Chapter 25: House of Horrors

The Impala zoomed down the freeway, the GPS pinging with every turn as music blared from the speakers. Cain and Abel had a similar taste in music, though Cain seemed hesitant with new age rock; the two enjoyed the loud base that practically made the car jump from it's volume.

Abel's mind thousands of miles away, all he could do was think of what the angel had said to Morris. Something about it didn't sit right with him, Chamuel rarely used emojis and when he did it was often just a heart. So why would he use a smiling face? And he also recalled that Chamuel was a therapist, using the term 'normal man' didn't exactly fit right. He knew Chamuel pretty well, this didn't sound right.

"I can't believe he said that to you," Arphaxat raged in Abel's ear.

"Maybe it wasn't him," Abel said out loud causing Cain to blink at him.

"What?"

Abel chuckled, "nothing just talking to myself."

"I don't know, Abe, angels are crafty. Remember, he's filling you with love? I know a two face when I see it," Arphaxat continued.

Abel frowned deeply, silently wishing he could ignore the demon, he just wanted to talk to Chamuel. Taking in a slow breath and closing his eyes for a few seconds,

"Abel?" He blinked them open, glancing at his brother who looked at the man with a puzzled expression.

"Are you alright?"

"Yeah, man." He chuckled, rubbing his eyes "just tired,"

Cain held his still hot coffee out to the other, giving a small smile. Abel took it with a grin, taking a few short sips of the sweet drink. The city flew past the men as they drove, opening to trees and ranches that raced over a few hills.

Abel always imagined New York as all cities, maybe, a few small towns but the fact that it held so many farms shocked the man. They continued through the blur of trees.

"Cham, can you hear me?" Abel thought, sending a prayer to the other, "i...need to talk to you,"

No response, he gripped the steering wheel hard. He wasn't sure if he was even praying right, after all, he never really prayed before. Was he expecting the angel to talk into his mind? He wasn't sure but the thought vanished as the men pulled up to an old home.

It was broken down, the wood rotted from the outside with a caved in roof. Grass and weeds overgrown in the front of the house, the trees that surrounded the old beaten down home loomed ominously over it's red, brick roof.

Abel and Cain shared a look quickly, Cain smirked and let out a low grumble that emanated from the back of his throat causing Abel to laugh.

"Man, you do that grudge noise way too perfect!"

"Oh, trust me, people hate it," Cain laughed, making the noise yet again causing Abel to attempt to mimic the noise as well. The two men laughed together as they stepped out of the car.

The sound of a crow echoed around them but this didn't stop either of the hunters as Abel held his bat in his right hand, Cain holding his golf club in the left.

"After you," Abel gestured to the other.

"Age before beauty," Cain replied smoothly, Abel snorted as he made his way up the steps of the old home. They screamed under his boot, threatening to break at any moment until he got to the door.

"Should we knock?" Abel asked, Cain followed behind him giving a shrug. Abel put a gloved hand on the old wood, putting some weight on it causing it to fall forward and clatter to the ground. Making both men jump in surprise, dust exploded from around the door as it met the floor.

"Well, you can say that was a little unhinged," Abel shot Cain a grin who shoved him into the house with the head of the golf club playfully.

"Don't quit your day job to be a comedian," Cain retorted. The two started to explore the old home, Abel checked a few doors but all the rooms seemed void of any furniture. The living room held an old, dusty couch, a few broken bookshelves and was covered in cobwebs. The men started scouring the room, Abel stopped as he felt his phone buzz against his pocket.

A shot of anxiety flashed through him as he pulled it out, the blue light turned his eyes to silver as he looked down on the message.

"Here's another screen shot, again, though you'd want to see!"

Below the message was another picture attached to the text, he heard Cain flipping through books behind him as he clicked on the attachment.

Chamuel wrote, "Sorry again,"

"It's okay, what about Abel?"

"What about him?"

"I mean...I kind of thought you liked him?"

"He's...a little too childish for me, besides, I don't date transgender men."

Abel felt his heart shatter, it started painful but flashed to anger. Another text came through but his phone let out a small whine and the screen went black.

