Chapter 10

With her breath coming in ragged gasps, Letty sprinted out of the warehouse, fueled by adrenaline and determined to move even faster. However, the weighty reality of Jaime's betrayal loomed heavily on her mind as she fled from Cilghal's men who were hot on her trail. She knew that letting down her guard for even a second could have dire consequences.

 

Letty's mind was racing as she made her way through the dimly lit roads of Havana. It was crucial for her to find Mia and Giselle soon so that they could alert each other about the imminent danger. She recollected their agreed meeting spot and set off, feeling a thumping in her chest with every step towards it.

 

As the night progressed, the streets grew quieter and Letty could sense her surroundings more acutely. The bustling city noises had gradually become muted in the background. She felt exposed under the moving shadows that were now eerily alive around her. As she approached their meeting point on a street corner, she slowed down carefully to scan for any sign of her companions.

 

Anxiety gnawing at her, she muttered under her breath: "Where are you?"

 

In the end, she saw them close to a poorly illuminated passage, their faces exhibiting both relief and worry. "Letty!" Mia exclaimed while hurrying towards her. "We were extremely concerned! What occurred?"

 

Letty gasped and spoke in a shaky voice, "Jaime, it was a trap. Cilghal's men were waiting for us. We need to leave this place immediately!"

 

With alarm, Giselle's eyes widened as she asked, "Were you seen?"

 

Letty's heart raced as she looked over her shoulder and replied, "Although I don't believe it is so risky, we cannot afford to take any chances. It is necessary for us to locate a secure area where we can regroup and strategize our next actions."

 

"Going to the old hotel seems like a good idea," proposed Mia confidently. "Since it is abandoned and not on anyone's radar, we can hide out there for some time."

 

"Showing her gratitude for Mia's quick thinking, Letty nodded and said "Please lead the way."

 

As Letty traversed the streets, her thoughts were consumed with endless scenarios. Jaime's treachery had afflicted a great wound; she'd placed faith in him and presumed he stood for their cause. "What compelled his actions?" She mumbled bitterly while exasperation surged within her soul.

 

With a concerned expression on her face, Mia looked back at Letty and warned, "Cilghal is perilous. He might be terrified enough to betray us for his own safety."

 

Letty's voice rose as she fired back, "However, at what expense? He jeopardized all of us. If only he had tipped us off!"

 

Giselle intervened, speaking in a calm yet firm tone. "We should set aside the matter of Jaime for now and concentrate on surviving this situation."

 

Attempting to calm her racing thoughts, Letty inhaled deeply. She conceded that Giselle was correct - they must remain concentrated. Upon their approach towards the abandoned hotel, Letty felt an overwhelming sense of relief. The decrepit exterior and shattered windows faded into obscurity as they merged with the darkness, presenting them ideal camouflage for cover purposes.

 

Quietly, they entered through the entrance and were met with a suffocating atmosphere of dust and abandonment. The lobby was dim-lit, and every step caused an ominous creaking on the neglected floorboards. Mia spoke in barely more than a whisper as she suggested scavenging for any available supplies.

 

"True," Letty said. "We could require provisions like food, water, or even makeshift weapons."

 

Letty rushed towards the rear of the building while Mia and Giselle scoured through its front, parting ways. The calm was eerie, with every sound reverberating throughout due to a lack of noise. Letty's reflexes were sharp as she frantically hunted for anything valuable around her to aid in their mission progress.

 

She stumbled upon a collection of outdated provisions such as tinned edibles, bottled H20 and even some torches in one of the rear chambers. "Brilliant," she whispered to herself while amassing whatever was transportable. While on the verge of departing from her enclave, an indistinct sound caught her attention from behind.

 

Her heart racing, Letty froze as she faced the origin of the sound. A shadowy figure came into view and her natural instincts took over as she aimed her Glock towards the trespasser.

 

The figure raised their hands in surrender and exclaimed, "Hold on there! Take it easy! I come in peace, no harm intended!"

 

Letty squinted, attempting to discern the stranger's visage. "May I inquire as to your identity?"

 

Diego emerged from the shadows, his appearance unkempt and a sense of urgency evident in his gaze. "I'm Diego. I've been taking refuge here for some time now. Please believe me when I say that I have no affiliation with Cilghal."

 

Letty's instincts were still in overdrive, causing her to hesitate before asking the question: "What is it that you want?"

 

Diego's urgent voice conveyed, "I am aware of your predicament. Cilghal has a watchful gaze everywhere; if he discovers you here, survival will be impossible. Allow me to assist."

 

"Help us in what way?" Letty questioned with a hint of doubt threading through her words.

 

"I possess a network of acquaintances who can aid in your escape from the urban areas and assist you in vanishing. Yet, it is crucial for you to place confidence in me."

 

Racing through Letty's mind was the question, "What reason do I have to trust you? How can I be sure that you're not just another one of Cilghal's associates?"

 

Diego approached with a serious look on his face. "I've also been trying to evade him," he explained sincerely. "I'm not working with him, and I know firsthand the consequences of defying him. It's unwise for you to remain here; let me assist you in finding refuge."

 

Diego and Letty shared a look as she considered her choices. In this crucial moment, allies were essential. After careful deliberation, Letty spoke up with a slight decrease in weapon readiness. "I'll choose to trust you," she began cautiously."However, I won't hesitate to neutralize any funny business."

 

"Alright," answered Diego as a feeling of relief swept across his face. "We should leave this place quickly before Cilghal's men become aware of your presence."