Prologue

May 1998.

Abigail R. Wilkinson had gotten peace from him today. There'd been a large event held at their home and he'd been too busy to worry about her. She wasn't needed anymore to keep up appearances, so she made her way outside to the swings she'd labeled as her spot since her real mother always sat there with her.

Things started changing last week. Although she shouldn't be talking about it with anyone, she'd befriended the housemaid's daughter that week. At first, the young girl was quiet. Then suddenly she started speaking freely with Abby, asking all kinds of questions about her life. She'd introduced herself as Lilly. Abby made stuff up though. She knew better than to talk about her life. She'd tried it once before, when her mother died when Abby was six. She knew who was responsible, and when she tried to speak the truth to people about what happened, no one believed her. Daddy was a 'kind gentlemen who loved his wife and child'. No one was going to believe otherwise. And he'd caught her about to tell the truth, and made sure she knew not to try that again.

However, the real problems didn't start until four years ago. She hadn't understood the first year or two, but knew it was bad. Once she reached 11 though, she started to realize how bad what he was doing really was.

She thought it would stop when he remarried. It didn't. And this new woman kept silent, didn't really care. She'd married him for money anyhow.

So now here Abby was. She'd been friends with Lilly for a week. She'd grown close to the girl, started to trust her and spill little bits about her life. Lilly had made a promise not to say anything unless Abby wanted her to.

Then there was the day things changed. That day was today.

"Abby, I think I can help you." said Lilly.

"Help me? How?"

"Well, don't be mad...but I've talked about your problem with someone I know...and..."

"What! You promised. Did you tell your mum?" Abby questioned.

"No, not her. Don't worry, you'll be safe. Look, I can make sure he doesn't hurt you anymore...well, at least not for a while."

"How?"

"You just have to trust me. You can be free of him."

"I don't understand."

"I can take care of all of this for you. I'm not just the maid's daughter, I'm your friend. But I also am different from you."

Lilly took Abby's hand. Abby couldn't be sure, but she'd thought she'd seen Lilly's eyes change, but that wasn't possible. And Lilly was right, she'd been a good friend to her.

"Tell me."

"I'll take care of this for you, and it won't cost you anything. Not for ten years at least. You get to be free of him. You can leave here if you want."

"Where would I go?"

Lilly shrugged.

"There are plenty of places, and you're getting older. A few more years and you can do whatever you want."

"How do you know all of this?"

"Told you, I'm different. I have ways of helping people. So what do you say? Will you let me help you? Say the word, and I can get you away from him. Yes or no?"

Part of Abby worried about this. Was this a trick? What if he found out she was planning on getting away from him? However, her mom died trying to get free of him...of trying to get her free of him too.

"Um..."

"Come on Abby! You can do it. You get 10 years of freedom, you don't have to see him anymore."

"Why 10 years?"

Lilly shrugged.

"Sorry, all I can get you is 10 years. I can't guarantee you won't see him again after that. However, you'll be older, and stronger if you do."

"Okay."

"So is that a yes?"

"Yes, I'll do it. Whatever you need to do. Do it, I want to be free, I don't know how much longer I can continue this."

"Perfect! Don't worry Abigail, your life's about to change.

Abby smiled, but again she sees Lilly's face and thinks she almost seems too happy, too much of a smirk. Weird.

Lilly stood, Abby followed suite. Lilly then reached in and kissed Abby on the cheek, well almost the corner of her mouth. She then ran off.

Abby wasn't sure what really was happening? She agreed, but could Lilly really help her? She had her doubts.

Abby's doubts were gone the next morning.

Her father was taking her and her stepmother into town, as he had business to attend to. He'd gone down to the car already, and her stepmother had followed. Abby was running late though. She could hear his yells, getting impatient with her. So she rushed her second shoe on and made her way out of the house and onto the walkway towards the drive. Before she could take another step though, she heard a noise and then the car exploded. She fell backwards from the blast, but otherwise was not hurt.

What had just happened? Abby yelled for help and before long she there were trucks and sirens sounding. She was taken to the hospital to be checked, but was okay and then someone from child services had come for her and taken her home.

The day of the funeral came, and she didn't cry. She couldn't cry for him, not after he'd been the one responsible for her mother's death. And her stepmother, well not her either. Who could know about a child being abused and never say a word? However, Abby was still in shock. How had this happened? Here she had planned on getting free of them, and now they were dead.

Wait, was that just a coincidence? She got her answer though, when she saw Lilly standing across the cemetery. Lilith smirked, this time Abby knew. This was...had Lilith planned this? That didn't make sense though, because she said 10 years. He couldn't get to her in 10 years, he was dead.

The service was over and Abby ran. She went further into the cemetery, behind several trees. Lilly showed up.

"Did you do this? They're dead!"

"Me? No, I didn't...but someone who works for me did."

Lilly's eyes turned red. However, it was fake. She didn't show her true color.

"What? What are you talking about? You're just...

"Not who you think? My name is Lilith. And you Abigail, agreed to this. You made the deal. You wanted to be free."

"I didn't say to kill them."

"Well you didn't say not to. Isn't this what you really wanted? He killed mummy, and now he's gone. You're free now, and you got justice."

"How could you..."

"How, oh honey, it's what demons do."

"Demons? That's not...you're not...not possible."

"Definitely possible. Look, you can't take it back okay? Too late. I had my fun here with you. Now it's your turn. Go do whatever you want Abby."

"No you said...you said 10 years of freedom, but he's dead."

"I know...10 years without him and then you'll have to join him...in Hell. Sorry dear.

"What!? NO..."

"Like I said, you agreed. It's done. See you in 10 years. I so can't wait!"

Abby stayed at the cemetery, though she knew there were people with the child services waiting for her. She went back to the grave, but not her fathers. She stood in front of the one a few spots from him.

Isabela Marie Wilkinson.

1963-1990. Devoted Mother and Wife.

She never let herself cry around him. He didn't like it. So now, she was going to let herself cry just this once before she left. Abby missed her mother. The mother that actually loved her, and fought hard to try to take her daughter and leave. If only he hadn't caught her.

Abby didn't have a choice. So she did what she could, try to live. Except she didn't want to, she wanted a way out. But how? So she spent a few years in the system, and finally ran away when she was 16. Not too long after that, she got herself over to the States.

This is where her story really starts.