"Just what were you even thinking hanging her up in the air?"

The receptionist lady asked while Maya swallowed a glass of water, holding the pain in. In his strong hands, even her food pipe was squished.

"You told us she was going to eat our glands! Pineal glands!" Jonah argued while Enzo stood silently in the corner of that room.

They were now inside Maya's room and she was sitting in the edge of her bed. Enzo felt bad seeing how his hands left a mark on her long neck.

"Oh! Please, for god's sake! What are you? Even a 5-year-old won't have believed! She gave you a place to stay for free and this is how you repay?"

"You are one woman to talk? You told us she was going to cook our pineal gland in chicken blood! And what about the old man's photo? You said she ate his too!"

"What?" Maya asked while rubbing her neck. While she moved her hands through the impressions of Enzo's fingers on her neck, Enzo looked at his own hands. He never realized but his hands were truly big! As big as the perimeter of her neck!

"IT WAS A HARMLESS PRANK!" The receptionist argued and Maya was now glaring at her "Pam? Did you tell them I was a witch? And why the hell would a witch eat someone's pineal gland?"

"To consume someone's soul!" For the first time since he dropped her on the floor, Enzo's voice was heard. He was too guilty to meet her with eyes. He still stood in the corner of the room, secretly observing every expression of her face change. Once he spoke, 3 pairs of eyes turned to him "Pineal gland has some soul connection or so I have read"

"Bullshit! I made that all up. That old man is the first chief of this town, Mr. Oliver! I just wanted to scare you! How would I know that this Enzo would lift you by one hand? Do you even know who she is?"

"Pam! Stop it! I think you should say sorry for messing with them. They are our guests and they are brothers on run, Pam! And you messed with them! Look how scared Poor Jonah here was?"

Pamela, the receptionist rolled her eyes "I was just bored! The inn remains empty most of the time and I keep cleaning for no reason! It was supposed to be harmless! I didn't know you were so scared for your pineal gland! I am sorry boys!"

"Now get me some ice" One Pam left, Maya smiled and asked "Are you still scared, Jonah?" He replied by flashing an awkward smile "You are one strong man, Mr. Enzo!"

"I am so sorry! IT is just that I was always trained to attack first." Enzo still was not willing to go any where near her. In his life, he had never touched a woman inappropriately and certainly had never raised his hand on a woman either. If Enzo could, he would hide in hell.

"It is fine. How are you guys finding the stay here? Are you guys comfortable? I just came to give you the candle when lights went off. I stay in room no. 110"

"You live here?"

"Just who are you?"

Jonah and Jonah shot 2 different questions. Maya smiled again and said "I guess, a formal introduction is pending. So, I am Maya Quinn and I am the chief of Sandalwood Central. Nice to meet you both."

"WHAT?" Though their questions were different, their jaws dropped once she revealed herself. The notorious chief about whom they were warned so much about, happens to be a skinny woman? Just how did she build this rowdy reputation?

"Why? Didn't expect a lady to handle such a job?"

"No! We were just amazed!" Jonah covered it up.

"You are the town chief? How? Why?" Enzo asked again.

Maya was amused with Enzo's blunt curiosity. "I can answer HOW. My father was the former town chief. This place was hardly a home for me till then. But once he became the town chief, he made a lot of progress. We shifted out focus into producing our own crops and vegetables, he started schools and hospitals, banned drugs and saved our youth, and in 10 years, made this a home for anyone in need of one. 3 years back he died and someone had to fulfil his vision. So, I stood for election and won. That is HOW I became the town chief though I can't answer the WHY part"

"You guys have election?" Enzo was jealous. Having an election means, you get to vote and choose your leader, peacefully. It means you don't have to murder to be in power. Everyone gets to choose! You can have an opinion rather than follow one!

She nodded "IS there anything more you would like to ask me?"

"Why did you guide us here?" Enzo had more to know.

"Misty inn was started by my father before he became town chief. Later we moved to the chief's mansion but still he maintained this place as it was and made it available for anyone in need. You said you were running from Foxfield and I know those guys that chased us were after you. Now just one question. Did you both run away after committing something illegal like murder or forgery or a scam or anything that deserves to get punished?"

Well, if they were to be honest, they did work for the biggest aspiring gangster of Earth but they chose not be honest. They looked at each other and nodded no. But what truly diverted their interests would be the fact that she knew!

So, she knew? Still, she helped them without asking a question?

"I will trust that you are saying the truth. Look, I don't want you to feel any burden but if it is a home that you are in need of, the gates of Sandalwood Central is open for you. No one will ask you any uncomfortable question about your past and we protect one of us, with all we have. So, rest assured, you are safe here."

Enzo was confused. She was offering a roof to 2 strangers, believing the sob story that Jonah made up on spot? IS this not dumb?

"I know, you might think I am dumb! But this is just how it is in Sandal wood Central. It has always been a home for wounded hearts. I did have my doubts at first but seeing how you guys were chased by them, it really seemed like you both were running for your life"

Running for life?

Enzo had a light smile. He was the one that made people run for their lives!

"You can stay here for as much as you like. If you want to work, we can help you find a job based on your educational qualifications. If you want to leave, feel free to do that. I just want you to know that."

"You are offering protection to 2 strangers? That too 2 grown up men?" Enzo asked again.

"Please! I am jut trying to be a help for someone in need. My father would want the chief of this town to be welcoming. Though the only condition would be..."

He knew it! The rules are the same whether it is Foxfield or this alleged 'model' town. There is no such thing as free kindness! She is as calculative as anyone else he knew!

"The only condition is that you say the truth and never betray us."

Oh! So, he was wrong? She didn't want anything but loyalty? All of this was too much for them to process in a day.

"Why are you trusting us, lady? We could be spies! We could be bad guys or thugs or goons!"

"I am not trusting you. I am trusting Sandalwood Central and the people of this place. We are all refugees from our land where we were not welcomed, Enzo. From criminals to thugs to tortured women to orphans to homeless.... It is our tradition to support. We are a bunch of misfits bonded by loyalty."

But his loyalty was bonded to Liam!

"And we never forgive a betrayer." Maya got up from her bed and walked towards him. "So, you can stay here and decide. If you want to leave, you can do that as well. If you would like to stay, I am afraid you would have to start working. There is a job for anyone who wants it."

"You have an ally in us as long as you are honest" Maya extended her hand and Enzo hesitated.

Somewhere in the corner of his lawless heart, a spark was lit. He dared to imagine what she was offering...... A life! A life of freedom! He could live and not just exist! He can have peaceful evenings...Eat his favorite meals.... start a family.... start over.... it was tempting but he was not privileged for that. Also, what if she is trying to con him? Was this place truly open to the 'wounded hearts' desperate for survival? There was again, only one way to find out. He smiled and shook his hands with hers.

"Thank you, Ms. or Mrs. Maya?"

"It is Miss Maya and you are welcome. Enjoy your stay. Tomorrow is Sunday and we have the weekly meeting here. You can attend and meet the folks of the town, if you wish"

Enzo nodded and sighed. He looked into her eyes and it was still staring into his soul. He had to protect his defenses. She may not be a witch, but there is some tempting magic in her eyes.... And he was not a man who could afford to see his armor crumble. His life was bonded to Liam Morelli and whatever he wished to conquer. And that would be Pippa at this moment. Besides, he had to see it with his own eyes to believe. Sandalwood Central and its mysteries!