William trailed behind the two young women—Ericka and Chesca—uneasy about where they might end up. His gut twisted with anxiety, especially knowing that Giovane was out walking alone.
Is he aware of something? William wondered, troubled by Giovane's sudden quietness and deep thinking.
He clutched one of his burner phones, ready to call for backup if things went sideways. He just needed to be prepared.
A sudden tap on his shoulder made him flinch. He spun around, grabbed the arm, and pointed a gun at the owner.
"Whoa, easy, William. Easy," came a familiar voice.
William relaxed instantly. He let go.
"Ouch," the voice groaned, rubbing his arm.
"Vince," William muttered with a sigh.
"What's going on? You're way too jumpy lately," Vince remarked, noting how others had also noticed William's defensive behavior.
William just shook his head in silence.
"What's Thalia doing now?" he asked in a low voice.
Vince sighed. "She's relentless. You know how the Blancos are—always pushing limits. She's exploring our world. A world she'll never truly understand."
"Has she met Chesca yet?"
Vince shook his head.
"Did Felix say anything?" William asked.
"Nothing. He's been moving in secret lately, especially with the campaign heating up."
William glanced around the quiet surroundings, scanning for hidden eyes, for any sign of danger.
"Let's be extra careful. Our world's shrinking. I saw something in a premonition… someone's going to betray us," Vince whispered, his voice tense.
William nodded grimly. He knew it too—power-hungry people will do anything, no matter how unimaginable, to get what they want.
Nearby, one of their colleagues was smoking, oblivious to their conversation.
William tapped Vince lightly.
"I'm still sleepy," he said with a fake yawn, then casually walked away.
He stubbed out the cigarette and moved silently, slipping away. He had a mission of his own—to uncover the traitors, to slowly bring justice for what the Fuego family had done to his innocent loved ones… especially his sister.
Just thinking about her made his chest tighten and his fists clench.
Gerald hasn't called yet. The two girls are safe… for now.
I'm here to keep watch. That's what Jake told me to do.
The night grew deeper. There was no moon, only stars scattered like dust across the sky—so many, they felt infinite.
William felt it—someone was watching him.
But he didn't react.
If this is a game, I'll play it, he thought.
He slipped into the dense forest, map in hand. He knew exactly where he was headed—he could fool anyone who dared follow him.
I learned from the best, he smirked to himself.
He lit another cigarette.
No matter where he went, it followed him—the weight of the past.
It doesn't matter how skilled you are at hide-and-seek. If you lose control, you'll still get lost.
He walked deeper into the forest. Then he froze. This place—it was familiar.
Here… this was the spot where his sister's lifeless body had been found.
Just a kilometer from the road.
Here, too, the twins had died.
This forest… it held too many secrets, too much pain.
He looked toward the heart of the woods—Fernan's final resting place.
I want to forget. But I can't. He gave a weak laugh.
The memories clung to him like blood on his skin.
He placed a hand on his forehead, trying to center himself.
Calm down, William, he told himself.
Eventually, he arrived at an old, hidden hut—his secret lair. He smiled darkly.
Circling the area, he crouched and waited. And then—he saw the figure following him.
A lone silhouette… a small lamp illuminating the way.
The figure wandered, confused. The face was hidden by a hood.
William didn't hesitate.
As the figure neared, he launched from his hiding place, grabbed the person from behind, and pressed a knife to their neck.
"Make one wrong move, and I won't hesitate to stab," he hissed. "Why are you following me? Who are you?"
The figure struggled slightly.
William ripped the hood off—and was stunned to find a woman.
She took advantage of his hesitation and tried to run.
He drew his gun and aimed immediately.
The lamplight shone on her face—and recognition hit him hard.
"Thalia?" he gasped.
Thalia froze, equally shocked.
"Do you know me?" she asked, confused.
But before either of them could say more—footsteps echoed in the woods.
William quickly pulled her into the shadows, hiding them beneath the tree canopy.
Vince had followed them both.
William sighed quietly, staring at the girl he had almost killed.