"Update, huh?" Abel growled, only to notice something in the dark screen of the phone. Blinking a few times before slowly turning around, nothing, he looked back at the reflection on his screen but whatever he saw was gone. He swore, he saw a shadow with eyes but maybe his mind was playing tricks on him.

"Abe!" Abel turned towards his brother's voice, he was signaling for the man to follow him into the kitchen only for the wood under Cain's feet to vanish. Cain yowled in surprise, grabbing the floor to keep himself from falling.

"Cain!" He shouted, dropping the bat and his phone while diving forward to his brother who had fallen in some sort of trap door. Abel grabbed his arm, pain splashed as his elbows met the hard ground but the elbow padding he wore kept them from bruising.

Grunting as he tugged his brother towards, Cain kicked at the air as he tried to get himself to safety.

Before Cain made it all the way he felt the wood under him fall out too. Both men screamed as they fell into the darkness of the home.

They landed on something smooth and slick, causing them to slide downward. Pain once more sparked as their heads knocked together upon impact.

"What the fuck!" Abel shouted out as they started to slide down into the darkness as if they entered into a haunted house.

"I hate slides," Cain hollered,

"How do you hate slides?" Abel shouted back over the wind.

The men slid off awkwardly, falling to the hard floors below. The hardwood beat warm under their hands as if the home had a heartbeat, the two men scrambled to get to their feet. The floor swayed lightly as though it were alive, Abel and Cain holding onto each other's arms to keep themselves steady.

"What the hell is this?" Abel whispered.

Cain glanced around, his eyes spotted the golf club that had fallen down with them. He slowly let go of Abel as the floor moved awkwardly around them, holding his hands out in an attempt to keep balance before snagging the golf club and stumbling back to the other.

"What now?" Abel asked, his voice echoed around them. Cain blinked a few times, looking around but the darkness made it impossible to see.

"My phone!" Abel said, "Flashlig--"

He dropped it, right before jumping for his brother. Cain reached into his pocket for his own phone only to freeze.

"What?" Abel whispered,

"I...don't have it,"

"What?"

"It was in my jacket pocket, maybe it fell?"

Abel bit his lip, attempting to look through the blackness before glancing down at the Chamulet. Silently wondering if he could make it glow, he closed his eyes but his mind felt too cluttered to even focus on the Chamulets power. Last time it glowed was last night, right before the kiss. He recalled the soft glowing.

"Wait!" Abel's mind snapped out of his daydream, Cain grabbed his arm again and stumbled a bit before pulling out a zippo lighter.

"Donnie, you son of a bitch," Cain grinned, he had a feeling the lighter would come in handy as he flicked it open, pressed down on the green button and let his thumb brush on the wheel, sending sparks into every direction as the world lit up around the small flame. Unfortunately it hardly made a dent in the deep shadows.

The sudden noise of a deep, inhuman moan echoed around the pair.

"What was that?" Abel murmured, Cain glanced into the darkness with a puzzled look in his face before eyeing the zippo. Pressing on the red button now the fire exploded out in a power, brilliant blaze. Abel jumped back in shock, light broke the darkness apart. Casting brilliant red and orange against the deep, wooden cave. Large, sharp looking teeth stuck out of the deep hole that stood before them that dripped with wet, thick saliva. Abel glanced down at the floor, small bumps covered the wooden area before his eyes moved up to the hanging light bulb directly between them and the teeth. It swung lazily with every movement, the bulb itself broken.

it was a mouth.

"We're....in a house's mouth?" Cain whispered, eyes wide as the fire continued to grow.

"Turn it off!" Abel shouted as the hot fires reached higher and higher.

"I'd rather not be toasted for this fucking house to eat!"

Cain attempted to close the lighter but the flame was far too large as it reached higher and higher. Abel could see the teeth of the creature moving as its throat tightened from the intense heat.

"Cain!" Abel shouted over the loud roar of the fire, Cain yelped in pain as the fire got too big and burned his hand. He dropped it without a second thought turning the floor to flame. The house roared in agony, it shook itself violently causing both Cain and Abel to collapse onto the tongue of the creature before being sent airborn. Abel gasped in fear as his feet tingled under him, pain cracked through his skull before he felt himself fall into the darkness of unconsciousness.

