The Omen

by David Seltzer

It was the sixth month, the sixth day, the sixth hour. The precise moment predicted by the Old Testament when earth history would change.

For at that moment, in the basement of the Ospedale Generale in Rome, a stone crushed the head of the child that was meant to be his.

He was helpless. They were all helpless. They didn't ask to be born and they didn't ask to die. They were made to.

"... When the Jews return to Zion. And a comet fills the sky. And the Holy Roman Empire rises. Then you and I ... must die."

"From the Eternal Sea he rises. Creating armies on either shore. Turning man against his brother. Till man exists no more!"