Chapter 22

Lori sat by the kitchen table, her hands clutching her phone with a vice-like grip. The screen had been filled with unanswered calls and unread messages for days now. Each time she dialed Melinda's number, it went straight to voicemail, a cold, electronic barrier that only deepened her anxiety.

Her fingers trembled as she scrolled through her recent calls, her mind replaying the last conversation she had with Melinda. The comforting words her daughter had spoken did little to ease her growing fear.

She hit redial for the tenth time that day, praying against hope that this time Melinda would answer. The same monotonous voicemail greeting filled the line.

“Hi, this is Melinda. I’m not available right now. Please leave a message.”

Lori’s eyes filled with tears, her heart aching with worry. She tried to steady her breath, but the fear was overwhelming. She had barely eaten in days, her already thin frame appearing even more frail. Her once vibrant face was now drawn and pale, a testament to her sleepless nights and restless days.

Her phone buzzed with a new text message, but it was from an unknown number. Lori’s hands shook as she read it: **“You should stop trying. It’s not safe for her. Find another way.”** The message sent a chill down her spine, further intensifying her dread.

Desperate, Lori grabbed her coat and keys, her movements frantic as she headed towards the door. She had already reported Melinda missing once, but now, her anxiety had reached a new level. She needed to do more, to make someone understand how crucial it was to find her daughter.

---

The police station was bustling with activity as Lori walked in, her eyes red and her face etched with worry. She approached the front desk, where an officer was speaking with a visitor.

“Excuse me,” Lori interrupted, her voice trembling. “I need to speak with someone about my daughter. She’s been missing for days.”

The officer, a middle-aged man with a calm demeanor, looked up from his paperwork. “Ma’am, I’m Officer Daniels. What seems to be the problem?”

Lori’s voice cracked as she spoke. “My daughter, Melinda. She’s been unreachable for days. I’ve tried calling her over and over, but she doesn’t answer. She hasn’t replied to any of my texts.”

Officer Daniels nodded sympathetically. “I understand. You said she’s been missing for days?”

“Yes,” Lori said, her voice breaking. “She told me she was fine, but I haven’t heard from her. And now, I received a threatening message saying she’s not safe. Please, you have to help me find her.”

Officer Daniels gestured for Lori to take a seat. “Let’s start from the beginning. Can you give me her full name and a recent photograph?”

Lori fumbled through her bag, pulling out a worn photograph of Melinda. “Here. This is my daughter. She’s... she’s the most important thing in my life.”

Officer Daniels took the photo gently and examined it. “Thank you. I’ll need to fill out a report and get some more information. Can you tell me more about her last known whereabouts?”

“She was supposed to be at her apartment,” Lori explained. “She called me a few days ago, said she was fine, but she didn’t sound right. She said not to worry, but I’ve been trying to reach her since then. Her phone just goes straight to voicemail.”

Officer Daniels nodded, making notes. “We’ll start by checking with her apartment complex. We’ll also track her phone records to see if we can get any leads.”

Lori wiped at her tears, her voice filled with desperation. “Please, I’m begging you. I’m so scared. She’s all I have. I don’t know what’s happening, but I need to know she’s okay.”

Officer Daniels placed a reassuring hand on her shoulder. “We’ll do everything we can. I understand this is a difficult situation. We’ll get started on this immediately.”

---

Lori returned home, feeling both relieved and anxious. The police were taking action, but the wait was unbearable. Every minute felt like an eternity as she paced her small, empty kitchen, her eyes frequently darting to her phone.

Her landline rang suddenly, jolting her from her thoughts. She hurried to answer it, her heart racing with hope. “Hello?”

The voice on the other end was unfamiliar. “Mrs. Thompson? This is Officer Carter from the police department. I’m calling with an update on your daughter.”

Lori’s heart pounded. “Yes? What’s the news?”

“We’ve contacted her apartment complex,” Officer Carter said. “The management reported that she hasn’t been seen or heard from in days. The building staff are also concerned.”

