—Shut up!

Mateo continued:

—You also said everyone would think she was tired. And then you’d take me to Querétaro so I’d stop asking questions.

Sergio stepped forward.

—Come here.

—Don’t touch him —Gálvez ordered.

Police entered.

—Ms. Renata, remove your hand from the bag —one said.

She smiled.

—You’re going to believe a scared child?

—We’re going to believe the recording —Gálvez replied.

A metal object flashed.

A small scalpel.

Mateo stepped back.

Valeria tried to scream. Tried to move.

Only her finger moved again.

Mateo saw it.

—My mom moved!

Renata froze.

Then her face changed.

Not fear.

Desperation.

—If she wakes up, we’re all finished —she said.

She grabbed Mateo as a shield.

—Nobody takes what belongs to me!

Sergio backed away.

—Let him go!

—Now you’re scared? You cut the brakes! —Renata shouted.

—Because you told me how! —Sergio yelled back.

Truth exploded.

Valeria understood: they were destroying each other.

And just as Renata raised the scalpel toward Mateo—

Valeria opened her eyes.

 

 

 

part3