The Elgen's Lilith

Chapter 3

Mara had never liked bedtime, and tonight was no exception.

But it was usually about the rush of staying up late, like a big girl. For the past few nights she hadn't wanted to sleep because of the nightmares that plagued her. There were lots about Uncle Hatch and lots more about Hawkeye. Some of them were even about the man she'd seen in the window on the way to her birthday party.

"Miss 'celia? I don't wanna sleep," Mara whined after dinner.

"Well, I don't suppose why you can't stay up late tonight," her caretaker said. "After all, it is a weekend, and your tutor isn't coming tomorrow morning. You're free all day tomorrow." Miss Cecilia hugged Mara before going off to wash the dishes.

Surprised how simple it had been, Mara pulled off her clothes and changed into her purple striped pajamas. She turned on the TV in front of her bed and tried not to think of going to sleep.

Just then, there was a knock on her window.

Startled, Mara jumped out of her bed, crawling under it seconds later. Her breathing quickened; Uncle Hatch had once told her that if people ever tried to kidnap her... stay hidden.

She stayed put for a while before remembering the knives she had hidden in her closet. Mara had never had to use them before, and Uncle Hatch didn't know about them. But now it was time to use her resources.

Slowly, Mara crawled to her large closet, keeping low on her hands and knees. Thankfully the door was already open so she didn't have to draw attention to herself. Please don't see. Please don't see... She found all three of the knives in the shoebox she had buried under a pile of mattresses. Yay!

So the cameras in her room wouldn't see, Mara put on her tutu and slipped the knives into its elastic waistband.

Knock knock knock.

She didn't want to leave the safety of her closet, but Mara had to venture and see what was out there before it got in.

Suddenly, a terrifying face appeared. Someone was hanging upside down and looking right into her window!

*****

I saw the camera right after I lowered myself in front of the girl's bedroom window- Mara Lilith. She was standing right next to her closet, a fluffy pink tutu wrapped around her waist, her eyes wide and scared.

I couldn't go in yet. The camera would pick everything up.

Somehow I had to persuade her to come out without talking to her.

Just then, the little girl lifted her trembling hands. She began to sign; my heart leaped. I knew ASL since Clint often didn't wear his hearing aids and was 80% deaf. This was my ticket to success!

What are you doing? She signed. The girl never took her eyes off me.

I could only use one hand, but signing back was doable. I am coming to get you.

This made the girl's eyes grow even bigger with fear. Slowly, she began to back away. Dang it, I should've chosen another way to tell her!

No, wait! I promise I am good. My parents are superheros.

Her face lit up. Hawkeye?

I beamed behind the mask I was wearing. Yes! He is my uncle!

Hawkeye is nice.

Would you like to help me get him out of the prison?