"No! Mommy! NO!"
The scream tore through the quiet mansion, jolting Victor from sleep. He was moving before his mind fully registered what was happening, feet hitting the cold floor as he ran toward his son's room.
Miguel was thrashing in bed, tears streaming down his small face, fighting some invisible enemy in his dreams.
"Miguel." Victor sat on the edge of the bed, gathering the boy into his arms. "Wake up, mijo. It's just a dream."
Miguel's eyes flew open, wild with terror. For a moment, he didn't seem to recognize Victor.
"You're safe," Victor murmured, rubbing small circles on the boy's back. "No one can hurt you here."
Miguel's small body was hot with fear, his heart racing against Victor's chest. "The bad men were taking Mommy away again," he whispered.
Victor closed his eye
