The room was a box — no windows, just concrete walls that swallowed sound. The only light came from a flickering bulb overhead, casting wild shadows across Mario's bruised face. His right eye was swollen shut, lip split and bleeding. Sweat and blood mixed in a sticky mess down his neck.
Leo, the short man, rolled his shoulders, pacing back and forth like a caged animal. The air stank of iron and stale sweat. Zaldy's lifeless body slumped against the wall, eyes half-open, as if still witnessing the nightmare.
Mario's head lolled forward, strands of matted hair clinging to his forehead. Leo crouched down, grinning.
"Hey, you awake?" he said, snapping his fingers in Mario's face. "Good. Let's try this again."
Mario breathed heavy, each breath a jagged rattle.
"Where?" Leo asked, leaning in close. His breath stank of cigarettes and cheap beer. "Where the hell is it?"
Mario's jaw clenched.
Leo straightened, feigning disappointment.
"You know, if you'd just told us the first time…"