"Abel" A woman's voice sang out,

Abel groaned, his head hurt as he attempted to put together what happened. He laid in the middle of a large library, with large ceilings that touched the top of clouds as if the room was on the top of a mountain. Books in piles all around them, a soft mist hissed through the vast library.

Cain laid a few feet from him face down, Abel groaning softly as he got to his feet and blinked against the misty air. Blood rolled down his nose, brushing it away with a wince. His nose hurt pretty badly as he made his way to the knocked out Cain.

"Cain, come on, man" He said, kicking at his brother who groaned, swatting at Abel and rolling away so his back was to his brother.

"Man, come on, you bitch," He said, kicking Cain lightly in the butt.

"Stop," Cain complained, sitting up with a glare towards the other.

"You got a shoe print on your ass,"

"Yeah, I wonder how that got there," The doctor struggled to his feet, Abel grabbing his arm and helping him stand up fully.

"What is this place?" Cain whispered, the two started to walk forward now. Cain still held his golf club, feeling semi safer with it but a chill raced up the pair's spines as the sound of footsteps echoed through the room, they seemed to come and go so quick it was impossible to figure out where the steps came from. The hunters paused, glancing around in the darkness.

"I can't see anything," Cain growled, wishing Cherm could help guide him. Abel glanced down at the Chamulet and let out a soft sigh. He let his mind run back to the night before, to how close he was to the angel. How warm his chest always felt whenever they were together, even now, as he felt a hot rage towards the blonde for the text messages he couldn't help miss the man. He closed his eyes, breathing in deep as he recalled the lengths Chamuel had gone to protect him, keep him from dying, even before he knew he was protecting him.

"Abel?"

Abel blinked open his eyes, the Chamulet glowed in the darkness of the library. It's golden light spread over him, dotting their surroundings as if it were made of starlight. Casting brilliant spots of light in a large circle around the two.

"Whoa," Abel breathed.

"What did you do?" Cain whispered, looking completely stunned. For a heartbeat, Abel couldn't believe what he was looking at. It was as if he had just dashed the world in the glow stick liquid but it was far brighter, it felt warm almost.

"I...thought about Cham..." He murmured, "Maybe he's connected to this?"

Cain's jaw tightened but he didn't respond to this, "Let's see if we can find an exit," the doctor whispered.

***

Chamuel collapsed the second he and Israfil entered the room, groaning painfully as blood poured from his nose. He sat up in an attempt to stop the bleeding, Israfil moved to the restroom. Grabbing some tissues he handed them to the angel, who plugged up his nose quickly.

"Thanks..." He whispered,

Israfil sat down on the floor in front of the angel. Closing the door behind him slowly, causing Chamuel to sigh.

"We need to talk," Israfil whispered,

"Is, can we do this later? I need to sleep,"

"No," Israfil crossed his arms over his chest, "I need to know what's going on exactly, if I'm...going to help,"

Chamuel glanced at the other, "If you...help me after I denounced God..."

"I know,"

Silence fell between them, both men stared at each other for a few minutes. Chamuel pulled the tissues from his nose, snorting lightly as the bleeding calmed down.

"Why, Israfil? Why are you going to help me?"

"Well, for one, if I don't...everyone might die,"

"Yeah, but if the angels find another way to fix this you'll be considered a traitor."

"Yeah, I know. And they might find another way, not every king ends up winning and we've still lived thanks to Michaels quick thinking,"

Silence once again, the angel of music pulled his hat off. Fiddling with the brim awkwardly, "And for two," He murmured, "You...if it wasn't for you, Cham, me and Faith would have never even been together."

Chamuel blinked at the other surprised, tilting his head.

"What do you mean? Faith was long gone when I was created."

"Oh she was," He replaced the hat on his head, "I walk through time Chamuel, I can go anyway I want within reason," he felt the wings on his ankles flutter lightly at the idea of stepping forward or back in time.

"Wait, so...the advice I gave you a few hundred years ago?"

"You're one hell of an angel, Cham," Israfil chuckled, "Probably the only one with an actual personality who cared about the people's prayers. That's why I went to talk to you, called you my brother."

Chamuel gave the man a small smile, when he met Israfil the man had thousands of questions about love. Things Chamuel thought he knew really well but now?

