The sun was slowly setting over Aarush, casting the buildings in a muted orange glow. Kali was counting money to go grocery shopping while Dahlia gathered the bags. When suddenly...

  "I know where Enrique shops. He's discreet, but... he helped me once, when I was fifteen. It was the only way I knew Nicco was okay. I gave him a note back then. We can do the same now," Kali said suddenly, without looking up.

  Dahlia put down her phone and looked at her attentively.

  "You think he'd still help you?"

  "If he's on his shift, yes. He always goes to the same supermarket, the one on the way to the cultural center. He has a fixed schedule. We could try leaving him a message. He just needs to see it, that's enough."

  Kali grabbed a pen and a piece of paper. She sat cross-legged on the couch and started writing. Dahlia leaned over to read from behind her shoulder:

  "Nicco. I know you're there. You're not alone. We'll help you. Don't give up. I love you. —K."

  "Simple. Direct. He needs to know we're with him," Kali said, folding the note carefully.

  Dahlia nodded.

  "Let's go. Before it gets dark."

  ...

  The supermarket was big, with low ceilings and soft music that contrasted with the tension they carried inside. Between aisles of vegetables and frozen goods, they saw him.

  This book's true home is on another platform. Check it out there for the real experience.

  Enrique.

  Elegant as always, in a dark coat and holding a wicker basket full of organic products. Kali approached him with determination, the note clutched in her hand.

  "Enrique," she called softly.

  The man turned his head and, upon seeing her, widened his eyes slightly. Then he smiled with a mix of surprise and warmth.

  "Miss Gethwine..."

  "Please," she whispered, handing him the note. "It's for him. Just... give it to him. He needs to know he's not alone."

  Enrique looked at the paper for a second, then discreetly slipped it into the inner pocket of his coat.

  "I can't promise anything," he said. "But I'll do what I can."

  And he walked away, with the same grace with which he had arrived.

  Dahlia and Kali exhaled almost at the same time. A small victory. A flicker of hope.

  ...

  Before leaving, they took a quick round through the supermarket. Dahlia went straight to the personal safety aisle. She picked up a small can of pepper spray and stared at it for a long time before tossing it into the basket.

  "I'm not getting caught off guard again," she muttered.

  Kali, meanwhile, found a small retractable knife in a camping display case. She hesitated for a few seconds. Then bought it without saying a word.

  They both paid in silence. They were in sync. On alert.

  ...

  On their way back, they took a different route. But he showed up again.

  The man. Tall. Long coat. Standing on the opposite corner. Motionless. Like a statue that only existed to watch.

  "Shit..." Dahlia whispered.

  "He's really following us," Kali confirmed, gripping the shopping bag.

  They didn't run, but they picked up the pace. Turned a street early, cut behind some trash bins, crossed through private gardens. They wanted to lose him. Feel a sense of control.

  Only when they entered their building, slightly out of breath, did they feel even remotely safe.

  They climbed the stairs in silence. Opened their apartment door and locked it with two turns of the key.

  Kali leaned her back against the door. Dahlia quietly took the bags into the kitchen without saying a word.

  That day, they had gained something: a note, a chance.