Mommy is coming

Mia sat cross-legged in her driveway when someone yanked her off the ground.

A quick, sharp yelp escaped from her.

A moment later, she was thrown into the back of an SUV. A tall, wiry man,who smelled of cognac and cigars sat beside her.

She let out a long sigh, scooted to the far side of the seat, and looked at her kidnapper, not with fear, but pity.

“Please, you don’t want to do this.”

“What?” the wiry man asked. “What’s your name, kid?”

Mia looked out the window and exhaled, fogging up the glass before tracing shapes into it with her finger.

“Mia.”

The man grabbed her by the arm and wrenched her toward him. “You fucking look at me when I ask you a question. Understand?”

She rubbed her hands on her jeans before looking back out the window. “I’m sorry.”

“Yeah, that’s right. You better know your place.”

She fogged up the window again and drew. “I’m sorry. You don’t understand, but there is still time.”

The man scoffed. “Time for what?”

“To take me back.”

“And if we fucking don’t?”

“Mommy is going to be upset.”

The man glanced up at the driver. “Can you believe this kid? Oh, Mommy is going to be upset.” He turned back to Mia. “And do fucking what? Cry? Call the cops?” he raised his voice to a high, mocking tone. “My precious little girl was taken. Please help me.”

Mia kicked her feet back and forth, staring at them. Her shoulders slumped as she looked back out the window.

“No,” she whispered. “That’s not what Mommy does.”

“What?” the wiry man asked as he grabbed her hair and pulled her toward him. He glanced up at the driver. “Can you believe this little shit?”

The driver shook his head. “She’s a different one. And be careful, she’s not yours.”

The wiry man scoffed. “Not yet.” He turned back to Mia. “Now answer me.”

Her gaze shifted to the driver. “Can you take me home?”

The wiry man slammed her head into the window. “Fucking little shit, see this is what happens when you play games.”

Mia didn’t make a sound. She just shook her head.

“Goddamn it, Terry, what the fuck!”

“What?”

“She’s fucking not yours, you fuck, if you kill this one. I’ll put you down myself. Understand!”

Terry crossed his arms and leaned back on the door. “Fucking whatever.” He looked over to Mia, who was rubbing her head. “Hear that. You shit. Yeah, I won’t think twice,” he leaned in “learn your place.”

She crossed her legs and leaned against the door, and shook her head in disappointment.

They drove in uneasy silence as the city lights gave way to a dark country road. The driver’s eyes flicked back to Mia and Terry, then returned to the road. Clenching his jaw, he wiped at the sweat rolling down his face.

“Hey, um… been thinking.” He swallowed. “Let’s drop this one off somewhere.”

“What? Fucking why?”

“Got a bad feeling. This one is creeping me out.”

“Fucking really? It’s a kid. What the fuck, man?”

“I know, I know, but this one is going to be trouble. I can feel it.”

Terry shook his head and laughed. “For real? You said you served four tours, and this kid is giving you the creeps? Come on.” He glanced over at Mia, then back to the driver. “Max. Max, Max… she’s playing games, and she’s fucking good at it. But we’ll break her.” He looked at Mia. “Yeah, we’ll break you. You’re nothing special, understand?”

Mia sighed and rested her head against the window, then glanced upward.

“You know, never had one like you before. You’re going to be fun… yeah, fun,” Terry said as he looked out the window at the sky. “Yeah, this is going to be fun.”

A smile flashed across Mia’s face, then vanished.

Terry stiffened. “What? Is this funny to you?”

She shook her head. “No.”

“Then fucking what?”

She rubbed her head. “Mommy…” She looked back up. “Nothing.”

Terry grabbed her arm and jerked her toward him. His eyes locked onto hers. “I’m fucking tired of your little fucking mind games, you little bitch. You’re only making this worse for yourself. Fucking cut your shit.”

She let out a slow breath and lowered her eyes. “You won’t understand. You’re not even trying. Sorry.” She turned to Max. “Take me home, please.”

