Ellie's POV
I glanced over my shoulder to make sure no one was around. The air was cool against my skin, and the wooden wall at my side smelled damp and old, like it had been soaking up rain for years. I stayed close to it as I moved forward, the boards rough under my fingertips. Every step felt too loud, so I tried to place my feet carefully, but the ground was uneven, covered in small stones and bits of moss.
When I reached the corner, I stopped. There was a thin gap where two boards didn’t quite meet, just wide enough for me to peek through. My fingers were cold as I leaned in, pressing my eye to the space.
Inside, I saw Fiona standing near a table piled high with papers and small metal boxes that all had little locks on them. My stepmother’s arms were folded tight, her face pinched