"Honestly? I don't even think I'm a good angel of love," He chuckled,

"I didn't...I can't..." He sighed, running his bloody hand through his hair.

"Tell Abel?"

"Yeah."

"I want you to tell him," Israfil admitted, "When...I first saw you two Uriel pulled me aside, he told me to discourage it...but...I don't know, maybe war needs love?"

Both men fell silent once more, Israfil fiddled with the hat more before pulling out a golden necklace. Chamuel eyed it for a few seconds,

"What's that?" He reached forward and picked it up. Turning the symbol over in his hands a few times, it looked like a sun settled over a moon, it was the same type of symbols that Abel also had.

"It's my Adinkra," Israfil said, "like how Abel has one, that one was Faiths. It holds our grace, I mean, it use too. Back in the day when the human body couldn't fully handle our power. So we had to use them or risk the death of our host and back then...we...didn't change hosts much. I've been using the same vessel for almost three hundred years. But now? Humans seemed to have evolved to hold us better. I still use mine though, my vessel...it's important, the Adinkra helps keep it from overpowering my vessel,"

Chamuel nodded slowly, biting his lip, "I just...why would I suddenly fall for someone? I haven't felt this before and I'm thousands of years old. Why is it the person I'm suppose to save the world with? Why...is it a human?" He murmured, Israfil shrugged and leaned back against the bed behind them.

"Well, if I know Faith she did it on purpose,"

Chamuel blinked a few times, turning his head to look at the angel of music with a tilt of his head.

"Faith is...well, she was, the one who made soulmates. At least, with the help of God. But..." He frowned deeply now, rubbing his head against the back of his hand. "I've never heard of an angel having a soul mate? Maybe it's your vessel's soulmate and you're just feeling it and...when you go back, you won't feel it anymore."

Chamuel never thought of that, his heart shattered at the very thought. Looking down at his feet, this deep, painful agony in his chest he never felt before. Could he just be feeling Jedidiah's emotions?

***

Cain and Abel walked through the fog below, both men keeping at a quick pace. The soft groan, flutter and movement of animals could be heard but neither of the hunters paid the odd creatures any mind. Snakes with three heads, deer's with multiple antlers, even rats with unusual colors raced around their feet.

"How is this place even in here?" Abel asked,

"I...don't know," Cain whispered, "The Darkness must be really getting bigger if this place is here,"

"So...the darkness is doing this?"

Cain shrugged, "The darkness is making everything change in weird ways. I just assume that's what's happening here,"

They fell silent again as they sloshed through the ever growing fog, a soft clicking noise caused the hunter to freeze. Their breath billowed out in a fog, cold chills rolled through the brothers.

Holding an arm up to Cain who paused, a pair of dark, yellow eyes staring at them from the depths of the darkness ahead. Eyes narrowed to slits, the clicking continued this time getting deeper.

"What is that?" Cain whispered, Abel took a step back as slowly the shape of a man stepped into view. His stubbled face looked beaten, bruised, brown eyes dark against his caramel skin. His body looked as if it had been used as a pinata, blood pouring randomly from the skin, his neck hung sideways as if it were broken. Each breath he took was a wheeze that turned into a click, coming deep from the man's throat.

Abel balled up his fists at the sight of the ghoulish man as he stepped more into the light he felt Cain stiffen.

"Dad," Cain whispered, the man smiled. Abel shot the other a look, Cain's eyes wide with fear that Abel had never seen before, his pupils growing small as panic flooded the man's system. Abel thought quickly, he grabbed his brother's golf club and charged forward.

Cain shouted something but Abel didn't hear as he swung with all his might at the man who roared, glaring down at him with teeth sharp as knives jetting from his large jaw. The weapon zipped through the air before smashing deep into the man's body causing him to vanish, the iron head of the club whizzed through empty air as Abel completed his swing. Turning towards his brother, his grin wide,

"I just Happy Gilmore'd a ghost,"

Cain watched with wide eyes, ignoring the others comment, "How is that possible? He...didn't die here--"

"I don't know," Abel breathed, feeling adrenaline pumping into his system. The home let out a moan that shook the ground under their feet lightly. Stopping only seconds later,

"We...need to get out of here," Abel murmured, glancing around once more as Cain made for his brother. The two sticking close together, Abel holding the club over his shoulder ready to strike. Cain silently cursed Arphaxat, knowing this was his doing in some way. How did the demon know about his father? Why would he bring him here? He felt anger rise through him only for Cherm to shutter.

