Lilith

"I know you're not, Kaede," I responded. "It's just...this is a lot to take in. This kind of stuff doesn't happen on a daily basis..."

"You're telling me!" My old friend laughed. "If it did, I'd probably receive a hell of a lot more calls for my job!"

I did my best to laugh with the raven-tressed stunner. My mind was all over the place, though, so I found it difficult to focus on humor.

Lilith suddenly squeezed my hand and told me, "I'd like to go lie down, Marcus. I'm terribly tired."

I nodded my understanding to the blue-skinned beauty. She had been through a lot and had barely slept a wink the night before. As I told her that would be fine, I realized how strange it was hearing her speak more than a few words at a time. When I had first met her, she had compartmentalized so many things away due to the passing of her father and living under the iron fist of Antenora.

As Lilith climbed to her feet so she could head upstairs for a nap, I asked if she wanted me to come with her. She replied by telling me, "I think you and Kaede have some catching up to do." She then vanished after leaving the room.

When I turned to face my old friend seated on the couch, I could see her smiling up at me. It was the kind of smile that told me I was doing a good thing for somebody...even if I didn't know what the hell I was doing.

"She's a good person, Marcus," Kaede told me in a stern voice as she placed her arms on top of the couch so she could stretch out a bit. "She's scared shitless of me, though, if you didn't already notice."

"And why is that?" I instantly shot back in a rigid tone. "I've known you for years and her for only a few days, but in that amount of time, I've been able to deduce that she's a wonderful person...just as I've always known you to be. So why is it that she'd be afraid of you?"

"Could be because I come off as somewhat of a 'doctor' type to her."

I had no idea what the raven-haired stunner was saying. "What the hell are you talking about?"

"Weren't you ever scared to go see the doctor when you were a kid, Marcus?" Kaede inquired. "Hell, aren't you still scared to go see the doctor?"

I somewhat grasped what my friend was saying. "Sometimes. But what does that have to do with...?"

"Albert asked me and my crew to run tests on her when I first met her five years ago," Kaede cut me short. "I obviously didn't do anything to hurt her, but at the same time, some of the techniques were...well, they were a little scary."

After the crude explanation, I understood what my old friend meant. "I guess that makes sense."

I finally took a seat on the cushioned chair I had been sitting on earlier as Kaede lowered her voice while looking toward the entryway Lilith had exited the room through. When she was sure the blue-skinned beauty was gone, she finally queried, "What happened to Albert, Marcus?"

With a heavy heart, I told Kaede the entire wretched tale. I told her everything I knew from what I had viewed on the video reels to what had happened since I first arrived on the scene. I left nothing out.

Kaede let me tell the entire story without interrupting. When I was finally done speaking, I was a little surprised when the first thing she said was, "Lilith is one of a kind, Marcus. She's special to this world in ways you and I will never be able to understand. She's something different, and with her, I think there's an actual chance that maybe we'll someday be able to understand certain truths about our past and future that we never would've imagined possible before."

I was pleasantly surprised. I thought for sure that Kaede would have some kind of juvenile comment about the fact that Lilith and I had engaged in coitus.

"Marcus," Kaede then broke into my thoughts, "What do you plan on doing once you leave here?"

"I'm...I'm not really sure," I responded as I scratched the back of my head. "I thought I would take Lilith away from here..."

"She can't go with you, Marcus," Kaede solemnly cut me off.

"Huh?"

"I know you don't want to hear this from me," the exotic beauty spoke up, "But you can't take her with you. The world isn't ready for her yet."

I had so many things I wanted to retaliate with...but none of them escaped my lips. After all the praise Kaede had just given the blue-skinned angel...

"What I'm saying doesn't come from malice or anything of the like," the black-haired beauty did her best to explain since she knew exactly what I was thinking, "But you have to think about Lilith and her safety. You and I both know that the world is a crazy fucking place. There are people out there who would hurt her just for the fact that she looks different...let alone if they found out what she truly is."

I understood everything Kaede was telling me...but it sucked. I obviously didn't like what she had to say. "You can't expect me to..."

"Do you plan on living here for the rest of your life, Marcus?"

Again, my old friend had caught me off guard. "What are you talking a..."

"The only way you can ensure Lilith's safety would be by staying here," Kaede told me. "Albert managed to keep her shielded and sheltered from the public eye here for over two decades, but are you going to do the same? Something tells me you aren't going to be able to sit in one spot for very long..."

I wanted to come back with a witty retort, but I knew Kaede was right. I may not have told her about what happened to me five years prior when she had been in the process of meeting Lilith for the first time, but the raven-tressed hottie could tell just by looking at me that I had been through something life-changing. She knew there was no way I would be able to stay in one spot for very long...even if I wanted to. I had to remain constantly moving for the foreseeable future.

