The Accomplice

    "Glad you could make it," Griffith spoke, his voice low as Lilith joined him at the playground. Lilith gave him a small, simple nod of acknowledgement but said nothing. She sat across from him on the seesaw and the two began slowly going up and down.

    "Why did you tell me to come here?" Lilith questioned, examining their surroundings as she did. The place was abandoned and clearly had not been used for many years. The seesaw made creaking noises as it went up and down, the chains of the swings were rusted, and the jungle gym was covered with Sharpie graffiti that had been added to over the years. The late evening sky was grey; the sunset drowned out by dreary, thick clouds. A cool wind blew through the air, sending chills down Lilith's spine. The place felt eerie and almost haunted, yet here she was.

    "You will see in due time," he answered her. Griffith's words sounded quite ominous, which only added to Lilith's fears. What did he want from her? What would he do to her to get what he wished for? When would it happen, and when would Lilith be able to escape this horrid playground?

    "You have something that I want, Lilith Corbette," Griffith told her, avoiding eye contact by lowering his darkly tinted sunglasses. Between that and the hood hanging over his head, Lilith could hardly see his face. 

    "How do you know my last name?" Lilith inquired, her heart beginning to beat just a little bit faster. She had never told Griffith anything as personal as that. She didn't trust him nearly enough to give him specific information about her. 

    "I have my ways," Griffith said with a nonchalant shrug. A small smirk played on his lips as he noticed the fear Lilith failed miserably to hide. Her eyes were wide, a crease had formed between her furrowed brows, and her mouth was slightly down turned, forming a frown. It was hard to miss such obvious distress. "You needn't be so frightened, Lily, dear," he assured her, using the nickname only Lilith's closest friends knew.

        Where is he getting such private details about me? Lilith wondered, trying to calm herself. She had never been skilled at concealing her fear, but she would have to if she wished to make it out of this caper unscathed. "What do you want for me?" she asked him, attempting to sound strong and confident. There was not much else she could do at this point for she knew she would never be able to run without getting caught. Lilith had never been a swift, talented runner. After briefly examining Griffith, she knew that she would never be able to outrun a man with such long, fast legs.

    "I do not ask for much; just one small thing. Surely you will be able to spare something as worthless as this," Griffith spoke, peering through his shades to watch Lilith with keen eyes.

    "What is it?" Lilith asked him, feeling slightly calmer now that she knew Griffith didn't want much from her.

    Griffith sat silently, staring at Lilith intently. His lips were pressed in a thin line, and his fingers tapped rhythmically against the handle of the seesaw. Lilith watched him anxiously, waiting for him to reveal what he wanted from her.

    "Well... what is it?" Lilith pressed, eyeing him with forced, faked confidence.

    Griffith continued to sit silently. 

    "What?" Lilith asked, growing tired of the silent game Griffith was playing.

    "I want your life!" Griffith finally burst. He abruptly rose from the seesaw, sending Lilith down onto the ground. She shrieked as Griffith drew closer to her, his tall frame looming over her in a spooky, dominant manner. Lilith tried to get on her feet and hurry away, but Griffith grabbed her by the neck of her shirt, stopping Lilith in her tracks.

    "Get away from me!" Lilith exclaimed, her voice raising an octave from the extreme nerves Griffith caused her to feel.

    "No, no, no, Lilith, dear," Griffith hushed her, suddenly sounding gentle, yet still menacing. "I spoke far too harshly. I do indeed want to take your life, but not in the way that you are imagining," he informed her. "I merely want you as... a servant."

    "A servant?" Lilith repeated, raising an eyebrow. Things could be much worse. He could have wanted to take my life by killing me.

    "Yes, a servant," Griffith confirmed. "Unless, of course, you do not cooperate. I run a tight ship in my house--actually, in my mansion," he told her, grinning mischievously as he mentioned his mansion. "If you fail to meet the things I require of you, then you will be dealt with in some way or another. What that way will be I am not sure of yet, but it shall fit the circumstance, should the need for a punishment ever arise. Is that understood?"

    Lilith began to nod, then she shook her head. Griffith's brows furrowed, and she could see the anger forming in his eyes, but she tried her best to ignore it. "Why do you want me as your servant? What is your reason for making me do such a thing for you? You deserve nothing from me, so why should I give you anything?" she asked him, trying her best to keep her voice stern and firm.

    "Come with me, and I shall explain," Griffith told her, dragging Lilith by the collar of her shirt. The two went under the jungle gym, trying not to bump their heads on it and each other as they did. "I do not need you as a servant to mop my floors and wash the dishes, if that is what you are imagining," he said. He kept his voice low and hushed, so Lilith reminded herself to do the same if she were to ever speak. "I say servant, but I really mean something more like... an accomplice.

    "I'm on a mission, Lilith Corbette," Griffith said, using Lilith's full name once again. "I have been sent by a secret organization to gather spies and agents to complete this mission. You will find out more about it once you come with me, but for now, do not ask questions."

    "But what is the secret organ--"

    "I said don't ask questions!" Griffith exclaimed, nearly bonking his head on the jungle gym. "Now, will you come with me?" he asked her, making his voice just a little gentler. He released her shirt and held out his large, callused hand.

    Lilith hesitated, biting her lips together apprehensively. "Do I have a choice?" she inquired softly. Although she now knew more about why Griffith needed her, she was still scared of what was to come. 

    Griffith shook his head. "You don't have much of a choice."

    Taking in a deep breath, Lilith put her small hand in Griffith's. "Then I suppose I'll go."