The Child

25

Hades grips the back of Cain's neck and Cain groans as he was forced over to April.

"Uncle H please! I'm sorry, don't make me hurt her."Cain whimpers.

"You must. You came here for help and I'm helping you."Hades says, looking carefully at April's wrist.

The skin of her wrist splits open and Cain gasps as her blood begins to drop onto his face.

"Open your mouth."Hades demands.

"NO!"Cain says, trying to pull away.

"I'm a god, boy. You're not stronger than I."Hades says before gripping Cain's lower jaw and slowly pulling his mouth open.

Cain gags as drops of blood land on his tongue and trickle down his throat.

Hades then immediately let's Cain go and steps away as Cain coughs.

Then there was the sound of Cain's stomach growling, and he groans.

Then he slowly looks up, his eyes glowing yellow. He licks the blood on the surrounding of his mouth before looking up at April and bringing his lips to her wrist.

"See, what did I tell you?"Hades says, watching Cain begin to gnaw at the arm of the girl suspended in the air.

.....

Ace

I huff as I run down the stairs hearing the door bell.

Immediately thinking it was Cain I was in quite the rush to open the door.

I open the door, and I see Cain standing in the porch. He was covered in blood from his mouth all the way down his neck.

His hands were covered in blood as well, and his eyes were teary and swollen.

"Cain...what.."I say quietly.

He steps closer and his head comes to my chest as he hugs me, like he did as a child when he did something wrong.

I look around, making sure no one saw before taking him into the house.

...

Cain sat in the bathtub with the curtains closed. I sat on the floor before the tub, waiting for him to speak.

"What happened, Cain?"I finally say.

He takes a deep breath.

"I tried to go see uncle H, because my teeth were getting smaller, and my voice was getting higher. He told me that I needed to..eat people otherwise I'd go back to 6 and stay at 6."he says softly whimpering.

"And April found my symbol at school, and she followed me. And when Hades saw a mortal in his realm he..he got very mean. He made me..."he sniffles.

"He made you what, Cain?"I ask, sitting up a bit.

"He made me eat April. I ate my only friend. I couldn't stop myself. It was good."

His voice was monotone, but nonchalant.

"Cain, kiddo. I know you have so much responsibility-"

"Mom would be so disappointed in me, Ace."

"No, no she absolutely wouldn't. You know your mother would've done anything to make you happy Cain, and if that means eating people she would've found a way. "I say.

He stays silent for a while.

"..I wanna do it again."

"Cain?"I question.

"I wish I could do it again, but it not be April. I wish April was still alive."

Suddenly, thunder outside strikes loud and we both jump as the power goes out.

The lights come on and I smell something ranted.

"Good god, what is that stench?"I say, covering my nose as Cain pulls the curtains back.

"It smells delicious."Cain says.

Suddenly they hear a grumble from behind the bathtub.

Cain slowly looks back and then gasps.

"What is it?"I ask.

"Ace I'm gonna spew."he says, frantically reaching back.

I quickly hand him a bin and he hunches over it, retching as I see someone grip the side of the tub, pulling themselves up.

I see a girl, her skin was grey and her eyes white. She smelt of death and seemed to be placed back together, like a puzzle.

"Caaiïân"she says in a whisper.

Cain quickly gets out of the tub, covering himself and then ducking behind me.

"That's not what I meant!"Cain shouts, pointing at the ghoulish girl stumbling towards them.

"Caaiinn. I sorry Cain. I forgive you Cain.."she slurs, walking towards them.

"What is happening?"Cain sobs.
....

"Cain, did April worship Satan?"Ace asks.

"I don't know."Cain cries.

"I've seen Belial do this. The souls he favors he reanimates."Ace says.

Cain stands up, wiping his cheeks as he walks over to her.

"I'm sorry."he says softly.

"It's okaaayy...Hades make youu..I know you never hurt mee.."she slurs, reaching for him.

He grips both her hands and then whimpers softly, pulling her into a hug.

"Cain. You know this can be a good thing."Ace says.

"Are you kidding me?"Cain questions.

"Listen to him.."April slurs.

"You said you wanted to be a good guy. Maybe you should just eat the bad guys."

Cain looks up.

"Just the bad guys?"Cain nods.

Ace nods as well.

"We'll help."