Chapter 25

Adam let out a relieved sigh when he finally spied Delilah’s house through the trees. It wasn’t a long walk, not for him, but he had so much going through his mind that he felt like he was in a daze. There were so many things he needed to talk to with Delilah that it was hard to even figure out what was the most important.

“Todd — super important. Even more urgent since it looks like he told my asshole father about the Cave. Delilah needs to know that. Although how I’m going to explain about what I just saw...”

Adam rubbed at his face. He felt tired, even if it wasn’t reflected in his body’s energy. Weary, that was more accurate. There was a tinge of fear as well, far beyond anything he had ever felt since first arriving at Serenity Falls. The powers he had gained ... they seemed inconsequential considering what he had just learnt. Or had been shown.

“That’s if it wasn’t just my mind tripping out. It’s not like I saw anything that I didn’t already know or could have conceivably dreamt up. Heh. Bit pointless to look for a rational explanation now.”

Adam took a deep fortifying breath. He wasn’t sure how he was going to begin explaining everything to Delilah, but it needed to be done. If anything, she could perhaps confirm a few things about the visions. Like if that last figure that Adam had seen — the one that had taken control — had indeed been her grandfather.

Adam walked up the stairs of the raised house, arriving at the front door. He raised his hand to knock, absently leaning over so that he could look in through the window. He blinked.

“What the...”

He stared, his mouth open. Through the window Adam could easily see into Delilah’s open living room, and the two figures seated on the sofa. There was an idle thought in the back of his mind. This wasn’t the first time that Adam had seen Delilah in a compromising situation through the window.

This was the more shocking though.

On the sofa, cuddled together, was Delilah and his mother.

Delilah was reclined back on the sofa with one leg raised on the cushion. Erin was nestled between her parted thighs, leaning against her, and resting the back of her head on Delilah’s shoulder. The dark-haired woman had one arm wrapped companionably around the waist of Adam’s mother, holding her close. Delilah’s other hand held her long pipe, and she was smoking it — blowing clouds of smoke up in the air. As Adam watched, she offered the pipe to his mother, letting Erin inhale some with a practiced air.

Adam was frozen as he watched. Not just because of what they were doing — and Adam had no idea why Delilah was offering his mother her pipe knowing what it did. No, it was because they were both nearly naked as they cuddled together.

Delilah was wearing a loose robe of the sort that Adam immediately recognised. It was pulled open, riding high on her thighs, and exposing her chest. The only reason that he couldn’t see her breasts was that his mother was nestled up against them. As for Erin, all she was wearing was a pair of panties. She was bare apart from that.

Adam swallowed. For the first time he was looking at his topless mother, her full breasts relaxed on her chest. She was gorgeous, the kind of beautiful that was somehow more appealing than Delilah’s perfect and flawless body. She looked happy as well. She smiled as Delilah kissed the top of her head, then laughed and playfully swatted at the dark—haired woman’s hand as she casually fondled Erin’s breast.

“Mom...?”

His dick stiffened in his pants. Adam had been worked up ever since his foray into the Cave. He had tried to ignore it though, tried to push it down. He wasn’t even sure if the arousal he had been feeling was his alone. To make things worse, Adam could still recall the sensation of mother beneath him, the look on her face as he stripped her ... Everything Adam had seen in those visions he had lived, even if the thoughts hadn’t been his own.

His mother looked so unbelievably lovely though.

Adam was conflicted. He had no claim over his mother. Did he? She looked happy, far more relaxed than he had ever seen her. He shouldn’t hold that against Delilah. But still ... Adam turned to look over his shoulder at the surrounding forest. This complicated matters. He was almost tempted to leave and come back later, but it was too urgent. If it was just about what he had seen in the Cave he could put it off. But not with Todd running around doing who knows what.

