The Ultimate Return of Carlos

82

The early light of dawn broke through the thin curtains of their small rented cabin in Hawaii, casting soft shadows on the walls. The quiet of the morning was pierced by the low hum of Jon’s alarm. He slapped it off with a groggy hand, glancing over at Carlos and Olivia who were already stirring. It was time. The tension in the room was palpable, none of them needing to say a word to feel the weight of what lay ahead. Today was the day they’d leave for New York, and the only thing on everyone’s mind was Edgar.

Olivia was the first to move, slipping out of bed and heading to the kitchen to start coffee. She was the most prepared, the one who seemed to keep it all together, even when the walls felt like they were closing in. Carlos sat on the edge of his bed, staring at the floor. His mind was miles away, already in New York, already thinking about the dangerous mission they were about to undertake.

“Everyone ready?” Olivia asked, her voice cutting through the silence. She poured coffee