The tense atmosphere had nearly faded as all of them were now gathered in the living room. Felix was seated on the couch with Mercedes close to his side. He held her close to him as if she would just disappear at any moment. On the other side of the room, Crystal was seated on a single sofa, and Jacob was standing behind her lightly massaging her tense shoulders. Alexa was lying down on the other couch at Crystal's insistence.

She had mixed emotions. She barely made it out alive and so many of ...