Chapter 45: Sweet Child of Mine

Cain made his way out of his room, his night had been a terrible one. With nightmares of all sorts making their way into his mind. He saw Fran again, smiling at him from the table before he turned into the sludge and melted into the floor. Cain shook this off as he tried to collect his thoughts. Who was he? Do I know him? Why did he come to me? Is Cherm...evil? He knew Cherm was a demon, but he always saw them more misunderstood like himself. That's what his father always taught him, that they were simply angels cast out by an angry, disobedient god.

But now he was starting to question if he really was misunderstood, his friends seemed to understand him. His friends never hurt him. Hit him. He was learning more about himself around them than he had his entire life. He felt almost alien inside his body whenever he came home now.

He closed the door behind him, grabbing the side of the sink and glancing in the mirror at his reflection. It was only a few hours now until the eclipse. Until he had a decision to make. He wasn't even sure how he could decide, was he supposed to tell someone his decision? He felt his phone go off but he ignored it, the white of his eyes held a touch of red. His mind moved back to Donnie, how he had saved him. Healed him. Why? He looked down at the Adinkra that shone in the light of the dirty bathroom.

He glanced back to the mirror and jumped out of his skin, Cherm stood behind him. His shadow-like figure looming over the doctor, his smile wicked, twisted upwards to a grin.

"Cherm," Cain whispered, he didn't understand the sudden fear in his voice as he turned to look up at the other.

The monster towered over him, shadows moved like fog over the floor covering it in darkness. Cain stumbled back as the monster grew larger. The room rapidly being eaten away by the shadows, all but the mirror behind him and a scatter of items around the room.

"Cherm! What is the meaning of this?" He demanded, though his voice held a note of fear.

"You've changed," he snarled at Cain, pointing to the Adinkra, then to the phone in the doctor's pocket.

"We are supposed to be king," the monster continued, it's voice sounding like a man gargling small rocks.

"We will be, me and you, we can protect--"

"No," Cherm roared, Cain took a few steps back.

"I protect no one. My followers, my minions, the innocent all around. They are worthless to us," Cherm snarled out.

"No, they are not," Cain said quickly, "Cherm, they have uses. We can use them and--"

"Befriend them?" Cherm hissed, Cain winced now. What was happening to him? His passion for medicine kicked up with Mishka's support and love, his skin looked clear, he didn't feel tired constantly. Was it just his friends? Or was something more sinister happening he wasn't aware of?

Cain shuffled as he tried to come up with what to say. His mind reeled with confusion that sparked deep within him.

"You are king!" Cherm snarled, "they bow before you!"

Cain felt a spark of anger suddenly that rolled through his system like lava, pumping through his veins.

"I am king!" He spat, "I don't need you for me to be king, I've been waiting for this my entire life. I--"

Cherms laughter cut him off, Cain blinked and the creature was suddenly in his face. Only inches from his nose,

"Stupid ignorant fool!" Cherm laughed, "I am you!"

Cain's eyes grew wide, "you are not me! I'm Cain!"

"Are you? Or are you Cherm?"

The confusion in Cain's thoughts got worse as he stumbled backwards.

"I am me!" He spat, "I don't need you,"

Cherm laughed again, he launched himself upwards. His body contorted as he turned into the shape of a dark dragon, the dragon's head leaned down to Cain.

"Can't you see? You are me!" He laughed as the dragon's face turned to Cain's. Cain gasped loudly as the monstrous dragon let out a roaring laugh.

"No!" Cain shouted, getting to his feet "I am me!"

He turned away from the dragon, gripping the sides of the sink and staring into the mirror.

"I'm...a good man…" he whispered, uttering the words Mishka said to him daily. Tears welled into his eyes, his pupils the size of pinpricks as he attempted to settle the dragon within him.

"Are you?"

Cain's reflection asked, grinning wide at the doctor. Cain shouted in shock, throwing himself back away from the mirror as his reflection laughed.

"We are Cherm!" He laughed

"No!" Cain yelled out with desperation in his voice, his eyes danced around the darkness. He needed to get away, he needed something.