Cain stopped, watching his shadow slowly slink into the darkness.

"Abel, over here," He called, Abel turned towards the other and followed behind now as Cain quietly followed Cherm. Making sure not to get too close so Abel wouldn't see him, the light coming from the hunters necklace shone just enough to avoid the piles of books scattered on the floor around them. They walked for what felt like hours but could have only been a few minutes when they came to a door. The two glanced at each other before Abel reached forward and grabbed the handle, holding the golf club tight in case he had to swing, Abel yanked the door open.

Stairs.

They raced downward into more pitch blackness, the brothers looked into the room. Peaking their heads around once and twice, the sound of dripping water echoed through the still air. Abel let out a sigh, stepping into the stairway followed by Cain who stood close to his brother. The two descended the stairs, the darkness parted as they got down lower and lower, a soft light could be seen ahead. In this light Abel looked around them, thousands of stairs, all turning in odd directions, upside down, or even broken seemed to be built into every wall of the endless building.

"What the hell," Abel murmured, reaching a hand out and placing it on a set of steps that lead upwards.

"Let's keep going," Cain whispered, for whatever reason he felt the deep desire to remain as quiet as possible. The soft sound of ticking caught the men's attention as they continued to the light only to come to a large clock face that grinned down at them. The face of the clock was made of yellow, gold and purple stained glass that cast it's light all around the room they had entered. The beautiful lights illuminated the walls that were covered in thousands of picture frames. Every frame held a different person, yet their faces were distorted. Despite this Abel could make out a few of them, he spotted a picture of his coach among the pieces which caused his stomach to churn.

The pictures covered every inch of the walls but stopped just beside the opening in the wall they had come through. Abel eyes couldn't seem to focus on just one picture as the clock above ticked loudly into the open air,

"Look!" Cain said suddenly.

The hunter glanced over to the doctor, following his hand that pointed towards the glass with his gaze. Sitting, just in the face of the clock, with a hand waving in the air was Butch. He seemed to be in some sort of hidden room inside the clock face, though Abel couldn't make out if anyone else was with him.

"Is that your guy?" Cain asked,

"Looks like him,"

"How'd he get up there?"

The brothers watched him for a few more seconds as he turned and vanished into the darkness off the room,

"Maybe he's not evil? Maybe he came here and got trapped," Abel mused, glancing at Cain with a shrug. Cain blinked against the orange lights from the clock, a perplexed look on his face.

"Maybe, but does that mean we're stuck, too?"

Abel didn't know how to answer that, Cain huffed in frustration. Cain Walked to the wall, placing his hand on the frame and yanked down with all his might. The picture didn't budge, Cain smiled.

"What are you doing?" Abel questions,

Cain placed a hand on two of the taller picture frames, hoisting himself upward and placing his weight on them. Shoes settling on the top of the wooden frames. The doctor silently thankful that most of the frames were thick, giving him a bit of a ledge. Letting out a breath when the frames held his weight, looking down now at his brother with a wide, shit eating grin.

"Ever rock climb?"

Abel squinted towards the clock face, it was high.

"There's...gotta be a door," Abel said, giving the other an awkward smile. Cain rolled his eyes, "Come on, man up!" He said with a snort. Grabbing the next picture frame Cain pulled himself upwards towards the face of the clock. Abel shuffled uncomfortably from foot to foot as he grabbed onto the picture frames, copying the man as he climbed. The higher the men went the darker the world below seemed as if something was swallowing itself whole.

"Stop looking down," Cain called to his brother, Abel bit his lip as he attempted to keep his eyes on the back of his brother's head. The white lab coat that the man wore was getting dirtier as he continued to drag himself upwards. Abels arms began to scream in pain, it felt as if they'd been climbing for years. A wind kicked onward as they got closer to the clock face, it let out a loud bong into the dark air causing the picture frames to shake. The hunters gasped in shock at the movement, Cain stumbled backwards stepping on Abel's head as he went.

