The summer storm that was forming before, ultimately began to howl. The mighty wind, along with the compelling rain, pushed the windows wide open and caused thunderous noise. I woke up with the ‘fight or flight’ feeling, but instantly realized what actually wakened me up.

As I was closing the windows, my mom aggressively entered fearing the worst scenario. I rushed to hug her awkwardly and assure her that I was okay. When she completely stopped with the questioning, without saying anything further she left the room.

It was 4 am in the morning. I went back to bed trying to warm myself up. If it wasn’t for the terrible weather, I’d probably still wake up at the same time.

I can’t sleep normally these past few days.

Initially, my parents have been acting distanced with me and then unexpectedly informed me that I’m adopted. Thinking about it now, they were probably collecting the strength and courage to tell me. Hearing it shocked me of course, but in the end, it didn’t bother me. After all, they loved me and took care of me. I indeed had a good childhood.

Aside of all, even though it didn’t affect me that much, I surely didn’t expect them to continue to act weird and make everything so awkward.

I gently rolled on the other side of the uncomfortable bed, trying to reach the drawer. As I opened it and went through some old photographs I had with them. It felt extremely odd to look at those pictures. It genuinely felt like I didn’t know them all of sudden. Like I was living with the familiar strangers. I stared at them for a few anxious minutes, desperately trying to shake off that imposter feeling.

I wish for everything to go back to normal.

After some time, I felt exhausted. My eyes were gradually closing and the last thing I remember is letting a tear out before finally falling asleep again.

“Wake up honey...Someone...came here to see you.” The gentle, but shaking voice, woke me up. After blinking sleepily a few times, my eyes automatically moved in the direction of a clock.

“Mom, what’s going on, it’s 6 am?” Her head was tilted down, and her eyes were swirling around the room, like as if she was afraid to face me.

“I know, honey, but... It’s urgent. Please get up and get yourself ready. I will be downstairs.” She made her way to the exit, but quickly stopped herself at the doorway. She stood there for some time before opening her mouth as she was about to say something, but quickly turned away. She took a deep breath and began to tear up.

“Just so you know, honey…” She placed her hand onto her chest. “I always consider you as my own and I loved you so, so very much. Although, back then we were just foolish, young and greedy…I hope that one day you will be able to forgive us.”

She finished her confession kind of a speech with her voice cracking and with the tears already streaming down her cheeks...

What is happening?

As I was left in confusion, it took me a while to answer back, so I nodded and thanked her with the following words of appreciation. The small cracked smile appeared on her face before she left the room.

I sighed impatiently as I felt exhausted from all the emotional drama they are recklessly causing to this family. I do love them, but they are slowly destroying the relationship between us. I glanced at my window and saw that the dreadful storm was gone. Hearing the birds sing gave me some strength and hope for this dull day. I decided to wear the dress that I wore yesterday and at least give this day a try.

As I came downstairs, I instantly noticed a guy that was in the living room. He had a dark hair and was obviously tallest in the room. I stopped mid stairs because of the unusual chills that went through my body when his eyes locked with mine. I had been standing there for some time, before I made myself to go closer to him while he was waiting for me to shake his hand. As I was about to introduce myself, he interrupted me.

“I already know who you are, Eleanor.” He said confidently, giving an accent to my name. I looked at my mom suspiciously, then back at him and gently, but also urgently ripped my hand out of his grip.

“Umm, nice to meet you…?”

“Oh, don’t worry darling. We will have plenty of time to get to know each other. ”He smirked at me, then grabbed his jacket and got very important looking paper out and placed it on the table in front of my parents.

Mom gave me a very concerned look at that moment with her puffy eyes still watering, but my dad surprisingly didn’t even dare to look.

“Guys, what’s going on?” I asked in panic.

I glanced at the door and saw plenty of boxes being well packed. I felt sudden sharp cut in my chest, a shock of fear. It was as the time froze for a second, letting me think of all impossible possibilities out there. I asked again, but this time louder...

“Mom! Can you please tell me what is going on?!”

When she was about to sign the paper, she stopped and came to me, dropping on her knees and grabbing my dress while crying on top of her lungs. As the scene wasn’t easy to handle, I began to tear up myself.

“Will anybody explain to me what’s going on here...?” I wept through my words as those tears turned into a desperate cry.

“Please...” I looked down at my mom.

“Mom...” The guy cleared his throat, while handing my mom a pen and commandingly pointing towards the paper. As I was about to comfort my mom, I froze in place as her face changed from a hideous crying to a numb, lifeless expression. She signed the paper and then a shocking, unimaginable flame arose from the bottom of the page, covering the whole thing in a burning hot glow before it all just disappeared into thin air, leaving nothing but a few specs of dust.

“Now, Eleanor or should I call you, Lilith, you darling, belong to me.”

Lilith?

He was staring directly into my eyes like he was digging through my soul and just smirked…