His eyes widened, sitting on the floor was a handgun. It was originally in the cabinet for emergencies, and this was an emergency. He turned his attention back to Cherm, the dragon watched him with a wicked grin. He couldn't do this anymore. He couldn't. His panic flared as he dashed for the gun, the dragon roared in rage. Shooting hot flames at the doctor who just nearly avoided getting burned.

Snatching up the weapon he held it to his skull, he understood now who Cherm was. He was the eater of worlds. A beast that had manipulated him from the start.

"You need me to survive!" Cain yowled, putting the cold head of the gun to his temple, he felt tears running down his cheeks and he silently sent a prayer to Faith.

"Tell Mishka I love her," he whispered to the air, pulling the trigger he shut his eyes tight as the bang exploded around him. It rang in his ears, causing his hearing to waver. Only he wasn't dead, his eyes shot open. He was standing in his bathroom again, a bullet clinked to the floor and bounced. Rolling away from him, Cain's arm that held the gun fell to his side.

He couldn't kill himself. The gun fell to the tiled floor below with a loud clunk. He stared at nothing, he felt as if he wasn't in his own body and his feet didn't grace the floor. Cherms laughter brought him from his dissociated state, he turned to the monster in the mirror.

"You can't kill us, we are all powerful,"

"Why me?" Cain whispered

"You don't want to be blessed with greatness?"

"This is a curse," Cain snarled

"A blessing, a curse. It doesn't matter, we will be great,"

"Abel's king,"

"Not according to mother,"

Mother! She would know! His mother had known everything. He knew she'd have the answers, but how could he ask her? He loved her, she loved him. Right?

"Take him to mother, she will show you that you are me. We are king,"

Cain's hands trembled as he clenched the sink below him. He nodded slowly at this, yes. He would ask mother. She had never lied to him.

"Yes," Cain whispered. The sound of someone knocking on the door caught his attention, he collected himself. Running his hands over his face to get rid of the tears. If his mother saw tears she would be mad at him, he couldn't upset her.

"My king!" Eve sang as he opened the door to the woman.

She threw herself on him, hugging him tight. He squeezed her and relaxed in her embrace.

"Mother we need to talk," he murmured, she pulled away and grinned up at him.

"First we shop! I need to get more clothes,"

Cain nodded at her, "of course, mother." He whispered softly.

***

Cain had spent the day with her, preparing to tell her about Abel and bring him to her. She took him to the mall dragging him by the hand everywhere and anywhere. They spent the day going from one shop to another, buying whatever it was the woman felt like getting. Though Cain knew she'd probably forget she got some of these things he bought them anyway. The joy in her eyes was all he cared about.

She gave him an odd look when he handed a homeless man a twenty, having done it without a second thought. She glared at the homeless man but said nothing as they made for the car,

"Amaryllis said she was making dinner," Eve sang out as Cain drove down the freeway.

"They," he said, and she turned to him in shock. Did he just correct her? He flinched from her gaze, but said nothing. She huffed and crossed her arms over her chest.

"You know we don't believe in that," she huffed, "people can't just decide to be a new gender! It's foolish!" Eve spat. Cain didn't reply, he was shocked by her words. Was that how he used to sound? He felt a rush of embarrassment roll through him at his ignorance.

"Yes mother," he said simply, they continued to drive in silence until Eve switched on a podcast. It was about a preacher who was running for president, but Cain didn't listen. Was his mother actually good? Was he? Mishka seemed to think so. Now his mind ran back to the time his mother smashed a glass to his head for not finishing his food. How she buzzed off all his hair when he dyed it as a teenager.

How she held him down as his father landed a harsh blow into his stomach. Over and over. Suddenly he felt a detachment from the woman but attempted to shove this to the back of his mind. She had her reasons, at least he assumed she did. He wasn't a good kid, he was disobedient. Rude even. His father he hated, but his mother only did what was best for him.

"Mother,"

She glanced at him with a wide smile, "I...I'm bringing...a few friends over," he started.

