The blue eyes shot open abruptly, and the ragged breathing was interrupted by a cough. The right arm lifted, frantic and trembling, as it tried to remove the debris from on top of himself, revealing a damaged gold watch. Then, a bloodied hand grabbed him, pulling him forcefully.

Williams was slowly dragged out from under the rubble by his bodyguard. He was also coughing, but more restrained, occasionally glancing at the hole above them, which constantly showered dust.

Williams gritted his teeth as he was pulled to his feet. He noticed blood running down his face and placed his hand on his left knee, feeling the pain resonate throughout his body.

– Can you walk? – the bodyguard asked, his expression pained.

Williams was gasping, looking around the dark room, but all he could focus on was the man in front of him, who was drenched in sweat and had a weary look in his eyes. Williams grabbed the bodyguard’s shoulders, his eyes wide. But as he did, the bodyguard quickly threw him behind, then placed a hand near the wound on his shoulder.

– Son of a bitch... – he whispered to himself, clenching his eyes shut tightly.

– What... what happened? – Williams asked, struggling to stand.

– We’re screwed... this happened!

The bodyguard approached Williams, grabbing his jacket to help him stand. He got to his feet, limping due to the pain in his knee.

– Shit... Koji is an enhanced one... – Williams said, panic evident in his voice, which echoed through the room. – What the hell is going on!?

The bodyguard quickly clamped a hand over Williams’ mouth, gripping his face hard.

– Shut up, they can hear us... – he said through gritted teeth, looking up and gesturing with his head. – We have to get out... fast!

Williams nodded, pressing his lips together as he pulled a cellphone from his pocket and activated the flashlight function.

The place they were in seemed like an empty room, and with the light, they managed to spot a door. Williams quickly headed toward it, limping as he went. The bodyguard, however, moved slowly, supporting himself against the wall when he found it.

This floor, unlike the previous one, was more renovated, with well-made walls and spaces for doors. However, there was no lighting, not even from outside, as the place was completely sealed off.

Williams panted, looking both ways down the dark hallway. The bodyguard stepped out of the room, walking a little way down the corridor before leaning against a wall. He braced himself with his hand, leaving a trail of blood; his figure was trembling and gasping for breath.

– Carajo... can you see the exit? – the bodyguard asked as he slowly collapsed, propping himself against the wall.

He tried to wipe the sweat from his face with one hand, keeping his eyes fixed on the room they had just left. Williams paused to catch his breath and looked at the bodyguard and the dark corridor.

– I... I don’t know. Which way did we come from when we went up? I can barely see anything, and I’m not sure where we are... – Williams said, following the same direction as his bodyguard.

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A cough seized the bodyguard, and he placed his hand over his mouth to suppress the sound. But he felt the moisture and stickiness in his hand. Then, he closed his eyes as a smile formed at the corner of his mouth, soon turning into laughter.

– Ha ha ha ha... ¡puta madre! ¡No lo creo!

The bodyguard was overcome, sweat pouring from his body, and blood stained his entire outfit.

– What are you doing? You’re going to alert them! – Williams said in a muffled voice, approaching his bodyguard.

But the bodyguard quickly shoved him away, causing Williams to fall to the ground along with his phone, which illuminated the ceiling and the figures of both men. The bodyguard then leaned against the wall, but in the opposite direction from Williams.

– Listen, whitey... it’s over for me... – the bodyguard said, swallowing hard and forcing a smile that was almost hidden by his pained expression.

– What are you saying? You need to get me out of here! –Williams said, his voice filled with frustration, but fear and pain were mingled in that mix of emotions. – I need to get out of here... alive!

The bodyguard looked toward Williams and noticed the golden glow of the wedding ring Williams was almost absentmindedly stroking. Then, he stared at the ground, placing his hand on his chest and feeling his crucifix. He then pulled a silver pistol from behind his pants, gripping it by the barrel and offering it to Williams.

– Here... if you come across one of those sons of bitches... shoot them in the face...

– What... I won’t be able to... I’ve never used a gun...

– Cabron! – the bodyguard said, gripping the gun barrel tightly. – You have to accept reality... either you kill... or you die...

Williams slowly took hold of the blood-stained gun. The bodyguard nodded, his eyes drooping and his breathing growing weaker.

– It’s already unlocked... aim and pull the trigger...

– I’ve never killed anyone...

– You’re also a criminal, so you’ve already killed... just not with your own hands... – the bodyguard replied, struggling to stand. – But now, only one thing matters... family.

Williams’ eyes filled with tears, and his mouth went dry. He stared at the bloodied gun he held in both hands. Then, he took a deep breath and nodded.

– Go... find and save your family. If those bastards come through the hole... I’ll stop them, none of them will get past here... – the bodyguard said, standing upright, leaning against the wall, coughing. – If you come across one of them... you know what to do...

Williams nodded, bending down to pick up his phone from the ground and facing the corridor ahead.

– Hey... what’s your name? –Williams asked as he looked back, sweat dripping down his face and mixing with the dust. – Your real name…

– Javier... now go! – Javier, the bodyguard, responded through clenched teeth, nodding toward the corridor.

– I’m sorry Javier…

Williams limped toward the corridor, moving away with the light cutting through the darkness. Javier tried to take deep breaths, but he felt the unbearable fever rising within him. The suffocating silence enveloped him, along with the darkness.

– Lo siento, hermanita, creo que lo arruiné todo esta vez... – he whispered to himself, pulling out the crucifix from his clothes and gripping it tightly. – És como siempre me decía, quien baila com lá muerte, al final se acuesta com ella...

He let go of the crucifix, which fell against his chest. Sweat poured down his face as his trembling eyes shut tight. He then looked toward the door, and in front of it were two flickering red dots.

– If you think I’m going to die... screw you! – Javier shouted toward the door, pushing himself away from the wall and forcing a smile. – After this, I’m gonna drink like hell... and then find a hooker... like every other night!

The silence persisted, but slow footsteps could be heard approaching the door, and the red lights drew nearer and nearer.

– Heh, yo siempre respondía lo mismo, hermanita... – he whispered to himself once more, squeezing his eyes shut. – ¡La muerte puede llevarme... cuando ella merezca!

Javier opened his eyes; his pupils sparked erratically, and he let out a roar of fury, charging forward with his translucent fists barely forming at his sides.

A few seconds passed, and the sounds of a fight echoed down the dark corridor, followed by a scream of pain. Finally, the silence returned to envelop the place.

– Well fought... – A deep voice came from the darkness.

Then those two red dots reappeared, moving down the corridor, leaving a trail of blood in their wake.