As dusk settled, doubt crept in. A few muttered about the growing dark, others exchanged glances that said it all. Samantha caught the words—they didn’t think he’d be found. Each comment landed like a crack through glass, pressing harder against the fragile strength she was barely holding together.
By the time they returned to her house that night, the search had yielded nothing. Samantha collapsed onto the porch steps, her limbs heavy, her spirit hollow. The ache in her chest reminded her of the worst days after her divorce. Even the ticking clock inside sounded like it was mocking her.