Edens Dream

Chpt.7

Lilith watched, heart heavy, as Adam collected the mangled remains of his guitar, cradling the case like a broken tomb. "Who could have done this?" he rasped, his voice thick with anger and a touch of fear.

"Not him," Lilith replied, her gaze darting nervously around the clearing. "He wouldn't know where we are."

A shiver ran down her spine as she envisioned Lucifer's chilling smile and the cruel games he forced upon his victims.

Adam slammed the car door shut, the sudden noise making Lilith flinch. He pulled her into a tight embrace, his voice a soothing balm against her rising panic. "It's okay, Lilith. You're safe with me. I promise."

A fragile hope blossomed in her chest, shattered by the shrill chime of her phone. With trembling hands, she opened a text message, the three words on the screen solidifying her dread: "Are you sure?"

A single tear escaped her eye as she showed Adam the message. His face hardened with fury.

"Damn him!" he roared, storming towards the tree line. "Come out and fight me, you coward!"

Lilith's heart pounded. No, not violence! That's exactly what Lucifer wanted. "Adam, no!" she cried, chasing after him. "Don't provoke him! We have to give him what he wants for now, just to get him to leave us alone."

Tears welled up in her eyes. "Please," she pleaded. "He wants to control me, to show you his power. Let him think he can win for now. We'll figure this out together."

Adam stopped, his rage slowly subsiding. He cupped her face in his hands, his gaze searching hers. "Lilith, you're my world. From the moment I met you, all I've wanted to do is protect you. Now that you're here, I won't let anyone hurt you. Not even him."

His voice dropped to a husky whisper. "I love you, Lilith. And I promise, I'll never hurt you."

Lilith, overcome with emotion, leaned into him, her voice thick with sobs. "Okay, Adam," she whispered. "If you'll stand against him, I'll stand with you."

A flicker of determination ignited in their eyes, a shared vow against the unseen enemy who threatened their newfound happiness.

Lilith lingered in Adam's embrace, savoring the familiar scent of his cologne and the faint undercurrent of whiskey. A text notification shattered the peaceful moment. It was Lucifer, his message longer this time. The words were laced with venom, promising a cruel delight in shattering their vows.

Fear gnawed at Lilith, but a spark of defiance flickered in her eyes as she met Adam's gaze. A silent understanding passed between them – they were scared, but they wouldn't back down.

"Public place," Adam stated, his voice tight. He slowly released Lilith, the lingering touch sending a jolt through them both. "Cold Stone Creamery on Millcreek Plaza? Maybe ice cream will help me forget that monster."

Lilith offered a shaky smile, forcing a lightness that belied the churning fear within. She planted a quick kiss on his cheek before gathering the picnic supplies, her eyes constantly scanning the surroundings like a hunted animal.

Together, they packed the car, their movements hurried by a shared urgency to escape Lucifer's unseen presence. As Lilith gripped the steering wheel, knuckles white, she voiced the question that gnawed at them both.

"How?" Her voice was a tense whisper. "How did he hear us?"

"Maybe high-grade surveillance equipment," Adam mused, more to himself than to her. "But how? And where would he hide it in those woods? It doesn't make sense."

Frustration laced his voice. Lucifer was an enigma, a constant source of unanswered questions. How had he acquired such sophisticated equipment? What dark bargains had he struck to get his hands on it? The answers, as always, remained elusive.