The Ultimate Return of Carlos

8: A Promise Made

PRESENT DAY.

The sound of the analog clock ticking on the wall filled the room, its rhythm punctuating the silence of the night, as Carlos lay sprawled on the bed, his body contorted in an attempt to find a position that would alleviate the throbbing pain from his bullet wound. Each movement was met with a sharp gasp, a subtle sound of discomfort escaping his lips.

As he shifted, trying to find a semblance of comfort, Carlos couldn't help but reflect on the events of the days before. The memory of the gunshot wound and the chaotic escape with Olivia still fresh in his mind. In agony, he whispered to himself, his voice filled with regret and self doubt.

"What have I gotten myself into?" he murmured, each word punctuated by a soft gasp of pain. "Did I really think I could play the hero?" Another gasp followed as he adjusted his position, trying to ease the discomfort.

He glanced at Olivia, her form outlined in the dim light, her breathing steady and deep. The contrast between her peaceful sleep and his own turmoil was stark. He thought of his mother's warnings, the words echoing in his mind. "Mom always said my recklessness would get me into trouble," he whispered, a hint of resignation in his voice.

Eventually, the rhythmic sound of Olivia's snoring and the steady tick-tock of the clock lulled him into a fitful sleep. After a few hours, Carlos woke up, his eyes adjusting to the dim light of the room. He glanced at Olivia, who was still asleep, her snoring now barely audible. With a sigh, he reached for his phone to check the time, only to be met with disappointment.

"Still 3:48," he muttered, the grogginess evident in his voice. He tried to go back to sleep, but the minutes felt like hours, and eventually, he gave up, rising from bed with a grunt of effort. Despite the lingering pain from his wound, he moved quietly, not wanting to disturb Olivia's much - needed rest.

He located his small luggage bag and retrieved his laptop, setting it up on the small chair and table in the room. His fingers moved swiftly over the keyboard, searching for any information that could help them. He typed "scorpion tattoo on right hand" into the search bar, hoping to find a match for the tattoo he had seen on the leader of the men who had chased them.

As he scrolled through images online, he couldn't find any that resembled the tattoo. Frustrated, he widened his search, looking for any connections to gangs or homicides in the past five years. Despite his efforts, he came up empty - handed, the lack of information adding to his frustration. He closed his laptop with a sigh, feeling the weight of their situation pressing down on him.

With a heavy heart, Carlos turned his attention back to Olivia, who was still asleep. He knew they were running out of time, and the danger they were in was real. Determined to protect Olivia and find a way out of their predicament, Carlos resolved to keep searching for answers, no matter how elusive they seemed.

Drowned in his search, moving from one blog to the other, he suddenly felt a touch on his shoulder from behind. Accompanied by a groggy voice, Olivia said, "What are you doing? You're supposed to be sleeping." Carlos looked up, slightly startled, and replied, "Nothing, I couldn't sleep. Go back to sleep, it's nothing." Olivia, rubbing her eyes to clear the sleep, leaned in to see what had captured Carlos's attention on the laptop screen.

"This doesn't look like nothing. Do you need any help? Let me help you," she offered, her concern evident in her voice. However, Carlos, not wanting to worry Olivia until he found something tangible to link to their attackers, replied, "Nothing really. It's nothing, just something from work."

Olivia, sensing Carlos's reluctance to share, shifted her approach, concerned about well - being. "Did you even sleep at all?" she asked, noticing his weary expression. Carlos nodded, and Olivia continued, "Okay, if it's work, you can continue after daybreak. It's just past 4; you need your sleep." With that, she gently closed the laptop and extended her hand towards Carlos. "Come, come back with me to bed."

Carlos, touched by Olivia's care and understanding, took her hand, feeling a sense of comfort and reassurance. Together, they returned to bed, the dim light of the room casting a soft glow around them. As they lay side by side, their faces inches apart, Olivia placed her hands on Carlos's face, gently massaging it.

"Why are you doing this?" she began, her voice soft and full of curiosity. Carlos, unsure of what she meant, asked, "Doing what?"

Olivia continued, her touch lingering on his skin, "Doing this, risking your life to help me? You don't even know me." Carlos, placing his hands on Olivia's waist, replied, "Do I need to know you to help you? A wise person once told me not to turn a blind eye to someone in need of help."

With a long exhale, Olivia continued, "I didn't know people like you still exist in this bitter thing we call home." Confused, Carlos asked, "What 'thing'?" Olivia clarified, "This hateful thing we call the universe," then leaned in closer to give Carlos a quick, tender kiss on the lips.

Carlos, though not repulsed by the kiss, looked deep into Olivia's eyes and said softly, "I hope you know you don't have to do that." But before Carlos could finish his sentence, Olivia responded, "But I want to." There was a pause as they continued to gaze into each other's eyes, feeling a connection that transcended words. Olivia then continued, "I want you to promise me something."

"What's that?" Carlos asked, his voice barely above a whisper.

Olivia, aware of the risks Carlos was taking for someone he barely knew, said, "Promise me you won't do anything stupid, like taking a bullet for me again, or if by any chance I get caught, you won't try to come and rescue me." Carlos, knowing he might not be able to keep such a promise, hesitated for a while, then finally replied, "I can't do that."

But Olivia insisted, her eyes pleading, "Promise me." After much persistence from Olivia, Carlos reluctantly said the words, knowing Olivia wouldn't have it any other way, "I promise."