The only response was a series of heart-wrenching sobs from the other end. “Kate… Katelyn…”
Katelyn’s voice softened with concern as she asked, “What’s wrong? Take deep breaths and tell me what happened.”
Through hitched breaths and quiet sobs, Alfy struggled to find her voice.
A wave of anxiety washed over Katelyn as she listened to her friend’s distress. In all their years together, this was the first time Alfy had called from home in such a state.
As Alfy’s breathing gradually steadied, she managed to whisper between diminishing sobs, “Katelyn, can you come pick me up? I want to go to your place.” Her voice carried all the vulnerability of a lost child, heavy with unspoken hurt.
Katelyn’s heart clenched at the sound. Without a moment’s hesitation, she responded, “Okay, give me the address. I’ll be there before you know it.”
Alfy whispered a quiet “okay,” hung up, and sent her location moments later.
After ending the call, worry clouded Katelyn’s features. Vincent noticed immediately and asked, “Did something happen?”
She turned to him, concern etched across her face. “Yeah, Alfy’s crying and needs me to pick her up. I don’t know what’s wrong yet.” Her chest tightened as she recalled those heart-wrenching sobs. After all, Alfy had never been one to cry easily. For someone usually radiating such optimism to break down like this, Katelyn feared someone must have hurt her friend deeply.
Vincent’s expression softened with understanding. “Don’t worry, I’ll get the car. We’ll go together.”
Between the late hour, Katelyn’s exhaustion from performing surgeries these past few days, and recent events, Vincent knew she shouldn’t be making this journey alone. He needed to be there, if only to ensure his own peace of mind.
Katelyn met Vincent’s concerned gaze, understanding the unspoken worry in his eyes. With a gentle nod, she simply said, “Okay.”
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Vincent disappeared into the other room, returning moments later with a bag of snacks. “Here, eat something on the way,” he said, pressing the bag into her hands. His concern stemmed from knowing she hadn’t eaten in over twenty-four hours.
This time, Katelyn didn’t protest—her empty stomach was making its demands known.
Then, they rushed out into the night. As Vincent navigated through the darkened streets, Katelyn attempted to eat. But anxiety for Alfy gnawed at her, leaving her only a few meager bites to keep her strength up before her appetite vanished completely.
As they approached the address Alfy had sent, Katelyn’s forehead creased with confusion. “Vincent, something feels off about this place.”
While it made sense for Alfy’s wealthy uncle to own a suburban manor, the location seemed unusually isolated. The area was far too remote for any practical living arrangement. The distance from civilization alone made it impractical—a two-hour drive just to reach the city, at minimum.
Despite whatever luxury the manor might offer, its location defied logic for a permanent residence. Yet Alfy’s uncle had chosen this place deliberately. If memory served her right, Alfy’s uncle was a businessman. For someone entrenched in business, easy access was paramount, so he could deal with emergencies in time.
.
.
.