Chương 4 - The Empty Room
Celia fell to her knees, scrambling to pick up the dropped phone.
"Maya," she sobbed, staring at the grainy image of her younger sister.
Lorenzo was beside her in an instant, snatching the phone from her shaking hands.
He zoomed in on the background of the photo, analyzing the shadows and the angle of the shot.
"She goes to Northwestern University?" Lorenzo asked sharply.
Celia nodded, unable to form words through her panic.
"This was taken less than ten minutes ago," Lorenzo stated, checking the metadata of the image file.
He pulled a tactical radio from his belt.
"I need three heavily armed vehicles at the north garage immediately," Lorenzo barked into the device.
"I am coming with you," Celia demanded, forcing herself to stand up.
"Absolutely not," Lorenzo replied, grabbing a fresh magazine for his pistol.
"She is my sister, Lorenzo, and I am the one Travis wants!" Celia screamed, her fear transforming into desperate anger.
Lorenzo stared at her for three agonizing seconds before giving a curt nod.
They sprinted to the private elevator and descended to the garage.
Three armored SUVs were already waiting with engines roaring.
Lorenzo shoved her into the backseat of the middle vehicle and climbed in beside her.
The convoy tore through the wet Chicago streets, running red lights and swerving past late-night traffic.
Celia prayed silently, begging whatever higher power existed to keep Maya safe.
She had practically raised Maya after their parents died.
If anything happened to her, Celia knew she would never survive the guilt.
They reached the university campus in record time, tires screeching as they breached the student housing perimeter.
Lorenzo's men flooded out of the vehicles, weapons drawn, completely ignoring the confused security guards.
They rushed into the dormitory building and kicked open the door to room 312.
The room was completely dark.
Lorenzo hit the light switch, his weapon sweeping the small space.
Celia pushed past his arm and ran into the room.
The bed was empty, the blankets thrown hastily to the floor.
Maya was gone.
A young girl stepped out of the adjoining bathroom, wearing headphones and looking terrified.
"Where is she?" Celia screamed at Maya's roommate.
The girl pulled off her headphones, trembling violently.
"She left," the roommate stammered, backing away from the armed men.
"Who did she leave with?" Lorenzo demanded, stepping forward.
"She left with Celia's fiancé," the roommate cried.
Celia froze, the blood draining completely from her face.
"He said it was a family emergency," the roommate added softly.
Lorenzo noticed a white envelope resting on Maya's pillow.
He picked it up and handed it to Celia.
May you like
Celia tore it open, finding a single silver key and a handwritten note inside.
The note read: "You have something of mine, Celia. Bring it to me, or Maya pays your debt."
