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Previous Challenge Entry (Level 3 - Advanced)
Topic: Unsung Hero (12/07/06)
Benny..

Benny loved watching the cars as they rolled away under the Interstate bridge. Since he reached the age of forced retirement the old maintenance worker felt life come to a stand still around him. He would go there in the afternoons, look at the cars rushing beneath him and wonder about the people he saw. Who were they in their busy lives, chasing after a dream somewhere at the end of the freeway?

Today, Ben had no such thoughts, only regrets for a wasted life. He watched the traffic speeding away under the bridge and began to take another drink of cheap stale wine, mumbling about the unfairness of life.

The loud explosion as a Simi-truck drew near, pulled him from his thoughts. A front tire blew out and caused it to swerve back and forth in a mad jerking motion, finally turning too much as the truck tipped on its side, slid under the bridge and out the other side. Cars coming up too fast did not have time to slow down and no way to pull around it. One after another began to crash into the underside of the jack-knifed rig, as well as each other.

Benny stared in shocked amazement as the destruction unfolded. The squeal of tires and grind of metal as more smashed to an instant halt. Slowly, as if in an unreal dream, it finally came to an end. People screamed from pain, some climbing out of the wreckage only to fall where they were, barely able to move. He watched as others came running up to help, yet lost as to what should be done.

He saw two men point to a car on its side, yelling about the smoke coming from it. Benny also saw the body of a woman within, struggling to get free. Half running, half sliding down the embankment from the top of the bridge, he rushed toward the car as flames began to spout from the engine.

"Get back," one of the young men shouted, "that things gonna blow!"

Benny could see the young woman, trying to get to something in the back of the vehicle. As he reached the front windshield Ben started kicking as hard as he could, busting glass and pulling the remainder free so she could escape.

"Get out of there girl," the old man said as he stuck an arm through the opening. "The car's on fire."

"My son is in there!" The woman yelled back at him as she was forcible pulled from the car.

"I'll get him," Ben told her. "You just get yourself safe."

As Benny climbed in through the front of the car he could see the men standing back, still fearful of coming closer. The young mother remained near, not wishing to leave her child. He reached around the seat and found the child crumpled on the door of the turned vehicle. Seeing a cut on the boy's head he was careful in his hast to get the child free of the car.

"Easy, son. I got ya." He kept talking even as he moved, his breath coming in gasps with the smell of gasoline growing every second. His fingers slipped as he fought with the release catch of the seat belt, then the child was free and Benny was headed back out.

"My baby!" The young mother took the boy in her arms and held him close as Ben hurried them away-- the flames rapidly moving toward the back end of the car.

"We have you, you're safe," someone said as the young men quickly ushered them to cover behind a van. Bot men gave Benny a look as though he had done something wrong, until finally one spoke.

"Man you reek," the young man sniffed the air with a scowl. "Surprised you didn’t go up in flames yourself, you old drunk."

Benny turned away with a sad frown, and slowly made his way home. He knew they spoke only from their guilt at not trying to help, but the word of an old black man would only start trouble.

* * * * * * * * * * * * *

Tears came to Benny's eyes the next morning as he sat on his front porch, a folded newspaper rested in his lap. The headlines spoke of the many injured and killed in the multi-car-pile-up the day before. But also it told of two local heros that braved the flames of a car to save the lives of a young mother and her child.
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This article has been read 1769 times
Member Comments
Member
Date
julie wood
12/14/06
A beautiful story--wonderfully realistic dialogue and action and a great message! I loved how the old man who imagined his life wasted ended up getting to be a real hero!

I was also drawn in right away by the title--a personal name always grabs me, because it makes me curious about the name's owner.

Great job!
Catrina Bradley
12/15/06
Very nice, really had my attention. Such a sad, but probably all too often true, ending.
Jan Ackerson
12/15/06
Awwww, man...that's just not fair! Poor Benny! Well, his reward will come to him...

Great story-telling!
Todd Tribble
12/18/06
Nicely done! I loved the set up and the "don't see it coming" conclusion at the end! It was a great little story!!

I might suggest to run a grammar/spell check again...a couple of errors (nothing that took away from the story though!!)
Rhonda Clark
12/19/06
Good job. I like your story.
Very vivid.
william price
12/19/06
This was an excellent story; well told! I liked the layers. Good thing God really knows who the hero was/is. God bless.
Amy Michelle Wiley 
12/19/06
Awww, makes me hurt for Benny. Well done at making it real and pulling us in.
Joanne Sher 
12/19/06
Amazingly vivid telling, and absolutely compelling. Amazing writing!
Donna Powers
12/19/06
A lovely and heartwarming story. This really touched my heart. Yay for Benny! Thanks for sharing this.
Sandra Petersen
12/19/06
Yes, there are a few typos here and there but what a story! You kept me reading without scanning ahead as I usually do. I thought your ending was especially thought-provoking. Two local heroes, huh? I think I can guess who the second hero was.

Thanks for sharing this true rescue. Good job.
Shari Armstrong 
12/19/06
What a sad tale of how rare true bravery really is. God bless Benny.
Valora Otis
12/21/06
Pup, this was so gripping and heartwrenching. The emotions you portray with your writing is surpurb. Never stop sharing your gift. Bless you!
Edy T Johnson
12/22/06
You had me on the edge of my seat and holding my breath. This is powerful writing, Pup! That's a painful twist at the end, until we remember that man may miss the point, but our Lord sees it all. I'm sure the mother and baby will be forever grateful to the real unsung hero!