Tears welled in Mariana’s eyes as she nodded, hugging her notebook tightly as if it were a lifeline. “I was so scared, but I didn’t know what else to do.”

“You did exactly what you should have,” Lucía said, smoothing back Mariana’s hair with a gentle hand. “You’re not alone in this. We’re going to make sure you’re safe.”

The minutes ticked by slowly, each one a stretch of tension and apprehension. Finally, the sound of sirens pierced the heavy silence, and Lucía felt a flicker of hope. The police had arrived.