A shiver ran through Max. “Terry.”

“What?”

“She’s not worth it.”

Terry leaned forward and rested his arms on the seat in front of him. “Listen, you fucking coward, this little shit is going to learn her place. We’re taking her to Brad, and that’s final.”

Terry sat back, crossed his arms, and looked down at Mia. “Yeah, you’re not getting out of this.”

Max glanced at Mia in the mirror. “Who is your mother?”

Mia didn’t bother looking at him as she scanned the night sky. “She’s my dragon.”

Terry scoffed. “See? She’s fucking with you. Can’t believe this kid is getting to you.”

Mia turned to Terry. “You don’t believe in dragons?”

He laughed. “Fuck no.”

“You should.”

Terry swallowed hard and waved her off. “Yeah, whatever the fuck.”

The SUV rocked as it turned onto a dirt road. The crunch of gravel beneath the wheels was the only sound.

Large oak trees lined the road, their canopy closing in around them. Max’s jaw tensed. Terry stared at Mia.

And Mia counted the trees as they passed.

Max let out a breath. Terry straightened and smiled as they entered a clearing.

Mia looked up as clouds rolled across the moon.

Bye, moon.

She leaned her head against the window and sighed.

Mommy, I tried. I really did. She wiped away a tear.

They drove through the clearing toward a large stone house at its edge, elegant and imposing. Passing through a stone gate, they entered a courtyard where several armed men patrolled the perimeter, then parked.

Max’s shoulders relaxed. Terry let out a laugh as he climbed out of the SUV.

Mia watched as he circled around to her side. He opened the door, and yanked her out.

“Come on, you little shit.” He looked down at her. “What’s this?”

He dragged his thumb across her cheek and examined the tear.

“Hey, Max, looks like reality has finally set in for this little fuck.” He lifted her chin with a finger. “Now you understand, don’t you?”

She didn’t answer. She just shook her head and looked up.

Terry followed her gaze and smirked. “What, you think your dragon is coming?”

She looked toward the house and started walking, then stopped and turned back toward Terry, waiting.

Terry and Max exchanged a nervous glance and looked up, only to see more clouds rolling in and flashes of lightning in the distance.

Terry stormed toward her and grabbed her arm, pulling her off the ground. “I’m sick of your fucking shit… come on.”

Max followed, his eyes fixed on the sky.

Terry dragged Mia up the stairs, across the porch, and through the heavy oak doors into a bleach-white foyer. The air was heavy with the smell of cedar and cigar smoke. Hunting trophies and fine Western art lined the walls.

Terry hauled her past several men who tried to greet him, paying them no attention, straight to the back of the house and into a large ornate room.

Ogee crown molding ringed the ceiling. Large white-framed windows lined the walls, which were a deep forest green. Two pool tables sat at the far end of the room, surrounded by clusters of men. In the center stood a poker table, its players completely lost in the moment.

Terry shoved Mia forward. She stumbled, landing on her hands and knees.

The room went silent as she stood.

A large man with his back to Mia laid his cards down and took a drag from his cigar before standing. He turned and looked at her, then at Terry.

“What is this?”

“The latest catch.”

“Okay… why is she here and not upstairs?”

“This one thinks she’s fearless. Says a dragon is going to come rescue her.”

“Really?” Brad moved toward her and knelt down in front of her. “So tell me about this dragon of yours.”

Mia looked over her shoulder at Terry, then back at Brad. “You need to take me home.”

Brad scoffed and looked at Terry.

“She’s been like this the whole way here, acting like she’s in control.”

Brad looked back at Mia. “You think you’re in control?”

“No.”

Brad grabbed her chin. “Then answer my fucking question.” He shoved her away.

Mia looked at every man in the room before turning back to Brad. “You need to take me home.”

Brad shook his head and scoffed as he glanced around the room at the others. Then he backhanded Mia, sending her to the floor.

