Sighing, Lilith now rummaged through her jacket as she sat in the tennis courts. As the others mingled at their school sponsored dance, she would have her own fun. She just needed to find her rolling papers.
"Excuse me are you Lilith Kane?"
Lilith froze, her deep blue eyes resting on a man who now slowly approached. Just looking at the man annoyed her. He was probably 40 with darl brown hair, brown eyes and dressed in a suit. Over her life she had seen plenty of men like this, all connected with DCF. In everyone of those instances it usually meant she was going to yet another foster home. "Ugh what is it," she groaned. "Did the Reids get tired of me already"
"Oh no," the man chuckled. "You misunderstand I'm not with DCF. I came to talk with you about an opportunity." Lilith simply rolled her eyes. "Great some religious nut," she thought. "Probably trying to convince me to find Jesus or Allah or something." Stuffing her weed into her pocket, she now turned to face the ordinary looking man with a look of utter boredom. "Look man whatever religious thing you're selling I'm not interested. Try the crack house two blocks over. I'm sure they would be interested on whatever cult bullshit you're peddling." The man said nothing, simply chuckled. This was almost unnerving to to the 15 year old. Usually when she popped off adults would become angry, sometimes even cursing her out. This guy simply chuckled, the small, unnerving smile plastered across his face. "You've got some spunk," he smiled. "I like that. Our organization could certainly use a bit of personality."
"Look creep," Lilith grumbled, the teenage girl trying to hide the anxiety growing within her. "I'm not much foe joining. Hell! I don't even know your name."
"My apologies where are my manners," he said, slowly moving closer to Lilith. "You can call me Mr. Smith. I work for an organization known as The Normal. We've been recruiting lately. Going out into the community to find individuals we believe could be a great addition to our team. I think you could be one of those people Lilith." Lilith remained cautious, anxiously watching as the man slowly approached. Something didn't feel right about this guy, every fiber of her being told her to run. This guy seemed like the kind of guy who drove a van and asked kids if they wanted candy. She couldn't explain it but her instincts told her he was a predator. "Hey," she said quickly, slowing taking a step back. "Look just...stop right there okay? Their's like a bunch of teachers here. If they see you they'll call the cops!"
"I wouldn't worry about them," Smith smiled. "My friends will make sure we're not disturbed as I tell you about the benefits of our organization." Now Lilith could feel herself breaking into a cold sweat as she looked into the darkness. Lingering along the periphery she now noticed at least half a dozen armed soldiers. These soldiers all seemed to be dressed like special forces, their faces covered with masks, their clothing melding with the darkness, and all of them holding very intimidating rifles.
"I'm hoping you'll hear me out," Smith said softly. "I've reviewed your files from foster care. You've always felt out of place, lashing out, never finding a home of your own. I'm offering you that."
"You're crazy," Lilith exclaimed, her voice now tinged with fear.
"I'm as sane as anyone," Smith stated. "And I really don't want this to get violent. Like it or not Lilith I need you to come with me. Now are we doing this the easy way or...."
CRACK
Lilith screamed as she stared in wide eyed horror at Mr. Smith. One moment the very creepy man was walking towards her, trying to convince her to come with him. The next moment the man's head did a complete 180°. The sound of his neck snapping echoing throughout the tennis court. For a moment the corpse stood, as if it was trying to process what happened before collapsing in a heap. The next thing Lilith knew she could hear muffled cries of the soldiers, followed by a wet, smack of something slapping the pavement.
"What the fuck?!"
For the first time in Liliths life, she could say she was genuinely afraid. She had watched one man mercilessly killed in front of her, followed by what she believed the sounds of several others meeting their end in a gruesome fashion. The teens eyes were wide, scanning the darkness for her potential savior, or murderer. Slowly a figure now began to emerge. She looked like a woman based on her curves but she couldn't be quite sure. Adorned in a long leather duster and dark clothing, she walked with a slow supernatural gait, her auburn hair flowing behind her. Narrowing her eyes, Lilith tried to make out the figures face, only to see a plague mask staring back at her.
"What The Fuck!!!!"
"Easy," the woman said, and now Lilith could tell it was a woman. The womans voice was feminine and ethereal, seeming to softly echo around Lilith. "You okay kid," she asked.
"No," Lilith exclaimed. "I am not fucking okay! Who the hell are you? Who the fuck were those guys?!"
"Those guys were the Normal," the woman said. "They've been kidnapping people. Turning them into assassins against their will. As for me? You can call me Misery."
"Misery? Are you fucking for real?!"
"Very real kid," Misery replied in annoyance. "And you're lucky I got here in time. I've been tracking down the Normal and One Humanity's recruitment teams. You're a high profile acquisition, they were going to capture you whether you like it or not."
"Why?"
"Because of who you are," Misery replied. "Because of your bloodline." Lilith was speechless, still trying to process everything this woman was saying. She still wasn't sure what to make of any of this. The teen now watched as Misery flicked her wrist conjuring a portal to what appeared to be someone's living room.
"Look Lilith," Misery replied. "Its not safe to be here right now. I may have disposed of the bodies but more will come. If you're still here, they're going to kill you. Come with me, I'll tell you everything. After that, if you want to leave. I'll return you to your foster parents."
Lilith was unsure. This mysterious woman may have saved her but who was to say she was any better. Still, there was something about Misery that made the teen want to trust her. Tentatively, she now stepped forward, following Misery into the portal as the pair vanished without a trace.