_Alina's POV_
As I turned around to look for Juliet, I realized that my friend was no longer by my side. The market was crowded shoulder to shoulder and the noise was overwhelming. I frantically searched for Juliet, calling out her name, but my voice was quickly drowned out by the surrounding clamor. I tried to push through the crowd to get back to where we parted, but the flow of people made it difficult to move against.
In my anxiety, I noticed a narrow alleyway that might offer a chance to escape the crowd and find Juliet. I decided to venture into the alley, hoping to spot Juliet at one of the intersections.
The alley was quiet in contrast to the bustling market, making my heartbeat seem loud in my ears. My footsteps echoed as I scanned the corners and windows for any sign o
