I don’t know what she saw. Or if she saw anything at all. She was too busy with that man.
“I should turn my phone on,” I say quietly.
His gaze sharpens immediately.
“Why was it off?” he asks.
“I turned it off when we got here. I didn’t want…” My voice trails off.
He nods once.
I stand, slower than usual, and head to the bathroom. The dress is still where I left it, folded with careful hands. I dig into the pocket and pull my phone out.
When I step back into the kitchen, Blade’s watching me.
I set the phone on the table and reach for my coffee again, taking a slow sip before pressing the power button.
The screen lights up.
For a second, nothing.
Then it floods.
Missed calls.
Texts.
All from Lyla.
My mouth goes dry.
I open the first one.
Where did you go???
Then:
Vi call me.
Then:
This isn’t funny.
My chest tightens as I scroll.
The last message sits at the bottom like a stone.
Timestamp: two hours ago.
They took me.
My breath stops.
I read it again.
They took me. I’m at 148 Hollow Creek Rd. Come alone. Don’t tell anyone. If you want to see me again.
The room tilts.