When Adam had first gained his abilities, it had been a constant temptation to use them to get what he wanted — once he had figured out what was going on anyway. Todd appeared to be different. His quick turn around to the point where he was actively controlling women was ... worrying. Even if he was using them in a way that Adam was unfamiliar with. The guy seemed to be ‘blanking’ women, turning them into obedient slaves. He had done that to Tessa. Had almost done it to Fiona. Adam had to assume that he was a danger to other women as well.

“I can’t let that slide. Delilah has to know about it.”

Adam turned and opened the front door, striding into the house before he had time to second guess himself. Both women on the sofa whipped around to face him, their mouths falling open in surprise. His mother made an abortive motion to cover her chest, but then stopped. Perhaps realising that it was slightly futile. She gave her son a slow smile, her cheeks a little pink.

“Adam. I — I wasn’t expecting to see you here.”

Delilah was silent, just watching him steadily. Adam frowned. Something ... something wasn’t right. His mother was blinking slowly at him, still smiling. Seemingly unconcerned that she was sitting topless before him.

Adam realised that he was staring at his mother’s breasts, and jerked his eyes up to her face. He cleared his throat.

“Hey. Sorry. I guess I was — interrupting.”

Delilah gracefully slid out from behind Erin, getting to her feet. She closed her robe, tying it around her waist. It was short, barely reaching the tops of her thighs, but she was still far more dressed than Adam’s mother. She looked at Adam, her expression searching.

“That’s alright ... young man. I guess you weren’t to know?”

Adam ignored her for the moment, instead focusing on his mother. She still seemed unconcerned about being discovered by her son.

Erin looked at Delilah covering herself, and then down at her exposed chest. She frowned slightly, her cheeks still pink. She got to her feet, not as graceful as Delilah. She turned on the spot, as if looking around for something to cover herself with. As Adam watched, his mother stumbled, only Delilah slipping an arm around her waist steadying her.

Erin laughed, free and happy.

“Whoops, I guess I’m still a little weak at the knees.”

Erin whispered into Delilah’s ear, letting out something that almost sounded like a giggle. Delilah gave her a soft smile in return, but she was still looking at Adam. Her cheeks were turning pink as well, and she seemed to be growing uneasy under his regard.

“Anytime, Lovely.”

Erin spied a cushion on the sofa, and picked it up — holding it over her chest. It didn’t do a whole lot to cover her breasts; Adam couldn’t help but focus on the soft swell of her underboob peeking out from below the cushion. He watched as his mother walked towards him, coming close. She touched his arm, her fingertips soft and lingering. She smiled.

“It’s good to see you. Did Emily tell you where I was?”

Adam swallowed, shuffling back slightly from his mother. She followed him, staying in contact. Her eyes looked ... strange. They weren’t blank or hazy, but her pupils were very dilated. Adam could feel the heat radiating from her, and it was only through supreme willpower that he kept his eyes from wandering down her exposed body. His muscles felt tight, his dick was throbbing.

“Uh, yeah, Mom. I didn’t expect to —”

Adam waved his hand absently. He wasn’t sure what he should say.

Erin laughed easily. She stroked her hand up and down his arm, moving a little closer. Her eyes were locked on his face. She licked her lips.

“It’s good ... to see you.”

Adam stared.

“Okay, Erin. Perhaps we should get you dressed?”

Delilah slid in smoothly between them, smiling into Erin’s face. Adam watched his mother blink, her brow furrowing.

“Dressed?”

Delilah smiled, taking hold of her arm and beginning to lead her to the bedroom. She whispered, but Adam could hear her easily.

“You are a little underdressed, Erin. And perhaps you should take a shower as well? Just freshen up so that you don’t give Adam too big a thrill.”

“Adam?”

Erin twisted in Delilah’s grip, losing her hold on the cushion. It fell to the floor, and Adam made a soft, strangled sound as he saw his mother’s bare breasts again. Delilah hurriedly blocked his view, almost pushing his mother towards the bedroom.

Adam walked over to the sofa as Delilah got his mother into the bedroom, closing the door to drown out the sound of Erin’s weak protests. He picked up Delilah’s still lit pipe, studying it.

