The ambulance sped through the darkened streets, its sirens piercing the night air. Inside, Amadeo lay on the stretcher, his right arm wrapped tightly and his forehead bandaged. His breathing was uneven, his voice weak as he murmured under his breath. "Save... save... Elle..." The words escaped his lips, fragmented and faint, yet filled with desperation.
The emergency medical crew glanced at one another, confusion flickering across their faces. They exchanged silent looks, trying to make sense of his plea. Who was Elle? Why was he so fixated on her? No answers came, only the relentless echo of his murmuring.
Outside, the city buzzed with activity. As the ambulance weaved through the dense traffic, another vehicle crossed its path—a taxi speeding in the opposite direction. Elle sat in the back, her face pale and her fingers gripping her bag tightly. The two vehicles passed each other for a fleeting moment, separated by the chaos of the congested road. Neither Amadeo nor Elle realized the proximity of the other, their worlds brushing past like parallel threads in the tapestry of the night.
Back in the heart of the city, Elle sat in the backseat of a taxi, her eyes darting to the passing buildings. Her hands clutched her bag tightly, her knuckles whitening as she tried to steady her nerves. The streetlights cast fleeting shadows on her face, her expression a mix of fear and determination.
The chaos of the past day surged through her mind in disjointed fragments—the masked figure, the needle, the empty hospital room. She bit the inside of her cheek, desperate to block out the memories, but they clawed at her like unseen specters. Her thoughts circled around Amadeo. Was he safe? Could she have done more? Or was it already too late?
Her heart tightened at the possibility, but before she could dwell further, a sudden deceleration jolted her forward.Traffic slowed to a crawl as horns blared and angry voices echoed through the congested road. Frustrated, Elle leaned forward. "What's going on?" she asked the driver.
"Looks like an accident up ahead," the driver replied, craning his neck to catch a glimpse. "We're stuck for a while."
Unable to contain her restlessness, Elle stepped out of the taxi, her eyes scanning the scene.Elle's restlessness only grew. She pushed the door open without a second thought, stepping out into the noisy, congested street. Her eyes scanned the sea of cars, the tangled mass of frustrated drivers yelling over one another. Somewhere in the distance, she heard the faint echo of sirens. The tension in the air pricked at her nerves, urging her to investigate.
A crowd had gathered, their murmurs filling the air. She stepped closer, but just as she moved toward the commotion, a sharp gust of wind seemed to pull her back.Her bag slipped slightly from her shoulder, and the world seemed to shift.
In the blink of an eye, Elle vanished.
"What the—where did she go?" the taxi driver exclaimed, stepping out of his car. "She was right here. She didn't even pay her fare!"
Frustration gave way to confusion as his gaze landed on the backseat. Her phone sat there, glowing faintly, its screen cracked but still intact. He stared at it for a moment, unsure whether to grab it or leave it untouched.
Before he could process the situation, a black SUV sped past, the tires cutting sharply through the traffic. His eyes widened as he caught a glimpse inside. Elle was there, her pale face pressed desperately against the glass, her fists pounding desperately against the window, her mouth forming silent screams. The taxi driver's heart sank.
"Hey! Stop!" the driver shouted, running after the vehicle. But the crowded street worked against him. The SUV vanished into the chaos, leaving him breathless and stunned.