VALERIA

I pushed the wooden door, which was barely hanging on its hinges, and it let out a loud creak.

Inside, the stench of mold, rotting wood, and decay hit my nose like a slap, my eyes adjusting to the overwhelming darkness.

Beside me, I noticed some remains of wooden beams from what used to be a doorframe.

I picked up one with my trembling hands, playing the heroine once again.

What I was doing was far too dangerous and reckless—I knew that.

But I couldn’t just let them take him right in fr