*Esmerelda*

It felt like a complete miracle when the security guard, as soon as he realized it was Elijah who was trying to stop the gate from closing, actually stepped aside and made the gate open up. It creaked in an even more friendly sound that was higher pitched, almost as if it was apologizing for closing so suddenly in the first place.

Elijah and I walked through the gate together. I almost passed out from relief when I was on the other side. I turned to ...