Foreigner of Fire

24 - Clairvoyant

"Your mother. Call her up right now. 9.04, she is drinking water." Ash challenged, a smile on his face. Lily had told him about her dream and Ash had appeared sad. She managed to cheer him up by telling him the rest of it. He told her that he was now sure she was the one.

"Okay..." Lily dialed her mother's number.

"Hello?" Her mother answered.

"This might sound random but," Lily blurted. "What were you doing two minutes ago?"

"What? Why?" Lily's mother questioned.

"Come on, mom. What were you doing?"

"Just now...I was just...Drinking water..." Her mother had said. Lily's jaw dropped and Ash's expression turned smug, knowing he was right. Of course he was, he wasn't just playing some guessing game.

"Oh. Okay. It's nothing, mom. I'm just playing a game with my friends."

"You have friends now!?" Her mother squealed. "Oh! I'm so happy for you!"

"Mom?" Lily suddenly asked.

"Yes?"

"This may come as a little personal but...when I was born...and the doctor handed me to you..." Lily inhaled a deep breath. "Were your words, 'Oh, oh look!'?"

"Lily..." Her mother began. "It was 24 years ago. I don't even remember."

"Oh..." Lily mumbled, sadness washing over her.

"But I do remember that...I did say something, and when I did, you opened your eyes for the first time." Her mother chuckled. "Oh! I have to go now. I love you!"

"I love you too." Lily hung up. Ash was looking at her intently.

"You have a great mother." He finally broke the silence.

"Thanks..." Lily breathed. "By the way? You never told me about what birthed you."

"Hell did." Ash said impassively. "The truth is that I have no actual mother. My father created hell, and from the fires of each realm, he created us – me and my brothers. I longed for a mother's love...But I never got it. Hell is alive, you know. But it can't love me as a mother would." He sighed. "Call me a creep or a stalker, but I watched over you since you were born. I was tempted to approach you when you went to University – but the chances were slim. You were too studious. But when I found out you were coming to camp, I knew I had hit home. Now we're here." He gave her a weak smile.

"It all makes a bit more sense now, you being a demon and everything." Lily muttered. "I understand why you can't listen to biblical quotes and stuff..."

"Yep. Did it all for you." He chuckled. "It was certain there was no way you could convert me, so I decided to play along and let you think that you're winning. But I'm a bit stupid – didn't realize how bad it would have affected me."

"You told me you've met Jesus?" Lily raised her eyebrows.

"More or less." He shrugged.

"What's he like?" She asked curiously.

"Annoying." Ash rolled his eyes. "It's majorly ironic that you had to be born into one of the most religious and conservative families around. God likes to play jokes on me," Ash looked up at the sky and stuck his middle finger up at it. "I didn't appreciate, you dick."

"Even more ironic I have a twin brother named Adam."

"No, that I knew was waiting to happen." Ash said carelessly. "I also knew you would disown him. And your parents. The first Adam wasn't well known for being too obedient either."

"It's new..." Lily commented.

"What is?"

"This whole new light into my life – into real life." She gazed up at the sky. "I really did think Jesus would save me."

"Darling, your fate was written to be with me long before you were born – and that would be in hell." Ash winked at her. "You know why your parents named you Lily?"

"No?"

"It's because it means pure; or innocence and purity. Befitting for Lilith, as well. She was equal to Adam. She was made from the same soil as him. They were equal. Yet, Adam decided to be conceited. Even Eve was created equal to him."

"How so?" Lily asked, turning to face him.

"She was made not from the top of his head, to dominate him...Neither was she made from the soles of his feet, to be trampled upon. No; she was made from his side, as his equal." Ash explained quietly. "Humans really are deceitful."

"If I really am Lilith... Will my old memories return to me?"

"Yes." Ash nodded. "You have to stop being human."

"And what is the key to that?"

"Your virginity. To me, of course." He wiggled his eyebrows at her.

"You're just trying to get into my pants." Lily laughed.

"Maybe. We'll never know unless we try it." He smirked.

"Hey, remember that painting of Jesus you made?" Lily suddenly asked.

"Hm?"

"Can I have it? I'd like to give it to my mother." Lily began. "As a good bye gift."

"What do you mean...?" Ash sat up straight and eyed her curiously.

"I'm ready to go with you now." She smiled at him.