As he spoke into the radio, a noise from behind startled them both—a soft creak, like a hesitant footstep on old wood. Morales turned swiftly, his hand instinctively reaching for his weapon.

The man who emerged from the shadows was gaunt, his eyes sunken and hollow. He looked at Morales with a mixture of surprise and anger. Jimena flinched slightly, stepping closer to the officer.

“You shouldn’t be here,” the man growled, a thin veneer of civility barely covering the menace in his voice.

“I’m here to help Jimena,” Morales responded firmly, positioning himself protectively in front of the girl. “And you’re going to have to answer some questions.”