Part VI: Nadine’s Disappearance Amidst the Storm
When the cryptic message flickered—“Adam, do you want to know where Leila went?”—Adam felt his heart plummet. But in that chilling second, a flicker of hope surfaced: Nadine.
Nadine—Leila’s neighbor and friend. Adam had met her by chance weeks ago when she knocked on Leila’s door during one of their video calls. A few days later, Nadine had sent him a friend request on MyLoveMate, and they began chatting occasionally about life in the frigid North.
Nadine was the only one who could act now. The only one close enough… the only one who knew Leila well.
Adam tried calling Leila repeatedly—failed. He called the police—roads were impassable. He called the housing company—no answer due to the storm. He was down to his last resort: Nadine.
Reaching Out to Nadine He initiated a voice call with her through the site. It rang for what felt like an eternity. Finally, she answered, her voice trembling:
Nadine: “Adam? Is Leila with you? I heard her apartment door a moment ago, and when I looked out… it was half-open. I got scared and retreated quickly; I couldn’t check for sure.”
Adam: “Nadine, please… check the apartment again. Leila has vanished. She’s not responding to me. I received a terrifying message. I have a very bad feeling about this.”
Nadine took a deep, shaky breath: “Fine… give me a minute to get dressed and head out. But if there’s someone inside… I’m leaving immediately and calling the police.”
Adam gripped his phone as if his entire life hung by that signal.
Nadine Approaches the Door The sound of her breathing was heavy through the speaker. Labored footsteps on the dark staircase. The wind shrieked through the window frames.
She whispered: “Adam… I’m standing in front of the door.” Silence. “The door… it’s slightly ajar. Snow has drifted inside.”
Adam gritted his teeth: “Nadine, don’t go in. Just push it a little and see if anyone is there.”
Nadine moved the door slowly… Creeeeeak… a faint groan of the hinges. “Adam… the apartment is unnaturally cold. As if the window has been open for a long time… and there’s no one. I… I can’t go on.”
Suddenly— A scratching sound echoed from inside the apartment. Not the sound of someone walking, but something being dragged across the floor.
Nadine gasped. Nadine: “Adam! There’s a trail… a long mark on the floor! Like something was dragged, or someone pulled something… and the trail leads toward the back stairs!”
Adam screamed: “Nadine! Get out now! Don’t follow any tracks!”
But all he heard next was a soft thud… and then the connection went dead.
A minute later, a photo arrived from Nadine’s account: A picture of a narrow alleyway behind the building… snow piling high… and in the center, a single, long trail… vanishing into the darkness.
Then, another message flashed from the anonymous account: “Nadine saw what she wasn’t supposed to see.”
To be continued…
