Lilith's Awakening

by Viktoria Ballavoski

  I decided to go with them to the burial site. The priest started the ceremony with a prayer and then sprinkled the holy water. When I was able to, I stood next to the grave and noticed that it was deeper than normal and the coffin had double locks.

  What is going on here? I wondered.

  The ceremony ended, and we all walked away from the grave site. I had lots of questions in my head but no answers.

  I looked at Gabriellele’s mother, Mrs. Cecil (I had finally learned her last name from the medical examiner). She looked confused, hurt, and angry. I walked up beside her and introduced myself. She was surprised to see me there.

  “What does a psychic have to do with this case?” she asked.

  “Mrs. Cecil, I am a medium. I am able to see and talk to the dead. I work with the police to solve unusual cases like Gabriellele’s. Mrs. Cecil, I know it is not the right time for any kind of questions, but may I ask you something?”

  “Of course you can,” she said with concern. “I will try to answer whatever you need.”

  “Who is Lilith? Did Gabriellele ever mention her to you or anyone else? Do you know if she was involved in some sort of cult?”

  “You mean Gabriellele has spoken to you?”

  “Yes, Gabriellele keeps telling me to save them from Lilith and the others. Mrs. Cecil, the first time I saw Gabriellele was at the investigation. Did she look different to you? She looked different to me, and I was wondering why that is?”

  “We adopted Gabriellele. When she was few a days old, her birth mother passed away. We never baptized her. We’re not really Christian. When we took her to the church for the funeral, the priest suggested that it would be a good idea to baptize her. We agreed with the priest.”

  “What about the burns?”

  “The priest said Gabriellele’s body had been taken over by a demon, and he had to do an exorcism. Only then would they baptize her, and afterward, she could rest in peace. The burns are from a reaction to the holy water. I believe they also said she had been bitten by a vampire demon, which would explain why her blood was gone.”

  “I don’t know much about vampires, Mrs. Cecil. The police have not mentioned anything to me about a vampire biting her. If I hear anything, I will inform you right away.”

  “Thank you, Viktoria. I would appreciate that.”

  “Thank you so much again, Mrs. Cecil. You have to be strong. My prayers are with you and your family.”

  “Viktoria, is my Gabriellele here now? If she is, can you tell her we loved her, as if she really was our own?”

  “Yes, Mrs. Cecil, she is here. You can tell her whatever you need to; I’m sure she would be very happy to hear that from you.”

  “Gabriellele, we loved you so much. We always will. Can you ever forgive us for not being better parents to you? We would have liked to have been.”

  I listened for a moment as Gabriellele spoke to me. “Mrs. Cecil, Gabriellele says that you were the best parents anyone could have had, and she loved you and her father very much. And she thanks you.”

  “Thank you, Viktoria, for giving me this last chance to talk to my baby, to express my feelings to her, and to say my farewell.”

  “That’s okay, Mrs. Cecil. If it’s okay with you, can I stop by very soon? To discuss Gabriellele, her friends, and what she would have been doing in her spare time?”

  “Of course, any night, dear.” I gave her a hug and told her it was from her little girl. Then I walked away.

  I do not know why I got so emotionally involved with that case. Something was pulling me. I was desperately searching for answers.

  It had been a long day. I needed to stop at the office and drop off the report from Michael. Just as I was thinking this, my phone rang.

  “Michael,” I said when I answered it, “I was thinking of stopping by and dropping off the report, but can I give it to you tomorrow?”

  “How was the funeral ceremony?” he asked instead of answering my question.

  “It was a strange but interesting ceremony. I spoke to Mrs. Cecil; she seemed like a very loving and caring mother. She looked lost and devastated by Gabriellele’s death. As a mother, I understand; she was the only child she had. Did you know Gabriellele was adopted when she was only a few days old?”

  “No, I did not know that. It must be a horrible experience, losing a child. That is beyond my imagination.” He sighed. “I will see you tomorrow.”

