Everywhere Pedals would go

(Author’s note: This story originally published on 10-29-23 at 6:30 p.m. and has been updated to reflect site updates)

It didn’t happen often. When it did, there was never a crowd, at first. However, the crowd was there when Pedals left. Most were in stunned silence, but a few were usually in amazed excitement.

They called him Pedals because no one knew his real name, and he always rode a bicycle. He had never been in any place long enough for anyone to ask his name. Almost anyone questioned about him, would say he must be a myth. They could only attest to having heard of Pedals being here or there.

Everywhere Pedals would go

With this in mind, it was easy to see why the crowds would form. Pedals was an urban tale. An enigma so mysterious he drew crowds after he was off stage. So to speak. Which was a good thing. Until Jim Stanson met Pedals face to face.

Jim had been on his way to work one early morning. It had been raining all week. The deluge, on the morning Jim met Pedals, was extreme. Very nearly a wash out. Not only was Jim late for work, but also he had been speeding. He remembered losing control of the car, but nothing else. Until he regained consciousness, on the side of the road.

He wakes up and sees a stranger. A man, perhaps in his mid forties, is gazing at Jim in a solemn and somber way. Jim feels a flash of mind numbing pain flare from his lower insides and he tries to shriek in pain. All he can muster is a small squeak of air. Then he passes out.

He awakens again, a short time later. Now, he is being placed on a gurney. There is a crowd of people around and they are all looking at him in an awed and hushed way. He feels self conscious, and yet he also feels fine. He is loaded into an ambulance and taken to the hospital.

Everywhere

Jim is laying in the hospital bed in the ER. He arrived about an hour ago. Now he is waiting for the results of the tests, before leaving. He feels fine and only consented to the ambulance ride because he lost consciousness. However he feels no head wounds or bumps from hard hits.

The doctor enters the room and eyes Jim closely. Almost suspiciously. He asks Jim if he remembers anything about the accident. In truth, since waking up, Jim hasn’t been able to recall anything. The doctor eyes Jim closely and asks him how he feels. Now Jim is feeling a bit spooked.

He feels perplexed and has to ask, “Why all the extra scrutiny doctor? I feel fine. When can I leave?” He listens as the doctor replies. Indeed his response sends Jim’s pulse into overdrive.

“By all accounts Mr. Stanson you were expired. Not only expired but horribly injured. You were ejected from the vehicle in halves. Furthermore, there are witnesses. Yet here you lay in one piece. It would seem you are some kind of miracle, Mr. Stanson.”

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