章 173: A day with Tyron

The past five days felt like an eternity. Each day, I tried to return to some semblance of normalcy, but every small incident seemed to trigger memories of my captivity. The sound of a door creaking, the hum of a refrigerator, even the scent of a particular spice Carmen used in her cooking—all these mundane things sent me spiraling back to that dark, cold cell.

My interactions with Carmen had grown strained, the love and warmth between us now overshadowed by fear and doubt.

Today, I was supposed to spend the day with Tyron, my best friend. I hoped it would be a welcome distraction, a chance to laugh and forget, even if just for a little while. Carmen encouraged me to go, her eyes filled with a mix of worry and hope as she kissed my forehead before I left.

"Have fun," she whispered, her voice soft and soothing. "I'll be here when you get back."

I nodded, trying to muster a smile. "I'll try," I replied, my voice barely above a whisper.