LIAM

The sun was setting across the streets as I drove from one place to another, searching for Maxine. Each friend I visited had the same answer: they hadn't seen her. No one had seen her.

It was almost like she hadn't truly returned. My frustration grew with each passing second. Everywhere was a dead end. The only lead I had was from Ella, who had seen her briefly.

I couldn't shake off the feeling that I needed to find her, to explain myself. The truth was, I missed her more than I ...