Death Comes for All
Melly Merida
Scene 1:
(In Purgatory. There’s darkness, and from behind a blue light shines, and in a silhouette, there’s a tree with long branches that stretches out. In between the branches, there are long strings that connect them together and cross each other. Almost like a cobweb, but a web that has yet to be completed. At the center of the tree, a mysterious figure resides, swiveling its three heads from side to side. Long, sharp fingers stretched out, tracing the lines of each string. A bright light shines on the CREATOR as they enter. The light on stage comes on with a cold white light. There before the Creator stands a three-headed figure named FATE.)
CREATOR
Hello, my daughters.
FATE (All three)
Good morrow, Creator.
CREATOR
Anything new to come upon, Adam and Eve?
FATE (PRESENT)
Simple living. They are sorrowful for betraying you, but they continue to thrive in the new world. Their two children are growing into fine men
FATE (FUTURE)
However, one will be far more flawed than the other.
CREATOR
I worry for the sake of their children. The curse of knowledge and this newfound sin is sure to doom many generations to come.
FATE (PAST)
You have tried to get rid of it, haven’t thee?
CREATOR
Yes…it still eludes me, however. Their structures are so…delicate. Even a slight tug at the soul could cause them to be undone; they would unravel and burst into hundreds of pieces.
(Clenches fists)
How did that fool even manage to concoct something to find a direct loophole?! I’m afraid I have lost my children due to the faults of my own son.
FATE (PRESENT)
They are flawed, but they are still loyal to you. Do not doubt their will, our Creator.
FATE (PAST)
Will you erase them, just as you’ve done with the creations before?
CREATOR
I didn’t erase them…I simply restarted…Sometimes I consider it again. But I can’t do that now either. I’ve worked too hard to build them as they are now. My perfect creations. They’ve faltered…But I have hope…Should I have hope?
(Creator looks up at Fate with anticipation. Fate turns her body towards the web of fate.)
FATE (ALL THREE)
We see the reasoning for your visit…
CREATOR
I must know what is to come…The sons show such promise. Abel is a great shepherd, today he showed his finest livestock. Caine is a pleasant farmer, while it wasn’t a grand display, the crops were bright and fresh. I have no doubt they will go far…But I must know if I am right.
(Carefully, Fate grasps two soul strings from the branches. They stretch out, but one stops, while the other continues to stretch out.)
CREATOR
Well?
FATE (FUTURE)
Peculiar.
CREATOR
(Frowns)
What do you mean?
(FATE remains silent. A beat.)
CREATOR (CONT’D)
I haven’t given you one of my eyes for no reason. Tell me, what is to be of the future of my creation?
FATE (FUTURE)
It is far beyond what you’ve imagined. Far beyond what you’ve planned.
CREATOR
What I’ve planned? That’s impossible. My plan is perfect, I’ve seen it for myself before you gained the sight to see what’s ahead by my eye.
FATE (PAST)
Your plan has faltered due to those who sabotage it. Those who deterred the path. Those who are against you and those who have been unpredictable.
FATE (FUTURE)
Humanity. As you soon shall see, it is unpredictable. All the emotions and knowledge they’ve gathered can either be their achievements…or their undoing.
FATE (PRESENT)
Even now, the firstborn is showing signs of this undoing.
CREATOR
No…Then what must I do?
FATE (ALL THREE)
No what. No how. No why. We only tell what we see, but not what you can do.
CREATOR
It can’t be true.
FATE (PAST)
As you’ve said, we carry your eye. The eye that holds it all–
(FATE gasps, turning to the strings.)
CREATOR
What is it, Fate?
(Fate reaches with an outstretched finger to one string. Grazing it until the end, she looks closely.)
FATE (ALL THREE)
Curious. Something comes…but it begins with the strike of the stone.
(The lights on the stage go dark.)
Scene 2:
(Back on Earth, we arrive back to the aftermath of Caine and Abel showing their offerings to the Creator. Abel is pleased to receive praise for his livestock. While Caine, as the story goes, is envious.)
CAINE
(Frustrated)
How?! How is it that you are looked upon with loving eyes by Him? While my work is perceived as nothing more than dust.
ABEL
Brother, I assure you that He doesn’t spare favoritism. I’m sure He is just as proud of your garden as He is of my livestock.
CAINE
(Under his breath)
Pathetic. Some measly lamb? While I practically stay awake day and night, slaving away for these crops!
ABEL
Brother, are you alright? Don’t worry, I am sure next time Our Father will show far more appreciation for your work. He just doesn’t see it yet!
(ABEL pets his livestock with gentle caresses. CAINE watches him, boiling with jealousy)
ABEL (CONT’D
(gasps)
I should tell mother and father about this! They will be so proud of me!
CAINE
Of course, so they can see you, glorify you! The perfect son. Whose livestock have been looked up by Our Father.
ABEL
I am no perfect son, Caine. Why can’t you be happy for me, brother?
CAINE
Because you–OW!
(Caine stubs his toe on a rock. In rage, he throws his crops onto the ground and stomps on them.)
ABEL
Caine– This is what happens when you let your anger get the better of you! Come on, brother. I’ll help you clean up the mess.
(Abel walks away. Caine grabs onto the rock on the ground, prepared to throw it away, until he stops. Caine stares at the rock in his hand. From the trees steps out THE BASTARD, covered in scales and horns, approaches Caine.)
THE BASTARD
(Whispers)
Pity you. Look how your brother walks away with such pride.
(Caine watches Abel walk away)
THE BASTARD
He knows he’s better than you. He knows that your God will love him far more than you.
CAINE
That is not true. Abel wouldn’t think like that—
THE BASTARD
How do you know? Perhaps that kindness is all a ruse…just so everyone will love him more, and you are left to die ALONE.
