Eli pulled over to the side of the road across from the ruins of Springlawn Farm and turned off the car. He had been searching for Lili everywhere and found nothing. He had his doubts that she was here, but he didn't want to think of the alternative. His fear was that one of the Preacher-man's goons had managed to abduct her. As a last ditch effort he had driven out to the remains of Springlawn Farm because he remembered her saying something about liking this place because it was a good spot for thinking. If she wasn't here then he didn't know where else to turn except the police and given Levi Sethos connections, they were unlikely to be of much help.
Looking out of his window at the overgrowth, he could just make out the old dirt driveway that led up to what used to be Springlawn Farm. He didn't move, but sat there staring out at the thick foliage and the remnants of a path that had been strategically blocked by a large log. Clearly, whomever owned the property did not want people visiting. There is no family of albinos lurking in the woods to murder me, he silently reminded himself. He had heard the stories growing up and had always dismissed them. Even now, his rational-self found the stories ridiculous and yet there was something in the sight of that overgrown forgotten place that brought back every creepy story.
Taking a deep breath he got out of the car, but still didn't venture across the street right away. Urban legends or not, it was still trespassing and he really didn't want to get shot. Looking towards the nearly hidden road to the farm, his hand lightly brushed the well concealed Smith and Wesson 642 in his jeans to reassure himself. With a sigh, Eli crossed the road and climbed over the log, his sharp eyes taking in every detail of his surroundings. To his left he noticed a foundation that was just below the stone bridge. Given its proximity to the dry creek bed he could only surmise that it had once been an ice house or something. He continued on up the driveway, over a stone bridge then further up a gentle slope. At the top Eli stopped again as out of the greenery appeared a tall brick fireplace and chimney. Near the crumbling monolith were the remains of rock porch columns with brick steps in the middle. He walked over and walked up the stairs to where a porch would have been. All that remained was a large pit that he could only imagine must have been a basement. A series of concrete steps jutted out of the earth as the only trace of a cellar door.
What a strange place for anyone to visit. There was nothing here but trees, brush and the ruined finery of a bygone era that few people truly saw or appreciated. He wondered what the house must have looked like. The only real history he knew about that place was that it had burned to the ground in 1980. Eli turned around and looked across at a fairly clear space that obviously made up the original walkway to the porch with two short stone columns on either side. It was hardly a stretch of the imagination to think of fine ladies and gentlemen from society walking up this path.
Turning south his gaze fell upon a tall stone tower, like a silo that was built up of rocks. It was certainly imposing, but he doubted if anyone really knew what it had been built for any more. There were no windows or doors around it, only a metal ladder leading to the roof that seemed more like a circular battlement. On a whim he climbed all the way to the top, which wasn't easy, then looked around. Surely if Lilith was hanging around this melancholy property he could spot her from there. The view was amazing. On one side, through the trees, he could see a housing development that was built on a portion of the old farm land bearing its name. On the other side, he could just make out a small lake hidden in the trees. He could also see the ghosts of the other remaining buildings peeking out of the brush as if to say 'We can see you too'.
Noticing the unique and dilapidated chicken house, Eli started to walk to the other side of the tower only to have his foot accidently hit a piece of dirty plywood laying on the roof between the rock parapets. This seemed an odd place to find a random board, but then tennis shoes hanging from power lines was weird too. He might have dismissed it, but he suddenly noticed the edge of a metal frame sticking out from beneath the plywood. Eli knelt down and lifted it slightly revealing an opening that led inside the tower. A chill ran through him as he wondered what secrets were lurking within the stone edifice. A breeze swept through the trees that felt like a warning from something unseen and he dropped the plywood and decided it would be best if he got down and left this forsaken place.
Eli's descent down the ladder was probably the fastest he had ever made. Coming here was a foolhardy venture and he had wasted enough time. As far as he was concerned, Lilith wasn't here and he was glad. This was not a safe place for anyone, particularly a woman alone. With so many little buildings half hidden in the brush it seemed like a perfect place for a rapist or a murderer to hide, let alone the Preacher-man. Hastily he came around the ruins of the old front porch intent on getting to his car.
"Looking for someone?" said a familiar voice. Instantly Eli whirled around, his hand ready on his weapon. Sitting on the crumbling steps was Lilith watching him with a half-smile on her face as though she had been there the whole time.
"Where the Hell have you been?" he demanded, relaxing some, but still ready just in case someone else was hiding among the overgrown brush.
"I was just over there," she pointed at the half-hidden path that led through the overgrowth. "Doing some thinking over at the small abandoned lake. It's a rather peaceful place. Staring into the dark waters it's easy to contemplate your troubles and even discover solutions."
"I'm sure it's amazing," he answered, trying to stifle his annoyance. "Can we get going before someone calls the cops on us for trespassing or worse?"
"Go if you want," Lilith sniffed. "I never once asked for your company or help."
"Yes, I'm aware of that," he answered a bit annoyed at whatever game this was she was playing. "Is there a particular reason you decided to trespass here?"
"To pray, I suppose," she answered, looking around at the forgotten and crumbling farm around her.
"Is it working?"
