Daughter of Cain - By David Obasi

Written By: David Obasi

Category: Short story, Supernatural, Horror

Competition: Global Poetry and Creative Writing Competition 2026

David Obasi presents "Daughter of Cain," a compelling short story entry in the Global Poetry and Creative Writing Competition 2026. This supernatural horror narrative takes readers on a chilling journey through the shadowy corners of human nature and beyond. A tale of survival, destiny, and the ominous presence of Death, this piece is set against the backdrop of an ordinary convenience store that transforms into a stage for extraordinary events.

About the Work

"Daughter of Cain" delves into themes of destiny and survival amidst an eerie atmosphere. The story masterfully weaves suspense and supernatural elements, creating a haunting mood that grips the reader's imagination. Rich in imagery, it portrays the gripping struggle of a young girl marked by a mysterious force and the relentless specter of Death that follows her. Obasi's narrative style is immersive, ensuring each moment is fraught with tension and intrigue.

Daughter of Cain

Original Submission by David Obasi

He saw her... from a distance, he saw her as she slowly made her way to a nearby store... she was looking shabby as she properly hid her face behind a tattered looking hoodie. Her feet, covered in dirty looking sneakers which had seen better days showed a bit of her toes as she walked on the dusty road leading to the small convenience store on Cole street. She hadn't seen him, yet... as she looked about her before making for the store.

For him, it was more than just an urge, it was a necessity, he had to do it as he felt being called to it. His hands, all sweaty as he clutched the knife, trembling as he made his way towards her... for him, she must die...Without haste, he makes for the store as she went inside.

The cashier at the counter was bored, she was having a slow day and was seated watching a YouTube video of popular gameshow.

TING!! TING!!

The bell rings, drawing her attention to another... patron? Looking, she finds no one...

"What the hell?" she muttered as she stood to get a proper look...

"I want to buy some candy..."

The cashier felt her heart rate rise as she gasped, her right hand quickly resting on her chest. It was a little girl, in front of the counter, all dirty looking like a homeless bum...

"You got money?" she asked after she regained her composure.

The girl fidgeted for a while before placing a crumpled $5 bill onto the desk as she stood on tiptoe. The cashier briefly looked at the money, then at the girl before pointing to an aisle few meters to her right. Her face was properly hidden by the hoodie, except for her mouth as she spoke with a bowed head. Something felt off about her, something sinister that needed to stopped as slowly caressed the shotgun under the counter.

She felt happy, for months, she's been scavenging wherever she could for food, but all she really wanted was candy. For a child, it was something that was really, really needed in their lives and she was no exception... and for the first time in a long time, she was finally allowed inside a store. Her appearance, when she raised down the hood, looked no more than a 10 year old, her brown hair looked all scruffy and unkempt as she wiped a tear off her dirty face. She was in heaven, candy heaven as she was surrounded by all sorts of candy that she spent days dreaming of; lollipops, chocolate and caramel bars, toffee, marshmallows, pumpkin flavored candy bars and all sorts lined the shelves as she stood basking in its sweet, sweet glory. But then again, she had to be fast or else it would happen again, like it always did...

"Ting!! Ting!!" came the bell as another customer came in, scanning the store before headed for the magazine rack beside the counter, ignoring the cashier who absent-mindedly greeted him as he passed by. He clutched the knife firmly as he feigned looking through some of the new editions of a gaming magazine as he awaited his target.

She didn't have a watch with her, but she knew time was of the essence... With haste, she filled the basket with each of every kind, and slowly it started to burn with a sizzling sound. The pain, even with the years gone by had always had the same effect on her... quickly clutching her right arm, she felt it get hotter, like flames escaping from the embers of a slow burning wood.

How long has it been? How long has she wandered since it first started, ruining her once peaceful life...

from her friends down to her parents, it always followed... tearing apart the little world she once called home... And now like always... It wouldn't be any different... But then, it's not something she could possibly control, even if she wanted to, the only loophole was that it always had a window with which she could be herself, and anymore than that would spell chaos.

It was almost time and she had to leave... until she heard the bell chime...

"No... No... No..." she said as she ran for the exit.

