Ｓｅｒｅｎｄｉｐｉｔｙ

NINE

🅓🅐🅝🅘🅔🅛🅐

As I rush out of the hospital, I fumble with my phone, pulling up the Uber app. My fingers are shaking as I call a ride to Gio’s house. I don’t even know why I’m doing this. I could’ve just left him there, told him it wasn’t my problem. But something in me… something made me want to help him. Maybe it’s because he’s Miguel’s friend, or maybe I’m just tired of watching him be so damn helpless.

The Uber driver’s only five minutes away, and I pace back and forth outside the hospital doors, my mind spinning. It’s not like Gio and I were ever close. We barely started talking a couple of days ago. But seeing him like that, stuck in that bed, it got to me. It’s weird—I didn’t even realize I’d feel that way until I saw him struggling, trying to hold onto his pride.

I shake my head, laughing to myself. What am I even doing? Gio probably doesn’t want me involved in his life, not like this. But after everything that just happened, after hearing him practically beg me, I couldn’t leave him. I don’t know if it’s guilt or just me being stupid. Maybe it’s both.

The Uber pulls up, and I get in, rattling off Gio’s address to the driver. I lean back in the seat, staring out the window as we pull away. This whole thing is insane. I shouldn’t be doing this. But the thought of leaving Gio like that... It didn’t sit right with me. So here I am, heading to his place, trying to help him make it to this damn meeting like it’s some life-or-death mission.

Maybe it’s because, for once, someone actually needs me. Gio needs me.

And for some reason, I can’t turn my back on him.

______________________________________

The Uber pulls away, leaving me standing in front of Gio’s house. House? More like a mansion. It’s huge, towering in front of me, but all the lights are off, making it look almost… abandoned. I shake off the feeling and walk up to the driveway, glancing around. No car in sight.

Of course, it’s in the garage. And of course, the garage door is closed. Great.

I sigh, looking up at the house again. There’s no way I’m getting into the garage without getting inside the house first. The door’s probably locked, knowing my luck. But I didn’t come all this way just to turn around now.

I walk up to the front door and try the handle, but like I thought, it’s locked tight. I feel around for a spare key, but nothing. Why would he make this easy? I take a step back, staring at the door, wondering if there’s a way to break in without setting off some fancy alarm system. This is ridiculous.

"Come on, Daniela. Think," I mutter to myself. There has to be another way in. A window? A side door? Something.

I walk around the side of the house, trying not to look too suspicious, though I doubt anyone’s awake at this hour to care. The side of the house is just as dark, no lights, no easy way in. But as I turn the corner, I spot a side door leading into what looks like a laundry room.

My heart skips a beat. Maybe, just maybe, this will be unlocked.

I reach for the handle, holding my breath.

The door clicks open easily, and I step inside, feeling my heart race in my chest. It’s dark, almost too quiet, and I have no idea if anyone’s here. For all I know, Gio has roommates or family members hanging around, or maybe I’m walking straight into some sort of security system.

I silently close the door behind me, standing in the laundry room for a second to adjust to the darkness. There’s a faint smell of detergent, and the only sound is the quiet hum of an appliance. I breathe slowly, calming my nerves, and then start moving. Every step feels like it echoes in the silence, but I try to be as quiet as possible.