With everything settled, Mateo thought it would be faster and safer to drive to Portland in a rental car. We packed a few things for the trip, Mateo locked the bar, and we hit the road.First, we took a taxi to Tacoma, where we rented the car for the journey. The rainy weather seemed to heighten the surrounding scents, especially the animals’. My senses were on high alert, attuned to any sound, smell, or movement near us during the drive.“So…” Mateo said, settling into the driver’s seat while I sat beside him. “This person you’re meeting—is it someone I’ve seen before?”“I don’t know, but he was at the bar last night.” My voice came out flat as I struggled with the seatbelt. “How do I fasten this thing?”With deft hands, Mateo grabbed the metal end and clipped it in quickly. I looked at it curiously, learning how the system worked.“Is it that guy in the leather jacket and boots?” Mateo’s voice was a whisper, low and grave. His eyes fixed downward, carried a sadness I didn’t understa
Last Updated : 2025-12-18 Read more