She said come inside and Ellie followed her into hell. Ellie had seen blood before, she'd seen it on her father's knuckles when he'd beaten a man in their drawing room for talking back. She'd seen it on the back of her cousin's head after he'd fallen down the marble stairs. She'd even seen it on her mother's hand once cut open by a shattered wine glass and stitched in silence. But this? This was different, this was raw, the warehouse door creaked open and Amy stepped inside without a second glance. Ellie hesitated for half a second before following her. The moment she crossed the threshold, the world changed, the air was thick, hot, Metallic and the sound low murmurs, faint whimpers, the distant clang of chains, it didn't sound like New York anymore it sounded like something older, deeper, darker. Amy walked like she was immune to it all, her heels echoed with unbothered rhythm, her coat swinging behind her like a warning. Ellie trailed behind her, heart pounding, every step deeper felt like stepping into a secret she could never unlearn.
What is this place? she whispered, Amy didn't look back, My business… and what's your business? Power. They turned a corner and that's when Ellie saw it, A man no, a boy not much older than her hung upside down from a meat hook, blood dripping from his nose, eyes half closed, chest rising and falling shallowly.
Further down, two more men were chained to the wall. One was unconscious, the other looked up as they passed and whimpered.
Ellie froze, they're alive? Amy said calmly, for now. What did they do? Amy finally stopped, turned, they lied to me about something that cost me a shipment, a man, and twenty five thousand dollars. So you're torturing them?
Amy stepped closer, I'm teaching them you only get one chance to lie to me. After that, I make sure you don't get another mouth to do it with. Ellie felt her throat tighten, you're not just a businesswoman? No, Amy said softly I'm what your grandmother pretends doesn't exist and what's that? A woman who doesn't need anyone to speak for her, they moved on. Past more rooms, more sounds, a door with something scratching behind it. A hallway that smelled like bleach and rust and something else Ellie couldn't name. It was terrifying and yet, she couldn't leave.
Amy Finn was watching Ellie, not just with her eyes, but with every sense she had. The girl walked like she wanted to be brave but hadn't yet earned the right. She looked at the horrors without flinching, but her hands shook. Amy admired that, I shouldn't have brought you here, Amy said suddenly. Ellie turned, then why did you? Amy paused, considered because I wanted to see if you'd run. And if I had? I'd know you weren't ready. Ready for what? Amy stepped close too close and brushed a drop of blood off Ellie's collar "Me".
Her breath stopped, Amy's touch hadn't even landed just a brush featherlight and yet Ellie felt it everywhere. You keep saying I don't know what I'm doing, Ellie said; You don't.
But you haven't sent me away either, Amy looked down at her because you're not like the others. What others? The ones who follow me because they want power, or control, or
fear. And me? You follow me because you want truth. Ellie nodded, Yes. Truth hurts, Amy warned. So does everything that matters, Amy smiled then just a little.
They stopped in front of a heavy door steel, double locked, humming with energy, you don't go past this door, Amy said. Ever Why?
Amy's voice dropped. Because what's behind here... even I regret.
Ellie swallowed, and yet, you still come here. Amy's jaw clenched, because regret is part of the job.
Moment of stillness, they stood in the dark hallway, just the two of them, the danger hanging off every wall, screams echoing in the distance, blood drying in the air and still...
Still, Ellie didn't move away. You should be afraid of me, Amy said. I am, Ellie whispered. Then why are you still here? Ellie looked her dead in the eyes; because I think you're more afraid of yourself than I could ever be of
you. Amy's breath caught just slightly and in that silence something broke, something opened.