You'll be Okay

Sant pressed his finger to Vero’s lips and then placed his other finger on his lips. “Shh,” he whispered. “Follow me.”

Vero didn’t understand why Sant wanted her to follow him, but she could only nod and submit as Sant dragged her into a nearby room, which turned out to be a storage room for cleaning supplies.

They squeezed into the small space, and Vero almost toppled a pile of brooms in the corner when her foot accidentally bumped into them. Fortunately, Sant quickly caught them and carefully returned the brooms to their place.

They stood facing the door, with her back leaning against his chest, and she could faintly feel his steady heartbeat. Vero didn’t dare speak or ask questions. She felt the tension in Sant’s grip on her hand and his other hand still covering her mouth, as if he was afraid she would scream.

After a short while, Vero saw black shadows passing through the gap under the door. There was no sound, only darkness that temporarily obscured the light in the cramped room