The place Stella Lockwood was being held this time had a window with a view of the ocean. But there were no ships on the water, and the beach was completely deserted. From her vantage point, she could tell the building stood on high ground overlooking the sea.
Looking down, she could see an exquisite garden encircled by a high wall. Beyond the wall to the southeast, a mere three or four meters of ground separated it from a steep drop-off, with a few trees planted in the space. To the northwest lay a dense forest. A wide road, just big enough for a single car, cut through the woods. The rest was a sea of trees, a vibrant mix of lush greens and fiery reds. The scenery was surprisingly beautiful, but there was no end in sight, and not a soul to be seen.
Stella Lockwood found it strange. The place felt completely cut off from the rest of the world. Other than a few guards in black standing outside, there were no other signs of human life.
