Charity Case

"Charity Case" by Jim Harmon is a science fiction short story first published in the late 1950s. The narrative focuses on the life of William Hagle, who has faced continuous turmoil, being framed for crimes he did not commit and struggling with his perceived mental health issues. Central to the story is the exploration of themes such as guilt, redemption, and the influence of unseen forces, particularly the Hexers who haunt Hagle due to a past accident involving the death of a man. The story unfolds through Hagle’s internal monologue as he recounts his troubled upbringing, marked by neglect and allegations of wrongdoing. After a series of misfortunes and encounters, including an attempted theft at a mission, he learns about a time machine and the existence of extraterrestrial beings (the Hexers) whose vengeance has shaped his life based on a past accidental killing of a man named Harold R. Thompkins. Hagle's journey becomes a mix of supernatural influences and tangible consequences, revealing his desperation to relieve himself of the burdens of guilt and the quest for financial security to escape his current life. Ultimately, Hagle's realization about the nature of his unending persecution and his health leads to the shocking conclusion that his supposed 'disease' is intricately tied to a life lived under constant scrutiny and manipulation, leaving him to confront whether he will ever truly escape his fate.