The Deal

Lilith sat in a dark room, head down and eyes downcast, the sound of shallow breathing filling the stifling air.1

"Hello? Who is it?" she asked calmly, her head still lowered. Nothing replied. Perhaps she didn't deserve an answer. Perhaps that was why she was here. She couldn’t quite remember…2

Lilith felt the pang of shame that accompanied her mind being idle for too long.3

"Simple thoughts, simple reasons. Life is the essence and you, my dear, are the prize."4

"Pardon?" Lilith replied to the mysterious voice.5

"You understand entirely why you are here, Lilith. You are to be my prize for all my hard work. YOUR hard work."6

Unwillingly, she remembered the voice, she remembered again… and wanted to cast it out, forget about it. Her eyes snapped shut, as if that would cast away the terrible memories and the terrible voice that was causing them to surface. 7

"My dear, my dear. Do you scorn me now? Your protector? Your saviour? Your... friend?"8

A course of laughter followed the last word spoken aloud, as if sharing a personal joke. Lilith's eyes remained downcast and firmly closed. She wished she could curl up for comfort, but her hands were tied behind her back to the chair she was sitting on, making escape unlikely.9

A footstep clicked against the stone floor.10

Another.11

Closer this time.12

Soon, Lilith could feel a presence behind her… one she was not too eager to be close to at the moment. She winced visibly.13

"Lilith... my darling. It is only just. It is only fair. Resist no longer, and you shall be free."14

The soothing tones of his voice only caused her to cringe, as she tried to curl herself closer. Tugging on her arm and leg restraints, Lilith fought to free herself, only realising now how small this cell happened to be.15

"Freedom! Isn't that... what you originally asked for?"16

A faint smile touched her lips, recalling the memory. Yes, in a time far removed, she had begged for it. Lilith had been eager to be out of her minimum wage job so that she could explore the world… It was her ultimate dream.17

"I owe you nothing. I fought for my accomplishments," Lilith replied tartly.18

"Ah, yes, my darling. Of course you did. My mistake, surely. It was you who got you that job interview with the movie producers, wasn’t it? You and your drug-dazed ways."19

"One minor lapse. I did the rest."20

"Ah yes! How I do forget. It was you who eliminated the opposition."21

Lilith winced again, her face contorting. She did not want to have to remember that day… the job interview and that wide-eyed young man who had had so much life left…22

Her reverie was broken as a leather-clad hand stroked her face softly. His touch chilled her, as always.23

"My dear, it's only a matter of time before it all ends. You owe me your debt."24

"I owe you nothing! I will give you nothing!" Lilith screamed, struggling against her bonds for emphasis.25

"...you can't make me..." she added weakly.26

A chuckle erupted behind her.27

"My dear! You forget yourself again," the voice whispered charmingly into her ear. Lilith shuddered, feeling the tension of a battle arising within her soul.28

"You are my prize, my dear. All my hard work… shall come to an end!"29

"NEVER!" she screamed again, louder than before.30

A hand stifled her screams.31

"Shhh, my darling. Do you wish to wake them?"32

Her eyes widened in fear, her head jerking up into his hands. No; I fear them more than I fear him, despite his power, the thought resounded fearfully in her mind.33

"There, there, my sweet," he whispered, gently stroking her temples.34

Lilith began to nod off a little woozily, but she blinked to regain self awareness, which soon turned to fear. Stupid little… I’ve got to be careful, her thoughts pulsed nervously.35

"Why? Why come for me?" she asked aloud, fear touching her words despite her attempts otherwise.36

"Why, you ask? Because you promised me. You said you would give yourself unto me... for a favour."37

"But you did nothing..."38

"Nothing? The drugs, the interview, the life, the money, the cars, the jewellery, your apartment... I hardly call that nothing."39

Lilith paused, obviously thinking this over. For truly, it had been his intervention that had gotten her started… 40

"Yes, I did my share, darling, now you shall do yours. My prize. My lovely, lovely prize."41

With a swift movement, he spun into view, kneeling at her feet. His hands took a hold of her legs as his black eyes begun to sparkle with excitement and his short black hair spiked in almost as if in anticipation. He paid no mind to his leather apparel getting wet from the floor, instead focusing his attention on her startled face.42

"You. You are what I have waited for since the beginning of time, cherie."43

His leather-clad fingers stroked her face again, his face alight with a twisted kind of adoration.44

"I reject the role of being a possession... a prize," Lilith spat out, emphasizing the last word.45

He closed his eyes with a knowing smile, as he formed his next words.46

"Your time in this life is finished as you know it. Even now, nobody remembers your existance, darling."47

She looked at him in surprise as he stood up to look upon her. 48

"What?"49

"Nothing. Who is Lilith? they will ask. You are mine, and nobody can save you now..."50

"Bu-"51

"Enough talking, my sweet. It is time for us to leave. Forever."52

His face took on a calm expression, his eyes like black pits.53

"Eternity... You are my eternity, and you shall live with me in eternity."54

It was only then that Lilith begun to understand the gravity of her problem. Her eyes took on a frantic look as she looked around wildly. 55

"Gods almighty, in heaven… Oh God! Save me!"56

He stumbled, falling to one knee, looking drained for a moment, but recovering quite quickly.57

"Nobody can save you! I told you!" he yelled, irritation marking his impeccable features.58

With a swift movement, he grabbed her shoulders to look her in the face. As he looked into her eyes, Lilith began to droop as if in sleep. She fought the urge building within her to leave with him, but could not resist the temptation of that which lies beyond. Her burdened eyes took one final look around before closing for eternity. 59

The man’s face broke into a grin as her body grew weaker until finally, her head fell down to lean on her shoulder. With a satisfied grin, the man took hand of Lilith’s soul and as he melted into the infinite folds of Time, he spoke:60

"Nobody can save one who has sold their soul. Not even God."61