CAINE
No…Be quiet…
THE BASTARD
Once that irritating little brother of yours shows his achievement to your parents. Imagine what they’ll think… “Oh, Abel, we are so proud of you. Unlike our eldest, such a pity that he is such a…failure.”
CAINE
(Furious)
No.
THE BASTARD
You can’t let them call you such things, Caine. You mustn’t! Hurry Caine! HURRY! Once he tells them all. He will always be favored, his tattered, pathetic lamb will always be seen like gold. While all your hard work will never matter, you will just be as, if not more, pathetic than your rotting crops.
CAINE
(panting)
I—I am not pathetic.
THE BASTARD
But Abel thinks otherwise.
(The Bastard grabs onto Caine’s hand with a rock in it. Caine turns towards Abel, the stage around them shifting from the gentle blue to a much darker blue.)
THE BASTARD (CONT’D)
Do it. Defend yourself, Caine! DEFEND YOUR PRIDE.
(Caine cries out in anger, rushing toward Abel with the rock in hand)
ABEL
Caine—?
(In a quick motion, Caine bashes Abel’s head with the rock. Abel stiffens, blood falling from his head. Abel falls to the ground. The world around them turns red. Caine drops the rock, and he cries.)
CAINE
(sobs)
I had to– I had to do it.
(A crash of thunder ricochets above, and the world trembles. Caine looks up in fear.)
CREATOR (offstage)
CAINE! WHAT HAVE YOU DONE?!
(Caine runs away, trying to escape Creator’s wrath.)
Scene 3:
(Still on Earth. It is night. The stage is practically dark, except for the warm white light on the Creator as they cradle Abel’s body. They consider placing a hand on Abel’s chest. Suddenly, the Creator feels a shift, and a gentle ring is heard, causing them to look towards the darkness.)
DEATH
I do not believe that is wise.
(A bright, cold, white light shines onto someone with a dark cloak, carrying a scythe, and blood poured all over his head)
CREATOR
(Incredulous)
Who are you?
DEATH
Marked by the cruelty of humanity, and the spilled blood of the Second-Born cried out to me. Awakening me to free him from his cage…for I am Death.
CREATOR
(Scoffs)
No, no, no. You aren’t a part of my plan. Are you what Fate prophesied? Or did my bastard son send you? To mock me?
DEATH
No. I don’t know who you speak of. I only know of Abel. I’ve come for his soul
(Death brings out a large scythe and holds it over Abel’s corpse. Creator smacks it away, the sound of thunder rumbles in the distance.)
CREATOR
You will not take his soul
DEATH
I am not claiming his soul. I’m giving it a place of peace.
(Death looks around)
DEATH (CONT’D)
Wherever that may be…
CREATOR
I don’t care what you can do…I can bring him back, and he will be just fine.
DEATH
Try. Then Abel will not be the same. You know how fragile the soul is. His soul cries out in pain, begging me to sever the ties from his broken body. This will only prolong it and disrupt what was already set in stone.
(The Creator places their hands over Abel’s chest)
DEATH
It is no use.
CREATOR
Silence. I can figure this out.
(Death leaves the Creator to resurrect Abel. The stage turns a bright yellow, and Abel’s body begins to convulse. The Creator looks expectantly, lying Abel on the ground gently, and Death stares in awe. Abel moves around, but it’s all wrong. Abel continues to twitch and writhe in pain. Soon, releasing a blood-curdling scream.)
CREATOR
ABEL! MY CHILD! PLEASE BE CALM!
(Death looks disappointed, he taps his scythe onto Abel’s chest and slides it upwards, symbolizing cutting a string. Abel stops convulsing, and from him comes out a ball of light.)
CREATOR
(In tears)
…Abel?
(a beat)
What is this?
DEATH
His soul. It is at peace now.
CREATOR
(stares at their hand in distraught)
I couldn’t bring him back…
DEATH
Nothing can, for his spilt blood is of destiny, and it cannot be changed. However, for a second, I was almost impressed…
CREATOR
(Exhausted)
Why are you even here? I did not create you.
DEATH
(Stoic)
I come when I am called.
(Listens around)
It appears that more calls for me.
CREATOR
(Growls)
You did not answer my question.
DEATH
…I don’t know. I was simply awoken
(Death kneels to gently grab Abel’s soul, handing it out to the Creator)
DEATH
Do you have a place for him?
CREATOR
This wasn’t what was planned.
DEATH
Nothing ever turns out as planned. Anything can obstruct what is meant to be…including me.
CREATOR
I cannot open heaven to humanity yet…He will have to remain…in Purgatory…
DEATH
Then that is where he shall rest and be kept safe. You know how fragile a human soul is.
CREATOR
How many more times will this happen? How many more times will you appear? How many times will you obstruct my plan?
DEATH
I arrive where I am needed. Summoned when a string is cut. If I obstruct your plan, it isn’t of my own volition, but by the will or cruelty of your humans.
CREATOR
I think of restarting sometimes.
DEATH
To restart is pointless. No matter how many times you retry…I will always be there.
(Lights go dark.)
The end
Melly Merida (She/Her) was born in Middlesex County. She is a major in journalism and media studies with a minor in creative writing and expects to graduate in May 2026. Her favorite subjects include horror, fantasy, writing, drawing, theatre, indie/folk/rock music, as well as a variety of TV shows and movies. To create “Death Comes For All,” she drew significant inspiration from questions she had about her own Catholic faith and her love for Greek mythology. Melly often finds inspiration within her own religion and other faiths, as well as in urban legends, music, horror stories, mythology, and the general mysteries of life.