"Watch it!" Abel shouted against the wind, Cain pulled his foot up with a soft chuckle.

"You got a shoe print on your face,"

Abel shot the man a grin, "I wonder how that got there,"

Cain smiled, a genuine smile that brought a spark of joy and determination to his heart. His brother and him were bonding in a way he never thought he'd experience in his life.

The pair scrambled up a long, thin ledge that raced to the front of the clock.

"Why is this here?" Cain asked out loud,

"Right? Don't think anyone needs to clean this thing," Abel retorted, handing the golf club to Cain who took the lead forward. The men moved rapidly towards the clock, keeping low to prevent Butch from seeing them as they got to the face. Cain stood up straight, his head just narrowly touched the bottom of the giant clock. He traced his fingers over the stained glass, glancing to Abel who stood too short to even look into the face.

Cain grinned wide at him, Abel returned the grin with a glare and flipping the man his middle finger, "Say a thing and I'll throw you off this thing,"

Cain snorted, "Oh, I don't think I need to say anything for it to be funny,"

The loud shattering of glass exploded around them, Cain yowled in surprise as he was blown back.

"Cain!" Abel shouted, leaping forward and grabbing the other's hand. He dangled dangerously over the edge, his legs scrambling in an attempt to push himself up as Abel held him tight. The golf club falling into the deep blackness below, Abel didn't hear it hit the ground.

"Stop moving, you maniac!" He shouted, Cain sucked air into his lungs as a feeble attempt to keep himself from panicking. Abel's muscles burned painfully, fear pumped through his veins at how much of a fall they would take if either slipped. Feeling his heart skipping as panic caused his hands to feel slick against the others. 'What would Sam do' Abel thought to himself as Cain used his other hand to grab Abel's wrist. A though sparked through his mind, he thought deeply.

His mind flashed to sitting with Sam in a restaurant, the man laughing at something he said. Grinning at Abel, "You gotta be my favorite Nephew," causing Abel to laugh and smile big at his uncle. Holding up a beer, the two clinked their drinks together.

"Sammy, I'm your only Nephew,"

The memory made Abel smile, he felt a warmth spread through his veins. Opening his eyes his necklace glowed bright in the darkness, covering his gloved hands in it's soft light. Cain looked at him in shock as a cold wind whipped his hair around. Using his newfound strength he pulled hard, Cain scrambled upwards and collapsed beside his brother.

"Stop falling," Abel breathed out, Cain snorted "Thank you,"

"You owe me,"

"I'll get you a beer after this,"

The two didn't have time to stop and think about what had happened, Cain glanced into the hole that had been made in the glass. Inside seemed to be a room full of old boxes, furniture, as well as dirty books.

"It's clear, whoever it was ran," Cain whispered to the other, using his elbow to smash in more of the glass. It twinkled in the light that came from the small room, falling down to join the lost golf club.

"What blew you away?" Abel asked as Cain brushed glass away from the opening with his gloved hand. The golf gloves protecting his skin.

"Butch must have done something," he replies, "cause I got hit with one hell of a wind,"

Cain leapt into the room, holding a hand out for Abel who took it. Helping him climb in the men glanced around, the room was so small but didn't seem to have a door. Abel kicked the dust under his feet as he made for a few boxes, opening them with a groan of frustration. Cain followed, glancing down at the piles of Christmas ornaments.

"Are...we in the attic?" Cain asked, hazel eyes meeting green before Abel shoved his hand into the box. Pulling out the large, thick christmas bulbs.

"Least we got light now,"

"You can't be serious," Cain gasped.

***

Cain glared at the hunter, he had his arms covered in the Christmas lights that wrapped themselves around his body. Abel started to do the same for his own. Wrapping the smaller, sharp looking bulbs around his arms and torso, after searching they came across a few batteries in another box, it took a few different tries before finding batteries that weren't dead.

"You touch them to your tongue," Abel said, letting the battery shock the skin lightly. Wincing at the tingle against his tastebuds.

"I'm pretty sure we can just," Cain took the battery from his brother, shoving it into the pack, flicking the lights on "test it this way,"

"Probably a better idea," Abel laughed, eyes glowing against the bright blue lights. Cain shoved more batteries into the pack on his lights, red light danced against his Carmel skin as they flickered awake. Occasionally the red would change to green and back once again.

