A year later, on her thirteenth birthday, Lilith woke up with a strange feeling in her chest. Something like a premonition that this day would be different. On the kitchen table, pancakes awaited her – a rare treat that her mother prepared only for special occasions.
"Happy birthday, my little one," her mother said, hugging her. Her embrace was tighter than usual, as if she wanted to stop time.
"Thanks, Mom." Lilith smiled, feeling the warmth of her mother's arms. "They smell amazing."
They sat down at the table, laughing and talking about trivialities. Her mother told her about the night Lilith was born – the storm, the lightning, and then the silence, as if the world had held its breath when Lilith opened her eyes for the first time.
"You were so tiny," her mother reminisced, her eyes glistening with tears. "But I knew you were special. From the very beginning."
Lilith wanted to respond, but she was interrupted by a sound. Loud, insistent – knocking at the door. Both froze. No one had ever knocked on their door before.
"Stay here," her mother whispered, standing up. Her hands trembled as she walked to the hallway.
Lilith didn't listen. Quietly, she followed her mother, her symbiotic body instinctively becoming lighter, almost invisible in the shadows. From behind the slightly ajar door, she saw her mother opening the door. On the porch stood three people: an elderly man in a wheelchair, a woman with dark skin and white hair, and a tall, muscular man with a menacing look.
"Good morning, Mrs. Carter," said the man in the wheelchair. His voice was calm but penetrating. "My name is Charles Xavier. This is Ororo Munroe and Logan. We've come to talk about your daughter."
Her mother paled. "I don't know what you're talking about. Please leave."
"We know that Lilith is special," Xavier continued, undeterred. "And we know that you're afraid for her. We want to help."
Lilith felt her heart beat faster. How did they know her name? Who were these people? Before she could think, her body reacted instinctively – she stepped out of the shadows, standing between her mother and the strangers. Her gold-red skin glowed menacingly, and her voice, though young, sounded confident.
"What do you want from us?" she asked.
Her mother grabbed her arm. "Lilith, go back inside!"
"They won't hurt her," Logan said, raising an eyebrow. "We're not here to fight, kid."
"Lilith, please, hear us out," Ororo added, stepping forward. Her voice was warm, almost maternal. "We run a school for young people like you. People who are... different. We want you to learn to control your abilities. So you can live a full life."
Lilith looked at her mother. She saw fear in her eyes, but also something new – a glimmer of hope. She knew her mother had sacrificed everything to protect her. But could she spend the rest of her life in hiding?
"Mom..." she began quietly. "Maybe this is a chance?"
Her mother closed her eyes, as if fighting with herself. After a long moment, she nodded. "Alright. But if anything happens to her, I'll find you. All of you."
Xavier smiled gently. "Mrs. Carter, I promise Lilith will be safe."
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