Chapter Thirteen
The man behind Lilith drops to his knees in the bloody snow.
His glossy eyes look dazed as he searches around the trees for help.
He’s not alone. Before his body goes fully limp, I swing the hunting rifle onto my back and have Lilith off of the ground and cradled in my arms, running as fast as I can back to the cabin.
Her small frame shakes in my grasp, her wide gray eyes staring vacantly up at me.
“I’m so sorry, baby,” I huff out, trying to calm the storm building inside her mind.
“I’m here, Lilith. I got you.” I press my feet harder into the ground, darting in between trees as the cabin begins to come into view.
Lilith’s dainty fingers dig into my sweatshirt as I rip the door open.
My eyes manically search through the living room, looking for any signs that someone was here.
With no obvious signs, I gently place Lilith down on the couch, motioning to her with my fingers to keep silent.
I hurry to calm myself down, and begin to take a closer look at the living room.
Everything seems just as it was and I let out a sigh of relief, before turning towards Garret and the fireplace.
The fire is out. My internal siren blares as I look down at the half burnt log, now soaked as if someone put it out. It’s the only heat source this cabin has, surely Adam wouldn’t have done that. Only then do I realize how silent the home is.
“Adam?” I call out, fighting to keep my voice in a tone that won’t panic Lilith any further.
My attempt comes up short as her head swings up to me, more fear flickering behind those eyes than I’ve ever seen.
I turn and head into the dining room, peaking my head in the kitchen.
When both of those also come up empty, I check the bedroom.
A heavy feeling settles over my chest as I turn the knob.
He’s gone. I know that to be the truth before the door even creaks open.
I find the courage and enter the room, only to find myself in a one sided staring contest with the furniture that lives inside. Nothing is out of place, bed still perfectly made, nothing knocked onto the floor. No Adam.
For the first time since I saw Lilith lying on the floor of the church, genuine fear fills me. I retrace my steps back to her, looking for any signs of struggle or something that could pinpoint me as to what happened to Adam. Once again there is nothing, and worry gnaws away at me.
“Lilith.”
She looks up at me from her place on the couch, sending me a hopeful glance that I’m only able to return with a shake of my head. Tears brim her wide eyes as she opens and closes her mouth repeatedly before finding the words. “They have Adam?”
Her question rips through me, shredding me into small fragments that fall to the ground around me.
He told me this was going to happen. He told me it wasn’t safe.
He fucking told me. I let my selfishness once again leak onto those I want to protect the most. The idea that this is a core part of who I am hits me like a freight train.
Lilith continues to stare up at me, desperate for a response, but I can’t find it in me to move. Let alone respond. Let alone apologize again for being the one to bring her nightmares to life. I really am a Fucking Monster.
Within the moment of us staring at one another, a shift happens between us.
One that can go without words. She has been fighting against all she knew to learn to trust me.
But something in her borderline lifeless stare lets me know that all of that work has come crashing down.
I couldn’t keep her safe. I couldn’t protect her friend.
I am exactly what she made me out to be, and have put her into a position where she has no choice but to continue on.
There is no backing out now. I have intertwined her so deeply in my web that the only option I’ve left her with is to be consumed.
My beautiful little sinner has once again become my prey.
The only difference this time, is that I wanted to save her.