“Your mother is going to take a shower so we should have a bit of time. As for my pipe — I hope you aren’t going to do anything unwise with that.”

Delilah had returned, keeping the couch between them. As Adam turned his attention to her, she gasped softly — tightening her flimsy robe around her body.

Adam frowned.

“I should be saying that to you. What exactly are you thinking?”

Delilah stared at him for a long moment, and then she shook her head as if to dispel her thoughts.

“Absolutely nothing. It’s perfectly safe —”

“That’s not what happened when I used it.”

Delilah sighed, knuckling her forehead. She placed her hands on the back of the sofa, leaning forwards as she spoke to him earnestly.

“Safe when it’s not you. Harmless — and quite beneficial.”

“And you just decided to let my mother use it? Have you told her anything about it?”

“No, I haven’t. She asked about it, and I let her. She’ll come to no harm from it.”

“Are you sure? She didn’t look ... right.”

Delilah’s hands tightened on the back of the sofa.

“That wasn’t from me, boy.”

“Oh really? You can just jump into bed with married women whenever it takes your fancy?”

Delilah’s lips flattened.

“When I want to, yes. When I like them.”

“You like her? You don’t even know her!”

Delilah shushed Adam, glancing towards her bedroom.

“And you do? Adam, can I not care for someone? Desire them? How quickly did you come to care for young Kendra? You were so upset when you thought you had hurt her.”

“I don’t want you playing games with her.”

Delilah’s lips thinned.

“I’m not playing — look, ignore that for a moment.”

“That’s a little hard to do.”

Delilah tensed, lowering her voice. Looking intent.

“Adam don’t — please. Just ... listen. You’re right about your mother being affected by something. But it wasn’t me.”

Adam blinked, taken aback.

“What? What happened to her?”

Memories of the visions he’d had flooded his mind — particularly the last one where Todd had ... Adam shook his head violently. Delilah’s eyes widened and she hesitated.

“Adam, it’s you. What happened? You feel so much stronger ... I felt it as soon as you walked into the room. And I shouldn’t have!”

“Wait. You mean I was that one that made my Mom —”

Delilah nodded. She looked almost sympathetic.

“She got the full force of it. Don’t worry too much, it shouldn’t be anything permanent. I just thought it would be best if I got her away from you as quickly as possible. It would be best if you were gone by the time she finished in my room.”

Adam shook his head, sighing. He was stronger? It must have been what he had experienced in the Cave. He was having trouble calming his emotions, and his visceral reaction to his mother’s near nudity had...

“I can’t. This is more important.”

“Adam, I cannot stress enough that you —”

“Delilah, it’s too late. I — I went back into the Cave. Just before I came here.”

Delilah’s face paled. She trembled for a second ... and then lashed out, her palm ripping through the air on its way to slap Adam’s face. He stepped backwards, absent-mindedly dodging her strike. Delilah stumbled, almost falling forwards over the back of the sofa.

Adam held up his hand.

“Look, forget that. It’s not the important bit. Well, it is, but —”

Delilah hissed, her eyes flashing.

“Not important? What is wrong with you! Everything that has happened, everything that you’ve done, and you go back there? What were you thinking? If you —”

“I found out who else has been there. The person that you saw the other night. It’s Todd, my cousin’s boyfriend.”

“— another thing, you didn’t...”

Delilah trailed off, her eyes widening. Her arms trembled, and her mouth hung open as she stared at Adam. She licked her lips.

“What did you say?”

Adam sat down in a chair with an exhausted sigh. He rubbed at his face.

“Todd. The Cave. He was the one you saw when you were swimming that night.”

Delilah stared at him for a long moment. She walked around the sofa, her steps ungraceful for once, and sat down gingerly on the sofa across from Adam.

“Are you — are you sure?”

“Yeah. I saw him. I saw him ... using it.”

Delilah took a deep breath, and then steeled her shoulders. She looked steadily at Adam.

