“Why did he leave why did he forsake you?”

“he left because he could not understand…he knew what was to come.”

“What was to come for us?”

“No—for them.”

*******

He was tending the garden, She was gathering him some more water. They both have been working the fruit garden all noon long and yet not a sweat dropped down from their brows. He then took a moment and paused his farming. He raised his head and saw her approaching him. He gazed at her and thought of the life that was to be shared—so many more joyful walks and conversations with her in this—this beautiful place. She then dropped the container of water at his feet and noticed his gawking. She then let out a chuckle. He awoke from his day dream and joined in the small laughter. They then continued tending to their garden.

*******

“I still do not understand his choice.”

“His choice, was for himself and himself only.”

“So, pride arose in him?”

“Many terrible things entered his mind in that one moment”

“Such as?”

“Such as: pride, selfishness, greed and lust, confusion, and from ignorance…hatred.”

“Because of that mirror of his.”

“It was not the mirror who turned his heart against me but his own.”

*******

It was born. It was blacker than black. Its darkness covered every light.

It became instantly apart of nature. Their nature.

It quickly entered every part, from the head to the heart. It grew like a powerful cancer. Its thorns would cut every finger. It was hungry and its stomach would never be full—its appetite was never ending. It will have its feast.

*******

“What have they done?”

“They have denied Me…”

“Then…why are they still walking? You casted justice on him; why not on them?”

“Have I not?”

“Well, yes, you have punished them, but certainly if you could not stand for it when it came to his choice; certainly, you cannot stand for it with them and their choice.”

“And…what is that?”

“That is death. It will be fruit of all their pain. It will be passed down from generation to generation till the end—it will be their greatest heirloom.”

*******

She was with child. She was resting inside from the scorching sun.

He was farming. His sweat drenched through his clothes. He was exhausted but knew He had to continue in order for enough food to be provided for incoming mouth to feed. The sun was above his head and was pouring its heat upon His back. He had been tending to His garden since sunrise. There were little plants spreading all around His crops and slowly but surely killing them. The more he saw of these infestations, the more irritated. His hand and fingers were blistered, his eyes were stinging from the sweat. He sat and rested for short moment. And, in that short moment, He tried to recollect all that had happened, how they ended up here—all that went wrong.

*******

“After all this do you still feel the same?”

“I will love them, I will always love them.”

“It seems they will not share the same sentiment.”

“No, they will not.”

“Then why? Why keep them?”

“Because I love them.”

“…Where is the justice? You are Just!”

“I am just as Merciful--and full of Grace.”

“You, You cast him away but keep them? How can they mean so much to You?”

“He asked Me the same question, ‘Why do they mean so much to You?’…”

“After all we have seen, it is a valid question.”

“And, because I love them, is a valid answer.”

*******

He gained just enough strength to engage back into his task—His chore--when all of sudden She called for Him in panic. She was inside, now standing and frantic. He ran to her and saw a puddle below Her and water dripping down her legs. She looked at him in a nervous excitement. He laid Her down and they met eyes with one another and smiled.

For the next many hours, there was screaming from inside. She had never felt such a pain. It was if a dagger was puncturing her. She actually had the thought She may not live passed this experience. He was trying to encourage Her, to be there for Her. Nothing He could do would ease this pain—She must endure. She was sweating more than he was when He was working on the land—for She was working bringing Her child. His eyes opened wide—the feet emerged, then quickly the calves and then the thighs. The baby then became stuck in this place for a while. She lacked any more strength to push. He was afraid to pull the tiny legs out from the Mother, thinking He may injure the baby or Her. After some time, He looked Her in the eyes and gave a nod. She knew she must muster strength that She did have to finish this. He took and held Her hand—The Woman screamed intensely as She pushed with Her final effort. The cries of a baby rang in His ears as delight. He smiled wide as he held His child. She had her head tilted pack on the ground in exhaustion. He brought the baby to her and she raised her face to meet the baby’s eyes. He then placed the child in Her arms. She then said softly, “Hello my dear son, Cain”

*******

“Did you answer the same to him as you did to me?

“Yes, I did.”

“I understand then.”

“You are bitter.”

“I am.”

“Do not follow his ways.”

“Perhaps He was right.”

“No, he could not be more wrong.”

“Did he not prove You wrong? Did they not break your law? Did they not turn away from you, rebel against you? They did! Will they not only continue now? As you said, this evil will linger in them! They will destroy, murder, rape! They will—”

“And I will die for them.”

“……….he was right. Lucifer was right.”

“Do you truly believe so?”

“I heard your answers and now I know so.”

“Then…you must leave.”

“Do not bother yourself with banishing me, I will leave willingly.”

And as the Angel turned His back to The Lord and walked away,“...Know that I will always love you as well.”