The Hope of Eden

Further

1921
Sacramento, California

Clifton hurried to the door, sweat beading upon his brow.

Ada stood beside him, shaking in her boots.

"Good day, Johnsons,"

The nervous pair nodded, stepping aside for him to enter.

He looked around.

"You knew I was coming today. Where are they?"

Clifton swallowed, unable to think of a lie quick enough.

"I won't ask again."

Mr. Naid stalked past them and went down the hall.

"Eden, dear,"

Clifton's lip twitched at the disgusting fondness in his voice.

He never understood why the man was taken with Eden. She was a disgrace.

"Fix your face," Ada hissed with a hit to his back.

Clifton snarled but did as she demanded.

"Oh, mercy, no."

Clifton and Ada braced themselves as Mr. Naid stormed back to the living room, anguish written over his face.

"Where are they?" He seethed, clenching his fists as anger brewed.

Being met with silence only worsened his anger.

"Where is Eden, Clifton?"

A storm brewed within the man at the thought of Eden being gone.

A furious sound left the man, frightening the deceitful couple.

"Tell me now."

Ada broke.

"She left with the child." Her voice was above a whisper.

William's stomach turned. "She left?"

"I-i told her to leave the girl, b-but she refused."

The girl.

He could've struck the woman.

"Foolish ingrate!" He roared fiercely. "You let them leave. My Eden," His voice wavered as his heart broke. "I oughta have you both hanged,"

Ada gasped and hid behind Clifton who hadn't stopped shaking.

"Why didn't you tell me? I would've stopped everything to get them back." He took a deep breath and sat on the dingy couch. "How long have they been gone?"

Ada and Clifton sat down.

"Six or seven," Clifton murmured, making William raise a brow.

"They've been gone for seven days and this is the first I'm hearing of this?"

"Weeks," Clifton added.

Anger.

Anguish.

Sorrow.

And malice filled William's broken heart.

His Eden had been away for seven weeks.

She could've been hurt, harassed, or worse, dead.

"Your incompetence has left me no other choice," William stood.

Clifton shook his head. "No. Please, it wasn't our fault,"

William lifted his hand to silence the fool.

"Not your fault?" He asked incredulously. "I agreed to this arrangement to keep your name from being tarnished, Clifton. I donated thousands of dollars to your sham of a church. I only asked that you care and provide for them with the means I've given for their care."