Chapter 14: Behind The Iron Gate.

ELENA

“I'm sorry… about your husband,” I said, breaking the silence that settled between me us in her car.

Her mouth curved into a smile, “It's been twenty-eight years. I visit once a year.”

The car heater hummed, pushing out an invisible ribbon of warmth that barely touched the chill clinging to my clothes. I welcomed it, yet reminded myself it was only temporary.

Outside, the city’s night thinned to gray. Streetlamps blinked off one after another as the city stirred.

Julia kept her eyes on the road.

I sat stiffly, my hands clasped. The smell of damp earth still clung to my jacket.

We turned into another street.

“You live around here?” she asked.

“No,” I answered.

She nodded once.

“Got family in Boston?”

There was another stretch of quiet, broken only by the muted thrum of tires against the asphalt.

“They’re… far,” I murmured.

“Did you spend the night there… Where I found you?” she asked.

I nodded, hugging myself as I recalled how terrifying the night was.

She glanced briefly at me, as if something more hovered on her tongue, then she returned her eyes to the road.

“I’ll fix you something warm once we get there.”

I turned my face toward the window. My sad reflection stared back at me.

“We're here.” Julia soon announced.

I straightened at the sight of a wrought-iron that loomed as we neared.

Huge, black, and gleaming, it was the sort of gate that guarded powerful people with powerful secrets.

There was no way a shelter looked like this.

Something in my chest knotted. Then, a sickening thought hit me like a cold wave.

What if…?

I snapped my gaze to Julia. She simply smiled.

My heart hammered, my eyes widening.

How could I have been so careless? Julia may be with the scorpion tattoo men.

My body longed for the promised warmth, but dread sliced through the fog of fatigue.

I couldn't take the risk. If Julia was working for them…

If I let her drive me through this gate, I was as good as dead.

My every muscle tensed.

One hand fumbled with the seatbelt, and the other shoved hard against the door.

The door latch caught.

The gate drew closer.

At the top of my voice, I screamed, “Let me out!”

~~~~~

JULIA

Julia was startled.

However, she recognized Elena’s reaction for what it was.

Terror.

Slowing to a stop, she turned off the ignition and raised both hands, facing Elena.

“Easy,” she said in a firm, steady voice, “It's alright. Elena. It's safe here.”

“You said it was a shelter,” Elena lashed. Her eyes darted to the looming gate, her body wound tight like a spring.

“It is. Look.” Julia pointed at the arch above the gate.

Elena looked.

The bold bronze letters read:

“The Banks’ Family Center”

Her frown didn't ease up. Not yet, but her panic had dulled a notch. “You work here? What- what do you do here?” she asked.

Slowly, Julia dropped her hands. “We provide basic care for children in need.”

Her brows furrowed.

“Like… an orphanage?”

“Even better.” Julia smiled, pleased at the small glint of curiosity. “And if you allow me, I'll show you around after you're rested.”

Elena searched her face thoughtfully. She shook her head, lowering her voice. “I won't be long.”

“You have some place to be?”

Elena dropped her gaze.

“Not exactly.”

“Please don't make me send you back to the cemetery,” Julia said with a hint of humor. “I could never face my husband ever again.”

Uncertainty settled over Elena’s face, softening her features.

“And I won't be able to sleep at night,” Julia added, easing back, voice calm. “You can leave anytime you want. I promise.”

Elena’s shoulders finally eased, a tiny nod betraying the first crack in her armor.

Julia felt a small wave of relief but kept it guarded.

The gate swung open.

The driveway stretched ahead, paved with natural stones and flanked by trees, creating a calm, welcoming path to the main complex of the establishment.

She turned again to Julia.

“Okay.”

Julia’s smile, just enough to let Elena see that the offer was genuine, not patronizing.

“Good,” she said, easing back into the driver’s seat. “Let's get going.”

She started the car again, rolling forward along the driveway. The morning sun filtered through the branches, casting long, calm shadows across the stones.

“Once we’re inside,” Julia continued gently, “you'll get something warm, some rest, and maybe even a shower. Then… we'll see how you feel about the rest.”

Elena didn’t reply, but the small nod she gave was enough. Her fingers tapped nervously against her knees as she watched the trees pass by, shadows stretching and retreating across the seat.

The gate closed silently behind them, cutting off the city’s chaos. For some reason, being behind the iron gate left Elena with a fragile sense of security - tentative, but real.

She leaned into the seat and let her eyes drift shut, taking in the feel of fleeting calm before the storm waiting for her outside the iron gate.

At the end of the drive, Julia led Elena down a corridor lined with framed drawings, her steps measured, as if giving Elena time to adjust. The air smelled faintly of citrus and disinfectant.

“Make yourself at home,” Julia said, opening the door to her office.

Her office was large and warm, furnished in polished wood and soft leather that spoke of quiet wealth.

Elena’s eyes swept the room slowly, finally resting on a couch big enough for three.

“Go on. Sit,” Julia said. “I'll get you something warm.” Julia went into an inner room.

Elena lowered herself into the couch cautiously, her hands curled tightly around her knees. The bright colors and gentle order about the place didn't feel like a trap. Rather, it eased her tension, ever so slightly.

Soon, Julia came back.

“Hot chocolate. It’ll do you some good,” she said, offering her a steamy mug.

Elena stared at it for a brief moment, the rich aroma stirring her hunger.

When she finally wrapped her hands around it, warmth seeped through her palms, She took a slow sip. The chocolate was thick, sweet, and grounding. Its warmth spread further through her body. She drank until the mug was empty.

The relief that tugged at her body was edged with gentle trembling. She had to lean on the armrest to steady herself.

Julia sat across from her, silent until Elena set the cup down on the side table. “Were you visiting the cemetery?” she asked gently.

Elena’s throat tightened. The words had sat in her chest all night. “Last night,” she said at last.

“Where from?”

Elena raised her eyes to meet Julia's, searching for a reason to hold back.

“You don’t have to tell me,” Julia added quietly.

Elena sighed.

“I took a night train from Lawrence.” A pause. “The man… who married me is after me.”