The Garden of Decay

Chapter 17

As usual, the residents went about their tasks, but a noticeable edge had crept into their movements, a constant wariness that hadn't been there before. Yet amidst the brewing tension, there was one presence that never seemed to waver — Elias.

(Y/N) had noticed his lingering more often now. At first, it had been subtle, like a shadow just at the edge of her vision, but now, it was undeniable. Whether she was tending to the plants or walking along the garden's paths, Elias was there. His watchful eyes followed her, his presence always a breath away.

She was in the greenhouse now, her fingers trailing through the soft leaves of the plants that Elias had carefully nurtured. The familiar scents of herbs and earth filled the air, but today, they didn't bring the comfort they usually did. Instead, there was a sense of something off-kilter, something that made her skin prickle with unease.

Elias stood nearby, his gaze fixed on her. He wasn't helping like he usually did, just watching. His eyes, once calm and thoughtful, now seemed clouded with something else — something she couldn't quite place but felt nonetheless.

"Is everything okay?" she asked, trying to keep her tone light as she glanced over at him.

Elias blinked, as if snapping out of a trance. "Of course," he murmured, his voice low. "I was just... thinking."

She nodded, not entirely convinced. His expression was soft, almost affectionate, but there was an intensity to it that hadn't been there before. It made her feel like she was the subject of some unspoken reverence, like Elias was seeing something in her that wasn't quite real.

"I've been thinking about you a lot lately," he said quietly, stepping closer to her. His words were careful, but there was a hint of something darker underneath. "You're different from the others here. You... understand the Garden in a way no one else does."

(Y/N) paused, glancing up at him. His eyes were locked onto hers, and there was an almost fervent energy radiating from him now, like he was clinging to some belief that only he could see.

"I don't know about that," she said softly, feeling the tension in the air grow. She shifted, her hands brushing against the leaves as if to ground herself in the task. "I'm still figuring this place out, just like everyone else."

Elias shook his head, a slight smile tugging at his lips. "No," he said, almost to himself. "You're connected to this place. I can feel it."

The words sent a shiver down her spine. There was a conviction in his voice that made it sound like an undeniable truth, even though she had no idea what he meant. Elias had always been quiet, introspective, but now there was something different about him — something unsettling.

He took another step toward her, his hand reaching out to brush a stray lock of hair behind her ear. The gesture, though gentle, made her tense. His fingers lingered for a moment longer than they should have, and she felt her heartbeat quicken.

"I can't explain it," Elias continued, his voice dropping to a near whisper, "but I know you were meant to be here. I think... I think I've known since the moment I saw you."

(Y/N) forced a smile, trying to keep the conversation from veering into territory she wasn't ready to explore. "I appreciate everything you've done to help me," she said carefully. "But I'm just trying to survive like everyone else."

His expression didn't change, as if her words hadn't registered. Instead, he stared at her with that same unnerving intensity, his hands flexing at his sides. "You don't understand," he murmured. "You're not like the others. You belong here. You belong with me."

The words hung in the air, and for a moment, (Y/N) didn't know how to respond. She took a step back, her heart racing. There was something about the way he was speaking — something possessive, like he believed she was a part of the Garden itself, something only he could protect.

Elias's gaze flickered with an almost feverish light as he watched her, as if waiting for her to acknowledge what he was saying, to agree with him. When she didn't, his face softened, but the intensity didn't fade.

"I've been tending to the Garden since the beginning," he said, his voice quieter now, but no less charged. "It's my responsibility. I make sure everything thrives here... and that includes you."

(Y/N) swallowed, feeling the weight of his words press against her. She glanced toward the door of the greenhouse, the soft light filtering in through the glass, but Elias moved closer, cutting off her escape. He wasn't threatening her, but there was an air of expectancy, as if he was waiting for something — some acknowledgment of the connection he believed existed between them.

"I... need to get back," she said softly, taking another step back. The tension in the air was suffocating now, thick and stifling.

Elias didn't move to stop her, but his eyes never left her face, a faint smile playing at the corners of his lips. "I'll be here," he said quietly, his voice soft, but with an edge that made her skin crawl. "Whenever you need me."

As (Y/N) walked out of the greenhouse, her heart still racing, she couldn't shake the feeling of Elias's eyes on her back, following her every step. The weight of his words hung heavy in her mind, and with each passing moment, it became clearer that his fixation on her was growing. What had once been quiet admiration had shifted into something more — something dangerous.

As she made her way through the Garden, she spotted Thorne standing by one of the newly reinforced fences, his broad frame stiff as he talked to another resident. He caught her eye, his expression softening briefly before hardening again as he turned back to his conversation.

Nearby, Lucien was issuing more orders, his voice calm but authoritative as he spoke to a group of residents. His eyes flicked toward her for a brief moment, his gaze sharp and calculating, before returning to the task at hand.

And in the background, Elias lingered, ever watchful, his presence a constant reminder of the growing danger lurking beneath the surface of the Garden's fragile peace.

The tension between the three of them was palpable now, simmering just beneath the surface, and (Y/N) knew it wouldn't be long before it all came to a head.