"Alright," Abel said with a nod to the other, "Now weapons," Abel said, going for the boxes on the other side. Gasping as his foot got caught in something causing him to fall forward. Cain grabbed him from the back of the shirt just in time before he hit the floor, feeling sweat race down his forehead.

"That glass would have hurt like a bitch and a half," Abel whispered as Cain helped him get to his feet.

"What'd you trip on?"

"Dunno, I am a bit clumsy," Abel kicked at the ground around the area he had nearly fallen. When his boot met with metal the brothers both looked at one another before throwing themselves to the floor. Shoving a dusty, old rug out of the way they grinned at the trap door.

"Yes!" Abel punched the air, grinning wide.

"You think this leads to the actual house?"

"Probably,"

"What about Butch?" Cain asked,

"Fuck it, we'll come back with Baal. At least we saw him, maybe Baal will know how to navigate this monster house," Abel grabbed the door, yanking it open only to see pitch blackness.

"Aw come on," Abel growled, slamming a fist into the wood below his hand.

"We don't really have a choice," Cain said, sticking his head down. His Christmas lights lit the area around him just enough for the man to see the ground below.

"It doesn't look far, we can just jump."

"What if the floor caves in or something?"

"Then one of us dies? I don't know what you want me to say?"

"If you're volunteering,"

Cain groaned, shoving his brother before letting his feet dangle over the opening and jumping. He gasped in shock and surprise as his body didn't fall down but fell up! His feet now on the ceiling, standing beside the trap door.

"Whoa!" Abel gasped as he jumped from the attic room and landed beside the other. The light is now stronger as the bulbs around them cast warm light every which way. Both men looked back down at the hole before shrugging.

"Well, I guess we keep going?" Cain asked,

"God, I want some pie and a soda," Abel groaned as the two started to continue their walk. Both forgetting to grab a weapon as they walked,

"What kind?" Cain asked,

"Pumpkin,"

"I always liked Apple,"

"I'm sorry it must be hard to be wrong all the time,"

Cain snorted, "I'm wrong? Pumpkin has the worst texture,"

"I'm sorry we can't all be extra American and like Apple pie,"

The brothers froze as a shadow passed by them, they pushed themselves close to each other ready to attack if need be. Their breath flowed from their nose, Cain shuddered at the cold chill of air that washed over them.

"Abel?"

"Hm?"

"You got any salt?" Cain murmured, Abel shook his head slowly. Without warning a loud scream exploded from around them.

"We gotta go," Abel gasped, looking around him as he attempted to find the source of the high pitched scream.

"Abel!" Cain shouted, Abel turned his attention to his brother who looked petrified as his father stormed towards them from the shadows. Abel took off running for the other, he didn't have a weapon, but he did have something that would work. That is, he hoped it would work.

"Cain, if this doesn't work tell Chamuel not to touch my car," He shouted towards his stunned brother who watched with wide, fearful eyes. He'd never seen Cain afraid, what this guy must have done turned Abel's blood to fire.

"I'm going to rip you apart, you son of a bitch," He snarled, closing his eyes as he ran and thought of his friends, all together watching National Treasure. The memory of laughter brough warmth through his chest causing the Chamulet to glow bright. He thought of the angel, how soft the man's hands always were despite the raw power that sparked below his skin.

Letting out a breath his hand glowed, only a few seconds from colliding with the ghost like creature he swung. The ghost roared in anger, vanishing. Abel skidded to a halt, taking in air at the sudden sprint and kicking up dust around him.

Cain raced forward the second his fathers ghost had vanished, "Is that angel's grace?!" He sounded shocked, his face red from panic.

"I think so," Abel whispered, grinning wide now, "I think...I'm starting to get the hang of it...but man, it's starting to hurt," He chuckled. His hand ached from the power that had raced through it, his batting glove had been completely burned up by the power leaving only a few of the fingertips, a thin strip of fabric on the bottom that connected to the end.

Abel pulled the glove off, dropping it to the floor and examining the red burns that dotted the knuckle.

"Damn," Cain whispered, blinking at the glove then towards his brothers hand.

"We gotta split man,"

"Let Banana outta here," Cain agreed,

"What?"