Lori’s voice trembled. “What about her phone? Have you traced any calls or messages?”

“Yes, we’ve been able to track some activity,” Officer Carter replied. “There’s been some unusual behavior, but it’s not enough to pinpoint her exact location yet. We’re working on it.”

Lori’s eyes filled with tears. “I just don’t understand. Why isn’t she answering? What’s happening?”

“I know it’s tough, Mrs. Thompson,” Officer Carter said gently. “We’re doing everything we can to find her. In the meantime, if you receive any more messages or calls, please let us know immediately.”

“I will,” Lori said, her voice breaking. “Thank you. Please, keep me updated.”

---

Days passed with no significant updates. Lori’s hope was waning as the days dragged on. She found herself increasingly isolated, her friends and family trying to comfort her, but their words offered little solace. She felt trapped in a nightmarish limbo, unable to escape her fear.

One afternoon, she decided to go back to the police station, her resolve renewed. She walked in with determination, the weight of her worry etched into every step.

“Excuse me,” she said, approaching the front desk once more. “I need to speak with Officer Daniels or Officer Carter. It’s urgent.”

Officer Daniels, who was now behind the desk, looked up with a concerned expression. “Mrs. Thompson. What brings you back here?”

“I need more help,” Lori said urgently. “It’s been days. I can’t just sit around and wait. I need to know what’s happening. Have you found anything?”

Officer Daniels gestured for Lori to sit down. “We’re still investigating. We’ve been following leads, but nothing concrete yet. It’s a challenging case, and we’re working as quickly as we can.”

Lori’s eyes welled up with tears. “I know you’re trying, but it feels like nothing is being done. I’m so scared for my daughter. She could be in danger, and I don’t know where to turn.”

“I understand,” Officer Daniels said sympathetically. “We’re doing everything possible. I know it’s hard, but we need to give it a little more time. Sometimes these investigations take a while.”

“I can’t wait!” Lori cried, her voice breaking. “Every minute that goes by, I’m afraid something terrible has happened to her. She’s my only child. I need her back.”

Officer Daniels looked at her with compassion. “I hear you, Mrs. Thompson. I promise we’re doing all we can. In the meantime, if you come across any new information or receive any more threats, please let us know immediately.”

“I will,” Lori said, her voice trembling. “I just hope it’s enough.”

---

That night, Lori sat by the kitchen table once more, her phone beside her. The silence of her home was oppressive, her loneliness palpable. The constant fear and worry had taken a toll on her health, and she could barely manage to eat. She was physically and emotionally exhausted, her once strong resolve now wearing thin.

Her phone buzzed with a new message. Lori’s heart skipped a beat as she opened it, hoping for good news. Instead, it was another threatening message: **“Stop looking. You’ll only make things worse.”**

Tears streamed down her face as she read the message, her body shaking with despair. She dialed the police station again, hoping for answers. Her hands were unsteady as she waited for someone to pick up.

“Hello, this is Officer Carter,” a voice answered.

“It’s me again,” Lori said, her voice choked with emotion. “I just received another threatening message. They’re telling me to stop looking. I don’t know what to do. Please, you have to help me.”

Officer Carter’s voice was calm and reassuring. “Mrs. Thompson, I understand this is a difficult time. We’re aware of the threats you’ve been receiving. We’ll increase our efforts to trace these messages and find out who’s behind them. Please, keep us informed of any new developments.”

“I will,” Lori said, her voice breaking. “I just need to know that you’re doing everything you can.”

“We are,” Officer Carter assured her. “We’re working around the clock to find your daughter. In the meantime, try to stay safe and keep us updated. We’ll be in touch with any new information.”

Lori hung up the phone, feeling a mix of relief and despair. She knew the police were trying, but the uncertainty was unbearable. As she looked around her empty, silent house, she couldn’t shake the feeling that time was running out. The fear for Melinda’s safety consumed her, leaving her with a gnawing sense of helplessness.

The only thing Lori could do was wait and hope that someone would find her daughter soon.