'The Weathered Man' & other works by Diego Reyes

The Trial of Genesis

PROLOGUE

The sun was beginning to set in the Garden. God looked about the area and was satisfied with the way the warm orange light outlined the vast mountains in the distance. The animals who were up during the day crawled back into their homes for slumber, while those nocturnal began to roam around. God looked upon the fireflies as they flew about in careless motion, creating mini stars wherever they went. He smiled at the anteaters as they switch around trees, as the koalas climb with their babes, and as the deers walked freely among the rose bushes. The pine and gardenia scents hugged the scene tightly, and one could easily feel at peace in this Holy paradise.

Beyond the bushes, was the land that was assigned to Adam for growing and fertilizing crops. The rows of soil seemed to go on forever and was waiting for God to come and bless the soil with growth. However, something was missing: Adam. There, on the soil, a hoe was left abandoned. God thought it strange, because it was never like Adam to abandon the routine. God turned, examined, but failed to search for any sign of him. Then He thought about Eve, his most recent creation. The one who was born from the man's rib was surely by his side. She's supposed to be, anyway.

God called out their names, but no answer. God crossed the field of grass and lavender, but only saw the herd of cows enjoying dinner. He then entered the forestland, which held many trees, but specifically two were regarded most important. The Tree of Life, where man is supposed to live by, eat from, and care for. This is the only tree He ordered the couple to stay with. The other tree, Tree of Knowledge, was forbidden by God. He told to couple to stay away for if they decide to eat from it, they will surely die. God believed they were just hungry and fetched some grapevines. However, when God went to the Tree, it was left untouched.

Night has fallen and God feared the worst.

He walked with caution through the trees, passing cherries, pears, avocadoes, and bananas. They weren't hungry, He thought, for look at the variety of fruit this forest gives them!

He was close, now, but something made the Lord stop in his track.

There, in the fresh glow of the full moon and her stars, a snake stood upright looking at God. God has never seen such a creature, nor does He remember bringing it to this place. The form of the snake was still, thin, but hooded at his head. It's eyes, projecting a bright golden yellow. "What are you?" God asked.

The snake then lowered itself and slithered to the side, disappearing into the forest.

He passed the few trees until He made it to the scene. There, the silhouettes of two bodies lying in front of the Tree of Knowledge. The Tree itself seemed regular, but what differed from the rest was the fruit that it bore. Every day the fruits change, and every night they wither rotten and begin new. God knew this was a faulty creation, and He really did mean to rid the Garden of it, which is why it was kept farther away from the couple. Today's fruit was apple.

God lifted His hands, and projected a light from his palms, and the blinding white shone on the bodies. Adam and Eve were sleeping. Her head on his shoulders, and his hands on his lap cradling a rotten apple. Worms were sliding about their feet and legs. Their bodies stained with red from the wet apple skin.

"Please rise," said the Angel dressed in a khaki gown, "the Honorable Lord presiding." Out from the backroom of the Court of Eden came a being with such a force that the animals and the two shameful convicts bowed their heads. "Thank you," a booming voice filled the court. It was not more of man nor of woman, but of an authority. God sat in the Judge's bench. He was a large entity, and his bench towered over the courtroom. His face was covered by the shadows, but his large hands were clearly seen gripping onto the gavel.