Kaede suddenly lifted her right sleeve and peered at a watch on her wrist. "The others should be here soon," she told me. "Once you meet the crew, you'll see that they're good people. I'll have Watts take a look at your vehicle, and then we'll finish up everything here. We'll take care of Antenora's body and watch over Lilith. You'll have my number so you'll know you can always contact me and come see her. She'll be safe in our hands. What do you say, Marcus?"

I still didn't like it. The thought of being away from Lilith caused me physical pain in my gut...but I knew that my old friend was right about everything she said. In a way, it was nice to see that the path she had traveled in life - the one less traveled, of course - had brought her to such a destination and kept her the strong person I always remembered.

It wasn't going to be easy, but I finally agreed with the black-haired beauty. She knew I was shaken up by the decision, so she made her way toward me and gave me a reassuring hug. I patted her with one hand as I began tearing up.

I had no idea how I was going to tell Lilith goodbye.

* * *

"Well," Kaede spoke up as she placed her hands on her hips, "It would appear that Watts was able to get your truck up and running. Anytime you want to take off, you're good to go."

I stood in the middle of the cul-de-sac located on the middle of the vast property with my old friend. I turned my eyes in the direction of the chicken coop and saw two of Kaede's fellow crew members having a conversation with Lilith roughly twenty-five yards away. I was glad to see that the blue-skinned beauty looked happy. After everything she had been through, she deserved to have joy in her life.

Kaede noticed me staring at the fabulous fiend and told me, "If it means anything to you, you definitely had a hand in saving her life. Without you, who knows what Antenora would've done to her."

I shook my head since the statement came off as rather ironic to me. "I think you have that all wrong, Kaede. Lilith saved me. If it hadn't been for her..."

"Yeah, yeah," my raven-haired compeer spoke up with a sarcastic chuckle. She crossed her arms as she recalled what I had told her earlier, "It was Lilith who bashed the crazy broad in the back of the head with a lead pipe..."

"I'm not talking about that," I cut my toned and fit friend short. My eyes went back to her as I said, "I stumbled upon Lilith when I needed someone like her the most. If not for her..." My voice trailed off as my eyes went to the ground. I fought back the tears that I knew were going to be inevitable.

Kaede shook her head. With concern in her voice, she asked in a barely audible tone, "What happened to you, Marcus? What drove you to this and has you on the run from a normal life?"

I couldn't help but respond with a laugh. I then shot back, "That sounds almost ironic coming from a girl who lives her life on the road looking for other peoples' ghosts!"

Trying to remain serious, the raven-haired stunner countered with, "At least I live my life the way I want to. When I listen to you speak, you make it sound like you're moving from place to place because you have to."

I didn't really have a retort.

Kaede then glanced in Lilith's direction as she told me, "Pretty incredible story about her, isn't it? It seems like it was Albert Vinsfield's destiny to buy this house with his wife so he could find that old map and build a shed next to the well. Had none of that happened, he would've never met Lilith and taken her in...and we wouldn't be here today."

I also stared at the blue-skinned angel as I pondered Kaede's words. Albert Vinsfield had raised one of the best women I've ever had the honor of knowing, and even though it ended up costing him his life, I knew in my heart that he would have done it all over again if given the choice. Had I been in his shoes, I would've done the exact same thing.

The black-haired beauty next to me couldn't help but laugh in an impish manner as she lowered her voice and told me, "You know, I have to admit that I'm a little jealous of that little succubus!"

I turned my attention toward my old friend as my face crinkled up. "Huh?"

Kaede's eyes returned to me as a devious smile formed on her face. "You do realize that she was able to 'go all the way with you...' and that's something I can't even boast!"

I did my best to laugh a bit since I knew Kaede was only joking around. It may have been in poor taste in the moment, but the incredibly toned woman meant well by it.

"Hell, Marcus," my old friend spoke up as she watched her crew members interact with the supposed demon, "We had some good times back in the old days, didn't we?"

I nodded since my past with Kaede meant a great deal to me. "Those were some unforgettable times, Kaede. I'll always cherish those moments."

The fit woman appeared to like my answer as she added, "Hell, maybe fate will set some time aside for us in the future so we can pick up where we left off all those years ago, huh?"

"You never know," I responded as I shoved a hand into my pocket and pulled out her card. "I have this, so you never know." I then thanked Kaede again for everything before awkwardly holding my hands up and going for a hug. She laughed as she returned the embrace and we had a moment. I did my absolute best to turn my hips the opposite way in case anything happened down below. I knew my raven-haired friend wouldn't have minded, but I had someone else swimming through my head in that moment...

After releasing me from the embrace, Kaede looked me in the eyes and nodded as she smiled. I knew she was telling me to be strong without actually speaking the words, and I knew I had to do just that as I sucked it up and made my way toward the enchanting young woman who had changed my life. I wasn't prepared for what was about to happen.

