Ellie's Forgotten Fortune

Chapter 4: Into the Shadows

The city was alive with noise and light, a stark contrast to the quiet, manicured grounds of the Whitmore estate. Ellie moved through the crowded streets, her hood pulled low over her face, her father's journal pressed tightly against her chest. Every shadow seemed to hold a threat, every stranger a potential enemy. She didn't know who was after her, but she couldn't take any chances.

She had spent the last few hours wandering aimlessly, her mind racing as she tried to piece together a plan. Julian Blackwood was her only lead, but she had no idea where to find him. The name wasn't familiar, and without access to her father's contacts or resources, she was flying blind.

Her stomach growled, a reminder that she hadn't eaten since the morning. She glanced at a nearby food cart, the smell of roasted nuts making her mouth water, but she didn't have any money. Vivian had made sure of that. All she had was the journal, the clothes on her back, and the small emerald necklace she had slipped into her pocket before leaving the estate—a last, desperate connection to her old life.

Ellie ducked into an alleyway, her back pressed against the cold brick wall as she tried to catch her breath. She needed to think. She needed to find someone who could help her. But who could she trust?

Her thoughts turned to Max, the street-smart teenager who had helped her survive when she was first cast out. He had betrayed her, yes, but he also knew the city better than anyone. If anyone could help her find Julian Blackwood, it was him.

But finding Max wouldn't be easy. The last time she had seen him, he had taken Vivian's money and disappeared. Still, it was a risk she had to take.

Ellie pushed off the wall and stepped back into the street, her eyes scanning the crowd. She needed to get to the East Side, where Max used to hang out. It was a dangerous part of the city, especially at night, but she didn't have a choice.

She was about to start walking when a hand grabbed her arm, yanking her into another alley. Ellie stumbled, her heart leaping into her throat as she turned to face her attacker.

But it wasn't an attacker. It was Max.

“Ellie?" he said, his voice a mix of surprise and guilt. “What are you doing here?"

Ellie stared at him, her mind struggling to process what she was seeing. Max looked different—older, harder, his once-boyish face now sharp with angles and shadows. But his eyes were the same, wide and wary, like a cornered animal.

“Max," she breathed, her voice trembling. “I… I need your help." She rubbed her shoulders as if she was comforting herself.

Max's expression darkened, and he glanced over his shoulder before pulling her deeper into the alley. “You shouldn't be here, Ellie. It's not safe."

“I don't have anywhere else to go," she said, her voice breaking. “Vivian… she took everything. And now someone's after me. I don't know who they are, but they're dangerous."

Max's jaw tightened, and he looked away. “I can't help you, Ellie. I'm sorry."

Ellie's chest tightened, but she refused to back down. “Please, Max. I wouldn't ask if I had any other choice. I just need to find someone. His name is Julian Blackwood. Do you know him?"

Max's eyes flicked back to hers, and for a moment, she thought she saw a flicker of recognition. But then he shook his head. “Never heard of him."

Ellie's heart sank, but she wasn't ready to give up. “Max, please. I know you're angry with me, and I don't blame you. But this isn't just about me. My father… he left me something. Something important. And I think Julian Blackwood knows what it is."

Max hesitated, his eyes searching hers. “Why should I care about your father's secrets?"

“Because it's not just about me," Ellie said, her voice fierce. “Vivian's destroying everything he built. And if I don't stop her, she's going to hurt a lot of people. People like you."

Max's expression softened, and for a moment, Ellie thought she had gotten through to him. But then he shook his head again. “I'm sorry, Ellie. I can't."

He turned to leave, but Ellie grabbed his arm. “Max, wait. Please. I don't have anyone else."

Max stopped, his shoulders tense. He didn't turn around, but he didn't pull away either. “You shouldn't trust me, Ellie. I'm not the person you think I am."

“I don't care," Ellie said, her voice firm. “I trust you more than anyone else right now. And I need your help."

Max was silent for a long moment, his back still to her. Then, finally, he sighed. “Fine. But this is the last time, Ellie. After this, we're done."

Ellie nodded, relief flooding through her. “Thank you, Max. I won't forget this."

Max turned to face her, his expression grim. “Don't thank me yet. Finding Julian Blackwood isn't going to be easy. And if what you're saying is true, we're both in danger."

Ellie's heart pounded, but she forced herself to stay calm. “I know. But we don't have a choice."

Max nodded, his eyes scanning the alley. “We can't stay here. Follow me."

He led her deeper into the shadows, his movements quick and sure. Ellie followed close behind, her mind racing. She didn't know what lay ahead, but for the first time since her father's death, she felt a flicker of hope.

But as they turned a corner, a figure stepped out of the darkness, blocking their path. Ellie's breath caught in her throat as the man stepped into the light, his face obscured by a hood. In his hand was a knife, its blade glinting in the dim light.

