Stories

A Bad Look – Hamilton Craig

I just saw something horrible. Something I would never have wanted to see, I promise you. It is something you can go to prison for having seen. When the police kick your door off its hinges one morning, you will explain through tears that it was a mistake, that you’re not like that. You will be invited to “tell it to the judge.”

I check the replies to the question I posted on Quora.com with my alt account: “What should I do if I accidentally saw an image online that was really disgusting and horrible and which I don’t support at all?”

Anonymous: You’re screwed. Cops are on their way.

Chris Hammond (25 years in IT. Cat dad): If you’re talking about what I think you’re talking about you need to delete your browser history and cache. Then you should do a complete defrag of your hard drive.

Steve Jones (School of life): bro how many times are you going to come on here and ask this. Kind of hard to believe it’s a ((accident)) at this point . . .. ..

I open a new incognito window. When I find the image again it looks the same as it did before.

I stand under the shower, trembling.

I walk from the bathroom on weak legs to the shelf where my book, Bible Promises for You, is sitting. I flip through it randomly, looking for help. I jab my finger onto the page without looking.

“There is no difference between Jew and Gentile. They have the same Lord who gives generously to all who call on him.”

I am at my computer again.

The man on the screen has a goatee and a tight-fitting Call of Duty t-shirt.

“Today I’m gonna tell you guys about how to tie the hangman’s knot,” he begins. “If this video helps you out be sure to like, comment and subscribe.”