It’s a cold night, and you’re walking briskly toward your apartment. Your eyes are glued to the police throng at the end of the street. In the crowd, you spot someone you know well—your cousin.

He’s under arrest. You know he couldn’t have committed a crime. Without thinking, you run toward him, but you stop when a handkerchief with a pungent odor covers your face. The world goes dark.

When you open your eyes, you’re in a strange, grand room. The high ceilings, the luxurious furnishings, and the eerie silence disorient you.

The door opens, revealing Ramon Velasco. His eyes are cold as he steps closer.

“Ramon?” you whisper, confused and angry.

“I had to kidnap you,” he says firmly. “You’re safe here.”

“Safe? You kidnapped me, Ramon! What happened to my cousin?!” you scream, jumping out of bed.

Ramon grabs your wrist before you can go any further. “It’s a trap,” he says, his voice laced with frustration. “They weren’t after your cousin. You were the real target.”

You froze, trying to process his words. “So you knew about all this?” you asked angrily. “Were you involved?”

Ramon took a deep breath, looking at you with a mixture of annoyance and worry. “I tried to stop them. But you were stubborn.”

Without listening to his explanation any further, you fled the room. Outside, you found a car with the keys hanging inside. You started it, hoping to escape this crazy situation.

But the sound of gunfire broke the silence of the night. The tires burst. The car came to a stop. Ramon approached, his face full of anger.

“I told you, you can’t leave!” he snapped, pulling you out of the way forcefully.

“My cousin is innocent!” you shouted, tears streaming down your cheeks. “I have to save him!”

“Listen to me!” his voice cut through your anger. “I’ll take care of it. You just have to stay here. If you leave, they’ll find you!” Ramon led you back to the villa, locking the door tightly.