#076-2

- O5-3

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Chapter 4

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The sun burned high in the sky. Summer in Texas wasn't always a pleasant thing to experience, but once you've lived in it for a few years, you get used to it. The sheep, on the other hand, suffer in the immense heat with all their heavy and thick wool. These are the times of the year when Able spends the day cutting the wool off of all the sheep. Thanks to the attack of the coyotes three nights ago, it's sad to say there weren't that many sheep to shear this time.

After finishing the last one, Able used the back of his hand to wipe the sweat off his forehead. It was a hot day, indeed. He was glad he made the decision of shearing the sheep early in the morning. Pig laid in the shade of a tree, snoozing off, peacefully. It was a miracle how that pig always manages to sleep in the toughest of times.

Able smiled at his little friend and stood up. He walked to the river and knelt down in front of it. As he looked into his reflection, he reached in with both hands to splash some water on his face. He reached in again and drank the water collected. It was cool to the touch and was just what anyone needed to stay hydrated. Able didn't need food or water to survive, but it was a nice feeling. It makes him feel more... well, I wouldn't say human... but I guess more alive. Alive as in the years before he was cursed. This includes sleeping.

Since the attack, Able knew it will be a long time before the coyotes came back for their next meal. These days were the perfect opportunities to go out and scavage for resources; mostly firewood. Using wood from out there is drier and he wouldn't need to cut the healthy ones growing here already. Though it's much too hot to go right now. He would have to wait for the sun to be closer to the ground.

The Sumerian splashes his face with water once more before walking over to the shaded ground where his pig laid. He sat down on the soft grass and rested his back on the tree trunk, putting his hands behind his neck. He closed his eyes but reopened them once he felt someone's head on his lap. It was the head of a small lamb who came to rest next to their protector. Able smiled and closed his eyes once more. 

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It was dark and cold. Able couldn't tell if his eyes were opened or closed, but he knew for certain he was inside of something; something wooden. He began to panic and felt around him to see if he could escape this wooden prison but the spacing was so small he could barely move around in it. He put his hands in front of him and tried to push the wood up. It moved slightly but was stopped by something on the outside. Able could hear the clanging of metal on the other side, so he pushed harder. He pushed until he heard something snap and the wood swung open. He quickly sat up and tried to look around him but it was still dark. Able tried to look at his hands but could see nothing. 

"Hello?" he called. "Is anyone out there?" No response. 

He was scared and didn't know what to do. Where was he? How did he get here? What happened?

Cain...

Able's memories soon flooded in and remembered what happened. He began to cry and breathe heavily as he remembers the vivid memories of his brother's actions and words. 

"No." tears spilled down his cheeks like rain; first soft, then heavy. "No! No no no!" he tried to get out of the wooden thing, only to trip and fall to the ground, but he felt no pain. He got up to his feet and ran forward but hit face-first to a wall and fell to the floor. Again, no pain. Able reached a hand out and felt cold stone. With the same hand, he balled it to a fist and slammed it on the cold stone. With that powerful punch, everything around him felt like it vibrated. 

Scared at what he did, again, he looked at his hands but saw nothing. The young Sumerian lifted himself to his feet and wiped his tears. He lifted his right fist back and readied it to punch the wall.

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Able snapped his eyes open and hunched forward. Another reason he didn't sleep. Those damn memories always came back to haunt him no matter how many times he tries to ignore them. He never understood how they kept coming back; it's been so many years. Just once, he wished to have a good rest and never have to worry about those memories. But every time the memories do come back, he always question why. Why did he come back? Why was he chosen to live forever? Who was the one responsible to do this to him? Will he ever fully die? He will never get the answers. He knows. But for once, he would like the answer to at least one of them. 

A nudge on his right arm snapped him out of his daze. He looked to see Pig staring up at him, worriedly.

Able sighed and pet the little pig's head. "Do not worry, dear friend, I am alright. Just a dream." Pig sat on his lap, indicating to talk to him about it. Able smile at this and began telling him about his dream.

This was normal. Able had no one to talk to. No one to tell how he's feeling or stay there to listen, so he would talk to the animals. Talking to them is what kept Able sane, they made him less lonely. He would talk to them about anything and they would always listen. Stories, feelings, dreams, anything. They'll just sit there and listen until he's done. There was just one problem. They couldn't talk back to him. That's what made him depressed. He had someone to talk to, but never anyone to talk back to him. If there was anyone who could speak his same language, he would gladly talk to them, even if they were human. Anyone else would be considered a waste of time and someone to kill.

Cruel, you may think, but see it in his perspective. You wake up to see your whole village dead, you can't die, and for some reason, you have the sudden lust to kill and spill blood. You're alone for thousands of years with no one to talk to, no one to listen to, and no one to respond to you. You eventually become desperate for any contact, but because you are so desperate, you become impatient and agitated. If you cannot understand one single word they are saying, why bother?

After Able finishes telling his dream to Pig, he looks up at the sky to see what time it was. "Shit. Did I really sleep for that long?" warm hues of colors blended together, surrounding the setting sun. Able grabbed Pig and set him down on the grass then stood up. "I must go now if I wish to bring back wood before dark." he walked over to his cave where his bag was with Pig traveling behind him.

Once he retrieved it and put the strap on the opposite shoulder, he looked back at Pig and said, "I will be leaving now to go retrieve some wood. Stay here, this time." He pointed towards the ground to indicate that he did not want Pig to follow him.

Pig oinked at him and sat down.

Able smiled at this. "Good." He bent down and pet his head. "I will be right back." With that, he went out.