Batteries Not Included
by Kenn Allan
"Hey, wait'll you see what I found!"
Daken watched Avril gallop towards him, a paper sack clenched tightly in his claws. He was familiar with the varying degrees of excitement in his best friend's screech, and whatever was in that bag was worthy of his highest frequency.
"What's up? Daken called, fiddling with the point of his tail.
Avril's face glowed redder than usual as he trotted the last couple of miles to his friend's side. "Look at this," he panted, sliding a box from the paper sack. "It's brand new."
Through the cellophane panel, Daken could see the figure of a little human dressed in a dark suit and carrying a Bible. "Wow," he gasped. "It's a Christian action figure."
"Yeah, some stupid angel must've dropped him," said Avril.
"C'mon, let's take him out of the box," Daken cheered.
With a single mind, the two little devils tore viciously into the brightly-colored box with slashing claws. Soon nothing was left but the little figure standing in the middle of a pile of shredded cardboard and cellophane.
"Kinda boring for an action figure, isn't he?" Avril observed. "He looks okay but doesn't do nuthin'."
"Yeah," answered Daken. "Lemme see if I can find the Start button." He picked up the figure and turned him in every direction, studying it with squinty yellow eyes. "Nope, I don't think it has one."
Avril snatched the figure from his friend and gave it a hasty inspection of his own. "Aww, I give up," he growled, tossing the figure back to Daken. "I vote we bust it up."
"Naw," Daken answered. "I don't wanna get into any trouble or nuthin'."
"How 'bout we play with it in the dirt?"
"Naw, we can do that any time." He picked impatiently at the figure's suit coat. "Hey, wait a minute..."
"What?"
"I think I found sumptin'." Daken peeled back the coat which revealed a small rectangular opening on the left side of the figure's chest. "Now, whaddya suppose that's for?" he mused.
"Hey, I get it!" Avril grabbed the figure and twisted the tiny Bible from its hand." See? It's the same shape and size as this." He slid the book into the opening over the figure's heart. It fit perfectly.
"Yikes!" shrieked Daken. "Look at it go!"
The little figure began kicking its feet and swinging its arms. "First Corinthians 10:20... I would not that ye should have fellowship with devils," it blared with authority.
"Look out," warned Avril. "I can't hold 'im!"
The figure squirmed from between the demon's fingers and dropped to the ground, where it sprang to its feet. "Ephesians 6:11... Put on the whole armor of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil," it said.
"Grab it!" shouted Daken.
"I'm not gonna grab it," Avril shouted back. "You grab it!"
The little figure turned his back on his previous captors and headed out into the world. "Romans 16:20... And the God of peace shall bruise Satan under your feet shortly. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you. Amen."
The demons watched motionless until the figure had completely disappeared in the distance.
Daken was the first to speak. "So," he grumbled, "Now what do you wanna do?"
Avril shrugged. "I dunno. What do you want to do?"
Copyright � 2006 Kenn Allan.
Kenn Allan resides in the Pacific Northwest with Susie, his wife and editor of 30+ years. He is still amazed and gratified God chose him to be a poet and storyteller.