For the first time in her life, Lilith dreamt. In the distance, she saw a silver-haired man laying inside a glass coffin in a dark room that was lavishly decorated.
Was he dead? Lilith stepped forward to take a closer look. She saw that despite his silver hair, he was not old. On the contrary, he had perfectly smooth skin as opposed to wrinkles. He appeared to be in his mid-twenties, his figure slim yet toned, his face perfectly sculpted. His chest steadily rose and fell, signifying that he was still alive and breathing. But why is he laying in a coffin?
Lilith stood beside the coffin and peered through the glass lid, mesmerized by his beautiful face. He’s gorgeous, she gasped. Each of his features were perfectly proportioned and perfectly situated on a face that appeared to be perfectly carved.
Unexpectedly, the man suddenly woke up, revealing a pair of startling golden eyes. Immediately, he turned his gaze towards her. “Who are you?” the words left his pale, bloodless lips in a whisper.
Lilith froze in place, uncertain of what to answer.
A beeping sound soon broke through the silence. When Lilith blinked again, she found that she was back in her bedroom. It was 5:55am. The beeping sound had come from her alarm clock. Lilith stretched out her right arm, turning the alarm off.
She then thought of the silver-haired man with golden eyes. Had that been just a dream? It seemed so real. He had appeared so vividly in her mind.
“Lilith?” A voice asked from behind her bedroom door. It was Mikhail’s voice. “Are you awake?”
”Yes!” Lilith answered. She quickly got off her bed and combed through her short hair with her fingers. She stood at the metallic door, waiting for Mikhail to enter the passcodes to unlock it.
The door slid open to reveal Mikhail standing on the other side. A smile appeared on his handsome face. “Good morning,” he greeted her.
”Good morning, Mikhail,” Lilith replied with a smile of her own.
”Yesterday you’ve managed to kill 237 zombies— you’ve exceeded my expectations by over twice the amount. You’ve done very well,” he patted her on the shoulder.
The smile on Lilith’s face blossomed to an all-out grin, displaying two rows of white teeth. She lived to please him, like an obedient puppy who wanted to receive praises from its master.
”I’ve discussed it with the council— we believe you’re finally ready to enlist in the army and fight against rogue zombies in the open world.”
”Really?” Lilith asked excitedly, her heart skipping a beat. Her entire life had been spent inside the walls of the research institution. She has only known of the outside world from the books she has read. Never before had she been permitted to see the skies for herself. A vivid and beautiful world entered her imagination, free of walls and locked doors.
But most importantly, joining the army meant an opportunity to make new friends. Mikhail and Charlotte were the only two people that Lilith interacted with on a daily basis. Oftentimes, they were busy with work and could not accompany her. Lilith spent most of her time alone, buried in books. Finally now she would be able to meet new people.
”But before you leave, we must conduct a final physical test on you. Come,” Mikhail said.
Lilith followed Mikhail as he took an elevator to the third floor of the institute. He had led her to an unfamiliar room where an older man with greying hair sat. He appeared to be in his late sixties, his glasses seated on a high nose bridge on a face that was wrinkled from age.
”This is Doctor Hansen,” Mikhail introduced the man to Lilith. “He is one of the best scientists we have. Today he will be conducting your physical examination.”
”I’ve heard much about you,” Doctor Hansen said with a warm smile. “Your existence is miraculous. There is much to be learned by studying you, Lilith. I would say that I am disheartened to let you go from here.”
Lilith stood in place awkwardly, uncertain of how to respond. She knew that she was not human, but what he had said made her feel even more like a freak. “I am honored to warrant you interest, but I don’t wish to stay here as a science experiment.”
The smile on Hansen’s face disappeared. “Of course not. I shall not keep you here if you are unwilling,” he said. “Well now, let us proceed with the examination.”
Doctor Hansen took her height and weight measurements, jotting them down on a clipboard. He then took out a stethoscope to listen to her heartbeat and breathing. Next was a blood pressure monitor. Finally, he took a sample of her blood that was extracted from a vein in her arm.
”Have you experienced anything unusual as of late?” Hansen asked as he wrote down her information on his clipboard.
Lilith had thought of the silver-haired man in her dreams. It was the first time she had ever dreamt, but it was usual for humans to dream.