She frowned at this but didn't say anything as he continued, "I...one of them is a king, like myself and…"

"You are king of Kings," she corrected sweetly,

"Yes, I am. But he is king too,"

"What is he king of?"

The question caught him off guard, he honestly didn't know.

"Uh, medicine," Cain lied, rubbing the back of his head awkwardly. It was the first thought that jumped into his mind. He wasn't sure why it stuck out so prominently.

"Okay," Eve said slowly.

"And...I would like you to meet him, and see if the angels...say anything," he murmured out the rest as if he wasn't sure what was going to be said next.

Her face lit up, "you want to make sure he's really a king!" She giggled.

"Yes," Cain felt relief wash over him, his mother always knew! How could he doubt her?

***

"It's you!" Abel snarled, Robin peaked his head around Danjal with wide eyes. Chamuel's eyes flashed to white as he took a few steps towards the demon, Danjal didn't back down.

The second the angel came near his friend the giant man stepped forward to meet war. He towered over the angel, glaring down at him. Their noses almost touched,

"If you want him you have to get through me," Danjal hissed out.

"Get any closer and you'll kiss," Abel laughed as he placed a hand on Chamuel's shoulder. The angel turned to look at him with a puzzled expression.

"Abel, that's Ancitif, no doubt Obizuth is close behind,"

"Uh...no," Robin whispered, pushing himself between the two larger men. His body trembled as he attempted not to cry from the anxiety that built over him like a skyscraper. He looked at Abel who gave him a curious gaze opposed to an angry one.

The tears started to flow, Robin dropped to his knees and bowed his head to the king. His tears falling on the pavement below, a few arrows fell from his back with how low his head went.

"My name's Robin, I-I'm a reformed demon, I was black mailed into helping Obizuth and now I want to help you," he vomited out the words so quickly it took Abel a second to run them through his head.

Danjal looked down at Robin before bowing his head as well, going to one knee. Abel and Chamuel shared a look before Abel went down to his knees as well. He grabbed the demon and pulled him into a hug, the demon gasped in shock before bursting into sobs. Grabbing the king and hugging onto him tight,

"I had a feeling you were different," Abel chuckled as he pulled away, placing both hands on the man's shoulders and looking down at the Adinkra.

Eyes moving back to Robins face, "You called off those hell hounds didn't you?"

Robin nodded slowly, using the back of his hand to rub his tears away.

"Welcome to the team, Robin," Abel chuckled, his Chamulet glowed bright as if it approved of the demon.

"Thank God," Danjal laughed, getting to his feet, "I was worried we'd have a fight on our hands!"

"No fight," Abel said smoothly as he got to his feet, "you saved Donnie, I'm in your debt! Right Don?"

Abel turned to where his friend had been moments ago but he was gone. Abel frowned, Danjal put a hand on the king's shoulder. Laughing,

"We'll hold ya to that!" He chuckled, "maybe buy us a beer or two,"

Abel turned to the large man, winking "oh I'll buy ya three!"

***

Donnie padded past Sam who sounded as if he was talking to multiple people at once. Sitting on a chair where the red couch had been, the coffee table lined with multiple phones and a laptop. He spotted a man on the laptop screen while the older hunter also held a phone to his ear, he smelled of alcohol and cigarettes.

Donnie snorted as he moved past the other, following Israfil's scent. He expected the angel to go up to the room they'd been sharing but the others smell went down to the man cave below. His ears pricked, he opened his jaw to taste the air more allowing the smells around him to bath over his scent glands.

He smelled tears again, his shoes knocked against the wooden stairs as he hopped down them. Feeling more energy than he ever had in his life.

"Issy?" He murmured, he could hear the angel sobbing. The man was sitting in the dark, clenching a pillow to his chest and crying into it. Curled up into a tight ball, Donnie whimpered softly as he made for the man. Settling himself beside the other on the pull out bed,

"Issy, what's wrong?" He asked, keeping his voice soft as he wrapped an arm around the angel.

Israfil looked up at him with broken eyes, the usual honey brown that shone like the sun looked dead. Void of their usual vibrancy.

