heals all tangled up in an old rope that fell with him. Suddenly Bill and Saim saw something at the same time. Something terrifying. But there was nothing Saim could do. A very large moray eel had been nesting in that hole. It was a rare bread called Thyrsoidea macrurus, they have razor sharp teeth and grow to about 15 feet long, though this one seemed larger. They can be quite vicious when disturbed and this one was pulling his head back to strike. Which means he was just about to bite Saim’s head off his body. Saim could only look in horror because even though he struggled frantically against the old ropes there was no way he could get lose in time.

Suddenly everything changed, Saim was being lifted up out of the hole by many beautiful lacy tentacles. It seemed that he was surrounded by lace that was glowing with light. He had never seen anything so breathtakingly beautiful. The moray eel, a creature of darkness immediately cringed back from the light. Gently the creature set Saim down on a secure part of the ship. You could see right through him. What must have been something similar to blood vessels seemed to be coursing and pulsating with different colors of light throughout his being. There was such a shimmering glow about him, and through him like light rippling through him. Then very slowly he began to return again to be Bill. Bill seemed very plain compared to what he had just seen. Saim was amazed. He couldn’t help but think of Jesus and what he must have looked like in all of his real glory. With eyes like fire shining like the sun.

He had just barely turned back into being Bill when the light monster came. Twirling and spinning in what seemed to be a rage of hatred. The ends of his extensions were twirling like a buzz saw as he swirled around looking for something or someone to destroy. Again and again he circled flitting in and out. He simply could not contain his rage. He had to unleash it on something. Saim knew from conversations he had with Bill to remain extremely still and if at all possible to remain calm. They are attracted to fear.

Then suddenly a large white shark swooped down brushing against the light. It is the way of sharks and other fish to be drawn to light and to bump things they are curious about trying to test it and find out what it is. But this time he bumped into the wrong thing. Though he had just barely brushed against the light it left a big gash in him where it had touched. Blood streamed from the wound. The light began to spin and twirl and then in less than a second the shark was gone and only small bits of him were left floating in the water.

Saim froze. The light again circled the two turning this way and that. Then finally sensing nothing more he was gone. I mean completely gone, you couldn’t even see a trace of a light in the distance. Saim felt faint and queasy all at once and Bill didn’t look much better. Saim couldn’t imagine what Bill had gone through seeing that monster destroy his people. Slowly they swam back to the house. They often looked over their shoulders even though they knew the monster could come so fast they would never even see it coming. It was just something they did instinctively.

“You didn’t have to do that.” Saim said, “You could have gotten yourself killed changing back like that.”

“And if I hadn’t you most certainly would have been killed.” Bill said quietly. “I couldn’t let that happen.”

Again Bill’s selfless unquestioning love reminded Saim of the Lord Jesus. He had thought nothing of risking his own life. As Jesus said in John 15:13 “Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.” That’s what Jesus did, he laid down his life for us. But Bill was the first man Saim had ever seen who was really a living example of that.

“Do you think he knows?” Saim asked

“I think it doesn’t matter any more.” Bill said softly. You could tell he was deeply troubled.

“What do you mean?” Saim asked shocked by his answer.

“Didn’t you see what he did to the shark?” Bill asked, “He is learning already to turn his anger and hatred to something else. Soon it will be anything else and nothing on your planet will be safe.”

“Nothing?” Saim asked

“Nothing.” Bill repeated. “He is not limited to the water. He will go anywhere he wants land or sea. Once he turns his hatred to earth creatures, he will destroy all earth creatures.”

“How long does one of those monsters live?” Saim asked.

“I have never heard of one dying.” Bill said staring at nothing. “It’s my fault. We brought him here and now he will destroy everything and everyone.”

“There’s got to be some way to stop him.” Saim said.

“The only thing I have ever even heard of is the legend I told you about.” Bill said looking sad and defeated.

Saim began to pray, Bill also was praying quietly. Saim knew the Lord had an answer. Nothing was too big for Him. Suddenly Saim had an idea. It would either work or get them all killed but with the monster on the loose it was just a matter of time anyway so they might as well at least try something. Saim began to talk his plan over with Bill.

“No,” Bill said, “It is too risky for you.”

“Too risky for me?” Saim said, “You’re the one risking your life. Look we’ve got to at least try. I’m scared too, scared for all of us, but I know the Lord will help us.” Saim paused, “I know of a deep cave. All we have to do is swim way back into the cave where it’s pitch dark. You change back into your real form and then quickly back into Bill again. This will attract the creature. But by the time he gets there you will be in the form of Bill. When he comes; we turn the light off, then in total darkness the creature dies. That’s all there is to it.”

“That’s all except for one thing, what if he doesn’t die? The fact that he will die in total darkness is just a legend? What if it doesn’t work?” Bill squeaked.

“Then we will simply be facing the situation a little sooner than we would have.” Saim said seriously. “We have to try. We can’t just sit idly by and let him kill everyone can we?”

“No,” Bill said quietly knowing that if this didn’t work he too would be dead. He was to be the bait to lure the monster into the trap just like Jesus on the cross. His death was the trap that defeated the devil for all who would receive it.