“Start at the beginning.”

Adam told Delilah about earlier in the morning, after he and the girls had found his cousin alone at the pool. How confused she’d been, how ... blank.

“She was scared. When she remembered to be. She’d thought she’d done something wrong, that it was her fault. She told me that it was Todd.”

“That can’t be all of it.”

Adam shook his head.

“No, that’s not the worst of it. I left to find you, and then I saw him.”

“Todd?”

“Yeah. He was — he was talking to my father. Delilah, he told my dad about it. At least some of it.”

Delilah closed her eyes for a moment. She whispered something that Adam didn’t catch.

“How do you know?”

“Because — because I followed them. Back to their room. I saw Todd use his power on my aunt. Delilah, I saw him just ... switch her off. Like he was showing off for my dad! And then, they...”

Delilah raised a hand, looking ill.

“Say no more. I trust it was as unpleasant as I am picturing?”

“Yeah.”

“But why would he tell your father?”

Adam shrugged.

“He’s not smart? I don’t know, it doesn’t really matter. But it looked different when Todd used it. He was really concentrating. Almost straining. And like I said, he just turned my aunt off. She was like a doll they were ordering around.”

Delilah hugged her arms around herself. Her voice was soft as she spoke, almost like she was talking to herself.

“Poor unloved woman. That’s what I feared when the power found you. Yet you seem both stronger and weaker than him at the same time. I wonder...”

Delilah’s eyes sharpened.

“What happened next? Was that all?”

“No, I got into a fight with him.”

“From the look of you I take it you won that fight?”

Adam looked uncomfortable.

“Yeah, kinda. I shouldn’t have done it, but it happened so fast. And I wanted to. I wanted to hit him, to hurt him. When I had him on the ground, I almost...”

Adam trailed off, looking uncomfortable.

“It’s a shame you didn’t. It would have solved a lot of problems.”

Adam started at the cold tone in Delilah’s voice. She was pensive, biting at her thumbnail. When she saw Adam watching she hurriedly stopped, grimacing.

“Old habits. How badly is he hurt? Do we have much time?”

“Maybe bad? I don’t know. I think I broke some of his ribs.”

“You did? Good.”

Adam blinked.

“Why is it good?”

“Ribs take a while to mend. They are ... finicky. So you don’t know where he is?”

“No, he ran off.”

Delilah looked at Adam incredulously.

“And you just let him go?”

“Well there was someone with me. She made me stop, and —”

Delilah closed her eyes again.

“Another one. Fantastic, Adam.”

“No, it’s not like that. She was just helping me out, and —”

“Spare me the details. It doesn’t matter. But I can’t leave that bastard running around, assaulting my guests. Let alone your father...”

Delilah’s eyes flicked to Adam.

“Is that why you went back there?”

Adam took a deep breath.

“No. Not at first. I was just coming here. But, Delilah, when I was at the beach ... the Cave wasn’t there. But then it was!”

“ ... you know it vanishes. It didn’t appear for decades as far as I know.”

Adam shook his head.

“You don’t understand. It was just a crack in the wall the first time I saw it. But this time, when it appeared, it was huge. Like a massive tunnel.”

Delilah blanched.

“That’s what it was like when my grandfather ... And you just decided to walk in?”

“I wanted answers. And I got them, kind of. Even if it raised like, hundreds of new questions. But I saw things. People. And ... I was shown things too.”

Adam quickly gave Delilah a brief explanation of what he had seen. He tried to evoke some of the horror he had felt, the strangeness of it all. He needn’t have worried, because as soon as he described the third figure, Delilah looked like she was going to faint.

“Impossible.”

“It happened, I saw —”

Delilah shook her head. She leant forward, her tone harsh and strangled.

“No. Impossible! Don’t speak to me of —”

Adam took Delilah’s hands, squeezing them tight.

“I saw it. I saw ... what could have been? But then, the future?”

Adam saw Delilah take control of herself through sheer willpower.

