The grip on Alessia’s arm tightened, sending a sharp pulse of pain up her wrist as she struggled on instinct. Her breathing turned uneven, her chest rising and falling too fast as panic settled in. “Let go of me!” she shouted, her voice echoing harshly through the empty structure. But no one responded. No one stepped in. No one cared.
The woman only watched.
Calm. Composed. Unaffected.
As if everything unfolding in front of her had already been decided long before Alessia arrived.
Then suddenly, a car screeched to a halt.
The sound cut through the tension like a blade sharp, violent, impossible to ignore.
Alessia’s heart skipped, a jolt of recognition hitting her instantly.
She knew.
The car door slammed, loud and final. Heavy footsteps followed, fast and purposeful, each one carry
