#tgtc

He dipped back towards the dirt and continued pulling weeds. Lost in his thoughts.

He could mix the Selah with a citron or melon. Maybe experiment with grapes. He could smash them with his sisters for juice. Or let them dry out to increase the sugar content.

No. That wouldn’t be good enough. He grimaced.

He threw the weeds down and paced the field.

Meat was different from fruits and vegetables. Nothing would compare. He stopped and listened for the braying sheep. Could I kill one? Offer something similar along with my fruit? No. Dung and mud. He kicked his pile of weeds. Abel’s offering makes no sense. Why would death be acceptable to God?

“Yours would’ve been accepted. If Abel hadn’t been there.” the voice said.

The realization struck Cain. A gust of wind blew and dried the sweat on his face. That was the only difference. Abel made an offering. He didn’t need to change his. He only needed to…

No.

He shook his head.

He couldn’t. He wouldn’t. Abel was his brother.

Time passed. But Abel’s offerings were regarded and Cain’s were not.

He cultivated all kinds of fruit. Every flavor a different delicacy of delight. But none of them won him the respect from God. None of them were consumed by fire.

Their sisters whispered that Abel could be the chosen seed from the prophecy.

Each time, Sin spoke to him in a whisper.

Reminded him in the fields, amongst the wheat.

Reminded him in orchards.

Reminded him in the depths of the night.

Just before morning.

While eating.

It had kept close to him. Embraced him and watched all that happened around him.

It spoke to him like a lover. Poisoning his thoughts.

“You want to be the chosen one right?” Sin whispered. “Only one person can be the seed. To end the war with the serpent. To take everyone back to Eden. To have the favor of the King. It is the fault of Abel that you are not respected.”

Cain didn’t overcome it. He listened. And over time his thoughts grew darker.

The wheat wasn’t getting enough water. Abel is at fault for using the water on his animals.

The shade of the orchard wasn’t enough to keep him shaded. Abel’s fault for needing the branches.

The girls didn’t laugh at his jokes. Abel is at fault.

His food didn’t taste good. Abel is at fault.

His offering wasn’t respected by the One. That was Abel is at fault. That was the reason everything was so wrong.

Abel was at fault and someone needed to do something. Cain was that someone. No longer would Abel be a blight against their prosperity. Or his honor. He’d show everyone that he was the chosen seed.

Not Abel.

He removed the lid from his basket to show. Red Apples. Green Pears. Pineapples. Bananas, citrons, avocados and even a special new fruit that Cain had cultivated. He called it a Selah.

Adam smiled proud of the fruit his son presented. The flesh of each was at the perfect firmness. The sweet smell that wafted from the berries was intoxicating.

“I know this is familiar to you. But this is the first time your brother will present his offering.” Adam smiled at Abel. “Now go first and show Abel how it is done.”

Cain climbed the hill with his basket clutched to his side. He took long lunging steps so his hands wouldn’t touch the ground. He stopped and bowed in front of the altar before God.

“My King. I have brought you the finest of my fruits. And a new fruit that I cultivated.”

He set the basket upon the pile of rocks before God and removed the lid.

God examined the fruit and nodded. An angel grabbed the basket and vanished.

It was as always. God nodded and an angel carried off to Heaven or Eden he supposed. That’s how it was done. Nothing said or hinted at.

Cain was bored of this.

He wanted to know if God even ate the fruit he brought Him. Why did he have to bring fruit if God never ate? He stood and returned to his family.

“Well done son.” Adam said as he descended the hill.

Cain nodded.

“Abel you’re next.” Adam gave his shoulders a squeeze. “Mind yourself son. He is Almighty. With the breath of His nostrils he could kill us all.”

Abel looked up at the top of the hill. He was already nervous, but he rememebed what mom had told him. “God is merciful, just be honest and meek.”

Abel was careful of the basket on his back. He had asked Rose to lace in between the basket lavender and eucalyptus to keep the flies away. The meat was wrapped with the banana tree leaves to keep the blood from spilling through the spaces in the basket.

He climbed the hill on all fours. Once he arrived, he’d worry about cleaning his hands, but the most important thing was getting to the top. Safely.

Adam winced.

The awkward waddle. Leaves poked from the slits in his basket. The boy had even consulted Eve to ensure his offering was acceptable. Abel had a good heart and meant well. But was he to be the Seed that would crush the head of the serpent? Dirty hands and all.

Adam shook his head and remained silent. This was Abel’s time to learn. He would correct him afterward.

Mother had helped him kill his lamb. Abel had cried. The death of the animal was not what he wanted. But he wanted something that would please the King. And he was certain that this would please the King.

It was the only Lamb that had been born that season. A reminder, as Mother had told him, about the time that the King covered her and father in sheep’s skin coats. Instead of killing them for disobedience. He felt certain it would be memorable to God.