Brad grabbed her arm and pulled her to her feet. “Look at me.”

She did as told; he glanced at a few of the men. There was nothing in her eyes. He hesitated. “My friend over there.” He nodded toward Terry. “Is going to take you upstairs and after he’s done with you,” he pointed to one of the other men. “Richard, there, will take his turn. Then Tom, Fred, Mark, you get the picture?” he stood. “Then you see the truth of this matter.”

She looked around the room one more time. “I’m sorry.”

“Not yet.” Brad said as he pointed to Terry. “Take her.”

“Come on you little fuck.” Terry grabs her and pulls her up the stairs.

He smirked as he dragged her into a room at the far end of the hall.

“Here we are, ma’am, my… I mean our little playroom,”

The smell hit hard: mildew, rot, musk. Mia gagged despite herself.. The room was bare: a stained mattress on the floor, chains bolted into the walls, and the floor.

Terry inhaled. “Ahhh. The sweet smell of paradise,” he said, shoving her inside. “Don’t you think?”

Mia stumbled” as he shoved her in. She managed to catch herself, then stood still, breathing through the revulsion. She walked to the window and peeled the foil from it.

“What the fuck?” He grabbed her and pulled her away from the window and backhanded her. She hit the floor and let out a slow breath as she stood and wiped the blood from her lip, closed her eyes and let out a long, slow breath, then nodded and looked at Terry. “I tried. I’m sorry.”

Terry closed the door behind him. “Bitch, I’m going to show you what sorry is.”

“You can’t.”

“What?”

“My mom is here.”

A thunderous explosion shook the walls.

Gunfire erupted outside, shouts, screams, chaos tearing through the silence. Terry jerked, his body going stiff as he fumbled for his weapon, He yanked Mia against him, holding her tight like a shield.

The violence ended almost as quickly as it began. A few scattered shots. A distant scream cut short.

Then… nothing.

Silence.

Terry trembled as he backed into the far corner, dragging Mia with him. His gun never left the door.

A stair creaked.

Then another.

Each sound sent a jolt through him.

He looked down at Mia. She stood completely still, calm, composed. She knew what was coming.

He tried to speak. Anything.

No words came.

A crash echoed down the hall. A gunshot. A cry for help that never finished forming. Footsteps. Another door kicked in.

Silence again.

His breath stuttered as the footsteps drew closer… closer… then stopped.

His chest tightened. The gun felt impossibly heavy.

Then the door slammed open, crashing into the wall hard enough to rattle the house.

The smell of burning metal penetrated everything.

An unnatural cold flooded the room, absolute. Frost crawled along the floor, the walls, the ceiling, seeping into bone and soul.

She stepped inside.

Lilith.

Her presence devoured the space, draining the color from the room and replacing it with something ancient and crushing. Massive wings unfurled behind her, vast and eagle-like, casting long, writhing shadows before folding back into her body.

She didn’t speak.

For one unhinged heartbeat, Terry almost thought her terrifyingly beautiful.

Cobalt-blue skin shimmered with a faint silver sheen, like starlight trapped beneath the sea. Crimson eyes burned with focused rage, pupils narrowed into predatory slits as they locked onto him.

Her horns were crystalline, razor-sharp, a deep molten red—weapons forged into her very being.

Her aura was pure command.

Terry couldn’t look away. Couldn’t breathe.

Everything he was, every illusion of control, collapsed beneath her.

A flash of teeth showed as her eyes hardened at the sight of the blood on Mia’s lip. Her horns flared. Her forked tail twitched.

Without a word, she turned and stepped back out into the hall.

Terry stared at the spot where she had stood, stunned.

His hand shook as he raised the gun toward the doorway. He glanced down at Mia, whose expression remained calm and expectant.

Something impossibly heavy closed around his hand.

A second hand, slender, unyielding, covered his own.

Understanding came too late.

Lilith was behind him.

Her presence crushed the air from his lungs. She squeezed.