"Faith," Israfil whispered, shuffling closer to Donnie and burying himself into the other's chest. Donnie pulled him down to the bed, holding the crying angel against his heart.

"What about her?" He whispered, Israfil sniffled and looked up at him. Donnie felt horrified as the brunette started to explain what had happened, going into detail about his life with her. How he'd risked everything to keep Faith's Adinkra safe, in hopes she would return to him.

"I should have known, I'm so stupid," Israfil murmured, Donnie shook his head at this. Letting out a soft growl,

"You're not stupid! She strung you along for hundreds of years," he murmured, feeling a hot anger burn into his system. How could she be an angel of love if she lied about being in love with someone who was a literal ray of sunshine.

"I'm...grateful for all I met and the friends I made, for the celebrations I was apart of, the riots I fought in, the people I saved…" he whispered, rubbing his eyes, "but I didn't have to go through all that, it...I have so many bad...memories," he murmured

Donnie looked into his eyes and could almost see the wars the man must have endured, the heartbreak, the death, Israfil had been forced to remain on Earth in hiding so the Adinkra didn't fall in the wrong hands. Now that his mission was over, he felt lost.

"I...I was a pawn," he murmured, "they used me to do their bidding and now...I'm useless to them,"

"Hey!" Donnie murmured, shushing him as he started to tear up again. Biting his lip till it bled, "you're not useless to us, to me," he whispered as he pushed his forehead to the others.

"You're an angel,"

"I don't want to be anymore!" Israfil cried out, "I wish I could just be human now. At least my heart wouldn't be broken. I haven't even got to experience sex or love or or having a family--" he shook his head.

'I can give you all of that' Donnie thought silently but kept it to himself.

"I don't know what's wrong with me, I...I just can't seem to let go! I've loved her for years and even kept myself pure for her and now? I don't know. I-I don't know, maybe I'm broken."

"You're not broken, have you...considered that you might be Demisexual?" Donnie whispered, running his fingers up and down Israfil's back in a form of comfort.

"No? What's that?" He whispered, sniffling.

"It's...when you only love someone when you have a strong connection to them. And for some pe-- creatures, its especially intense,"

Israfil sniffled softly, Donnie watched him with a curious glint in his eyes. He silently celebrated, Faith wasn't in the picture! But he couldn't just scoop the angel up and force him to be his. He was still an angel,

"I don't know," Israfil whispered, burying his face back into Donnie's chest. The wolf held the man, enjoying the warm comfort of his scent. He could practically feel his tail wagging, his mind buzzed with thought.

"Thank you, I'm sorry for crying," Israfil murmured.

"Crying is good!" Donnie chuckled, "you have no idea how often Paul cries," Donnie laughed out. Grinning down at the other, Israfil smiled up at him. The light in his eyes returned as he let his head rest against Donnie's chest, closing his eyes and listening to his friend's heart beat.

"When I was helping the innocent as a runaway," Israfil murmured, "I made friends everywhere, but none of them were like you,"

The words sent sparks into Donnie's system, his heartbeat quickened as a smile pulled his lips apart.

"Issy, I can say the same about you." He whispered.

***

"So...a guy on a train gave it to you?"

Abel sat in front of the two demons, the night was rapidly on its way as the eclipse grew closer. Chamuel could feel it in his feet, the darkness. He wasn't sure what had kept it at bay for so long but whatever it is was starting to break down.

"Yes, he...died after,"

Abel and Chamuel glanced at one another as they sat in the kitchen, living room mix. The two demons on the couch, the pair sitting against the counter. Chamuel drinking down a redbull, getting ready for whatever was about to happen.

"Do you know his name?" Sam asked, something about the way the older hunter asked this question caught Abel's attention.

"Uh, it was Fran," he whispered,

Sam jumped up from his spot beside Abel, startling Norma who had been cutting up fruit while listening.

"Was he a black man with a smooth voice,"

Robin blinked up at Sam, looking uncomfortable as he raced his fingers down the back of his giant lizard.

"Yeah, you know him?"