”No, nothing unusual,” Lilith answered causally.
“Well, that should be all then. Thank you for your cooperation. I shall see you again next year,” Hansen said.
After the physical examination was over with, Lilith followed Mikhail back to her room. A young man was standing in front of her door with a suitcase by his side.
”Doctor Shirokov,” he greeted Mikhail. “Here’s the suitcase you asked for.
”Thank you, Dustin. You may leave it there.”
The man nodded in response before leaving.
”Here, Mikhail said as he handed Lilith the empty suitcase. “Pack your belongings. Starting tomorrow, you’ll be moving to live at Fort Ellis. There, you’ll be joining the other soldiers in combat.”
”Will you be coming with me?”
”No,” Mikhail answered. “My place is at the research institution.”
For as long as Lilith could remember, Mikhail had been by her side. Without him, she felt utterly lost.
”What shall I do about... food?”
”I’ve assigned a person to take care of you. Her name is Jaina. Aside from her, the higher ups also know about what you are. But you must not let the other soldiers know. Otherwise, you’ll only face their condemnation and fear. Some of the braver ones may even try to kill you.”
Lilith nodded. She then took the suitcase by Mikhail’s side. It did not take long for her to pack. She did not have many personal belongings besides the seven identical sets of clothing which she always wore: a grey tank top, black jeans, and combat boots.
After packing, Lilith fell back on her bed, picking up a book to read. However, she found it difficult to concentrate on the book. Tomorrow, I will finally be leaving this place, Lilith told herself. She had grown up from inside these four walls, having never known the outside world. She felt an odd sense of loss, but there was also excitement.
After being lost in her thoughts for a while, she drifted off to sleep. When she woke up, it was the next day. 5:00am. She had woken early today. Lilith slipped on her combat boots and tied the laces. She sat on the bed, waiting for Mikhail to come and unlock her door.
6:00am. A knock sounded on her door.
”I’m awake!” Lilith answered.
Beeping noises were heard as Mikhail entered the passcodes and passed the biometric scanner. The metallic door slid open. Mikhail Shirokov stood on the other side, neatly dressed as ever, but this time he had dark circles under his eyes. It appeared he hadn’t slept well.
”Are you alright?” Lilith asked.
Mikhail cleared his throat. “Yes, I’m quite well. Thank you for your concern.” His voice was gruff. “I trust you have finished packing?”
“Yes,” Lilith answered as she picked up the suitcase by the door.
”Your transport has arrived,” Mikhail said.
Lilith followed Mikhail as they took the elevator to the first floor and went outside the research institute.
Lilith took in the scenery— a glimpse of the morning sun peaked through the horizon, casting rays of bright light over the clouds amid a pink and purple sky.
She breathed in the fresh air which was cold, chilling her lungs. It had felt like the first time she had been able to breathe after an entire lifetime of suffocation.
Lilith looked out into the distance. It sounded incredulous, but this was the first time in her life that she had seen vegetation— grass and trees.The vibrant green color made a startling contrast to the dreary grey walls and floor of the institute.
”Come,” Mikhail said, breaking her out of her stupor.
She followed him to the gates which guarded the institute. Mikhail waved to a security guard who nodded in response. The gates slowly opened, revealing a military vehicle on the other side.
Lilith’s grip on her suitcase handle tightened as she turned to face Mikhail.
“You’ll be joining the 113th Division after your arrival at Fort Ellis. I’ve made arrangements with Jaina— she’ll be taking care of you there,” Mikhail said.
”Will I ever see you again?”
”Perhaps at next year’s physical examination.”
”That’s too long away!” Lilith protested.
A small smile appeared on his lips. “My work here is very important. I cannot abandon it.”
”Then I’ll come to visit you when I am able,” Lilith said as she dropped the suitcase and embraced Mikhail. His body stiffened in her arms. Then he gave her a pat on the back in response.
”Alright then,” he chuckled.
”This is goodbye then,” Lilith said with a sad smile as she released him. She picked up her suitcase and placed it in the trunk of the vehicle. She then opened the passenger door and got into the car. Lilith looked back at where Mikhail stood and waved goodbye at him.
He waved back at her. “Farewell,” he said even though she could not hear.
