Chapter 5
CHAPTER FIVE
EVERLY
W ith my visitor’s name tag secured to my dress, I scurry down the hallway and use the back door to exit the administrative office.
The sight that greets me is breathtaking.
The gentle rolling landscape and scattered trees are stunning, even more so are the mountain peaks that rise in the distance.
It's the buildings of Serenity Falls that really steal the show though. They’re straight out of a Gothic architecture magazine.
They’re tall and imposing, giving off both sophistication and an eerie, haunted feel.
Pointed roofs, flying buttresses, and even a few gargoyles decorate most of the buildings.
The dark windows, some stained with colors, others just tinted, add to the mystery and beauty of the place.
As my eyes dart from building to building, the hair on my arms begins to rise.
It feels like I’m being watched.
This isn’t the first time I’ve been on the property; it’s just the first time I’ve used the entrance. Taking in Serenity Falls in all its glory like this is a bit overwhelming. Orienting myself is harder than I thought, and I’m momentarily rooted to the spot.
“First time visiting Serenity Falls?”
“Oh!”
I whirl around with a yelp to come face-to-face with the most attractive man I’ve ever seen.
The first thing I notice is how tall he is.
I’m not short, at five eight I’m taller than the average woman.
But this guy? He has to be six three, maybe six four?
He’s probably a few years older than me, in his late-twenties or so.
He has a clean shaven face and a nice taper fade.
His umber-brown skin, a few shades darker than my own, is smooth and flawless.
He’s got a sharp jawline and strong shoulders.
His attire is simple: a fitted beige cable-knit sweater, dark jeans, and black shoes.
It's an understated look, but I know money when I see it.
Which is no surprise given that only families with deep pockets can afford to send their loved ones to a place like this.
The price of admission is staggering. Which makes me wonder why Father has Maverick here .
Why spend the money on keeping Maverick trapped at Serenity Falls? My stomach knots as I think of him.
He’s here, within reach. I just have to find him.
The handsome stranger is watching me intently, a mixture of amusement and bewilderment clinging to his expression.
It’s almost as if he can’t quite wrap his head around what he’s seeing.
Slowly, the man’s smile grows more secure as if he’s found whatever he was looking for in my face.
For a second, I have this overwhelming urge to look over my shoulder to make sure he’s not staring at someone behind me.
I’m not used to being approached so directly.
Typically, people look through me unless I have something they want.
Having this guy actually see me feels oddly wonderful and terrifying at the same time.
It makes my heart race and cheeks grow warm.
Or maybe it’s whatever I’m feeling radiating around him.
There’s a charge in the air, thickening the longer I stand in his presence.
It rolls over my body like a slow-moving wave that brings the fine hairs on the back of my neck and arms to attention.
The way it feels is what I think it might be like to sense lightning about to strike.
“Sorry, I didn't mean to startle you,” he says ruefully. “I thought you heard me approach.”
“N-no, I, ah, didn't.” I place a hand over my racing heart and will the pressure to help calm the fluttering down. “But it’s my fault for not paying attention. I was too busy admiring—” I drag my hand away from my heart to wave it awkwardly around “—all this.”
His smile remains as he nods. “I get it, Serenity Falls is certainly unique. But I think I’ve found something more beautiful than the scenery to stare at.”
“Oh.” I clear my throat, uncomfortable with the compliment and unsure how to handle it. “That’s, ah, sweet of you to say.”
“Sweet?” he repeats, his brows momentarily pinching together. They instantly smooth out. “Okay, sure. I was being sweet .”
Not sure how to respond to this, my head bows as I look back down at the map. “I guess I should get going. This place is so large…”
“If you’re going to have your eyes glued to the map, you’ll never get to enjoy all Serenity Falls has to offer. Why don’t I just take you there?” he offers quickly. “That way you can look around. I promise I’m an excellent tour guide.”
Jerking my head up to meet his dark eyes, I give him a relieved smile. “I’d appreciate that.”
