"Freya, what the hell are you talking about?" My mind began buzzing and flooding with horrible scenarios of what could have happened.

Freya took a shaky breath, her voice trembling. "We were at this... abandoned police station. Elora brought me and Davina there, she didn't want us here but we insisted"

My stomach twisted. "Go on," I urged, already sensing where this was headed.

"We were just standing there, talking, trying to figure something out, when suddenly... we saw this shadow, and Elora just—froze. She told us not to move, not to say anything. And then, out of nowhere, she bolted. Just ran off."

I felt a knot tightening in my chest. "She ran after a shadow?"

"Yes!" Freya's voice cracked. "We didn't even have time to react. One second she was there, the next, she was gone. Before we could do anything, there was this loud noise. It sounded like a struggle, like something... violent. We ran to where she went, but by the time we got there—"

She paused, and I could hear her choking back tears.

"Freya, what happened?" I demanded, my voice low, almost growling.

"She was gone, Fernando. There was nothing but her dagger on the ground, and... blood. Splattered all over the wall. We searched everywhere, but she just... vanished."

My heart pounded in my ears, the weight of her words crashing down on me. "And you called me?"

"Yeah," Freya whispered. "I didn't know what else to do. We didn't see anyone. She just disappeared, and now we're in this abandoned police station, and I'm scared something's happened to her."

I took a deep breath, trying to keep myself from losing it. "Where exactly are you?"

Freya hesitated for a moment before answering, her voice barely above a whisper. "We're still here... in the station. I don't know what to do, Fernando. Something happened to Elora. I think someone took her."

Freya's voice hung in the air like a weight I couldn't shake. My pulse was racing as I struggled to keep my thoughts straight.

"I'm on my way," I said firmly before hanging up. I stood there for a moment, gripping the phone so hard my knuckles turned white.

I needed to move, needed to do something. Elora was out there—possibly hurt, or worse...and I couldn't waste another second.

Without thinking, I yanked open the drawer by the nightstand and pulled out the gun I kept hidden there. It wasn't something I used often, but tonight was different. I shoved it beneath my shirt, making sure it was secure and out of sight.

I turned to leave, but Teresa stood at the end of the couch, concern etched across her face. "What's going on?" she asked, her voice softer than usual.

I hesitated for a second. I didn't want to drag her into this, but there was no hiding the urgency in my movements. "I'll explain on the way. We need to go."

Her eyes flicked to my hand as I reached for the door, and she didn't miss the way my shirt hung slightly heavier on one side.

Her lips parted as if to protest, but she stopped herself. She could sense that something serious was happening.

"Alright," Teresa said, grabbing her jacket. "But you better tell me everything."

I nodded, not saying another word as we hurried out.

My thoughts were already on Elora, on that abandoned police station, and on the shadow Freya had seen. Whatever had happened, I was going to find out—and I'd make sure whoever took her would regret it.

I rushed down the hallway, bounding down the stairs with Teresa close on my heels. Neither of us spoke, both consumed by urgency as we hurried out of the church, striding quickly across the parking lot and into the car. 

I slid into the driver's seat, my hands trembling slightly as I gripped the steering wheel. The engine roared to life as I turned the key, but my mind was already spinning faster than the car could ever go. 

Teresa buckled her seatbelts and settled into the seat beside me as I hit the gas, tires screeching against the pavement.

Scenarios flooded my brain, each one more terrifying than the last. What if Elora was hurt? What if she was caught up in something worse? Every thought made my pulse race, a deep sense of dread tightening in my chest.

The tires screeched as I pulled up to the abandoned police station, my heart pounding in my chest.

I could see Freya and Davina standing outside, their faces pale, eyes wide with fear. The sight of them sent a fresh wave of panic surging through me. I barely had time to park before I was out of the car, Teresa close behind me.

"Are you two okay?" I asked, scanning them quickly, my voice sharp with urgency.

Freya nodded stiffly, but I could see the tremble in her hands. Davina’s eyes darted toward the building as if expecting something—or someone—to come out at any moment.

“Stay here,” I instructed Teresa firmly. “Keep an eye on them.”

I didn’t wait for her response. My weapon was in my hand as I crossed the threshold into the building, my flashlight cutting through the dim, dust-filled air.

The smell hit me first—stale, mold clung to the walls, mingling with the scent of decay, and the floor creaked under my boots threatening to give way at any second.

The further I ventured in, the more the walls closed in on me, pressing down like a weight on my chest.

I kept moving, every step feeling slower than the last. There was an unbearable silence, the kind that gnawed at my nerves. I swallowed hard, frustration and fear swirling in my gut. Where was she? Why hadn’t I found her yet?

Then, the gunshots.

My heart leaped into my throat. I sprinted toward the sound, my pulse hammering in my ears. The door ahead was shut, but I didn’t think twice. I kicked it open, my weapon raised.

Elora.

Her eyes locked on mine, and her hands shook as her weapon fell from her grasp, clattering to the floor. The relief that washed over her face was immediate, but behind it was something darker, something I’d never seen in her before.

Tears brimmed in her eyes, and her lips quivered as if she was on the edge of falling apart.

"Fernando..." she whispered, her voice breaking.

I holstered my weapon and crossed the room in two strides, pulling her into my arms.

Her body trembled against mine, and I could feel how fragile she was in that moment—so unlike the Elora I knew.

Her face was smeared with blood, the red staining her skin in a way that made my chest tighten painfully.

She never cried. Never let anyone see her break. But here she was, shaking in my arms, and whatever had happened here... it had broken something inside her.

I pulled back just enough to see her face, my thumb brushing a tear off her cheek. “I’ve got you,” I whispered, before pulling her close again, holding her tight. No matter what had happened here, she wasn’t alone anymore.

This one is short but will continue on the other chapter.

Hope you enjoyed🥰

Any thoughts??