  I walked into the house and went straight to Lacey and Melisa, gave them a hug, and held on; I did not want to leave. As a parent, I could not imagine burying my child.

  ***

  A few days later, while I was on the phone with Michael, I got a call from Mrs. Cecil.

  “Have to cut this short, Michael. I have Mrs. Cecil on the other line. I hope she has remembered something.” I switched over to the other line. “Hi, Mrs. Cecil. Is everything okay?”

  “Yes, it is. We need to talk about Gabby and her friend Lilith and her ritual.”

  “Who is Gabby, Mrs. Cecil?” I asked, confused.

  “It’s Gabriellele. I used to call her Gabby. Her biological mother’s last wish was for us to call her Gabby. I am sorry if I have confused you.”

  “That’s okay. I will come by tomorrow.”

  “No, I need to talk to you immediately; it’s important. I have to show you other things concerning this matter.”

  “What about if I sent a detective over? He is in charge of this case, and he needs all the information he can get.”

  “No, that won’t work. I really need to talk to you and no one else. It will only take a few minutes of your time.”

  “Mrs. Cecil, I really would like it if Michael came with me. I don’t usually go without a detective, and Michael is important in this case.”

  “I don’t want to discuss this with anyone besides you because it is personal, and privacy is important to me and her father. We can only talk to you. Perhaps you might help us to understand what she used to practice.”

  “All right then. Let me call the station and let them know I will be late.” I dialed Michael’s number on my phone. “Hi, Michael, I’m going over to see Mrs. Cecil. She wants to talk to me, and it has to be today. When I told her I would be happier if you could join us, she said no and insisted that I be alone.”

  “Okay, but be careful. Call me when you get there, or if you need me.”

  “Okay. Michael, can you do me a favor? Call Brandon and let him know I might be late. I tried but he wasn’t picking up his phone.”

  “Yes, I’ll call him and let him know.”

  “Oh my Lord, Gabriellele,” I said as I walked to the car. “I’m so glad you’re here. I’m going over to see your mom. She has something to tell me. She also mentioned that you have been practicing a ritual. I’m surprised—”

  Before I could say any more, she cut me off. “Viktoria, do not go over there. It’s a setup! Listen, Viktoria, you will get hurt. Don’t go! I don’t think it was my mom who called you. It’s a setup!”

  “Gabriellele,” I reasoned, “it has to be your mom. I have given my number to no one besides your mom! And she sounded sincere. I need some sort of answer; she might know something. Anyway, I’m not going alone. You are here. I can also feel the presence of my mom and dad, my guardian angels.”

  “Whatever you do, do not go into that house; that house is hell! Please go back! It’s Lilith doing this. She must have found out that my soul is still here with you, and she does not want us to mess up her plans! She can be so convincing. Trust me, you should not go!”

  “Gabriellele, I cannot turn back. I think you’re overreacting. Really, who is Lilith? How can she impersonate your mother? I’m not turning back now; I’m almost there.”

  “Okay, go. But you must stay outside. Do not go in! It is an evil place! Stay outside even if she gets extremely persistent!”

&n
bsp; “Fine, I will not go inside.”

  “Viktoria, I will watch you closely, but I cannot go in, nor can your father. If we do, they will pull us down to the vortex that takes us to hell where there are demons!”

  “You mean Lilith, Adam’s first wife and the mother of the demons? Is that what you were trying to tell me?”

  “Yes, Viktoria! Lilith and the others are up to something! Please be careful!”

  I didn’t want to say anything, but I had a premonition of the vortex as I got closer to the house. My heart started beating faster, and cold sweat dripped down my face. Maybe I should have listened to Gabriellele. However, I didn’t want to give up. I had to help her and the others.

  When I went up to the porch, I called out, “Mrs. Cecil, are you there? It’s Viktoria.”

  “Come in! The door is open, Viktoria,” Mrs. Cecil replied.

  “Mrs. Cecil, it’s getting late. Besides, I’ve left the car running. Perhaps you can bring the files outside.”

