Chapter 25

Alejandro’s pov A dense, oppressive silence enveloped me, yet my mind teemed with ideas, anxiety, and despair. I had to locate her. I needed to get to Camila. However, I felt as though I was sinking further into quicksand with each step I took and each call I made more hunted, more trapped. Breathing shallowly in the chilly night air, I huddled behind a rusted dumpster. In my hand, my phone's cracked screen glowed dimly. No signal. Nothing. There are dead zones everywhere. "Please, Camila, just answer," I muttered into the darkness. Only the chilly, deserted street responded, taunting me with its quiet. I moved to the next corner, scanning the shadows, and slipped out of my hiding place. I tapped the call button once more, my fingers shaking. "It's me, Camila." The earpiece hissed with static. Frustration hit me like a blow to the gut. How many times had I already tried? Too many. I tried to concentrate, but memories kept coming as I leaned against a cracked brick wall. Our last conver