Before Sam could answer Cain came running into the room, skidding to a halt. He glanced at the two demons with a twinkle of curiosity but didn't say anything to them, turning his eyes to his brother.

"I need you to meet our mother," Cain nearly demanded this, Abel could see something was wrong. His brother's face was contorted in a manner he'd never seen, his lip twitched and his eyes were wide as moons.

"Do...I have too?" He asked slowly.

"You don't want to meet your mother?" Sam asked, forgetting the conversation at hand.

Abel groaned inwardly, she could have changed since he was a baby. Right? He felt dread pump through his veins, why now? Cain had mentioned wanting them to meet but Abel had hoped he could stall it out.

"Abel, it's incredibly rare for mother to...want to meet someone new," Cain was picking his words carefully, Abel could sense something was wrong. Mishka had talked to him a bit about what happened between Cain and his mother not long ago but for all he knew he just had to say hi and could leave. Besides, he had Chamuel with him. He knew the angel would protect him, however he needed to.

"I guess," Abel whispered, jumping to his feet and picking up his boots.

"Thank you," Cain sighed, something definitely wasn't right about this and Abel was determined to get to the bottom of it.

"I'll go with you! I...am your Uncle in a sense too, Cain!" Sam chuckled,

"More than you know," Cain murmured, causing the older hunter to scrunch up his face with curiosity.

Abel insisted on taking the Impala, he loved Cain but the man was so erratic he wasn't sure if he felt safe driving with him. They shot down the freeway, Abel glanced at Chamuel every so often. The pair hadn't talked about what was said between them in the fire, he had almost hoped the angel would return the feelings and they could be together like he craved so desperately.

"Hey...Cham," Abel whispered, the angel glanced up from his phone. His eyes brimmed with exhaustion despite the redbull that pumped through his system.

"Everytime you say my name like that I know we're about to have a talk," Chamuel whispered,

"It's about...what I said,"

The air got tense as the angel looked back to his phone, Abel regretted bringing it up again.

'you're not man enough for him, he always stonewall's. He doesn't love you.'

He repeated these words to himself over and over.

"Abel I...think we need to talk about this after we see your mom. I...we have a lot of stuff we have to talk about,"

The man's words ripped his heart in half, a lot to talk about? Was Chamuel going to leave? Could he? Wasn't he his Lionheart? He couldn't just leave him, right?

"Abel, Wake up,"

Was he asleep? The words confused him more as he glanced around himself. His eyes dancing from the street to Chamuel who looked at him puzzled,

"Hello? Wake up! Earth to Abel,"

The hunter blinked a few times as if trying to will away the sudden misplacement he felt.

"Sorry, what?"

"Nevermind," Chamuel whispered, "Cain's turning up ahead,"

Abel glanced at Cain's small smart car, it had taken a turn into a large, very expensive looking apartment complex. The front gate beeped, opening wide for the two cars. The moon's light was starting to die as the eclipse started.

"What do you thinks gonna happen with the eclipse?" Abel murmured, turning his gaze to the blonde.

"I'm not sure," Cham admitted, staring up at the ominous building. It towered over them as they parked the car besides Cain's in the large parking lot, only a few other vehicles settled in this particular area as the two stepped out. Cain hopped out as well, Sam followed after. Making his way to Abel,

"Be on guard, somethings wrong with him and I can't place it," Sam whispered to his Nephew as the group made for the stairs. Abel walked beside Cain, trying to catch the man's eye but he seemed to be fixated on making his way to the apartment. The king's phone buzzed in his pocket, he pulled it out and frowned at the message from Mishka.

'hey, you with Cain? He hasn't replied to me today. I'm super worried, he was going on about...something last night,'

Abel pocketed the phone, not answering as they climbed up a few sets of stairs before making it towards the third floor. Green and red plants lined the walls of the hallway, their flowers wilted as if no one had watered them for a time. A fly landed on Cain as he walked up to his apartment door, swatting the bug away. Abel stood beside him, he glanced at Cain who grabbed the handle. His knuckles turned white as he clenched the metal.