"Banana split? My mom-- our mom, always says it,"

Abel gave the other a small smile before turning his attention to the area around them. Another shiver rolled up his spine, he took a few steps back til he felt Cain.

"Is he coming back?" Cain whispered, slipping behind the other. He never felt so humiliated but his brain didn't seem to care as panic flared at the thought of seeing the man. Memories washed over Cain's mind causing him to shiver as if he was cold, Abel leaned on the man as an attempt to bring any form of comfort.

"I'll kill 'em" He snarled out, his eyes settled on something in the middle of the messy hallway. Among the random pages of blank, white paper was something long and metal. He took a few quick steps towards it, it was the golf club.

"I found your club!" Abel gasped, snatching it from the ground with glee.

"Oh thank god, that's my favorite one,"

"It might not be for long," Abel mused as he made his way back to the other. Examining the dents in the iron. Their breathe collected in the air as another person stepped into view, Abel held up the golf club only to nearly drop it.

Standing in front of him was a man with long, dark hair that sat sopping wet on his shoulders. His skin was puffy, water dripped from his mouth and nose as he stumbled towards them. His once seashell colored skin looked almost green, with algae covering half of his face.

"No, no no no," Abel gasped, stumbling backwards.

"Abel," The man groaned out, his flannel shirt bright red against the world around him. Cain grabbed the club, running towards the teenager with a loud whack the end of the club met the floor causing the ghost to vanish.

Abel took in a few breaths as he tried to calm the swirling panic in his mind, staring at the spot the other stood only seconds ago.

"Abel have a panic attack later, we need to leave,"

Abel nodded, following quickly as the two ran forward.

They came to a door, going inside to find the room filled with different paintings of all types. Tearing through the room, hoping into a picture frame that seemed to open to more staircases. The men picked a staircase, following it, leaping onto another set of stairs. They met door after door, attempting to solve the home but it rapidly became hopeless. Every room held clocks, stairs, books, old pictures, paintings, and anything else the house could think of but nothing led to the outside world.

Now the two sat on the edge of a staircase that led to nowhere. Cain had long given up attempting to keep his hair neat, Abel had taken to tying his hair back in a messy ponytail with a rubber band his brother happened to have in his pocket. Cain took a swig of strong smelling liquid from a metal tin that had been hidden away in the coat, handing it to his brother who also took a long swig.

The alcohol burned but it was a welcoming feeling as they watched the stairs float by them.

"You think they're coming to help?" Cain asked, the Christmas lights flashing didn't bother the doctor anymore, rapidly getting used to them, a few had broken here and there leaving them empty.

"Maybe," Abel murmured, rubbing the back of his head.

"I assume we've been gone a long time by now," Cain groaned, rubbing the back of his head.

It felt as if they'd been trapped in the maze for weeks, with how hungry and tired Abel was he wasn't sure if they'd even find a way out.

"Hey Cain," Abel started, hesitating

"What happened to your dad?"

Cain fell silent for a few seconds, wondering if he should be honest or lie. Something about the moment felt as if lying would lead to more problems down the road, letting out a sigh.

"He uh, long story but," running his fingers through his hair anxiously, "he used to beat me, my mom, our mom...she's...she's a character, you know? He...well, one day I came home." Cain closed his eyes as he recalled the painful memory. He'd never shared it with another soul,

"Me and my friend, we walked into my house and he was attacking her," He closed his eyes tighter, "I had just got back from baseball practice. I was sixteen. I pushed him off, my mom begged him not to hurt me as we fought. I wasn't...big, well, I've never been too big but...he had me outmatched. Fool was drunk. Smelled terrible."

Cain opened his eyes, looking over at his brother. Swinging his legs lightly as they sat in the darkness.

"Anyways, he went back to her after beating my face in. Without thinking about it I grabbed my baseball bat, I clocked the fucker over the back of the head."

Abel looked shocked but didn't stop the other from talking, leaning in more as he listened as if wanting to make sure he didn't miss a single word.

"He tried to come at me again, so I hit him again. I...just kept hitting him after that," Cain felt tears in his eyes, blinking them away quickly.

"I beat him with that bat until I couldn't recognize his stupid fucking face,"