CHAPTER 2

CAIN AND ABEL

Somewhere in the Dreaming….

The two houses had stood next to each other for many years. One was called the House of Mystery, Cain was it's proprietor. At that moment, being bored to tears, he was mowing the lawn – what there was it, for it was mostly weeds and bald patches there.

Next door was the House of Secrets. Cain's brother Abel was its nominal owner, but the house – and this was secret to all but Abel himself – had a mind and will of its own. It didn't much like Cain, Abel or too many other folks for that matter. It would've never consented to have it's lawn mowed, even if there were any grass in the lawn.

Cain looked at his watch. Almost 4pmhe thought. Time to kill him again. Cain killed Abel at least once every day. For better or worse, Abel would always come back to life after about three hours, all the better to do it all again tomorrow, or perhaps later in the day if Cain felt particularly mean. Abel, for his part, didn't really mind this, after all, he'd always come back. Being dead disagreed with him…but at the same time, he'd wished that it would end. Forever.

It was at this time Death came by. She had always been on friendly terms with the two, and Cain greeted her warmly – a rare thing for him. "Ah, Death," Cain said, "What brings you here? Come to see my brother die – again?"

Death shook her head. "No, Cain. It's time."

"Time?" Cain furrowed his brow. The he got it…."Oh! You mean that it's our turn, then?" Cain frowned.

"What's wrong? Surely you don't object to dying?"

Cain shook his head. "That isn't it. It's just…well…I've so enjoyed killing my brother over all this time. And he always came back. Now….damn, it looks as though it'll be forever." He sighed. "I'll never get to kill him again."

Death smiled at him. "Spoken like a true serial killer."

"Flattery will get you nowhere!" Cain snapped. "Still….it's just as well. But who's going to take care of Mom?"

"Don't worry, It's her time, as well."

"You mean it's NOW – the end of time? Has it come so soon as that?"

"'Friad so. Come on…..don't make this any more difficult for me than it has to be."

Cain sighed again. "Very well, I'll fetch the lard butt….ABEL! TIME TO TAKE YOUR MEDICINE!"

Abel looked nervously over his shoulder. When he saw Death he gulped hard. Then he walked gingerly over to the two of them.

"I-is it time a-again?" he stammered.

"No," Death replied. "This time it's for keeps."

To the surprise of both Death and Cain, Abel smiled broadly.

"Really? I-I mean, that C-Cain won't be able to k-k-ki-kill me any more? I'll be at p-p-peace?"

Cain scowled at that. "Why little no-good fat –"

"Wait, Cain!" Death came over to Abel. "I think this means….that Abel wants some release from your cruelty." She came over to Abel and patted his cheek, tenderly. "One of my bigger mistakes, Cain…allowing you to just kill him for a few hours each day. I really thought that Abel would be relieved at coming back to life again. And that your own bloodlust would be satisfied…I was wrong. Happily I can make that right."

She kissed Abel, and he fell, dying.

He smiled back up at her, "Thank you, Death…I forgive you my brother…."

And so Abel died. For good this time.

Cain screamed in an unholy rage. "HOW COULD YOU DO THIS! I thought we were friends, Death! You knew what this meant to me!!"

Death smiled sadly and shook her head. "You know what they say, Cain…all good things have to come to an end. Now come on, don't keep me waiting."

Cain, still fuming, embraced Death and kissed her. He drew back in puzzlement.

"That's funny….I don't feel anything."

He started to walk off….and fell over dead.

Death sighed, again. "OK, guys, time to check on your mom."