Ricardo ran to the pool and dove in without hesitation. Ash clouded the water as he searched desperately until he felt a small arm. Mateo surfaced coughing, then crying loudly—alive. Guests pulled the boy to safety, but María was nowhere to be seen. Ricardo dove again. The water was turning red.
He found her motionless at the bottom and dragged her out with help. Burned, her leg twisted unnaturally, María lay on the grass as paramedics arrived. Ricardo held her hand, begging her not to die. She slowly opened her eyes and, with great effort, removed the oxygen mask to whisper something into his ear—words that made his blood run cold.
