Chapter 63

• ALICE
• Since I made the call, I hadn't known peace. It wasn't guilt. I very much knew what was going to happen to Eloise and her brother when I informed Judas Carnation about his daughter. The trouble that I faced was when I would hear some tragic news. Judas' main target was his daughter but there was a big fat chance that others would be caught in the crossfire. Some days later, the effort of my hard work came to fruition, the day strings of murders came ringing into the Gardenia house. Someone had murdered some individuals working in a diner at Ashlake. The supposed unfortunate news was followed by another mother. A woman with the surname Carter had been brutally murdered. This time she hadn't been killed with the typical weapon. The stories they spun made me remember who else had died like that. Fadia Carnation. Eloise's biological mother. Joy could not describe the feelings I experienced. My heart was wrung and I couldn't stop smiling throughout that day. An added bonus was Declan got a call by afternoon that Eloise Carter has vanished. It was enough for me. I slept well for the first time in a long time.
• However, the next morning, I was woken up by a loud bang at the door. It was early. The sun still didn't rise from the horizon. I thought I must have imagined the noise. The door continued to bang and I realized I was wide awake and not imagining it. I rolled out of bed and shuffled over to the door to demand who it was. I was steps away from the door when the last bang happened and the door flew open. Outside stood three men. Gardenia Sentinels to be precise. They didn't look like they were here to chit chat either. Their weapons were drawn in their hands and directed at me. It was as of they were waiting for me to make a stupid choice. I immediately began to shake but forced myself not to run back to the safety of my bed. My mind raced with every possible outcome as I assessed these men. They all seemed to know the drill. I wondered what they wanted. Did my actions piss Declan so bad that he wanted vengeance and quick? I stood my ground. I was innocent until proven guilty.