  “There is some stuff I cannot bring outside.”

  “No, Mrs. Cecil, I can’t stay too long. I have to drive back. Let’s talk on the porch. What is it you wanted to talk about?”

  “All right, dear, but this will not take long. Come on in.” She came outside, and we sat on the chairs, which faced the street. “Viktoria, what I am about to tell you, you cannot repeat to anyone.”

  “Why? I have to report to my superior; I can’t hide anything.”

  “You have to back away from this case. It’s dangerous. You and your family will get hurt.”

  “What do you mean by ‘back away’? Are you threatening me or warning me, Mrs. Cecil?”

  “Don’t get me wrong, dear; I am only having this conversation with you because I have something to show you. It’s where she practiced her evil, demonic stuff. Come inside.”

  “Don’t go inside!” Gabriellele warned me. “There is no such place! I never practiced anything! She is trying to take you to the vortex!”

  Okay, calm down, Gabriellele, I thought. I asked Mrs. Cecil, “What are you talking about, Mrs. Cecil? Nothing about Gabriellele’s death was normal. Her autopsy shows her main arteries were ripped out; her heart was crushed, and much of it was damaged. This can only happen if a person has a traumatic impact injury, like from falling from the twentieth floor or being hit by a bus. We all know that her body was found on the sidewalk. She was not hit by a car, nor did she fall from the twentieth floor. There was not a bruise or broken bone in her body. How she really died is the question.”

  I did not listen to Gabriellele and went inside. I felt extremely unwelcome, and I saw Gabriellele watching from the window. She was yelling, “Viktoria! Come out from there! You are in danger!”

  “Come into the dining room, Viktoria. I have the document over here by the desk.”

  Chapter 2

  Face-to-Face

  When I walked into the dining room, I felt a kind of coldness. There was also a unique and horrible smell. It had the aroma of burned flesh mixed with an odd, musky scent. Suddenly, I heard Gabriellele rush inside. She was trying to save me, knowing she could be dragged into the hell.

  “Viktoria, get out! There is a demon and trap hole right in front of you! Don’t take another step!”

  I tried to move away, but something held me back. It was my dad, trying to hold me so I would not fall into the vortex. A black mist thrust itself at me. I knew it was the demon; I desperately tried to spray him with the holy water and throw some salt at him while praying verses I knew.

  Unfortunately, I did not get a chance to do any of those things. The demon blew more of the black mist. The wind threw me off. It was so powerful that I lost my balance and fell into the hole. I could hear my dad telling me to stay calm and try to fight back. As I tried to make my way up again, the demon, with great strength, blew me back into the hole.

  This situation was getting out of control! Hell was pulling me; it was too hard to control. I could not ask for help from Gabriellele. “Mrs. Cecil’s already trapped her,” Babushka was telling me. “Try to calm down. I am holding you. Do not fight back!”

  Three angels appeared. I could not see their faces, but the energy they gave me provided the help I needed to get out of that hole.

  ***

  The next thing I remember is waking up in a hospital with a concussion, some broken ribs, and Mrs. Cecil beside my bed.

  “What has happened, Mrs. Cecil?” I moaned.

  “I don’t know. When I got home, I found you on my front lawn.”

  “What do you mean when you got home? I remember that you were in the dining room, and you asked me to come in. You had some documents to show me, so I walked in. There was a hole that I fell into. I think Gabriellele was right. She told me that we were being set up by Lilith; she was disguised as you and holding back Gabriellele. Gabriellele told me that it was a setup, but I just ignored her.”

  “Dear,” Mrs. Cecil said softly as she patted my arm, “I was not home. I got a message from you that you wanted to meet me at Barb’s Café. I waited for you for about an hour. I called you, but you did not answer your phone, so decided to come home. I do not know anything about the documents. I found you on my front lawn. I was surprised to see you there since you were supposed to meet me at the café.”

  “Mrs. Cecil, I never sent you messages,” I said nervously. “It was all Lilith’s doing, not mine!”

