Ellie's Forgotten Fortune

Chapter 5: The Watcher in the Shadows

Ellie's eyes remained locked on the shadowy figure across the street, her heart pounding in her chest. The figure didn't move, didn't speak—just stood there, watching. It was impossible to tell if it was the same man who had chased them or someone new, but the intent was clear: they were being hunted.

“Ellie," Max whispered, his voice tight with fear. “We need to go. Now."

She nodded, tearing her gaze away from the figure, and followed Max as he ducked into a nearby doorway. They moved quickly but quietly, sticking to the shadows as they put distance between themselves and their pursuer.

“Who the hell was that?" Max hissed once they were a few blocks away, his breath coming in short, panicked gasps. “And why are they after you?"

Ellie shook her head, her mind racing. “I don't know. But it has to be connected to the journal. My father left it for a reason, and whoever's after me knows it's important."

Max ran a hand through his hair, his expression torn between fear and frustration. “This is insane, Ellie. You're talking about some kind of conspiracy, and I'm not sure I want any part of it."

Ellie grabbed his arm, her grip firm. “Max, I know this is dangerous. But I don't have a choice. If I don't figure out what's going on, I'm as good as dead. And if they find out you helped me, you could be in danger too."

Max stared at her, his jaw tightening. “You're not making this any easier, you know that?"

“I'm not trying to," Ellie said, her voice steady. “I'm just telling you the truth. You can walk away if you want, but I need your help. Please."

Max hesitated, his eyes searching hers. Finally, he let out a long breath and nodded. “Fine. But we're doing this my way. No more running blindly through the city. We need a plan."

Ellie nodded, relief flooding through her. “Okay. What's the plan?"

Max glanced around, his expression thoughtful. “First, we need to get off the streets. Somewhere safe, where they can't find us. Then we figure out who Julian Blackwood is and how to find him."

“Do you know somewhere we can go?" Ellie asked.

Max nodded. “Yeah. But you're not going to like it."

---

Twenty minutes later, they stood in front of a rundown building in one of the city's seediest neighborhoods. The sign above the door read *The Rusty Anchor*, and the faint sound of raucous laughter and clinking glasses spilled out into the street.

“A bar?" Ellie asked, raising an eyebrow.

“Not just any bar," Max said, pushing the door open. “This is where people come when they don't want to be found."

The inside of the bar was dimly lit, the air thick with smoke and the smell of stale beer. A handful of patrons sat at the bar or in shadowy booths, their faces obscured by the low light. Ellie felt out of place in her expensive clothes, but Max seemed right at home.

He led her to a booth in the back, where a man with a scar running down his cheek sat nursing a drink. He looked up as they approached, his eyes narrowing.

“Max," the man said, his voice gravelly. “What are you doing here?"

“I need a favor, Jack," Max said, sliding into the booth across from him. Ellie hesitated for a moment before sitting down beside him.

Jack's eyes flicked to Ellie, and he smirked. “Who's your friend?"

“This is Ellie," Max said, his tone firm. “And she's in trouble. We need information."

Jack leaned back in his seat, his expression unreadable. “Information's expensive."

Max reached into his pocket and pulled out a wad of cash, sliding it across the table. “This should cover it."

Jack raised an eyebrow but didn't touch the money. “What do you need?"

“We're looking for someone," Ellie said, her voice steady despite the fear gnawing at her. “His name is Julian Blackwood. Do you know him?"

Jack's expression darkened, and he leaned forward, his voice low. “You don't want to mess with Julian Blackwood. He's bad news."

Ellie's heart skipped a beat. “What do you mean?"

Jack glanced around before answering, his voice barely above a whisper. “Blackwood's a ghost. No one's seen him in years. But if he's involved in whatever trouble you're in, you'd be better off walking away."

Ellie shook her head. “I can't. He's the only one who can help me."

Jack studied her for a long moment before sighing. “Fine. But you didn't hear this from me. There's a guy who might know where to find Blackwood. Name's Victor Kane. He runs a pawnshop on the East Side. But be careful—Kane's not exactly the friendly type."

Ellie nodded, her mind racing. “Thank you."

Jack picked up the money and tucked it into his pocket. “Don't thank me yet. If Blackwood's involved, you're in way over your head."

As they stood to leave, Ellie couldn't shake the feeling that Jack was right. But she didn't have a choice. She had to find Julian Blackwood—no matter the cost.

***

The figure stepped into the dim glow of the streetlamp, revealing a man in his late thirties with sharp features and a cold, calculating expression. His dark coat hung loosely around his frame, and in his hand, he twirled a knife with practiced ease. The blade caught the light, glinting dangerously as he smirked at Ellie and Max.

“Well, well," the man said, his voice smooth but laced with menace. “Looks like you two have been busy. Running all over the city, asking questions. You're making my job a lot harder than it needs to be."

Ellie's breath caught in her throat, her mind racing. This wasn't the same man who had chased them earlier. This was someone new—someone who seemed even more dangerous.

Max stepped in front of Ellie, his hands raised in a placating gesture. “Look, 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. You're not the one I'm after. But if you get in my way, I won't hesitate to cut you down."

Ellie's chest tightened, but she forced herself to stay calm. 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 amused by her bravery. “You've got something I need. A little book, maybe? Hand it over, and I might let you walk away. For now."

Ellie's stomach dropped. They knew about the journal. How many people were after it? And how much danger was she really in?

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 smirk faded, replaced by a cold, hard stare. “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 feet 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.