“We can’t speak of it here. Not now.”

“We need to talk about it. And not just that, I need to know more about what happened last time. The things you haven’t told me.”

“I can’t — alright. Alright! We will. But not now, I think your mother is out of the shower. And there’s something more pressing.”

“Which is?”

Delilah gently disengaged her hands from Adams. She looked up at the ceiling for a moment.

“How sure are you that Todd told your father?”

“Pretty sure? They were talking pretty intently. And then with my aunt — it was like Todd was proving it to him.”

“I ... see. Circling back, you say that your cousin was in a strange state when you found her?”

Adam nodded.

“Yeah she was so skittish and confused. Scared. But she knew something had happened to her even if she didn’t know what.”

“Different from your aunt?”

“Maybe? I mean, it was like Tessa wasn’t even there anymore.”

“And do you know if Todd has interacted with anyone else?”

Adam thought for a minute. In the closed bedroom he could hear the door in Delilah’s ensuite bathroom open. His mother would be out shortly.

“Actually ... Emily.”

“Your sister?”

“Yeah. She saw Todd yesterday, while Mom and I were on that hike. She didn’t know what he was doing, but from what she told me, he was trying to control her. He wouldn’t leave her alone. She ran away from him in the end.”

Delilah’s eyes widened.

“But she didn’t do what he wanted?”

“No. He was trying to get her to go into our room with him. Emily said he was getting pissed she wouldn’t do what he wanted. She even said that she almost did, that it was hard to resist ... huh.”

Delilah nodded.

“Exactly. Why didn’t she do what Todd wanted her to do? Why didn’t your cousin?

“Fiona was pretty messed up, but she did say he got angry and kicked her out. And Emily said that it was hard to resist, that she almost...”

Delilah sat pensively on the couch. She was chewing on her thumbnail again. She was muttering, softly enough that Adam only caught the occasional word.

“ ... protection? But not guaranteed...”

“What are you talking about?”

Adam saw Delilah give him a long look, like she was trying to see into his very soul. Weighing and judging him. She glanced behind her towards her bedroom where Erin was getting dressed. Then she stood up and walked before Adam, looking down into his face. He shifted uncomfortably, trying to keep his eyes on hers, instead of her scantily clad body.

She murmured.

“Morality is so fleeting when you want to protect something. And I’ve always been selfish.”

“Huh?”

Before Adam could react, Delilah leant down and kissed him.

Adam’s eyes widened as she aggressively pressed her mouth to his. She stepped between his legs, pushing his knees apart, as her tongue slid between his lips. Delilah stroked his tongue with hers, exploring his mouth. She paused for breath, nipping at his bottom lip, before kissing him again, harder. Her hand was at the back of his head, gripping his hair almost painfully.

Adam was finding it hard to think straight. He would have pushed Delilah off of him, but his control — so tenuous since his foray into the Cave — was slipping. Even throughout their entire conversation, Adam had been so horny, so intent upon Delilah’s barely clad body, that it had been hard to focus on what he had been saying.

Delilah slid her free hand down the front of Adam’s chest, digging her fingers into his skin through his shirt. She kept going, splaying her fingers across the bulge in his pants. Adam groaned as she gripped his dick through his shorts, measuring and stroking his length. Stimulating him until Adam was throbbing and twitching beneath her touch.

Delilah shrugged her robe open, and then pulled Adam’s face between the soft expanse of her breasts, rubbing herself on him while still gripping and fondling his erection.

Adam was so worked up he was about to grab Delilah, throw her on the ground and cover her body with his, when she suddenly danced away from him. He sat there, panting. His pants bulging with his erect dick, staring in confusion at Delilah as she quickly retied her robe.

Delilah walked swiftly to her bedroom door, smiling widely as Erin opened it and walked out. His mother was dressed in a shortsleeved button-up top and a pair of shorts. Adam couldn’t help but notice she wasn’t wearing a bra, just what looked like a white singlet under her shirt.