POV: Saval
The café was nearly empty when we arrived. Mia waved from a table in the back, David beside her with a furrowed brow. We hung our coats on the backs of our chairs; the smell of coffee couldn't chase away the knot in my stomach.
—The report has been filed,— I said as soon as we sat down.
—Good,— Mia replied, though her eyes kept darting anxiously toward the door.— But… something's off.
David leaned in. —Xavier hasn't shown up to his classes since yesterday. No one knows where he is.—
A heavy silence enveloped us. Santiago's name seemed to float invisibly in the air.
The doorbell chimed. I didn't pay attention until I saw the figure in the doorway: a low cap, a dark jacket. My heart skipped a beat. I recognized him before he even looked up.
—Santiago,— I whispered.
It all happened in seconds. He moved with an icy calm, his hand hidden in his pocket. Semiel, beside me, stood up.
—Don't do this,— he said firmly.
Santiago smiled, a flash of madness in his eyes. —Always ruining my plans, Semiel.—
A metallic glint appeared as he drew his hand out. I didn't think: I lunged toward Semiel, but the knife was already arcing downward. I felt the blunt impact against my arm as I pushed him aside. The blade found its mark in Semiel's side.
—Semiel!— I shouted, catching him before he could fall.
Mia screamed, David overturned the table to block the way. Some customers ran. Santiago took a step back, startled by his own violence, then fled into the street.
Blood soaked my hands. —Hold on, love, please,— I whispered as I laid him on the floor. His breathing was quick, ragged.
—I'm… okay,— he murmured, but his voice broke.
—Call an ambulance!— David yelled to the people around us.
The minutes stretched like hours. Semiel gripped my hand weakly. I couldn't take my eyes off his face, afraid he might close them.
The sirens arrived, the most beautiful sound I'd ever heard. They loaded him onto a stretcher as I stayed glued to his side.
On the way, the paramedic asked me to give them space, but I couldn't let go. —You're going to be okay,— I repeated, over and over, as if the words could keep him awake.
The hospital greeted us with overly bright lights. They took him to the emergency room, the swinging doors closing in my face. I stood there, my clothes stained red, my hands trembling.
Mia and David arrived, panting. —The police are already looking for him,— Mia said, almost breathless.— Saval…
I couldn't respond. I just stared at those doors, the echo of the sirens still in my head. The entire world had narrowed to a single silent plea: that Semiel would still be breathing when they opened again.