1 The Last Straw
Five thousand years ago, a girl was born amongst a covenant assumed to worship the devil. A ritualistic séance committed to bring forth the devil into this world through the consummation of a worshipper. Fire, once lit the cold underground cavern, was now quieted by the roar of the wind. Robes rose as the wind played with their tunic, before it circled around the offered woman. She wore no worry or fear in her eyes because she willing to give.
And gave she did.
Screams erupted her voice as the pain shot through her.
It was done. She now carried their God, their devil.
When this woman gave birth, it was said the child had ripped itself out of the womb and through her stomach.
The woman did not survive; the child did not cry.
The child had the utmost care for she is the devil herself.
Yet, the worshippers started to notice something was strange. The child spoke no words, stared endlessly at the sky, and her eyes would darken to the blackest pit when she was angry.
Eve, they named her. She was the one the devil had tricked for the soul purpose of destruction for mankind. Eve would do the same now.
But Eve did as she pleased.
The worshippers asked that she killed those who do not believe in their God, the devil, her.
She did not.
They begged her to hurt those who dared fight against them.
She did not.
They pleaded her to bring forth the first wave of many to end mankind.
She did not.
Eve would laugh and shake her head. She would sit outside and stare up at the sky as if lost in the whiteness of the clouds. She would prefer to smile and grab their hands instead of eating flesh and crushing necks.
She was not the devil.
The worshippers would discuss often and for long hours. What was wrong with her? Were they not worthy?
Eve was tested when they brought a man, a boy, and a woman in front of her.
"Please! We beg you! Do not hurt us," the man tried kneeling, before the boy and woman.
Eve tilted her head and looked at the worshipper who brought these people.
"They did not pay their fines, my lord," the worshipper said, "... their punishment is needed."
The young demon glanced at the people staring at her with tear rimmed eyes.
"Please… we don't have the money," the woman cried holding the boy in her arms.
"Just take me, please, let them go," the man begged.
The worshippers watched as their God stood up from her throne and walked down to her subjects. Their heartrate increased with the thought that they would finally be blessed with a kill.
Eve reached out to the boy. The woman held the boy away.
Her eyes turned black.
The worshippers grinned with glee when they saw their little devil break the woman's bones without touching her. The screams were so fulfilling that they needed no meals the rest of that day.
The boy shook and shivered as the man held him crying.
"Please, not my boy," the man cried.
The little demon reached for the boy. The man made the same mistake as his wife.
The worshippers looked at one another with such pleased expressions, not even a lover of the heavens could stop their happiness.
There sat the three-year-old boy alone, crying.
Eve reached out. The boy reached back.
Adam, the worshippers named him. For it was Adam that also brought the end to mankind.
A laughter erupted in the room.
"Come on Eve," the young adult rolled his eyes, "You keep telling stories like these."
"Who says it was a story?" Eve grinned and pecked his lips, "It is the truth."
"Sure," the young man wrapped his arms around her as he looked into her eyes, "How could pretty gold eyes turn into a black void?"
"Just don't make me mad Adam," Eve's grin softened at the corners.
"Noted," Adam laughed quietly and kissed her.
His lips were soft and delicate like the budding of a rose. She loves him so much.
"Alright, I'm going to run to the store real quick and pick up lunch for us," Adam pulled away kissing her cheek.
Eve tilted her head as she watched him reach for his coat.
"We could just make lunch at home," Eve frowned, "... or I could come with you."
"No, no," Adam smiled and it was like looking at a full moon, "I'll be back. Don't go anywhere, okay?"
"What are you planning my dearest Adam?" Eve quirked her lips and crossed her arms, as she leaned against the wall.
"Who says I was planning anything?" He grinned and laughed softly, "Please tell me you'll be home when I get back."
Eve let out her own laugh and walked over to him. She gave him another kiss and sighed.
"Alright," she smiled, "Don't take too long. I might fall back asleep."
"Okay! Be right back!" Adam had a shine to his eyes as he left.
Taking out his phone, he made a call to the shop he was heading to.
"Hey Mr. Kingston," Adam greeted as he reached his car, "Is it ready?"
"Adam, yes, it is ready and fixed," Mr. Kingston said, "Will you be picking it up today?"
"Yes! I should be there in," he glanced at his watch and started the car, "... in 20 minutes."
"Wonderful. See you soon then," Mr. Kingston hung up the phone and Adam couldn't stop smiling.
He had gone through their favorite – and first – fast food restaurant they shared for lunch. Then, he headed to the shop where Mr. Kingston was waiting for him.
Parking his car, he quickly headed into the store.
"Adam," the man behind the counter waved him over smiling.
"Mr. Kingston," Adam quickly went to him, "Can I see it?"
Mr. Kingston nodded with a chuckle. Grabbing the item, he handed it to Adam.
Red velveted box in his hands made it hard for him to swallow. Adam took a deep breath and opened it to see the jewel inside. It shined so bright to him that it took a few blinks to recognize the addition he asked for.
"Thank you Mr. Kingston," he let out a smile.
"Good fortune to you and her," Mr. Kingston sent a slight bow and Adam returned it.
Leaving the shop, he went straight to the apartment where Eve waited for him.
Sitting in the car for another five minutes trying to get his breathing in check, he continued to stare at the item in the box. When he felt confident enough, he let out a breath, grabbed the food, and placed his item in his pocket.
As he walked out of the parking structure, he heard footsteps nearing him. Turning around, his eyes widened seeing the weapon pointing at him.
"Whoa," Adam held his hands up.
"Give me what you got," the man waved his gun and got closer.
"Okay, okay," Adam handed him the bag with food.
"Not that!" the man knocked the food out of his hand.
"That was perfectly good food," Adam mumbled, but straightened back when he heard the cocking of the gun.
"Gimme it!" the man shouted out with a scowl.
Adam wasn't sure what it was that he wanted, but the sound of his ringtone echoed through the garage.
"I have to pick it up," Adam mentioned staring at the man, "She would worry."
"I don't give a shit!" the man shouted, "Give me the ring!"
The blood left his body.
'How did he know?!'
"No," Adam shook his head and the gun aimed at his heart.
He closed his eyes.
--
Eve was frowning. It had been almost 40 minutes now and Adam had not returned. She gave him a call to check-in, but he didn't pick up.
Something was wrong.
Closing her eyes, she reached for his string and teleported to his location.
In front of her was Adam, on the floor of the garage bleeding, and a man over him.
"Where is it!" the man screamed digging his hands into pockets.
'Oh! There it is!' He pulled out the box only to feel his bones in his hands break. Screaming, he let the box go and held his hand.
Eve lifted her hand and slammed the man clear across the other side of the room. Rushing to Adam, he was not breathing.
"Adam, darling," she whispered as tears fell down her eyes, "Please. Please wake up."
No noise came from the man she held in her arms. Blood soaked her dress, but she didn't care. Why should she? Why should she care anymore?
Over and over this had happened and she was tired of it!
Screaming out loud, everything around her smashed clear through the walls. The parking structure collapsed and people were screaming, gathering to watch in horror.
When the dust clouds settled, a girl stood with eyes as dark as her heart, holding the red velvet box.
