The Dream Demon

Genesis 1:1 In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. Abigail For as long as I could remember, I'd always been a bit different. I was the kind of girl that found it difficult to make friends, preferring to sit alone somewhere with a book. Reading could take me somewhere different, far away from the scrap heap that is my life.  My father, Matthew, was a rather imposing man. One look from his withering, black eyes and you'd feel cut in half. He had the kind of eyes that saw right through you, deep in to your soul. Standing at over 6' tall, he was slim, but athletically built with well defined muscles and olive skin. He had a mop of thick, brown curly hair and a jaw line so sharp, it could cut diamonds.  My mother was beautiful and also quite tall. She had amazing chocolate brown eyes, and the most beautiful long, blonde hair, that stood out against her tanned skin. Her best feature, were her dimples. Whenever she smiled, she would light up the room. 10 months after I was born, My brother Joshua arrived. Joshua was definitely the apple of my parents eye. As well as inheriting my parents tanned skin and brown eyes, he also had my father's curly mop of hair. I was jealous as he was the perfect mix of the two of them. Mother called him her "Little Heartbreaker". I was the total opposite.  I was, as most people call me - a "short-arse". Everybody would make fun of my height, or my lack of it. It didn't stop me from getting male attention though. My eyes were an ocean blue, framed with lovely thick lashes. I also had waist length blonde hair. I loved my hair. Everyone would compliment me on it, and how it almost looked silver when in the sunlight. My hair was the only thing I managed to share with my mother, although hers was far darker.  We all lived together in our small, 3 bedroom house with our little cat. My parents had never bothered to give him a name, so I took it upon myself to name him Polo. My father had found him outside our home on the day that I was born. Poor Polo had been abandoned, left on the street cold and hungry, as well as full of fleas.  Father said that it must be a 'sign from god' and decided to take the little kitten in. I'd always be forever thankful for my father taking him in. Polo ended up being a best friend to me. A crazy little ginger fluffball, who I loved more than anything. He would sleep with me every night and follow me everywhere, even to school sometimes. As well as school, I also attended Bible study on Wednesday evenings and Saturday mornings. My Sunday mornings were reserved for church, which we always attended as a family. It was important to my parents, as they, or shall I say, we, were devout Christians. "God should come before everyone and everything Abigail," my mother would always say. As well as the bible study classes, I would read and study the bible every night before bed. This was important as father would often give me random, spontaneous quizzes. Joshua always got let off without answering the questions, but I didn't mind too much. It meant I got my father's attention solely on me, which didn't happen all that often. Today my father was especially going hard at me, firing question after question. We were sat at the dining table as mother and Josh were clearing away the plates from tonight's dinner. I must have answered at least ten questions correctly so far, but tonight he seemed especially relentless. "Next question Abigail. In which form did Lucifer appear to Eve in The Garden of Eden?" asked my father with his eyebrow raised. "He appeared as a snake, father." I replied with a smile, feeling proud. It was important that I got each question correct. My father's approval meant everything to me. Especially as he favored Joshua. "Correct again! That question was a bit easy though, so let's think of another for you" he murmured whilst thoughtfully stroking his chin. "How many children did Adam and Eve have, and what were their names?" I sat for a second thinking. This question appeared too easy. Everybody knew about Cain and Abel, right? I drummed my fingers on the dining room table deep in thought, trying to think back over the stories I've read and re-read. "They had 3 children. Cain, Abel and um.... I think it was Seth!!" I replied with a smile. I gave a small first pump, feeling rather confident in my answer.  All my reading, studies and classes are paying off. I couldn't help but feel that I'm finally making my father proud. "You're right again Abigail. Well done. However, what have I taught you about arrogance and pride? Both are the devil's doing, which makes them a sin! "  With that, my father backhanded me across my face. The sound of the slap was ringing in my ears as my cheek heated up. My lip had split, the blood splashed across my favorite shirt. Tears pooled in my eyes, but I would not let them fall. My father would no doubt slap me again for being weak. I could feel my mother's eyes on me as she let out a small sigh. "Silly girl" she tutted and walked out the room. Joshua followed after her, grinning and leaving me alone with our father. "I am sorry father, please forgive me for my arrogance. I was just happy to get the question correct. I'm sorry for sinning. " I all but whispered to him, feeling my lip throb. "Don't apologize to me Abigail, you can apologize in an extra hour of prayer tonight" he replied with a grunt. He stood up, walking straight out of the room, with not so much as a glance behind him. I was left standing there alone, wondering what I'd done to deserve such treatment. Only then did I let the tears that I'd been holding back fall.