The girl came into view from the aisle as she ran towards the counter, everything happening so slow like a western flick as they both exchanged glances, each weighing the other like seasoned chessmasters. The man slowly drew his knife as he walked after the girl when she passed him by, whilst the cashier slowly unlatched the gun under the counter. Nearing the counter and pushing the basket forward, she quickly asks for it to be wrapped as she winced again from the pain that had already started to smoke.

"Woah, slow down little girl, you in a hurry or something?" the cashier asked as she picked each item, scanning and placing them into a plastic bag.

The girl now looking distressed as she glanced at the door, then at the cashier. Part of her wanted to run for it, but then, she would be leaving behind her treats and money... which wasn't a risk worth taking. The girl stuttered in fright before running for the door. Suddenly, the man, who stood behind her held her as she tried to run... looking at him with dread and surprise in her eyes as he raised his hand which held a knife. The girl screamed as the man brought down the blade on her as the cashier went for the gun... gunshots could be heard seconds later.

Hours later, the girl awakens in a field in front of a sign that reads; “Welcome to Sunny Valley, Kansas.”

"Not again..." she said as she sat on the grassy patch staring at the sign. She was in another town no doubt and like always, it happened again...

She feels a sharp pain on her chest that causes her to convulse, relieving the previous events again...

The man had caught her, stabbing her in the process, but not before having his head blown clean off by the smoking gun from the cashier that was covered in blood and viscera. There was a glint of satisfaction as she licked her lips which was also smeared with blood. The girl falling to her knees, held the knife as she bled, staining the already tattered pink hoodie a bright red.

"Please... no..." the girl pleaded as the cashier suddenly trained the gun at her.

"Sorry, you have to die..." the cashier replied as she fired.

The girl, suddenly went silent and limp as her right arm was engulfed in flames. The bullet fragments stopping a few inches in front of her as they were held in place by some electromagnetic force.

The girl's eyes rolled up as the cashier tried pulling the trigger a second time before being impaled by the same "force". Slowly, her life ebbed away as blood gushing from her wound, went in a straight line towards the girl. Coughing, blood hits this "force"... revealing a creature that had a skull for a face and a gold crown that nestled on its head, its upper torso was hidden under a robe, but it could be seen it had various jewelry decorating its arms that held a spear which was impaled through her. The cashier grew more afraid as the creature peered closer at her then screamed as it sucked away her soul. For a brief moment she saw her life flash before her eyes as she stared into the... empty gaze of DEATH... as she also heard a voice saying; "All who can't resist the urge to harm the bearer of the Mark of Cain, shall they themselves be taken by Death."

The blade from the spear curves as it completely dismembers the bloody corpse in half revealing a scythe, the entity slowly turns to face the girl who suddenly drops unconscious to the floor with the knife clattering beside her.

The wound closes up as the girl puts on another hoodie, this time a navy blue.

"Here we go again." she says as sighed in the distance. "I will miss those treats." she continued...

A cloud of smoke appears beside her, revealing a covered basket; opening it revealed... the treats & more...

Ever since it began, which was years before now, she always had Death protect her from anyone who saw and tried to kill her, he could be extreme, but he wasn't all that bad either.

"Thank you." she said sweetly as she picked up a chocolate bar, gobbling it hungrily.

Death, silently nodded as it followed her afterwards into town, hopefully, she wouldn't run away as she did 25 years ago...

The End

About the Competition

The Global Poetry and Creative Writing Competition 2026, hosted by Hashtag Kalakar, is a celebration of diverse literary voices from around the world. This esteemed competition invites writers to share their unique perspectives through poetry, stories, and creative writing. It serves as a platform for both emerging and established authors to showcase their talents to a global audience, fostering a vibrant community of wordsmiths.

We extend our gratitude to David Obasi for his enthralling contribution, "Daughter of Cain," to the Global Poetry and Creative Writing Competition 2026. His story captivates with its supernatural elements and gripping narrative. We appreciate his participation and look forward to seeing more of his unique storytelling in the future.

About Hashtag Kalakar

Hashtag Kalakar is a creative platform dedicated to providing artists, writers, singers and other creative talents with opportunities to showcase their work and reach wider audiences through competitions, features and creative initiatives.