  “Yes, you did,” she insisted. “I was supposed to meet you there. You gave me the address. Here’s my phone; your message should still be there.”

  “Mrs. Cecil, I received a call from you. You said you had something important to talk to me about. I was inside your house talking to you. You even told me to stay out of this case and not to tell anyone what we had discussed. But now that I know that it was not you, I know for fact that neither of us called the other. You were talking to Lilith. She set us up.”

  “I may be old, but I have an excellent memory. I was not there. And there are no documents to show you.”

  “I know, Mrs. Cecil. I realize that it was not you. Lilith disguised herself as both of us so that I would back off from this case.”

  “Okay then. Let me get this straight—I did not call you, and you didn’t call me? Then who did?”

  “I told you, Mrs. Cecil, it was Lilith who set us up. She is trying to stop me from finding out about whatever it is Gabriellele warned me about. She even said it was a setup, and it was Lilith and the others.” Just at that moment, Brandon walked in. “Brandon, how did you know I was here?”

  “Michael called.”

  “Who called Michael?”

  “Mrs. Cecil called when she found you.”

  “Yes, dear. I checked your last call; I redialed the number.”

  “Thank you, Mrs. Cecil.”

  “Dear, you don’t have to thank me; I’m pleased to see that you’re okay. When I found you, I got so scared! I didn’t know what had happened.”

  “Don’t worry, Mrs. Cecil. We’ll find out what is going on. I promise you, and we will end this nonsense,” I said.

  “Viktoria, how could you go into a place like that? Why didn’t you ask Michael to go with you?”

  “Well, I feel much better, Brandon,” I said, ignoring his questions. “Can you take me home?”

  “While you talk, I’ll talk to the doctor about getting you signed out—”

  Just at that moment, Dr. Francis walked in. “I can’t sign the release yet. You’re under twenty-four-hour observation.”

  I was about to argue when I heard Gabriellele telling me I should listen to her and stay in the hospital at least one night.

  This time, I decided to listen to Gabriellele, and I stayed.

  Once everyone had left, it was so quiet that I started thinking about my children and wondering how they were doing. I was amazed how deeply I missed th
em already.

  “Gabriellele, I know you’re here,” I said to the air. “And I do thank you for warning me. We have to talk about what has been going on. If you want help, you have to start communicating; I need to know everything that you know. How did this happen? What is up with Lilith? No more beating around the bush! I need answers, because whatever this is almost got me killed! I think I am entitled to an explanation sooner or later.”

  “Viktoria,” I heard Gabriellele say in response, “I told you not to go into the house. I told you it was a setup and you did not listen. Don’t worry; I’m going to tell you everything, but not right at this moment. You have to relax and get back on your feet.”

  “You know what, Gabriellele? This all started after you came for a reading. That night, the sky was red. My dad always said that when the sky turned red, the doors to hell opened. This must be Lilith; I know a few people who know about her but not many. However, I hope to find out about her and her demons or jinns. I will get the answers from Greg; he will update me.

  “Gabriellele, now I know what you were trying to say, but don’t worry. We’ll find out what is going on and stop them from doing whatever they are trying to do.”

  “Viktoria, try to relax and get some rest, and we will talk about this later.”

  All of a sudden, I had a premonition. This one was of Lacey calling me.

  “Mom?” Lacey asked, panic woven into her voice. “Can you hear me? There is something unknown in our house! I cannot see it, but I feel it!”

  “Lacey,” I said out loud, knowing she could hear me, “I can hear you, baby. Don’t worry. I will be there soon. For now, pretend you are sleeping. Don’t leave your room, and keep on praying.”

  “Okay, Mom,” she whispered in reply.

  Demons had entered my house and were watching my children. I needed to find out who was there. Why were they there? I was just hoping they wouldn’t hurt them. I did not want to call and panic them. “Gabriellele, I have to go over there through an out-of-body experience, and I want you to come with me.”

  “Might as well. I’ll come with you. But before that, do you want me to go there and see if it is safe for you to enter?”