Angel Oak

One

15 years ago:

The house trembled under the powerful gusts of wind.

Her room illuminated by the bright moon outside and the sound of whistling was the only thing that could be heard. Covers tucked her in tight, protecting her from the monsters that terrified her at night. Eyes darted from the corner of her room to the door and a gasp left her mouth. A scream was bubbling in her throat.

"Abigail." Her strikingly blue eyes clenched shut in a panic. "Abigail!" Hands gripped her shoulders. "It's okay, calm down."

Her mother's voice was calming and angelic. It pulled Abigail down from her panic. Warmth spread through her body like a fire. Safe. She thought.

"Mommy, do you and daddy have to go out tonight?" Her breathing was rapid and uneven. Martha sighed and glanced at her husband in torment. Their daughter had been having nightmares of monsters coming for her ever since she was a toddler; now she was eight and refused to sleep alone.

"Yes, baby. Why don't you come downstairs and play with Lucifer? His mother is watching you for us while we go out tonight." Abigail nodded her head and thought about the boy waiting for her. He was her best friend and had always been there for her. "Come on."

Abigail slipped into her pink slippers and skipped down the stairs taking two at a time before landing on the bottom with a light thud. A smile gracing her face as she took in the blond-haired boy who stood there talking to his mom in a whisper. Lucifer knew she was there, her presence was screaming at him. Every fiber in his body was begging him to turn around and look at her. "She's watching you like you're her prey."

Lucifer smiled and turned around. His breath caught in his throat at the sight of her. Her eyes were glowing in the light above. A smile blessing him, making his heart thump uncontrollably in his chest. Her brown hair was pulled in pigtails and she wore a pink princess nightgown. She walked over to him slowly before throwing her arms around him. "Lucifer." She whispered.

"Abigail." His arms wound around her like a rope, tightening, never wanting to let her go. Martha and Cooper walked down the stairs with smiles on their faces when they saw the two together, knowing she would be able to fall asleep. Abigail could only sleep when Lucifer put her to bed, and her parents started picking up on it.

"Lucifer. Lovely to see you again. How are you?" He pulled away and nodded his head at her parents. He didn't talk unless it was to her or business.

"Martha! I was so pleased to hear from you. Lucifer was driving me crazy today." His eyes burned red but he walked away and pulled Abigail up to her room. It was late and he knew she needed to rest. A chill ran through his body when they stepped into her room and he knew once again why she couldn't sleep.

"Abigail, come on. let's get you in bed. I won't leave, I promise." He looked into the crazy blue eyes that held fear. Tears brimmed the bottom of her lashes and he began to panic, not ever wanting to see her cry.

"No, come on. I promise, nothing will ever hurt you. Not with me around." Power leaked from his voice and the chilling feeling vanished. He knew they had gotten the message to leave her be or it was him they would be dealing with. And it wouldn't be in the form of a twelve-year-old boy.

He tucked her in and placed a kiss on her forehead. "Goodnight, Abigail." She closed those killer eyes and fell asleep. "I love you too much." He whispered but knew she didn't hear it.