Chapter Seven
Cash
I watched from my bike as Eliza clutched her small suitcase in one hand and Lily’s fingers in the other.
The morning sun threw long shadows across the gravel lot as they approached Haven’s entrance, their faces pale with exhaustion after the hospital discharge.
Lily, her shoulder still immobilized and her pink cast bright against her pale skin, seemed steadier than her mother as they passed through the security gate where Knuckles’ men kept watch.
The contrast broke something inside me, seeing the small child with her head up while her mother looked ready to collapse.
Lana’s sleek sedan pulled in beside my bike, and she stepped out with her usual efficiency. “They get inside yet?”
“Just now,” I replied, nodding toward the heavy security door where Eliza had pressed the intercom button.
The industrial facade of the converted warehouse didn’t look welcoming, with its chain-link fence and security cameras.
Most people drove past without ever suspecting the sanctuary hidden inside.
I followed Lana toward the entrance, giving Eliza and Lily enough space to not feel crowded. The vestibule’s bulletproof glass gleamed in the morning light as we approached. Inside, Pippa buzzed us through the second set of doors into Haven proper.
The transformation always surprised newcomers.
Outside, everything screamed “stay away” with concrete and steel.
Inside, warm, pale-yellow walls welcomed visitors, comfortable furniture grouped in conversation areas, and a small play area visible from the entrance filled with donated toys and books.
Children’s artwork decorated the walls, bright splashes of color against the soft backgrounds.
Even the fluorescent lighting had been replaced with warmer fixtures to make the space feel like a home.
“Welcome to Haven,” Hannah said, stepping forward with a genuine smile.
Knuckles’ old lady had a gift for putting frightened women at ease, her quiet strength and warm eyes instantly reassuring.
None of them knew beneath Hannah’s friendly exterior, a merciless killer lurked.
Hannah’s entire adult life had been devoted to eliminating serial abusers.
Hannah’s presence meant she was sizing up Eliza.
Lana hadn’t been kidding when she said she would be taking everything very seriously.
“We’re so glad you’re here with us, Eliza.
” Hannah extended her hand to Eliza, who hesitated before releasing her white-knuckled grip on her suitcase to accept the greeting.
I noticed she kept Lily firmly anchored at her side, unwilling to let her daughter stray even an inch.
“Thank you for letting us stay until Ms. Thompson helps me with Lily,” Eliza replied, her voice steady despite the tension visible in her shoulders. “We appreciate it.”
Hannah smiled down at Lily. “And you must be the brave girl I’ve heard about. I’m Hannah.”
Lily nodded, suddenly shy. “I’m Lily,” she whispered, clutching her stuffed rabbit, Mr. Flopsy, against her chest with her good arm.
She peered past Hannah to where two children about her age played with blocks in the corner.
Her face lit up with interest, though she remained pressed against her mother’s side.
In the distance, the rumble of motorcycles patrolling the perimeter drifted through the building. Eliza flinched at the sound, her eyes darting toward the windows.
“Just the guys doing their rounds,” Hannah explained gently. “They keep the perimeter secure around the clock. You’ll get used to the sound. Most of the women here come to find it comforting.”
“Are they nice like Cash?” Lily asked, surprising all of us with her direct question.
Hannah’s eyes flicked to mine briefly, a knowing smile playing at her lips. “They’re all very nice, honey. They help keep everyone here safe.”
Lily nodded solemnly, as if this confirmed something important for her. “Cash sings pretty,” she informed Hannah. “And he has pictures on his skin.”
Hannah laughed softly. “Yes, I know. Would you like to meet some of the other children who stay here?”
Lily looked up at her mother, seeking permission. Eliza swallowed hard before nodding. “Go ahead, Lily-bug. Stay in this room with the others though, OK?”
“Yes, Mommy.” Lily skipped toward the play area, still clutching Mr. Flopsy.
The two children looked up as she approached, a boy around seven and a slightly younger girl with braided hair.
Both had the same hair and eye color. They shifted to make room for her in their block tower construction without hesitation.
“Let me show you to your room,” Hannah said, gesturing toward a corridor lined with doors. “We put you on the third floor. Corner room with good morning light.”
