No More Waiting, She Chooses Love

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"Everything's cool except, well, I'm the one getting the cold shoulder!" Allen was still cracking jokes, even in a situation like this. Despite his usual lack of seriousness, it was clear he had no clue about Fanny's situation.

If it wasn't him, then who? Dustin, maybe? At this point, they were all in the same boat. If it wasn't one, it had to be the other.

"Listen, Allen, I've told you before, don't mess with my people, or you know there'll be hell to pay," I warned him, with the same intensity I'd defend Ernest.

Allen scoffed, then let out a string of expletives, "Felicia, are you trying to play me?"

I shot back, just as sharp, "Whether it's you or one of your guys, you better make sure Fanny gets back safe."

I hung up without waiting for his reply, knowing well enough my words would hit home. But still, it did little to ease my worry. Now, I was at a loss. Ernest was gone, Jefferson had retired. The two people who could have helped were out of the picture.

Sitting there, lost in thought, I eventually decided to leave my room, contemplating knocking on Mrs. Clark's door. If Allen was behind this, she'd be my go-to. But since Allen denied it, I couldn't bother her. Plus, Mrs. Clark was my last resort. Not that she couldn't help with Fanny, but since Allen had denied involvement, I was hesitant.

My anxiety was through the roof, my thoughts scrambled. This was a level of worry I hadn't even felt when Ernest left, showing just how much Fanny meant to me. Holding my head in my hands, I forced myself to calm down, and that's when I thought of someone. And he was just a knock away. Conrad answered almost immediately, as if he hadn't been sleeping. But there he was, hastily dressed, telling me he had been asleep.

"Sorry to bother you," I said, trying to keep things cordial.

"What's up?" He didn't waste time on pleasantries, knowing a late-night knock meant trouble.

"Fanny's missing," I couldn't hide my shiver, whether from the night's chill or fear, I couldn't tell.

Under the moonlight, Conrad's features looked even sharper. He reached out to steady me, "Come in, I'll call some people right now."

I shook my head, and he paused, letting go as understanding my hesitation, From the doorway, he made his call. I couldn't catch every word, but heard snippets, "Check on Dustin's side, and his people including anything odd at the Clark's tonight... I need it fast."

His brief, authoritative call somehow settled my racing heart.

"I'll walk you back, wait a sec," Conrad said, adjusting his jacket as he stepped out.

He had offered me to come in,

thinking I was being cautious. I was,

et

but it was more of an instinctual reaction, and I knew it might have hurt him. We weren't what we used to be, now just friends. And yet, here I was, bothering him in a crisis.

I felt like a hypocrite.

е

"No need, head back and wait for your call, declined. After all, there wasn't much left to say between us, and the air outside felt too brisk.

UMS