When the clock struck eleven-thirty, she decided to go back upstairs. She walked down the hallway with a determined stride, even though her stomach was in knots. As she passed room 207, she heard footsteps and a metallic sound, as if Rubén were locking something other than the front door. Mariela swallowed. Something about that sound—dry, mechanical, too loud—unsettled her.
She waited until the hallway was quiet. Then, her heart pounding, she peeked out the side window of the bathroom again. This time the curtain was only half drawn. Through the gap, she saw Rubén sitting, drinking from a bottle, while the girl stood stiffly, motionless, in a corner of the room. It was as if she were trying to take up as little space as possible. Rubén was muttering something Mariela couldn’t quite hear, but his expression was clearly threatening.
Mariela decided she couldn’t wait any longer.
She rushed down to reception and looked up the local police number. This time she didn’t hesitate. She explained what she had seen, insisted she feared for the girl’s safety, and asked them to send a patrol car. The operator told her they would send officers, but that they would need to verify the situation before intervening.
While she waited, she couldn’t stay still. She went back upstairs to the second floor, pretending to check rooms, but really hoping to hear any sign.
And then he heard it.
A stifled sob. Then, the sound of something falling. Then, a scream that chilled her blood.
That was the moment Mariela decided to act without waiting for help.
He banged hard on the door of room 207.
“Is everything alright in there?!” she exclaimed, struggling to keep her voice from trembling.
A tense silence fell. Then, Rubén’s heavy footsteps drew nearer. Mariela took a step back, but didn’t move completely. She knew she couldn’t show fear.
The door opened just a few centimeters.
Rubén looked at her with an irritable expression.
“We’re fine,” he said curtly. “Don’t bother me again.”
But Mariela saw, behind him, the silhouette of the girl… and something worse: the recent red mark on her cheek.
I couldn’t wait for the police.
He took a deep breath.
He was going to intervene, even if it meant putting himself in danger.
To be continued…
The truth behind room 207
The moment froze. Mariela knew that if she backed down now, she would lose her only chance to help the young woman. Rubén tried to close the door, but she firmly placed her foot against it.
“I want to speak to the girl,” she said, trying to sound authoritative. “It’s hostel protocol when loud noises are reported.”
It was a lie, but I hoped he didn’t know.
Rubén glared at her with barely contained fury. For a few seconds, Mariela thought he might push her or attack her. But finally, he took a step back, revealing part of the room.
“Do it quickly,” he growled.