The military vehicle sped off into the distance and disappeared beyond the horizon, but Mikhail Shirokov stood in place long after Lilith had left. He felt a heavy pang in his chest. Could it be that he loved her? She was a monster, yes, but he had raised her for 17 years. After so long, it wasn’t unusual that he had developed a bond with the demon-girl. She fed on human flesh, but she bore no hatred against humanity. It was just in her nature to feed. It was the same as a lion feasting on a gazelle— he wouldn’t fault the lion for it.
Mikhail took out his wallet, in which contained a picture of his two sons— Dimael and Ivan. They were 19 and 12 this year. His younger son, Ivan, was inflicted with a rare blood disease, for which there currently was no cure. Mikhail’s thumb caressed the picture of his sons. I will find a cure for you, no matter what the cost.
“Doctor Shirokov,” Mikhail’s assistant, Dustin, greeted him as the young man approached him. “You told me to notify you if any of the women here got pregnant. It has been confirmed that Mrs. Atwood is expecting.”
“Is that so?” Mikhail put away his wallet.
”Yesterday she had an ultrasound. It seems that she is carrying twins.”
Excellent. Twins made fine research specimen.
”Come with me,” Mikhail said. The two of them went to Mikhail’s personal office which was located two floors underground. “Bring Charlotte Atwood here for me. Tell her I need to speak with her.”
Dustin made a sound of affirmation and left. Alone in his office, Mikhail got out a syringe and a special vial he had prepared. It contained one of the numerous blood samples they had obtained from Lilith.
It wasn’t long before Dustin brought Charlotte to him. Mikhail tucked the syringe and vial inside the pocket of his lab coat.
”You wanted to see me?” Charlotte asked Mikhail.
”Yes,” he answered. “Come walk with me. I need you as well, Dustin.”
The three of them left Mikhail’s office. Dustin and Charlotte followed Mikhail as they toured the laboratory.
”Now that Lilith has gone, you must have more free time, Mrs. Atwood.”
”Yes,” Charlotte answered hesitantly. “It feels as if I had lost a part of myself, after raising the girl for so long.”
”I know the feeling. I had also raised Lilith as if she were my own daughter. Now that she is gone, life here feels somewhat empty. But speaking of children, I hear that you are expecting twins?”
”How did you know that?” Charlotte stopped in her tracks.
Mikhail’s eyes landed on Dustin. Charlotte Atwood followed his gaze to rest on the young man, whose face remained impassive, giving nothing away. He stood there mutely, waiting for Mikhail to answer on his behalf.
“How I came to know isn’t important,” Mikhail said. “But what is important is that you should have notified me immediately when you first discovered that you are pregnant. Did you think you could have given birth here without my notice?”
‘I hadn’t planned on staying here much longer,’ Charlotte thought to herself as she placed on hand protectively over her stomach while taking a step back. “And just what do you intend on doing with that information?”
Mikhail gave her a smile. “Every action I take has been for the good of humanity,” he said as he took out the syringe from the pocket of his lab coat. “With this injection, your children will become ghouls like Lilith. With enhanced strength and recovery speed, they will become the next generation of humans.
”No,” Charlotte replied with horror. “I won’t let you turn my children into monsters.” She thought of Lilith, of how the girl feasted on human flesh. The scene of her tearing apart that soldier entered Charlotte’s mind. A wave of nausea surged to her throat before she forced it down.
”Whether or not someone is a monster depends on their actions,” Mikhail said. “As Lilith had proven to us, ghouls can be controlled unlike their zombie counterparts.”
”Nevertheless, I still won’t agree to it.”
”Well, that’s unfortunate, but you don’t have a say in the matter. Dustin, grab her.”
Before Charlotte could respond, Dustin had seized her arms from behind, locking her in place. ”What are you doing? Let me go!”
“This will only take a moment,” Mikhail said as he approached her while holding the syringe in his hand.
”No!” Charlotte screamed as she struggled in the young man’s grasp. However, it was no use as she was no match for his strength.
Stepping forward, Mikhail readied the syringe before giving her an injection in the arm. Charlotte had stopped resisting when the painful sting spread throughout her arm. It wouldn’t be long before the substance reached her womb.
”No,” she whispered. “Just what have you done?”
”I’m giving your children the gift of immortality,” Mikhail answered. “This is the opportunity that many would kill for.”