Bone shattered. Metal groaned as the two became one.

His breath caught as he pulled his crushed hand to his chest and collapsed to the floor.

Lilith placed a hand on Mia’s back and guided her away from him before kneeling in front of her and opening her arms.

Mia stepped into them, resting her head against Lilith’s chest as she wrapped her arms around her. Lilith rested her head atop Mia’s and pulled her tight; her breath shook as she did.

“Sorry, love, for taking so long.”

Mia nodded and closed her eyes as she listened to Lilith’s heartbeat, holding her tighter.

“Mommy,” she whispered. “I tried.”

“I know, love. I know you always do. But some are irredeemable.”

Lilith pulled away and lifted Mia’s chin with one of her talons. “Hey, how about blueberry and chocolate chip pancakes for breakfast?”

Mia smiled and nodded and rested her head back onto Lilith’s chest.

Lilith let out a small chuckle. “Good to hear..” she eased back. “now my love, sleep.” She placed a talon to Mia’s forehead, her body relaxed and sunk into Lilith. She held her tight and kissed her on the top of her head. “I love you so much, but mommy,” she smiled. “Still need to take care of a few things.”

She stood holding Mia, resting her head on her shoulder, turned and left the room.

Terry buried his crushed hand against his shirt as he staggered to his feet, unable to look at it. His heart pounded in his ears as he slid along the wall toward the door.

He cautiously peered into the hallway.

His breath caught.

Then he vomited at the carnage before him.

Blood stained the walls. Body parts and organs littered the floor.

He took a cautious step into the hallway. “Max? Fred? Anyone?” His voice was low and harsh, but he was greeted only by silence.

The creak of the floor echoed throughout the house with each step.

He stopped, took a deep breath, then sprinted to the stairs and down them.

He froze at the bottom and fell backward onto the last few steps, vomiting again.

There were no bodies.

Only pieces of them strewn across the floor, blood painting the walls.

He pressed himself against the wall and forced himself to stand. Taking a few quick breaths, and bolted for the front door.

As he passed the study, he slid to a stop, backed up, and looked inside.

Urine ran down his leg as he whimpered, his body shaking.

The couch had its bloodstained covers removed and tossed aside. On the bare foam lay Mia, her hands tucked beneath her head, breathing with relaxed ease.

His breath hitched as Lilith ran her talons up his back and rested a hand on his shoulder.

“How’s the hand?” She paused. “Terry, is it?”

He couldn’t swallow.

She held Max’s severed head up in front of him. “Say hi to your friend.”

Terry dry-heaved until his sides hurt.

“Your friend here begged and cried, and then you know what?” She leaned in closer. “He threw you under the bus.”

She leaned back. “Yep. Totally sold you out.”

She tossed Max’s head over her shoulder. A loud crash echoed through the house, followed by the sound of breaking glass.

Lilith glanced over her shoulder. “Fuck, didn’t mean to do that. Oh well.”

She turned back to Terry. “Now, where was I? Oh yeah… your friend throwing you under the bus. He told me everything right before I ripped out his heart and tore off his head.” She placed a hand on top of Terry’s head. “He said taking my daughter was your idea. Is that right?”

She forced him to nod.

“Also said you were the one who grabbed her. Is that true?”

She forced another nod.

“By the way, thanks for your honesty. If this were someone else’s child, can you imagine the grief? The panic they would feel?”

She shook his head.

“Well, I can.”

His sob came out long and ragged. He couldn’t catch his breath.

“Do you know what seppuku is?”

She shook his head.

“Would you like me to tell you?”

She forced a nod.

“Well,” she began as she wrapped her arms around him and rested her chin atop his head, “it’s the ritual of slicing open one’s belly and letting one’s guts spill out. It’s usually done by men of honor. And just because you’re not one of them doesn’t mean you get to miss out on the pain. I’ve heard it’s one of the most painful ways to die, second only to being burned alive.”