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Previous Challenge Entry (Level 4 – Masters)
Topic: Charity (05/08/25)
"You want me to help you?" Sam asked in disbelief as Conner stood before him. "Why on earth would I help you? How many times have you tried to kill me now? Five, six times?"

"Because you value life," Conner pled.

Mortal enemies though they were, they had come to know each other quite well. Sam was a humble physician who was said to be able to cure any kind of ailment. Conner, on the other hand, was a ruthless killer. On multiple occasions, he had been sent to eliminate this healer, but had never succeeded.

"How do I know you aren't just trying to kill me again? Why should I trust a word you say?"

Conner hung his head. Why would anyone trust him, a professional hit man as he was? Sam was the only one who had ever escaped him. Now he needed help. The one person in the whole world that he cared about was dying. Somehow, he knew Sam was the only one who could help.

"Please... My mother... you're the only one who can save her..." his voice trailed off, choked by tears.

"Why not go to some other physician? Why me?" Sam still doubted if those were crocodile tears on his old enemy's face.

"They won't help me. They know what I've done. I don't want them to know... I don't want anyone to know about her... they'd kill her!"

"They who? Who’s they?"

"The crooks I've worked with over the years... If they knew about her... I’m leaving the life of crime. They’ll seek revenge. Please, you're the only one who can help."

Sam thought for a moment. There was no sign of enmity or lie in Conner's face. How could he turn away from one who needed his help? After all, he was a physician, not a judge. It was his place to heal all who came to him without discrimination. Justice would come in due time.

"Please, I can pay."

"I will not take money stained with blood." A hint of furry flashed across Sam’s face. “Besides, I do not accept money for the gift given to me,” his countenance softened.

The once dreaded hit man stood humbly before the healer, pleading for the life of the one the one he loved. No one would have ever thought such a thing could be possible.

“Very well. I will come. But I hold you to your promise to leave your evil ways behind,” Sam placed his hand on Conner’s shoulder.

Conner fell on his knees before the physician. “Thank you. I will forever remember you kindness. If there is any way I can ever repay you, I will gladly.”

With joy and relief, Conner led Sam to where his mother lay. Soon, she was well again, thanks to Sam’s gift of healing.

From that day forward, Conner kept his word to Sam, his mother a living reminder of his promise. No longer was he a terror to the people of the land. Whenever need arose among the people, he was there to help. In time, he became Sam’s apprentice. Sam never reminded him of his wicked past, but encouraged him in the ways of righteousness.

Sometime later, Sam passed on. Upon his death, Conner took his place as the physician of the land. Through Sam’s compassion in his day of need, Conner the feared hitman became a trusted physician.

(Fiction)

1 Corinthians 13:4-6 (KJV) "Charity suffereth long, and is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up, Doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil; Rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth;"
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Member Comments
Member
Date
Shann Hall-LochmannVanBennekom 
05/19/25
This is a powerful story. You do a fine job of introducing conflict and keeping the suspense going. I had some minor questions about his history and being able to stay in the area and about being able to become a doctor, but those are little issues that could easily be ironed out in a longer story. I liked the verse you selected in the end and think you did a fine job of writing on topic and delivering a clear Christian message.

Also, if you're a member of our FW's group on Facebook and would like more comments on this week's challenge, pop over and leave a hint about your title in my Drop a Hint post in the group. If you're not a member, consider joining.