Abel reached the top of the hill. God was bright like the sun. Hair whiter than the snow that fell in the winter, with eyes like fire.

He shrugged out of his basket and removed the lid. He pulled from it a parcel of meat wrapped in banana leaves. After removing the wrapping, he set it upon the altar before God.

“Oh King,” He bowed. “If it pleases you accept my offering of the only Lamb in my flock. All of the best cuts of meat and fat portions.”

A fire came down from Heaven. Flames swirled.

Abel trembled. Had he angered God? Was the reminder in poor taste?

Adam watched in horror from the bottom of the hill. His knees buckled. Bile rose in his throat as he dropped to his knees. Was his son dead? The light of the fire was so bright he couldn’t see.

Cain hid behind his father. Fruit was the best choice. He’d never seen God respond in this way. Clearly, his offering was superior.

Abel shuddered at the sound. Like waves crashing. The heat warmed him. He didn’t dare to move, breathe, or even look in the direction of God. His face was in the grassy dirt. He plead for his life.

The sound of the roaring flames ended. A sniff long and gentle came from in front of him.

Oh no. He’s going to eviscerate me with the breath of his nostrils. Abel thought.

Tears welled in his eyes. He looked up.

God smiled at him. “A pleasing aroma Abel.”

Adam ran up the hill and clasped Abel around his shoulders in a hug. His son was alive. He kissed him and embraced him tight.

Cain at the bottom of the hill was silent. He had never seen fire consume his offering. God hadn’t so much as blinked when he brought his fruit. The Selah was a true masterpiece that deserved admiration. He deserved admiration.

He glowered. A tightness in his chest . His teeth grit. Jaw clenched. This was not how it had gone before. Had he presented the wrong fruits?

No.

God loved all the fruits he brought before Him.

But God was smiling. Actually smiling at Abel. And dad was hugging him.

His fists balled at his side. He ground his teeth to keep from screaming. His thoughts like a raging swarm of wasps jabbed and stung him.

Not good enough.

Abel is better than me.

God loves Abel more.

Father loves Abel more.

But I’m the first born. My offering should be accepted first and foremost. Not Abel. He stole it from me God’s admiration. I need it. I want it. I should have gotten the fire from the sky. What of the fruit trees? The harvest? Everyone at home depends on my crops, even the animals depend on my crops. Would God take away my harvest? He’s never even eaten meat! And Abel slaughtered that animal. He murdered that lamb, without out concern for its mother or the flock. He murdered it.

“Cain,” God called. He knew his thoughts. But He would give Cain a chance to overcome. Sin didn't have to control him.

He shuddered at the sound of his name. Disturbed from his thoughts. His bones tingled as he looked up at the Lord, from the bottom of the hill.

“Why is your face covered in anger?” God asked.

Cain bowed. “I..I don’t know.”

You didn’t consume my offering with fire. You didn’t choose me and now harvests will fail and everyone will starve. Cain wanted to say. But he remained silent.

“If you do well, you will be accepted.” God said. “If you do not do well, sin waits at the door for you. His desire is for you. And you must rule over him.”

Cain stayed bowed.

Sin. Who was sin? He’d rule over it the second he saw it.

Cain didn’t answer back. He just stayed bowed.

Adam and Abel descended the hill and rejoined Cain.

Adam watched Cain. His jaw and fists were clenched. Slumped shoulders and downward gaze. Cain’s countenance was anger. God had told him to rule over his sin. He had no doubt Cain could do it.

But Adam remained silent.

Both of their offerings had been accepted. It was Abel’s that was accepted in a flashy display. A story to be shared tonight for sure. He was proud of his sons. Especially Abel. Maybe he was the chosen Seed of Eve that would crush the serpent and end the war for them.

Abel was all smiles.

“How did you know what to offer God?” Adam asked. “Who helped you slaughter the lamb?”

“Mother told me about when you guys left Eden.” Abel said.

He watched as his father winced. Just a moment pain had painted his face.

“How God had killed a sheep for your coats." Abel continued. "Mom said God showed mercy and I figured maybe He wanted to remember that mercy.”

Adam paused. He covered his mouth with his hand. And thought about Abel’s words. He shook his head and laughed. It made no sense to him, but God had smiled at Abel. Maybe this was the start of something new.

He laughed and talked with Abel about the Garden as they returned to the cave.

Cain walked behind them in silence.

He hated that his offering hadn’t been received with fire. And who was sin? He’d need to watch his back and figure out a better offering for God. What could he even give God? He didn’t keep sheep like Abel.

They made it back to the cave and Adam told Eve and his daughters what had transpired at the hill. They all congratulated and embraced Abel.

But no one noticed Cain.