INFERNAL WORLD » kyle GAZ garrick

16 - once a thief...

Heeey! Happy to see you in another update, which I hope you will enjoy! I know most people tune in for a fun Gaz romance, but I think it'll add more to the story and make more sense if we learn a bit about Elena's history. This chapter will be told in parts split between Elena telling the group about it and memories from the past. Off you go and read hehe! :)

***

''I grew up in Newton, Massachusetts... not far from Boston,'' Elena began, taking a deep breath to continue. ''I was an only child, but.. we didn't live in a big house. It was nice and I liked the neighborhood.''

Elena looked at how intently everyone was looking at her, full of interest and admiration, and continued.

''My mother left us when I was seven...'' she spoke, looking at Kate for a split second, then down to the floor. ''But I liked living with my dad... preferred it even... I honestly don't have that many memories of her anymore... and I never wanted to reach out.''

She spoke with pauses in between, often searching her mind for the correct words and taking time to explain her journey.

''My dad and I lived an amazing life. H-he did a lot to make us both happy. Even when we had to move to a smaller apartment, he worked hard so we could stay in Newton. He always supported my hobbies... well, my guitar hobby,''

Elena paused, remembering her days at school, and gave a small chuckle.

''I wasn't honestly the best student,'' she said, earning a cheeky smile from Soap and Alejandro. ''But my dad helped me as much as he could and I passed all of my classes... I guess I always had a particular interest in history.''

Now, it was Gaz's time to smile, as Elena knew he remembered her book about the pirates and their conversations about her love for history. She returned a smile to him.

''B-but yeah... my dad and I lived well for years alone but... yeah...'' Elena said, as she rested her back against the desk, placing her hands on the desk, as she heaved a sigh. ''My dad got sick when I was thirteen.''

The smiles from the men disappeared in seconds and Elena could instantly spot sorrowful looks on their faces.

''It was ALS... Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis,'' Elena explained. ''It's a neurological disease... h-he- uh... he had to be in a wheelchair a-and... I don't want to go into details-''

''You don't have to,'' Gaz reassured her, his brown eyes being warmer than in sunset light.

Elena nodded a few times, feeling her heart starting to beat faster, as her eyes began watering.

''Okay...'' she whispered. ''Well... after two years of a life like that... he- uh... he passed away when I was fifteen. B-but, believe me, he made sure we enjoyed those two years together. He never stopped caring for or supporting me... b- but the disease didn't ask either of us if we were ready to part from each other...''

When Elena looked up, she could swear that there was a hint of a tear in Soap's right eye. She looked back down and continued speaking.

''And since I was a minor when my dad passed away... I ended up in Saint Francis' Girls' Home... a Catholic orphanage,'' Elena paused before continuing, letting a long breath leave her lungs. ''And that's when I met Sam.''

***

''Are you going to sneak around again?'' a whisper made Elena stop in her tracks. She turned her head to the right to see Audrey sitting up in bed, looking at her disappointedly.

''I need to pee. Calm down,'' Elena rolled her eyes at the girl and took another step.

''Sister Abigail has already caught you twice this week sneaking around the kitchen and their rooms. What are you doing there?'' Audrey questioned, keeping her voice hushed, but sensing Elena's lie.