They went over and over the plan and the supply list. Saim knew what he had to do and that most importantly he had to be fast. The whole plan depended on it. Because once the creature came he wouldn’t even have a split second to turn off that light. He shuddered remembering how fast the monster could be. Quietly they swam back into the cave. It wound around and twisted until they were very far back inside. Saim had never been that far back in this cave before but the farther back the better. “Okay,” Saim squeaked, “this is it. Are you ready?”

“As ready as one can be.” Bill said solemnly “Then very slowly he changed back into his wondrous shape. The many colors of light pulsed out from him. He was absolutely beautiful. Saim almost forgot their mission looking at the bright colors and lights streaming from him. Suddenly something grabbed Saim from behind. Saim startled dropped the flashlight. He turned to see a giant squid. The cave must have been his home. Saim looked at Bill. He had a look on his face that said it all in one glance. I forgive you and I understand. Goodbye my friend. He was trying to quickly turn back into Bill again.

Again Saim couldn’t help but think of Jesus betrayed on the cross using his last painful breath to forgive the very ones that tortured and killed him. But this wasn’t supposed to happen this way now. There had to be an answer.

Saim wasn’t going to give up without a fight. He pried the squid’s tentacle off his waist but the Squid still had him by the foot. Saim dove to the bottom of the cave trying desperately to find the flashlight. He grabbed the light awkwardly as the Squid jerked him back. He almost dropped it but grabbed it just in time. The giant squid had wrapped his tentacles all around Saim and was squeezing the life out of him. He couldn’t hold on much longer.

There was a quick flash of twirling light just as Saim managed to flip the flashlight off, then Saim lost consciousness. But for how long he wasn’t sure.

When he came to it took a moment for him to be sure where he was. At first he just felt very sore and confused. It was so dark. He couldn’t see a thing. Finally he remembered where he was and why he was there. The last thing he remembered was a flash of light. He began to feel around him for the flashlight. His hand touched something that felt like a piece of rubber or like a piece of a tentacle like arm.

Oh no. He had been too late. Saim crumpled to the bottom of the cave. He couldn’t bring himself to search for the light anymore. He couldn’t bear to see his beautiful friend in pieces. Suddenly the cave filled with a soft glow. Saim looked up. It was Bill. “You’re alive?”

“Yes I seem to be.” He said smiling.

Saim couldn’t help but think of how Jesus’ disciples must have felt when his Father God raised Jesus from the dead.

“But what is all this?” Saim asked holding up a piece of tentacle.

“The squid that was trying to crush you.” Bill said grinning.

Saim was glad. He had no desire to be squid food. “Did we get him?” Saim said, looking at Bill in his natural form. It was hard not to stare at something so amazing. “Shouldn’t you change back?”

“Funny thing,” Bill said grinning, “The legends were true. He just went out like turning off a light switch. Besides if I change back you’ll never find that flash light.”

Saim thought about the legend, that’s what some people called the Bible, just a legend. But it isn’t just a legend; it is the roadmap to life. If we treat it like a legend we will never act on what it says and it will never be able to help us.

Saim began to search for the flashlight in the soft glow. Again he began to remember the scriptures where it says, “walk in the light as He is in the light.” He thought about how Jesus rose from the dead and brought light and life to all mankind. Most didn’t even know what He had done for them, just like no one really knew that Bill had saved the entire world from the monster by risking his own life. But those who do know are grateful.

Saim began to fumble around searching for the light and they both began to laugh. The crisis was over, for now and they would be forever friends. But our crisis is not over is it?

There is still a terrible monster in our world, a monster that started on another planet, heaven. He started out a creature of the light but he changed to be a destroyer of everything that is good. Because of him man fell to begin with. It was this evil monster the devil that brought sickness and disease into the world. It was he that brought death and destruction. There seemed to be no hope for us. But one came from a glorious planet, heaven, where everything is glory and light. He came and became well just a plane simple human, one of us. So he could suffer and die for us, to defeat the devil for us and rescue us from certain death.

Praise God he didn’t stay dead though, he rose from the dead. But most don’t even know what he did for them. They won’t follow his road map the Bible. They walk away right into the waiting deceptions of the monster. We mustn’t be like that. We must allow the wonderful sacrifice he offered to save us and give us light though the world around us is dark. We also must walk in the light as he is in the light.

It’s not enough to just acknowledge that he is savior and allow him to rescue us once. But in order to remain safe and walk in truth we must continue to walk with him everyday. Sometimes I will be honest with you, the way is very hard. But it is the only way. There is none other. Peter said it best in John 6:68 “Then Simon Peter answered him, ‘Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life.”

We have a choice, we may love him and allow him to be a very real part of every aspect of our lives or whether we intend to or not we will find ourselves living our lives by ourselves and only for ourselves. Then before we know it we will be devoured by the monster because that is the great deception that we can live our lives for ourselves and still give it to him. And only in him is our life safe and protected. Only in him can we have enough light to see the truth.

Amen