Aurora pov

The next day, Manuel and I went down to the basement to see Alex.

The guards brought Alex out of the dark room into an empty interrogation space that held nothing but a single metal chair. His hands were cuffed tightly to the armrests, and he looked like he had been dragged through hell. Bruises covered his face and arms, some healing, some still dark and swollen. His skin was pale, his lips cracked and dry. He lifted his head slowly when we stepped in.

Aurora… he breathed out, ...