“Well, well," the man said, his voice low and menacing. “Looks like we've found our little runaway."

Ellie's heart stopped. They had found her.

The man stepped closer, the knife in his hand catching the faint light from the streetlamp at the end of the alley. His face was still hidden in the shadows of his hood, but his voice was cold and deliberate, sending a shiver down Ellie's spine.

“You've been causing quite a stir, little heiress," he said, his tone almost mocking. “Running around the city, asking questions. You should know better than to poke your nose where it doesn't belong."

Ellie's heart pounded, her mind racing. How had they found her so quickly? And who were they working for? Vivian? Or someone else entirely?

Max stepped in front of her, his hands raised in a placating gesture. “Look, man, we don't want any trouble. Just let us go, and we'll forget this ever happened."

The man chuckled, a low, humorless sound. “Sorry, kid. This isn't about you. But if you get in the way, I won't hesitate to cut you down too."

Ellie's breath hitched. She couldn't let Max get hurt because of her. She stepped out from behind him, her voice trembling but defiant. “What do you want from me?"

The man tilted his head, as if considering her question. “You've got something we need. A little book, maybe? Hand it over, and we'll let you walk away. For now."

Ellie's stomach dropped. They knew about the journal. How could they possibly know? Unless… unless they had been watching her for longer than she realized.

She clutched her bag tighter, the journal inside feeling like a ticking time bomb. “I don't know what you're talking about."

The man's grip on the knife tightened, and he took another step forward. “Don't play dumb, sweetheart. It's not a good look."

Max glanced at Ellie, his eyes wide with fear and urgency. “Ellie, whatever he's talking about, just give it to him. It's not worth dying over."

Ellie shook her head, her jaw tightening. “No. This is all I have left. I'm not giving it up."

The man sighed, as if disappointed. “Wrong answer."

He lunged forward, the knife slicing through the air. Max grabbed Ellie's arm and yanked her out of the way just in time, the blade missing her by inches. They stumbled backward, their feet slipping on the wet pavement.

“Run!" Max shouted, shoving Ellie toward the mouth of the alley.

Ellie didn't need to be told twice. She turned and sprinted, her heart pounding in her ears. Behind her, she could hear the man's footsteps, heavy and relentless, as he gave chase.

Max was right beside her, his breath coming in ragged gasps. “This way!" he yelled, grabbing her arm and pulling her down a narrow side street.

They weaved through the maze of alleys, their pursuer close behind. Ellie's legs burned, her chest heaving, but she didn't dare slow down. She could hear the man's voice, taunting them, growing closer with every step.

“You can't run forever!" he called, his voice echoing off the walls.

Ellie's mind raced. They couldn't keep this up. They needed a plan, a way to lose him. But the streets were unfamiliar, and the man was gaining on them.

And then, up ahead, she saw it—a flicker of light, the sound of voices. A crowded street. If they could just make it there, they might be able to lose him in the crowd.

“There!" she gasped, pointing.

Max nodded, and they pushed themselves harder, their shoes slapping against the pavement. The man was right behind them now, his breath hot on their necks.

Just as they reached the edge of the alley, the man's hand closed around Ellie's arm, yanking her back. She cried out, struggling against his grip, but he was too strong.

“Got you," he growled, his voice triumphant.

But before he could say anything else, a loud c***k echoed through the alley, and the man's grip loosened. He stumbled backward, clutching his head, and Ellie saw Max standing there, a brick in his hand.

“Let her go!" Max shouted, his voice shaking but fierce.

The man growled, his eyes blazing with anger, but before he could recover, Ellie grabbed Max's hand and pulled him into the crowd.

They didn't stop running until they were several blocks away, their lungs burning, their legs trembling. Ellie leaned against a wall, trying to catch her breath, her mind reeling.

“Who the hell was that?" Max demanded, his voice panicked. “And what the hell is in that journal, Ellie?"

Ellie shook her head, her hands trembling as she clutched her bag. “I don't know. But whatever it is, it's worth killing for."

Max stared at her, his face pale. “This is bad, Ellie. Really bad. If they're willing to go this far, they're not going to stop until they get what they want."

Ellie's chest tightened, but she forced herself to stay calm. “Then we need to find Julian Blackwood before they do."

Max hesitated, then nodded. “Fine. But after this, we're done. I'm not dying for your family's secrets."

Ellie didn't argue. She knew Max was right—this was bigger than either of them. But as she glanced over her shoulder, her heart still racing, she couldn't shake the feeling that they were being watched.

And then, in the shadows of the alley across the street, she saw it—a figure, standing perfectly still, their face hidden in the darkness. Watching. Waiting.