He grins as if my acceptance is the best thing in the world to him. “Then what are we waiting for? Let’s get going.” He nods his head toward the left split at the fork in the walkway. Together we start in that direction. “I’m Braum, by the way. Braum Milligan.”
Milligan ? A soft gasp of surprise slips out before I can stop it as I give the guy beside me another appraising glance.
That explains the charge in the air. It’s power.
He flashes me a knowing look that dimples his left cheek.
I flush under the attention of a member of one of the most elusive, infamous families in the States.
A family with more power than the president—or so it’s said.
What is someone from the Milligan family doing here? I would’ve thought they would keep anyone in need of extra assistance of any kind behind closed doors. Then again, given how private this place is, maybe Serenity Falls is considered a closed door.
Judging by the expectant look Braum gives me, he’s waiting for the same, annoying questions he undoubtedly gets when people realize the family he belongs to. Rather than indulge my curiosity, I opt to hold my tongue.
“Anastasia,” I murmur, holding on to the lie I’ve created.
“It’s a pleasure to meet you, Anastasia,” Braum replies warmly.
If I weren’t so nervous about the impending reunion with Maverick, I’m pretty sure butterflies would take flight at the sight of the smoldering smile Braum gives me. As it is, my hands tremble with nerves.
“Serenity Falls is massive and set up a lot different than most psychiatrist facilities,” Braum begins as we stroll down the wide walkway.
“Rather than create a stifled, stale, and stiff environment, it’s said the founders split the facility up to help the mind’s healing process.
The entire property, referred to as the campus, was specifically designed to cater to every need of the patient.
The medical facility—the Williamson Health Center—has some of the best doctors and therapists in the country.
You can see the top of the roof just over there, behind the Barrington Regal House, which is where some patients reside. ”
I follow where he’s pointing, noting that the Barrington Regal House looks like a mini, three-story Gothic castle. I can also see the rooftop of the health center. The row of six small arched windows made of stained glass gives the roofline interest.
“You’ll also find some of the best educational programs here too, over in Bowbrook Academic Hall,” Braum continues, pointing across the park to the large building attached to an atrium.
“Professors from the best colleges travel here a few times a week to teach courses so students can get their degrees while they’re here. ”
I nod, wondering if Maverick has had a chance to take a few courses. He was a straight A student when I knew him. Anxiously, I twist the map of Serenity Falls between my hands as my gaze travels around us.
“Behind Bowbrook you’ll see Sortage Resident Hall, another building where patients' rooms are found.”
My gaze lingers on that building for a moment.
With a little help from a source, I managed to discover Maverick’s room is in that very building.
The rapid beating of my heart increases.
I wonder what it looks like. Does he have a roommate?
Do they get along? I’m sure if he does, they do.
As long as they’re a good person, Maverick was keen on befriending anyone. He was kind like that.
“Why are the patients separated into two buildings?” I ask curiously, as I drag my gaze from Sortage to the Barrington house.
Braum answers simply, “Barrington House is for the more privileged patients.”
It takes everything in me not to roll my eyes. Even within the elite social circles there are levels of superiority. It’s a pity to know it doesn't stop when someone is thrown in here.
“There’s Rookwell Tower, that circular, tall structure way out in the distance,” Braum adds. His footsteps come to a halt as the short tour comes to an end. “And over here?—”
“Wait, is that a chapel?” I ask, pointing to the smaller building nearly as far away as Rookwell.
I can’t see much of the details of it, not from here, but the strange red glow from the three massive, arched, stained-glass windows is hard to miss, especially against the white of the stone it’s made of.
“Yeah but it’s no longer in use,” Braum confirms. “The original founders had it built so they could discuss their visions of the world. For the most part, the benefactors of this place use the White Stag Chapel as a meeting place.”
I manage to stifle my gasp before it can give away my surprise. But I can’t prevent my shoulders from locking up. In all my preparation to break Maverick out of here, I never once noticed the chapel. Not on the map, nor when I crept through the woods on this side of the wall.
Beware the Children of the White Stag.