Kaede's crew members who had been speaking with Lilith under the afternoon sun on the lot saw me coming and took their leave. They knew I needed a moment alone with the blue-skinned beauty.

I met Lilith's eyes and knew I'd never be able to hold it together. She was such a pretty girl and deserved nothing but the best life had to offer. I wondered in that moment how things would have turned out if Antenora had died before killing Albert. I knew it was a horrible thing to think, but had the old bat kicked the bucket before offing her old man, her husband would likely still be alive and able to raise Lilith in peace...

"Marcus," the angelic voice interrupted my vile thoughts. "How are you?"

"Well, I've been better," I honestly answered as I nervously scratched the back of my head and tried to find the right words for the occasion. "I guess I'm doing okay."

"Me too," Lilith answered as she did her best to smile.

The young woman was too smart. She knew what was coming. I had to come right out with it, but since I now knew that she was no longer the quiet, repressed girl I had first met, I wasn't sure how I was going to break the news to her.

"I love you, Marcus," Lilith suddenly told me. She stepped forward and threw her arms around me as she placed her head on my right shoulder and told me, "And because I love you, I've decided I have to let you go."

I thought Kaede had caught me off guard earlier, but now I was certainly thrown for a loop. "Huh?"

"I don't want to keep you tied down with my demonic powers of bewitchment. I want you to be free of me."

"Lilith, you never cast any kind of 'spell' on me or anything of the like. I fell for you because I legitimately cared about you...and I still do."

"And I care about you, Marcus...which is why I've chosen to travel with Kaede and the others."

It was still astonishing to hear Lilith speak normally again...and certainly heartbreaking at the same time since she was calling it off with me.

"Marcus, I want to go out into the world and learn about myself the way my father always intended for me to do. I would love to have you along for the ride, but I know it's not something you can do right now. I know you have your...own demons to face."

The irony of her statement didn't go lost on me.

The blue-skinned beauty placed her hands on my face and gave me a passionate kiss. She put her all into it...and I wish I would have done the same since I wasn't sure if it would be the last time I ever shared such a moment with her. I was by no means half-assing my kiss to be a dick...I just didn't want my time with her to be at an end. I guess in a way, I was being a big baby.

After Lilith released her hold on me, she looked into my eyes and told me, "I'll always love you, Marcus Veovin. You changed my world in more ways than you'll ever know."

I did my best to smile as I gave her a loving pat on the left arm and informed her, "You did the same for me, Lilith...and you did it when I needed it the most." I felt those tears from earlier getting ready to rear their ugly heads. I had to keep it together...

Lilith threw her arms around me one last time. After squeezing the life out of me, I saw her suddenly take off back toward the house. She had an arm over her face and I knew she had also been attacked by the tear-jerking monster.

I was about to let it all out when Kaede suddenly made her way up to me with a reassuring smile on her face. I did my best to hide the fact that I had been ready to break down as the raven-tressed stunner told me, "She's going to be just fine...and so will you."

"I know," I responded as I ran a hand over my swelling spheres. When I finally had my bearings, I looked my old friend dead in the eyes and told her, "You take care of her, Kaede. She really is...an angel."

"I promise," the fit female said with a nod. "You have my word, Marcus."

I also nodded in order to thank the kindhearted woman.

"And Marcus?"

I finally met my old friend's orbs.

"You be careful out there on the road. You know who to call if you need anything."

I nodded once and took one final look at the surrounding property before walking toward my fixed pickup.

It was time to hit the road again.

* * *

I've never had much in the way of musical talent, but as I drove down the highway with my right hand on the wheel and my left arm leaning on the door where my window was rolled down, I hit a few notes that even some of the most famous of musicians would have been envious of. I may not have been the happiest guy in the world, but I sang along with my radio as I continued my journey into the unknown. I would've preferred having Lilith by my side while doing so, but I could take solace in the fact that she was free from Antenora's clutches and was with people who would take good care of her. She had a shot at living a real life, and I knew that Kaede would do everything she could to see that my blue-skinned angel had a fair shake at it.

So as I wrap this story up, it seems a little ironic that it's ending in the same place where it originally began. Most tales end with walking or driving off into the sunset, but this one is a little different. Instead of a sunset, it ends with a sunup.

As I gazed through my windshield and watched the dawn of a new day, I knew that somewhere out there, my angel was staring up at the same sunrise and looking forward to a bright, new beginning. It should come as no surprise that the beaming light from above reminded me of the angelic rays that I had seen radiating from a blue-skinned beauty's face at one time. I smiled as I took note of something else that seemed rather poignant to this tale:

I was well out of range of any "magic" Lilith may have been capable of, and I still loved that wonderful woman with every fiber of my being.

END OF LILITH'S TALE