Eliza nodded, following Hannah with small, hesitant steps. Lana and I trailed behind them, keeping our distance to allow Eliza space to process everything.
“Each room has its own bathroom,” Hannah explained as we climbed the stairs.
“The communal kitchen is on the ground floor, stocked with basics. We do group meals three times a week, but you’re welcome to cook for yourselves whenever you want.
We all help with chores. No one is really assigned anything, but we manage to get it all done by helping each other. ”
Eliza nodded mechanically, taking in the information but clearly overwhelmed. When we reached the third floor, Hannah unlocked a door at the end of the hall.
“Here you are,” she said, stepping aside to let Eliza enter first.
The room was simply furnished but comfortable. Two beds with cheerful quilts. A small dresser. A desk beneath the window overlooked the compound. Someone had placed a vase of fresh flowers on the windowsill and a small basket of snacks and toiletries on the desk.
“We stocked the mini fridge with some basics,” Hannah said, opening a small refrigerator tucked beneath the desk to reveal milk, juice, and some fruit. “The bathroom has towels and everything else you might need. If there’s anything missing, just let me know.”
Eliza set her suitcase down, her movements almost robotic. “Thank you,” she said, her voice barely audible. “This is more than I expected.”
“The door locks from the inside,” Hannah added, her tone gentle but matter of fact. “No one enters without your permission. Not even staff.”
Something in Eliza’s posture eased slightly at this information. “Thank you.”
“I’ll leave you to get settled,” Hannah said.
“Lunch is at noon in the common room if you’d like to join us, but there’s no pressure.
Take your time. Also, there’s always a couple of the old ladies downstairs with the kids at all times.
We never have the guys in the way. Anytime they’re here they’ll be either outside or in the security office.
” She glanced back at me before continuing.
“If you want Cash to visit, go right ahead. He’ll stay with you and Lily while he’s inside Haven and you escort him in or out unless he’s on security duty. ”
“So I have control over who I have to interact with?”
“Oh, honey,” Hannah reached for Eliza’s hand and squeezed.
“Yes. If you want Cash to leave, he absolutely will. If not, Knuckles or Tiny will help him leave. You don’t have to be around anyone you don’t want to be.
The only thing we ask is for you to let us check on you both throughout the day.
Until we get to know newer residents, we like to keep an eye on everyone for both physical and mental health and safety reasons.
You wouldn’t be here without a traumatizing event happening.
We just want everyone as safe and happy as we can make them. ”
For the first time, Eliza’s shoulders relaxed and she finally looked like she believed Haven was exactly what the name implied.
“I know the jury is still out,” Eliza said quietly.
“I know, even though Ms. Thompson is doing everything she can to help me prove there is something wrong with Lily, she’ll put me away if she comes to believe I really did hurt Lily.
And I respect that.” She leveled a pleading look at Hannah.
“Just please always give it to me straight. I can handle the truth. I don’t think I can be blindsided again.
Do what you have to do to safeguard my daughter.
As long as you keep her safe and happy, I’ll accept whatever judgment Ms. Thompson deems necessary. ”
“I swear to you, Eliza,” Hannah promised. “All of us will make sure Lily is as happy and carefree as we can possibly make her. No matter what.”
As Hannah and Lana moved back toward the stairs, I lingered in the doorway. Eliza turned to look at me, her exhaustion written in the shadows beneath her eyes.
“Thank you,” she said simply.
“No need,” I replied, uncomfortable with her gratitude. “Get some rest. I’ll be around if you need anything. You have my number. Use it. For anything.”
She nodded, her gaze returning to the inside window where she could see Lily playing below with the other children inside the main room. The tension in her face softened slightly at the sight of her daughter smiling for what might have been the first time in days.
I moved away from the door, giving her the privacy she needed.
As I descended the stairs, I couldn’t shake the feeling I was leaving something important behind.
Every instinct told me to stay close, to protect them from whatever might come next.
The strength of my feelings troubled me as I headed back to the compound.
All I’d wanted when I’d first met Lily was to see her happy and to not be in pain.
Now, the image of Eliza standing alone in the room, shoulders squared against everyone who’d failed her, lingered in my mind long after I’d left Haven and gone back to my own apartment at the compound.
* * *