Lucía’s heart pounded in her chest. She was aware of the delicate balance she had to maintain; keeping Mariana safe while not escalating the situation prematurely. Rogelio’s demeanor was increasingly aggressive, and Lucía could feel the tension in the air thickening.

“Mr. Rogelio, please,” Lucía said, doing her best to remain composed. “We need to follow procedure. It’s for the safety of all our students. I’m sure you understand.”

Rogelio’s eyes narrowed, but before he could respond, Principal Carmen interjected once more. “Mr. Rogelio, school policy mandates that we get confirmation from the parents directly. Let’s sort this out in my office.”

As the principal spoke, Lucía discreetly gestured to another teacher who was standing nearby, signaling for him to keep watch over the classroom. The goal was to ensure that Rogelio didn’t have a chance to take Mariana away.

Rogelio hesitated, his eyes darting between Lucía and the principal. After a moment, his expression softened somewhat, and he forced a chuckle. “Ah, all these procedures,” he muttered. “Fine, let’s go talk.”

As he reluctantly exited the classroom with Principal Carmen, Lucía exhaled a breath she didn’t realize she was holding. She turned her attention back to Mariana, who was still clutching her notebook with fear in her eyes.

“It’s going to be okay, Mariana,” she reassured her. “You’re doing the right thing.”

The minutes dragged by as they waited for the authorities. Lucía kept glancing at the clock, each tick feeling like an eternity. Finally, after what felt like an eternity, she heard the distant sound of sirens approaching.

The police officers arrived swiftly, their presence a comforting sight. Lucía met them at the entrance and quickly briefed them on the situation. They nodded, exuding professionalism and urgency.

Mariana, seeing the officers, seemed to relax slightly, sensing she was no longer alone. Lucía stayed by her side, smoothing her hair and whispering words of comfort.

The officers approached Rogelio and Principal Carmen in the office. Rogelio’s bluster seemed to evaporate in the presence of law enforcement. They spoke with him calmly but firmly, emphasizing the seriousness of the allegations.

“Mr. Rogelio, we need to have a conversation about what’s been reported,” one officer said. “We’ll need you to come down to the station with us.”

“Is this really necessary?” Rogelio protested, his bravado waning.

“It is,” the officer replied, leaving no room for argument.

Meanwhile, another officer joined Lucía and Mariana in the classroom. He spoke gently to Mariana, ensuring her that she was safe now and that they would speak to her mother soon.

Lucía felt a wave of relief wash over her. She knew that the road ahead for Mariana might be challenging, but the first step had been taken. She had found the courage to speak up, and now there were adults who would fight to protect her.

As Rogelio was escorted out of the building, Lucía held Mariana close, knowing that while the journey was not over, they had taken a crucial step toward ensuring her safety and well-being.