That night, as everyone sat around chatting and sharing stories, Luciana noticed something off about Evelyn. Her usually upbeat friend was quieter than usual, tension evident in her stiff posture. Luciana considered asking her what was wrong, but she hesitated, assuming it was work stress. After all, they all had their moments when the pressures of life weighed them down. Helen, on the other hand, seemed genuinely happy, smiling more than Luciana had seen in weeks. Joe, still single, wasn't in a rush to find anyone. He had been heartbroken after his last relationship, and though he was surrounded by friends who loved him, Luciana knew he was still healing in his own way. Joe was their "girl," as they called him, fitting seamlessly into their little group despite his heartbreak.
The evening was calm until Evelyn abruptly stood up. "I need to go," she announced, her voice tense. "My friend... there's an emergency."
