As she climbed to the third floor, Althea paused for a moment.
—Could I be alone for a while? —she asked shyly.
Elion nodded without hesitation.
—Sure, I'll wait for you downstairs —he replied with a friendly smile.
Althea slowly approached the edge of the balcony. The moon was shining overhead, covering the night with its calm light. She took a deep breath... and with some nervousness, pulled out her cell phone. He dialed Delma's number. The ringtone seemed to take forever.
"Will she answer me...?" he thought over and over again. Until finally, he heard that familiar voice on the other end.
—Althea? —Delma's voice was heard, full of concern.
Althea's eyes filled with tears at that instant.
— Miss Delma?... — she answered with a broken voice.
—Althea! Where are you? Are you all right? Are you hurt? What happened? — Delma asked without stopping, completely distressed.
— I'm fine… — answered Althea, trying to calm her down.
—Thank God…—whispered Delma, relieved—. I was calling you, but there seemed to be no signal.
—Yes… I'm sorry — said Althea.
—Are those men still following you? —asked Delma with more seriousness.
—Not anymore… but… Mian is hurt… they hurt him—said Althea, her voice trembling.
There was a brief silence on the other side... and then Delma's voice sounded firmer.
—How bad is it? Tell me where they are? I'm coming for you right now.
—Calm down, Miss Delma. Don't worry… —Althea tried to calm her down.
—How can I not worry? Mian is hurt, if I don't look for them, it could get worse.
—They are taking care of him…when I was running away, a young man helped me… and brought me to him.
Delma was silent for a second.
—A young man...? Who is he? Are you sure he has no bad intentions?
—No, no... he's very kind —Althea assured her—. He's not a bad person.
—Are you alone with him?
—Oh, no… we are in a neighborhood. Besides, a doctor is helping Mian.
—I see… that reassures me a little —Delma answered—. I hope Mian recovers soon.
—Me too… —whispered Althea.
There was a short silence.
—Is that place safe? —asked Delma.
—Yes, it is —Althea answered without hesitation.
—Well… then send me your location. I'll come and get you soon, but first I have some things to take care of… I won't be long, in two days at the most I'll be with you and Mian, ok?
—Okey… —Althea agreed.
—Good. Take care of yourselves, okay?
—Yes… Miss Delma…
—What's wrong?
—Please… come back safely…
Delma's voice softened.
—Don't worry… I will.
The call ended. Althea sent her location to Delma and stared at the cell phone screen for a moment... then looked up at the moon. In her heart she only wished she could see Miss Delma again.
Then he heard Elion's voice from below.
—Are you finished? You should come down now, it's starting to get colder.
—I'm coming! —Althea replied, wiping away her tears before heading downstairs.
When she got downstairs, Elion opened the door for her to enter. Inside, there was a small mattress with some sheets on the floor.
—Shall we sleep there? — Althea asked with a small smile.
But Elion shook his head.
—Oh, no, that's for me. You will sleep in the bed in the bedroom, it will be warmer for you — said Elion pointing to the small room at the back with the door ajar.
—But... I can sleep in here. I don't want to cause you any more trouble... you've already helped me a lot —Althea answered a little embarrassed.
Elion smiled.
—Don't worry. I always sleep here. My brother is the one who occupies the bed... besides, it's too small for me —he said with a chuckle—. So don't worry, rest easy.
Althea looked at him for a few seconds… and then nodded.
—Thank you… Elion.
Elion pointed to the door of the small room.
—You can sleep in there, it's clean and warmer than out here.
Althea walked slowly to the room and before entering she paused for a moment, as if remembering something important.
—Um… Elion —she called him, a little worried—. And Mian? How is he?
Elion looked at her with a slight reassuring smile.
—Ah, I went to see him while you were upstairs —he answered —. Luckily, he's no longer in danger. Stella is still treating him, but only to make sure everything is okay with Mian.
—Really? —Althea's eyes sparkled a little, relieved.
—Yes —Elion nodded.
—Elion…—she called him shyly—. Can I go and see Mian?... Just for a moment …
Elion thought for a second, but then shook his head gently.
—I'd better not, Althea —he said in a calm tone —. Mian needs rest… and so do you. We'll go to see him tomorrow morning, I promise you.
Althea looked down a little, understanding.
—… It's okay— she agreed, although she could tell it was a little difficult—. Then… I'll see him tomorrow.
Elion gave her a gentle smile.
—That's right. Then you'll both be better off tomorrow.
Trusting his words, Althea entered the small room. It was a small space, with just enough: a single bed, a small table, and a small window through which the moonlight filtered in, but it felt warm and safe. Before closing the door, he looked at Elion and gave him a small, sincere bow.
—Really…thank you for everything, Elion.
He smiled.
—I hope you rest well, Althea.
She nodded softly and closed the door carefully. Inside, she sat on the bed, staring for a moment at her own hands, as if reviewing everything that had happened that day. Then he sighed and whispered softly:
— Tomorrow… tomorrow I will be able to see Mian.
For a moment, his heart felt a little more relieved… more secure.
She lay back on the bed, staring at the ceiling in silence…and whispered to herself.
—…Good night, Elion — said Althea, closing her eyes slowly.
Meanwhile, outside, Elion stood for a moment, watching the door close.
—You've had a very difficult day today...I hope you sleep well… good night Althea — he murmured walking away.
Then, he settled down on his mattress on the floor, tucking himself in with a light blanket.
And so, little by little… the calm of the night enveloped them both, giving them a well-deserved rest.