**Chapter 8: A Desperate Search for Mira**

The friends sat through their classes, their minds far from the lectures being delivered. Nora kept glancing at her phone, willing it to light up with a message or call from Mira. Ryan, sitting beside her, tried multiple times to call Mira, but each attempt went straight to voicemail.

"Still nothing?" Ryan whispered.

Nora shook her head, her anxiety mounting. “I’ve texted her a dozen times. She’s not replying. This isn’t like her.”

The others exchanged worried glances. Even Matthew, usually the calmest, seemed on edge.

When the bell signaled the end of the day, the group hurried out of their classrooms, their assigned guards trailing behind. Nora practically sprinted toward the campus gate, ignoring the curious stares of other students. The moment she crossed the threshold, she broke into a full run.

Ryan, not far behind, called out, “Nora, wait! We’re all coming with you!”

The gang followed her, taking turns frantically dialing Mira’s number as they hurried to the apartment. Each call was met with silence. Nora reached the flat first and fumbled with the keys, her hands trembling as she unlocked the door.

“Mira! Mira, where are you?” Nora shouted as she pushed the door open. “Are you in the washroom? The balcony? Mira, answer me!”

Her voice echoed through the quiet apartment. The others burst in moments later, their faces etched with worry.

“She’s not here,” Nora said, her voice cracking. “I’ve looked everywhere.”

Ryan tried Mira’s number one last time. This time, a faint buzzing sound broke the silence. His head snapped toward the bedroom. “Did you hear that?”

“What?” Matthew asked, following close behind.

Ryan didn’t answer. He...