No matter how many times she called, there was no answer. Max sent what must have been her umpteenth text message—a desperate string of 'Lyra, please answer' and 'Are you okay?'—before letting her arm holding the phone drop limply to her side.
With no contact from Lyra, Max couldn't focus on anything. Her mother had begun clicking her tongue, telling her to at least go out and get some sunlight, but Max had no motivation.
She had always been the life of the party, busy drinking and chasing the next thrill, but now the very thought of the bar or a club felt hollow. She had lost interest in everything that didn't involve finding out where Elara had hidden her.
She had also tried contacting Elara, but the wall was impenetrable. Calls were rejected before the first ring, and texts were left obviously unread.
In the past, no matter how busy Elara was with the family business, she would respond to her little sister at least twice out of every ten attempts. This was different.