"Hey Cain," Abel whispered, he could hear Chamuel and Sam walking down the hallway having stood a few inches back to chat under their breath.

"Hm?" Cain turned to his brother, his eyes filled with a panic Abel couldn't place.

"I love you, you know that?" He whispered, this caused fear to spark in his hazel gaze. Why was he afraid? What was Abel missing?

"Are you okay?"

Cain didn't answer as he pushed into the home, Abel looked in awe at the large apartment. An old TV sat on a stand near the front door with an uncomfortable looking couch in front of it, and a small wooden coffee table sat in front of the couch. A woman with short, grey hair jumped to her feet with a smile only for that smile to die as she eyed the trespassers.

"Cain, who is that," her voice flat which causes Abel to wince, Cain put a hand up as if he were trying to calm a raging bull.

"Mother...this is Abel...your son,"

The woman moved animal like towards the hunter, she glared at him. They were the same size, their noses the same, her eyes held a hint of his green but Abel knew he had his father's eyes.

"I never had a second son," she hissed out. "Who is this impostor?" She turned her head to Cain, "you are my son!"

"I was your daughter," Abel said, putting a hand out as well. He expected her to be shocked but not angry, her rage stabbing into his heart. His entire life he wanted a mother, someone who was loving and warm. Now as he stared at her he knew he'd never have that.

"Alice?" She whispered, her eyes broke as she looked at him. Realization hit her in the face, she took a few steps back now. Turning and making for the television,

"Yeah," he whispered,

"I...killed you!" She gasped out, "the angels, they told me." Her head swiveled to look at the doctor.

"I killed her, Cain, the angels. They told me, I would have two sons. One is the king, and the other," she turned to look at Abel again, "a devil," she spat. Abel flinched at this, he felt Chamuel's hand on his shoulder.

"He's not a devil," Chamuel growled, "he's the king of Kings,"

She looked at Chamuel, then to Abel and finally to Cain.

"A blonde... lionheart…" she whispered, her eyes danced over Abel's appearance. Horror flooded her eyes, she realized something as she looked between Cain and Abel.

"Oh no," she whispered, "what have I done…" tears rolled down her cheeks.

Cain went to comfort her but Abel stopped him with a hand, she looked shocked that the doctor obeyed his brother. Abel took a few steps towards her, she stumbled away from him.

"You...can't be real, Cain is the king," she whispered, her mind reeled.

"I killed you, I knew, a daughter was...a curse, I was to have two sons…"

"You...didn't kill me," Abel whispered, pushing his hair back to show the scar in his forehead right between his eyes.

"It's okay, I...don't hold it against you," he murmured, feeling oddly calm as he took a few more steps towards her. Cain followed behind him, wanting to be sure Eve was alright.

The woman glared daggers at Abel now, she shook with rage.

"The angels, they tell me," she spat, her eyes clouded over for a few seconds. Abel looked to Cain who didn't return the look, eyes locked on his mother.

"They tell you?" Abel inquired.

"Yes," Eve grabbed something off the small coffee table, "to make Cain king, I must kill you,"

Abel didn't have enough time to react, the woman leapt at him. He gasped, pain hot as fire shot through him as she swung a large kitchen knife, blood rolled down his arm. She swung again, Abel backed up.

"Stop!" He shouted,

"Mother, don't!" Cain yelled back,

"Cain, you will be king! I made a mistake but I'm going to fix it right now,"

Abel could almost feel Chamuel's anger as she swung the knife again, Abel went down to avoid the blow. Putting both hands on her hips and shoving her backwards.

"Stop!" He shouted again, the woman yelped in shock as she was pushed away. She stumbled backwards only to pushed over something unseen before letting out a painful yowl.

Cain raced to her but it was too late, she fell back. Her skull falling with great force onto the end of the coffee table, blood exploded from her head, covering Cain's face. Abel stood with his jaw on the floor, the eclipse was over.

Her skull shattered like glass against the sharp end of the wooden table, blood and brain matter caked the floor in a lake.

"Mother," Cain breathed