The Ultimate Return of Carlos

16: The Long Wait

Hidden in the woods, Olivia watched as Carlos was pulled out of the old, decrepit warehouse. The sounds of frogs and crickets filled the air, and the first light of morning began to pierce through the darkness. Tears streamed down her face; her mission was accomplished. Although every atom in her body wanted to rush to Carlos as he was loaded into the ambulance and tell him how sorry she was for all he had suffered because of her, she restrained herself and quietly left the premises.

'THREE WEEKS LATER'

In the late hours of the day, Carlos sat on his couch in his Manhattan residence, his phone in his hands. Pictures moved on the large flat TV in the background as he scrolled through several unanswered messages he had sent to Olivia over the past weeks, trying to reach her to know if she was safe.

Her safety was paramount to Carlos, and he felt responsible for Olivia. As he contemplated, he muttered to himself, "Something is definitely wrong. Why is she not responding to any of my