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“GO. GO. GO!” The crackling voice coming from the nearby megaphone is the last thing I hear before my world goes silent.
Blood rushes to my ears as Juan’s hands push me into the escape hatch. I don’t resist, my mind is too occupied to think of anything other than what Catalina just told me.
A child? Our child? What is she talking about!?
My hands instinctively grab the rungs of the escape hatch and Juan practically kicks me down the ladder. When I’m far enough down, he rushes to pull the manhole cover back over the exposed opening.
Catalina and I share one last desperate look before I’m shrouded in darkness.
9
Catalina
“What the hell are you idiots doing!?” Juan yells at the approaching officers as he discreetly kicks our towels over the half-melted manhole cover.
Without Angel by my side to protect me, a tidal wave of fear crashes against my heart. I lay on the cement beside Juan’s feet as he steps forward with an authoritative demeanor.
Someone seems to recognize him... and then me. “Mr. Arias!?”
“What!?” Juan roars back, full of indignation.
“... You have the girl?”
“Of course I do!” Juan yells. He sounds like a principle scolding a class of disobedient children. “I was trying to get her as far away from danger as possible. Why the hell did you idiots follow me and not the assholes who tried to take her!?”
Whoever Juan’s talking to hesitates to answer. “We... We... We thought you took her...”
Juan rips his jacket off and throws it on the ground in a show of indignation. “I obviously took her, to safety! That was my job. Your job was to catch those responsible for making her unsafe in the first place! Fuck, you guys are so inc
ompetent. Dante is going to hear about this...”
“No, no, sir! We’re sorry! We had information that one of the hijackers came this way. They must have been mistaken! We still have search teams in other places!” The crackle of a radio undercuts the chaotic scene. My heavy mind starts to falter and I can’t quite make out what’s said next, but whatever it is causes the helicopter to finally fly away.
The sudden absence of its roar drenches the world in silence. Police lights flash but don’t make any sound. Juan yells, but I can’t hear what he’s saying. Below my feet, I know Angel is safe, if wounded—but at what cost?
As far as Dante’s men know, there’s been two recent kidnapping attempts against me. I’m going to be locked up so tight from now on that seeing my baby boy again is going to be impossible.
... But nothing is stopping Angel from meeting his son.
I wonder if he’ll figure it out on his own. Was I clear? I can hardly remember what I said before Juan pulled the manhole cover shut and separated us once again.
What will Angel’s reaction be?
Even without any clarification, Angel seemed stunned at my confession. What will he think of me? What will he think of Oscar?
For some reason, a stream of relief swirls around inside of my exhausted brain as Juan leads me into the back of a cop car.
No one seems to suspect Juan of being in on all of this. I may not have any freedom, but he will still be free to roam around, to meet with Angel, to introduce him to Oscar.
My son is finally going to meet his father.
... And I won’t be around to witness the momentous occasion.
Another milestone missed.
The whirlpool of relief in my brain remains for the sole fact that I know Angel will be able to protect Oscar, but an insurmountable sadness also devastates my heart at the thought of them finally meeting without me being there to cherish the memory.
I’ve already missed so much of my baby boy’s life, and I don’t see any light on the horizon. Even with Angel returned, things are as dark and hopeless as ever... But at least Oscar will have family to keep him company... and that’s worth something.
