The Abandoned Path

Roses are Falling

Snow had fallen early in the morning, covering the icy lake in white. The world was muted, the dark sunless sky a dull grey as the clouds reflected the city lights. Lilith stood in front of the floor to ceiling window, clutching the thick wool shawl that was draped around her shoulders. Though the fire warmed the room, she couldn't shake this chill. It was a deep, penetrating cold that made her bones ache. The sun would rise in an hour and she would have to face the day. Her goal was to do so with as much grace and calm as she could muster. For tomorrow was a new year and a new path.

Reflecting on the past year and beyond, she was saddened by all that had transpired, and marveled at her own resilience. In addition to losing two people she was close to, she lost a man she thought she loved in the most violent of ways. And she had gained close connections she now called friends. To say it had been turbulent would have been an understatement. She was also immensely thankful to have the men back in her life and to have Sam's watchful eye always over her. Tonight, she feared she would need their support more than ever.

As her thoughts drifted along, she became acutely aware of the crackling of the fire. Or rather, the absence of the sound. Instead, a low hum filled the room, soft and nearly inaudible initially, like a memory tucked in the back of the mind. The sound quickly began to grow however, bringing with it a suffocating thickness. The air filled with static, the hairs on her arms standing on end. Fear shot through her, her stomach heaving in response to the unwelcome sensations. As the static grew, the humming became deafening, the atmosphere stifling and oppressive. Lilith stepped back, the sound breaking into an unnatural silence. Looking around, she saw the fire still lapping at its stone enclosure. With another step back, cold washed over her, stealing her breath with it. Her body shuttered as the electricity in the air snapped and faded away, the soft crackling of the flames returning. It is coming, something is coming her mind began to recover as did her breath, both quick and strained. This feeling had been haunting her, the fear it gave her never completely leaving. Her palms were clammy, her stomach tight with panic. Lilith quickly left the room, seeking the safety of her own space. Once in her room, she threw the shawl on her dresser and crawled into bed, pulling the covers over her head. There she stayed until well into the afternoon, when a knock on the door wretched her from this safety.

"Yes?" her voice was meek, her hands shaky from missing breakfast and lunch.

"I have something for you, Lilith." Leviathan's voice called through the door. With a heavy sigh, Lilith sat up in bed, her body achy from the lack of movement.

"You can come in." she replied. He opened the door, looking her over with concern. She frowned at the large garment bag draped over his arm. It's that time already she thought with distain.

"It is that time. Have you been in bed all day?" he asked, his eyes glancing over at the clock. It was 3:30 pm.

"Don't start with me please." She pulled the blankets back and sat on the side of the bed. Her mind was more reluctant than her body. "You can lay it on the bed. I'm going to shower." She waved her hand to the bed behind her. Leviathan frowned, his lips thin and his eyes showing his annoyance. But he was trying it best to be understanding, so he bit his tongue. Instead, he walked into the room and set the dress down on the bed as requested.

"Anything else, Lilith?" He glanced over at her but she didn't meet his gaze.

"No, thank you." Her shoulders slumped, her eyes studying the grain on the wood floors.

"I will see you in a bit then." His voice was terse as he spoke. Without any further conversation, he left, gently closing the door behind him. She turned, looking at the bag that now laid at the foot of her bed. With a deep frown, she left the room to shower. She couldn't help but focus on the turmoil as it twisted her stomach and made her breath hard to find. The shower did little to relax her, every passing moment increasing her anxiety. After washing up, she grabbed her towel and stepped out, drying her hair and applying perfume. She then curled her hair, putting in as much effort as she would for any other large gathering. Holding her towel closed, she finally returned to her room. Opening the door, she saw a red head sitting on her bed, legs crossed. Sam's hair was braided and wrapped around her head like a crown.