It was December 24, 20xx. The brothers remember it well. For Abel, it was mostly about the Christmas tree, glittering lights, and wrapped gifts near the crackling fireplace. Not that most gifts had something in them – they were just empty boxes, but he loved listening to their bedtime stories staring at them. He loved imagining an old man in red riding a sleigh of reindeers full of those colorful boxes, with people around the world eagerly waiting for them.

Moreover, it was also the exact day the terrorist head was officially caught. The group quickly crumbled, and a lot of hostages were rescued from the camps. It was everywhere – in the radio, in the television, in newspapers.

For Cain, it was the news and something else.

The wooden door swung open. A bunch of juveniles jumbled in, their chatters quickly filling the room. An elderly man entered after them.

"Father Sebastian!"

"Sorry kids, I know I said December 23 but the storm was awful last night."

The younger children leapt towards him, eagerly talking and asking. Do the city people really have Christmas trees as big as houses? Do they have real Rudolphs? Father Sebastian laughed, answering their questions patiently. The older kids stood at the side, helping the newcomers, but they soon had to pull the kids away from the poor man to let him rest.

The priest slumped at the couch.

"Are we still holding our Christmas eve mass, Father?"

"Yes, give me a minute. My legs are dying."

"How was the fundraising?"

"Pretty good! We had some minor troubles here and there but I think the donation and our inventory will spare us three months!"

The room cheered. March will still be cold, but at least there would be less blizzards and storms. There will be more people wandering around outdoors, so they'd have decent chance for another fundraising event.

"How are the new kids?"

"They're adjusting well! The older one was very apprehensive and closed off when he first woke up, but now he plays and socializes with every orphanage kid. The younger one's just sunshine."

"Yep, we're also amazed by how fast Cain and Abel recovered. Abel can even outrun the older kids."

The priest choked on his coffee.

"Hold on, what are their names?"

"Oh, Liam named them Cain and Abel-"

"Did you kids even read the bible or listen to my lectures?"

"Wait Father, why are you holding a pan?"

"Liam's in the living room, right?"

"H-hold up!"

The bell rang again. Incense filled the air. Violins, piano, and flutes blend into a pleasant melody. Cain and Abel turned their heads.

A figure walked swiftly down the centre, his robe floating in the air, rippling as if they were waves every time he stepped. Cain's jaw dropped open.

"Abel, did you see it?"

"Dang yea, why is Liam's cheeks swollen like that? He's still smiling like an idiot, though."

Cain glared at his brother. YOU are the idiot, Abel!

He looked back at the priest. He's the one who found the orphanage? He's so cool! Why would he help kids like them? And that round white bread – why did he respect it so much? Who's that man on the cross? Why is he... like that? Was he like them too?

Before he knew it, the mass ended. A finger tapped on his shoulder. Cain turned around and jumped back. The priest!

"Sorry, did I surprise you?"

"Uhm no Sir, my apologies. I was lost in thoughts."

Cain looked around and jolted again. Where the heck is Abel? Wasn't he right here?

Father Sebastian laughed.

"Looking for your brother?"

"Uhm yes, Sir."

"He left a while ago. I spoke to you both but you were just staring at the altar. He tried asking you if he could play tag with the other kids too but you just stared blankly so he left."

Cain blushed.

"Ah, sorry."

"Don't sweat it. Cain, right? Can we chat for a bit?"

Cain nodded. The priest sat next to him.

"I heard you twisted your knee. How was it?"

"It feels much better now. I can even run – not for too long, though."

"Is it permanent?"

"Yes. They thought it was just the knee-cap, but my lower left leg was also completely twisted."

The priest sighed. If only they had started earlier in the raid-

"But that's ok!" Cain jumped up, squatting with one leg. "See, I can even do a one-leg squat! Even if one of my legs is permanently damaged, I can train other parts to be stronger!"

But a permanent damage on one leg is still crucial, given his orphan status –

"There are a lot of professions too! I know for sure that I won't win a running competition as long as there's Abel, so I don't think two perfectly functioning legs are important, are they?"

Father Sebastian laughed.

"Ok ok kid, you proved your point. You can rest your poor right leg now."

Cain smiled, returning to his seat. The priest smiled bitterly. He's one sharp kid, isn't he? It might be why he was the only one chained up – but he had a feeling that this kid would be one of the ones who made it farthest in life.

They sat in silence for a while.

"You were staring at the cross, right?"

"How did you know?"

"You and your brother got those wide expressive eyes. He was probably staring at Liam's swollen cheek."

That's... accurate.

"I'd also like to apologize in behalf of Liam. At least before you opened the Bible."

"Wait, why?"

"Uhm, nothing."

"Who is that man? Why is he nailed on the cross?"

"Would you like the short answer or the whole story, kid?"

Cain thought for a while. He did have a lot of questions.

"The whole story, Father. I'd like to know everything."

"Then it'd probably take months for me to complete it. Are you up to it?"

"Yes!"

"Well, our first lesson starts tomorrow after lunch, then."

Before he left, Cain turned again.

"Uhm Father? Can I have an answer to one of my questions, at least?"

"Sure."

"Thank you for helping my brother and I. I have never imagined such a life in the camp, and when I saw the news today, I felt a strange feeling. Relief – but it all felt unreal. Why did you help us? I heard you opened the orphanage out of your own struggles – why did you do it?"

Father Sebastian chuckled.

"Well Cain, to answer that, I'll have to answer one of your earlier questions. That man on the cross – he's Jesus. He died there to save the world. I've always wanted to do the same – to save the world, but I'm only human. So, I thought and always hope, that by helping orphans the best that I can, I can at least make the world smile a bit more."

Cain's eyes widened in wonder. His heart wasn't soothing like it did when he woke up from the coma – it was burning. And at that day, he found his lifelong dream. December 24, 20xx.