Universal

Chapter 1

Bethlehem, GA USA 

Earth, 1955

The savior awoke on a bed filled with hay, in a house that we would say resembled a barn. There was light shining through the old boards that formed the roof, and it had been the cause of his awakened state. 

    Groggily, he sat up in the bed and looked around him. Dressed in jeans and a thin white shirt he took in his surroundings. He could feel something under his bottom and reached to find a wallet in his back pocket. Opening it he saw a paper card with several words and numbers. Although he was a new creation, the Creator had equipped him with the knowledge he would need to fulfill the plan of salvation. Part of this arsenal of equipment was the ability to read. He surveyed the card and found the name Judson Camp, and a birthday of June 17, 1924. Standing, from his perch on the edge of the bed, he walked to the small mirror that was hanging on the wall across the room from him. The man looking back at him was tall, with broad shoulders and muscular arms. The hairs on his head matched those on his face. They were long, wavy to the point of looking messy and the surrounded a pair of beautiful brown eyes that were speckled with caramel just around his pupils. He would need a hat, he decided, finishing up the self introduction. He was happy to have been able to put a face to his name. A camel colored Stetson was hanging on a rusty nail in front of him. He slid it on his head. 

    Without having spent much time with the Creator before arriving on Earth, Judson had only been given a brief synopsis of the master plan. There were 7 people, spanning all 7 planets whom the Creator had deemed worthy of assisting with the salvation. Judson must find them all and together they would forge an army to defeat the evil one. 

    “No better time than the present,” Judson thought as he turned towards the door to begin his mission. Before he could take the first step a rumbling pain echoed through his abdomen. He was hungry. The information had come to him in the same way the ability to read had. He would have to fuel his human vessel before any work could begin. 

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Although Judson had been formed in the direct image of the Creator he had been made human. The Creator wanted him to have true empathy, and compassion for the people of the nations that came from his own personal feelings. He was, by no means, a robot. He would feel pain, and loss, and love. He would have human urges and thoughts. What would set him apart from the rest was the knowledge the Creator had granted him. While they lived their lives without purpose or intent, Judson would know from where he came, and where he was to go. He would have  knowledge of the Creator and of the plan designed to save the universe. The Creator believed that this would be enough to keep his path straight. 

.........

As Judson left the small shack he had awoken in, he found an old red pickup truck parked under a pecan tree. Again, he already knew that this belonged to him, and how to use it. As he opened the door and climbed in he found the keys sitting in the cup holder of the center console. With knowing hands and feet, he cranked the old truck and guided it to the road. The old house the Creator had put him in was only a few miles outside of town, and Judson didn’t have to see the sign to know that he was in Bethlehem, GA. 

      He continued to drive looking for the service station with the diner attached that his God given memory had reminded him would be there. It didn’t take long for him to find it. He pulled the old truck off of the dirt highway and parked in front of the gas pump. He might as well fuel up the truck while he was fueling himself. As he stepped to the ground dust rose under his leather boots. 

    “Been a dry summer!” A tall, thin, teenage  boy said as he walked towards Judson, nodding his head at the dust cloud that had formed around both of their feet. “Sure wish it would rain.” He continued. “The crops would love it, and I sure wouldn’t mind a chance to cool off ‘stead of bakin’ all day in this heat!” He was pumping gas into Judson’s truck now, looking at the older man in anticipation of a response. 

     “Oh, I don’t mind it much.” Judson finally replied. “It’s a change from what I’m used to.” 

      “Oh?” The kid said. “Where ya from?” 

       “Far from here.” Judson replied. He didn’t think the Creator would want him to lie, but he also wasn’t sure how much to say and to who. 

   The boy didn’t seem to mind that answer too much, but asked “you here to stay?” 

       “For a while.” Justin responded. “I have some things to take care of for my dad.” It was true, if you thought about it. The Creator was as much of a father as Judson could get, and he was there on behalf of Him. 

    The kid laughed. “Oh, I know how that goes. My Daddy always has something for me to do. Between buildin’ furniture at the plant and helpin’ tend the farm my day stays busy. I went on and got a third job here, pumpin’ gas just to bring home some extra money. I got three younger brothers and Momma’s about to have another one. Figure I can keep them in school by helpin’ Daddy make the money.” 

    It was a lot of pressure for a kid of his age, but he didn’t seem to mind. The smile never left his face when he spoke of his family. He said as much when Judson  complimented his selfless behavior. “I’d do anything for them. Besides, it might not be long before I’m off on my own, married and raisin’ my own family.” 

      “Well,” said Judson, “I wish you all the luck.” The kid had just finished pumping the gas and was putting the nozzle back on the side of the pump when Judson stuck his hand out for a shake. “Judson Camp.” He said. 

   The boy grabbed his hand and with fingers, rough from work, shook Judson’s hand. “Troy Rogers.” He replied.