Chapter 1 - The Golden Cage
The massive mahogany doors of the nursery clicked shut behind Victoria Hawthorne with a heavy, final sound.
Elena stood completely frozen in the center of the lavish room, her heart pounding violently against her ribs.
The expansive space was filled with ridiculously expensive toys, towering bookshelves, and a massive television screen.
Yet, despite the undeniable luxury, the air inside felt as cold and sterile as a hospital ward.
Sitting quietly in the darkest corner of the room was a pale, fragile six-year-old boy named Julian.
He clutched a worn teddy bear to his chest, his large eyes completely devoid of the usual spark of childhood joy.
Victoria had given Elena a set of incredibly strict and frankly bizarre instructions before locking the door.
Elena was strictly forbidden to open the heavily tinted windows, regardless of how stuffy the room became.
She was never to speak to the other estate staff under any circumstances.
Most importantly, she was never to let Julian leave the confines of this specific room.
The promised salary was absolutely astronomical, a sum that had made Elena dizzy when she first saw the contract.
It was more than enough to clear all of her mother's mounting medical debts and save her family from eviction in a single month.
But as the heavy deadbolt clicked into place from the outside, a profound, icy chill ran down Elena's spine.
She realized she was not just a nanny, but a highly paid warden in a gilded cage.
Elena took a deep breath and slowly approached the trembling boy, trying to offer a warm and comforting smile.
She introduced herself softly, promising that she was there to help him and keep him company.
Julian did not look up at her, keeping his gaze firmly fixed on the intricate patterns of the plush carpet.
He remained completely silent, his small shoulders rising and falling with rapid, panicked breaths.
Suddenly, he reached into the pocket of his silk pajamas with lightning speed.
He silently slid a crumpled, torn piece of paper across the floor toward Elena's worn sneakers.
Elena frowned in confusion and bent down, unfolding the hidden note with slightly shaking hands.
The handwriting was jagged and hurried, clearly written in a state of sheer panic.
May you like
Written in messy, dark red crayon were five deeply terrifying words.
They killed the last nanny.
