When Death Knocks on my Door

Death Pays a Visit

Chapter 2: Death Pays a Visit

Kendell woke with a start. Something had awoken her, but she couldn't tell what it was. The room around her was gradually growing brighter. Outside, the first rays of sun made their way into the light pink sky. It was early, and Kendell never appreciated the time of dawn. She grumbled sleepily to herself and then forced her eyes to open wider. Glancing at the alarm clock on her bedside table, she noted that it was only five-thirty in the morning. It was in fact too early for the gears in Kendell's brain to work together properly. There was a sudden rapid knock. That was it. That was what had awoken her. Kendell untangled herself from her sheets and stood clumsily. She made it just into the living room as another impatient knock sounded.

"I'm coming, I'm coming." She mumbled. Her footsteps hurried towards the direction of the door as yet another knock started. Kendell reached forward to unlock the door, lifting the chain first and then twisting the heavy deadbolt. Finally, she turned the cold brass doorknob. The door opened, missing Kendell's groggy face by inches. Standing a foot from her was a man. A man that she had never seen before. He had his hand poised upwards, ready for another knock. He was dressed ordinarily; jeans, a white t-shirt, and a leather jacket to finish off the look. His face was ruggedly handsome, clear of any imperfections but outlined by a strong jawline. His hair was a shade darker than Kendell's, dark brown and wavy across his forehead. But what kept Kendell staring through her still-droopy eyelids were his eyes. They were the deepest shade of blue but edged with a strange steely gray at the pupil. They seemed to hold something, a secret, or perhaps questions and the slightest of curiosity.

Kendell wondered how such contrasting characteristics could've existed on such a small detail. She stared open mouthed when suddenly the stranger before her smiled, showing off a row of perfect, pearly teeth. He put his hand down to his side and into his jeans pocket, standing casually.

"Can I come in?" He asked. His smile was still plastered onto his face, but Kendell sensed something wrong. She'd seen that smile before. It was too stiff and artificial, almost bussiness like. Before Kendell could reply however, she was unvoluntarily moved aside as the strange man entered her home. Still clutching the doorknob Kendell turned, her body twisting to face the figure behind her.

"I don't know you." She said dumbly. The man nodded to himself. He began studying her apartment, taking in its various details and striding about the room.

"You've got a nice place."  He replied. He walked over to the front foyer and lifted the picture frame on the small wooden table. After a second of scruitinizing it, he placed it back on the table and finally turned towards Kendell.

"Are you waiting for someone else?" He asked guesturing to the door. Kendell's brain had temporarily froze, as she was taken by momentary surprise at the stranger's arrival. The gears began to turn, slowly but surely as she shrugged and then let the door close. She swallowed, her throat had become dry.

"Can I help you?" She asked as the stranger took a seat on her small leather couch. He sat comfortably as if he had been there many times before.

"You are I presume Kendell Reeves?" He said her name with a small grin. 

"Yes, and you are I presume a strange man whom I've never met before in my life?" Kendell said unsurely. The man chuckled darkly.

"That's correct." He said with a sigh. Kendell stood there, unsure of what to do. She'd rarely ever had visitors, and never had she come accross one so outward and bizzare. The man then did something unusual. He patted the seat next to him and beckoned for Kendell to come over. Something in the back of her mind seemed to come together, for in the next moment Kendell shook her head and raised her eyebrows.

"I'm sorry, but I don't know you. So could you please tell me who you are or something? And next time I would prefer you introduce yourself before you step into somebody's home and-and touch all of their stuff." Kendell's voice had become stern, the sleep had fallen away instantly. But when her words were met by silence and another unsettling smile from the stranger, she continued her question.

"Are you from work? Did the agency send you?" She implored but he simply shook his head. He shifted in his seat and then pointed to a chair a few feet from where he sat.

"Why don't you have a seat and calm down?" He insisted.

"Why don't you tell me who you are?" Kendell countered, unmoving. It was like fighting with a child, and frankly it wasn't fun. 

"Take a seat, and I'll tell you who I am." He bargained. Kendell thought quickly. She would take the chair farthest away from him, if in any case he wanted to harm her. 

"You promise you'll tell me?" She asked steadily. He nodded. She slowly made her way to the reclining chair that stood a few feet away from him. She sat stiffly, ready to move at the slightest of problems.

"So who are you?" Kendell said when the silence had grown tense. The stranger man sat up from his comfortable position and stared straight into her eyes. Kendell mustered up all of her energy to hold the stare. His expression had become serious and filled with intensity. He searched her eyes with his brilliant ones and finally opened his mouth to speak.

"My name is Cain and I'm here to take your soul."