m clicked shut, instantly silencing t

a cup of steaming Earl Grey tea. Her hands were still shak

he pushed a plate of pastel-colored macarons across the marble

ally logged into the lounge's guest Wi-Fi. She pulled it out, wiping a drop of rainwater from t

d. Welcome to Apex Digital Comics, Ne

she thought she'd never land. The heavy block of ice in her chest cracked just a little. But as she looked down at he

on, the sugar rushing into her bloodstream. Slowly, she began to explain. She told Gabriella about losing h

in her face, Gabriella slammed her teacup

with anger. "You are not living in some disgusting rat h

. "My budget doesn't exactly allow for a penthou

ward, reaching across the table to grab both of

th me," Gab

nds back slightly. "What? No, Gabriella, I

family's place in Long Island. The Crestwood Estate. It's massive

ting faster. The Barrera family. The very family her grandfather

dying for someone my own age to talk to," Gabriella whined, shaking Annabelle's arm. "

ay in Brooklyn. She thought about the man's greasy eyes. The f

artment," Annabelle whis

in the air. She immediately pulled o

r knocked on the door, bowing slight

They walked out of the lounge together

iver in a crisp uniform stood holding an umbrella. He took Annabelle's bat

ielded beneath her. The air inside smelled of expensive cedar

en compartment opened, revealing a chilled bottle of cha

silently through the wet streets of Manhattan.

ol began to relax her tightly wound nerves. She listened to Gabriella chatter about

faded, replaced by the dense,

gates, adorned with a complex crest, loomed i

nd of the path, The Crestwood Estate appeared. It was a breathtaking, sprawling

catching in her throat. She had just walke