Chapter 85

Every muscle in my body locked up, tension snapping through my spine like pulled wire. My throat felt dry, thick with panic. My thoughts scattered in a hundred directions. Garcia was staring straight at me. Yet, he didn't seem to recognize me. At least, that was what I thought. I forced a nervous laugh and cleared my throat, pitching my voice higher, softer, like I was just some kid in the wrong place at the worst possible time. "I—I'm sorry," I stammered, hands raised slightly in a harmless gesture. "I didn't mean to walk in. I'm just an unwanted guest here who stumbled into this bathroom at the wrong time. I got turned around, heard something, and I..." I paused, my voice trembling. "Please, let me go. I won't say a word about what happened here. I swear." Garcia tilted his head, eyes narrowing, curiosity flickering in them. He didn't move at first. He just watched me, like he was waiting to see what else would fall out of my mouth. My palms were sweating. I could feel the heat build