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Now the real panic kicks off.

One of the teenagers starts to scream and, the next moment, they’re all screaming.

That seems to make some of the older people in the room angry, while others, it seems to only confuse them.

I recognise the woman who’s advancing on the teens from Luca’s description, she’s one of the people in charge.

Without a second thought, I shoot her. She’s not going to set one single step closer to them. She’s not going to hurt them ever again.

Not on my watch.

When others notice what I did, they step back from us, their eyes now fully on me.

Good.

If they focus on me, that means they can’t pay as much attention to Vera and the teens.

“Get them out.” I look from person to person, making sure nobody makes a wrong move.

Vera slowly moves past me, holding her empty hands up to the teens, letting them see that she’s not carrying any weapons.

“Are you harmed?” She keeps her voice low and the teens quiet down, quickly shaking their heads. “Good.”

She kneels next to the teen closest to us, holding out her hand. “We’re getting all of you out of here. You’ll be safe. I promise.”

Someone on my right moves, steps closer. “Who the fuck—” I shoot the man and he goes down on his knees, grabbing for his throat, trying to stop the bleeding, before he falls over.

I might not have said anything, but I thought the threat of ‘don’t move or I’ll shoot’ was implied when I shot that first woman?

Maybe not.

Ah, well.

The teens are now all tense again, pushing close together, away from Vera. Their eyes on me are filled with horror.

Fuck.

I didn’t mean to scare them.

Then, another voice, soft, soothing. “We’re getting you out of here. You won’t have to work like this ever again.”

My heart skips a beat, in fear and excitement, as I watch Luca in the reflection of one of the windows, stepping from the doorway we just came out of.

He’s still wearing the same as before.

No protective vest. Just his normal clothes.

What’s he doing?!

That’s not safe!

“El!” One of the teens steps forward, clearly glad to see Luca, and the other teens also seem happy to see him.

Behind the teens, a woman in an expensive dress jerks her head up, her eyes wide in fury. “Don’t you fucking dare to leave this room!”

“Look at me.” Luca coaxes the teens. “Only look at me. Don’t look anywhere else. Pretend you don’t hear anything but my voice.”

I don’t want to traumatise the teens any more than I already have.