It was morning. Zaviel sat beside Sandra, her head resting gently on his shoulder as they both slept. Their breathing was slow and calm, a rare moment of peace.
Zino entered quietly, carrying some food and water. A small smile played on his lips as he looked at them.
"Wake up, sleepy heads," he said.
They stirred. Sandra lifted her head slightly, while Zaviel blinked awake, rubbing his eyes.
"Wha's up, bro?" Zaviel asked, his voice still heavy with sleep.
"Are you planning to sleep all day, or are you going to wake up and eat?" Zino teased, setting the food down.
Zaviel frowned slightly, now more alert. "Eat? Where did you get all this?"
"Relax," Zino said. "I brought breakfast."
Zaviel stared at the food, clearly surprised. "Breakfast? How?"
Zino shrugged casually. "God provided."
Zaviel gave him a look. "I know… but how?"
Zino chuckled, shaking his head. "You ask too many questions, bro. Just eat."
Zaviel still looked unsure.
"Here," Zino said, turning to Sandra and gently handing her some food. "Take some, sis."
Sandra accepted it with a small smile. "Thank you."
"Come on, bro," Zino added. "It's not poison. I'm just trying to take responsibility."
Sandra took a bite and nodded. "It's actually nice. You should try it."
Zaviel hesitated, then slowly picked up some food. "I don't believe I'm doing this," he muttered before taking a bite.
Zino laughed. "Enjoy, bro."
After a moment, Zaviel raised his brows slightly. "…Okay. This is actually good."
"I told you," Sandra said with a faint smile.
Zaviel looked back at Zino, his curiosity returning. "So… where did you get it from?"
Zino sighed. "Seriously, bro? You're still on that?"
"You told me to eat first. I did. Now it's your turn," Zaviel insisted.
Zino smirked. "But the food didn't kill you, did it?"
"Zino," Zaviel said, warning in his tone.
"Alright, alright," Zino said, raising his hands slightly. "
"Zino," Zaviel said, a warning edge in his voice.
Zino raised his hands slightly. "Alright, alright." He exhaled.
"So… I saw some men loading goods into a truck," he began. "I went up to them and asked if they needed help."
Zaviel's brows slowly pulled together, his expression tightening.
"They said yes," Zino continued. "I helped them out… and that's how I got the job."
Zaviel didn't respond immediately. He just stared at him, uneasiness creeping into his eyes.
"You just walked up to random men?" he asked quietly.
"Yeah," Zino said, shrugging like it was no big deal.
"But you didn't say what kind of goods… or where," Zaviel pressed, his voice filled with concern.
Zino picked up the empty plate and stood. His tone shifted slightly. "The details don't matter. Just know I'm working and stop worrying so much."
He turned and walked away.
"Hey" Zaviel started, but stopped as Zino left.
Sandra gently touched Zaviel's arm. "Calm down. He'll be fine."
Zaviel sighed. "But he didn't tell me anything."
"He's trying to take responsibility," Sandra said softly. "He's not a kid anymore. Instead of questioning him, maybe… support him."
Zaviel exhaled slowly, her words sinking in.
The following morning, Zino dusted off his clothes, preparing to leave.
"I'm off, Sandra," he said.
Zaviel walked in. "I'm coming with you."
Zino paused, surprised. "Huh?"
"I said I'm coming with you," Zaviel repeated.
"Are you serious?"
"Yeah," Zaviel said, stepping closer. "And… I'm sorry about yesterday. I was worried, that's all. I didn't realize you were just trying to step up. I'm with you now."
He placed a hand on Zino's shoulder.
Zino smiled. "That's more like it. So, what are we waiting for? Let's go make some money."
"Yeah, bro," Zaviel replied.
Zino suddenly stopped. "Wait… if we both go, who stays with sis?"
They both turned to Sandra.
"I'll be fine," she said calmly.
Zaviel frowned. "Are you sure?"
She nodded. "Yeah."
Zino shrugged. "She said she's fine."
"No… it's not that simple," Zaviel said, shaking his head. "What if something happens?"
"Like what?" Zino asked. "Who's coming to an uncompleted building?"
Zaviel hesitated. "Still…"
"I'll be fine," Sandra repeated gently. "You guys should go."
Zaviel looked at her for a moment, still unsure… then nodded. "Alright."
"So we can go now?" Zino asked.
"Yeah."
They left.
The building fell silent.
Sandra leaned back against the wall, her body weak. Slowly, her eyes closed.
Then She saw someone.
A man stood a short distance away, his back turned to her.
Her breath caught.
"Who… are you?" she asked weakly.
No response.
Her heart began to race.
His clothes…
They were the same.
The man from her dream.
Her eyes widened. "Wait… it's you."
Her voice trembled. "Please… I'm sorry. Don't leave me."
The man began to walk away.
"No… please!" she cried, trying to stand but a sharp pain shot through her lower abdomen.
"Ahh!" she screamed, clutching herself as tears filled her eyes.
She staggered toward the wall for support, breathing heavily.
With all her strength, she moved toward him.
"Please… don't go," she begged.
She reached him and collapsed, grabbing his leg.
"I need you… I'm sorry… please…"
The man pulled his leg away.
And kept walking.
"No… please…" her voice broke.
Zino and Zaviel walked back.
"Today was stressful," Zino said, stretching slightly.
"Yeah," Zaviel agreed, taking a sip of water before passing it to him.
"Thanks," Zino said.
After a moment, he spoke again. "I want to ask you something."
Zaviel glanced at him. "Go on."
"But be honest."
"Okay…"
Zino looked straight at him. "Are you in love with sis?"
Zaviel froze. "What?"
"You heard me."
Zaviel frowned. "Why would you ask that?"
"Because I want to know."
Zaviel sighed. "I don't know…"
Zino smirked. "I do. It's obvious. The way you act around her."
"I'm just caring," Zaviel said, chuckling nervously.
"Not like this," Zino replied. "You don't even treat me like that."
Zaviel laughed. "Are you serious?"
"I'm serious," Zino insisted.
Zaviel shook his head. "No, I don't"
He suddenly stopped.
His expression changed instantly.
"Oh my God…"
"What?" Zino asked.
Zaviel took off running.
Sandra was on the ground crying.
"Sandra!" he shouted, dropping beside her and holding her.
"What happened? Talk to me!"
"Tell him… to forgive me," she cried. "He doesn't want to forgive me… I'm sorry…"
Zino and Zaviel exchanged a confused glance.
"It's okay," Zaviel said quickly, holding her closer. "Everything's going to be fine."
Sandra's mother, after weeks of waiting, finally went to the police station.
"Good afternoon," she said, her voice tired.
"Good afternoon, ma," the officer replied. "How can I help you?"
"My daughter… has been missing for three weeks," she said, her voice shaking.
The officer hesitated. "Okay…"
"I need to speak with your boss."
"I'm sorry, ma, he's in a meeting."
"But this is an emergency," she said, tears forming. "Three weeks… and no one has found her."
"I understand, but"
Just then, the boss walked in.
"What's going on here?" he asked.
He paused when he saw her. "Mrs. Halen."
"Sir," she said quickly. "My daughter has been missing for over three weeks, and nothing has been done!"
"We are working on it," he replied.
"For three weeks?" she cried. "Almost a month, and no progress!"
"We tried tracking her phone. Nothing came up. Please… give us more time."
She let out a deep, broken sigh.
"I have a meeting," he said shortly before walking away.
Mrs. Halen stood there for a moment…
Then slowly turned and walked out, her heart heavy with fear.