Short story: The Tragic Flight - Part IV - The End
The injured man followed Enrique's instructions to the letter. Wearing a hospital gown and a wig, he managed to pass unnoticed through the hospital corridors until he reached the emergency exit.
Once outside, a car was waiting for him. As he got in, he met Enrique at the wheel, who instructed him to duck down to avoid being seen. The car sped away from the hospital, getting lost among the city streets.
"Where are we going?" the man asked, still confused by everything that was happening.
"To a safe place, where you can hide until we have a plan to get you out of the country," Enrique replied, keeping his eyes on the road.
After a silent drive, they arrived at an abandoned building on the outskirts of the city. Enrique led the man through dark corridors until they reached a small hidden apartment.
"You'll be safe here for now," Enrique said, handing him a bag of clothes and food. "Stay here and don't leave for anything in the world. I'll be back tomorrow with more information."
The man nodded, too tired and confused to protest. He plopped down on the bed, trying to process everything that had happened.
Meanwhile, back at the hospital, Agent Ramirez learned of the patient's mysterious disappearance. Furious, he questioned the nurses and checked the security cameras, but found no clues to his whereabouts.
"Do you think someone helped him escape?" asked his partner, Agent Gomez.
"I don't know, but I'm going to find out," Ramirez replied, determined. "This case is getting more and more complicated."
Back in the hideout, the wounded man tried to rest, but fear and uncertainty wouldn't leave him alone. Who was Enrique really and why was he helping him? What did he have to do with this criminal organization?
The next morning, Enrique returned with disturbing news. "The men who attacked you are looking for you. We need to get you out of the country as soon as possible."
The man looked at him in despair. "What's going on, why are they looking for me?"
Enrique sighed. "It seems that you witnessed an exchange of weapons between members of the organization. They believe you have information that could incriminate them."
"But how? I don't know anything!" The man felt on the verge of panic.
"I know, but they won't believe you," Enrique said seriously. "You have to trust me and do exactly what I tell you if you want to survive."
The man nodded, knowing he had no choice. Enrique handed him a fake passport and motioned for him to follow him. Together, they headed for the bus station, hoping to escape the city before the criminals found them.
But as they waited in line to buy tickets, the man felt a familiar look. He turned slowly and found himself face to face with one of his attackers. He had been discovered.
The man felt his heart stop as he exchanged glances with his attacker at the bus station. The criminal, recognizing him, pulled out a gun and pointed it directly at him.
"Enrique, watch out!" the man shouted, pushing his protector away just in time to avoid being hit by the bullet.
Chaos erupted in the station as people ran in panic. Henry and the wounded man threw themselves to the ground, seeking shelter behind some seats.
"We have to get out of here!" exclaimed Enrique, drawing his own gun. "Follow me!"
Both men ran through the crowd, dodging gunfire as they searched for a way out. Finally, they made it to the parking lot, where a car was waiting for them.
"Get in, quick!" ordered Enrique, starting the vehicle at full speed.
As they drove away from the station, the man looked back, seeing their pursuers approaching in other cars. There seemed to be no escape.
"Where are we going?" he asked, his voice trembling.
"To a safe place, far from here," Enrique replied, focused on the road. "But we have to lose them first."
For several minutes, Enrique drove at full speed, weaving through traffic and narrow streets. Finally, they managed to throw off their pursuers and arrived at an abandoned hangar on the outskirts of the city.
"Quick, get in that plane," Enrique said, pointing to a small airship. "It will take you to safety."
The man hesitated for a moment, but when he saw Enrique draw his gun to cover his escape, he knew he had no choice. He ran to the plane and got on, praying that it would take him away from all this hell.
As the plane took off, the man looked out the window, watching Enrique face his attackers. He felt a mixture of gratitude and guilt, knowing that his protector had sacrificed himself to give him a chance to escape.
The plane flew over the desert, carrying the wounded man toward an uncertain future. But at that moment, all that mattered was surviving and finding a place where he could start over, away from the shadows that had haunted him.
Meanwhile, back in the city, Agent Ramirez and his team were investigating the scene of the shooting at the bus station. They had found Enrique's body, but there was no trace of the man he had been protecting.
"This is getting more and more complicated," Ramirez muttered, looking up at the sky. "But I'm not going to rest until I find the culprit behind all this."
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