When Love is a Question Mark
Chapter 27: Search for Zinnia

Chapter 27: Search for Zinnia

Samuel’s heart pounded as the phone rang again, each ring echoing loudly in the confined space of the car. The sound cut through the silence, tightening the knot in his chest. His eyes stayed glued to the screen, the name "Zinnia" glaring back at him. With every ring, his hope flickered, desperate for her voice—anything to reassure him she was okay.

But the ringing stopped abruptly, leaving only silence.

Frustration surged through him. He slammed his fist against the steering wheel. The sharp pain did little to calm him. His breathing became heavy and uneven.

Why isn’t she answering? Panic tightened its grip as he leaned back in the seat, trying to think clearly. Something was wrong. He could feel it. His gut churned as her number disappeared from the screen.

The app was still open on his phone. The small dot representing Zinnia hadn’t moved in several minutes. She was in the same spot, a secluded area outside the city. Samuel squinted at the map. The location made no sense. Why would she be there? The question gnawed at him, feeding his growing dread.

He knew he couldn’t wait any longer. Every passing second felt like a missed chance, like she was slipping away. He started the car with a jerking motion and floored the accelerator. The tires screeched as he sped off, his focus narrowing to one thing—getting to Zinnia.

Where are you, Zinnia? The question played over and over in his mind, blending with the thrum of the engine. He thought of her at home, the memory of her last message burning in his mind. Now, the fact she was in some strange place only made his fear worse.

The road stretched ahead, the city fading into darkness. He was getting closer to her, but Zinnia hadn’t moved in almost ten minutes. Samuel’s stomach twisted, his grip tightening on the steering wheel.

Finally, the destination came into view—a small, desolate parking lot off the road, near an abandoned construction site. Samuel’s pulse quickened as he parked abruptly. The car barely stopped before he jumped out, his phone still in hand. The app showed she was here, right in this spot.

But there was no sign of her.

He scanned the area frantically, his eyes darting from the half-built structures in the distance to the scattered debris on the ground. The night air was still, the silence around him thick. His heart raced as he called out her name.

"Zinnia!" His voice echoed through the empty site, but no answer came. The quiet mocked him, deepening his panic. He checked the phone again, hoping for something, anything.

The tracker still said she was here. Right here.

"Zinnia!" he shouted again, louder, more desperate. His voice cracked as he sprinted toward the construction site. The unfinished buildings towered over him, their skeletal frames casting long, eerie shadows under the dim streetlights.

His footsteps echoed as he moved deeper into the site. A cold chill crept down his spine, unease settling into his bones. The place was deserted. Lifeless. The wind stirred faintly, rustling loose plastic coverings clinging to half-constructed walls. Samuel’s heart raced faster with each step, his breaths shallow.

What if she’s hurt? The thought choked him with dread. What if something happened to her? His mind jumped to the worst possibilities—an accident, an abduction. His fear of losing her tightened around his chest, making it hard to breathe.

He dialed her number again, his fingers trembling as he brought the phone to his ear. He prayed silently for her to answer. As the line connected, he heard it—a faint ringing, barely audible but unmistakable.

Samuel’s heart leapt. The sound was close. He sprinted toward it, rounding a corner. His breath caught in his throat. There, lying on the ground, was Zinnia’s phone.

His blood ran cold.

He knelt down, picking up the phone, staring at it in disbelief. His hands shook as he checked the screen. The tracker still showed she was here. But Zinnia was nowhere to be found.

Where are you? The question screamed in his mind, louder and louder. He looked around wildly, scanning every corner, every shadow.

The site was empty. No footsteps, no belongings—nothing.

Suddenly, the phone buzzed in his hand. His heart skipped a beat as he glanced down. It wasn’t a call. It was a message.

The screen lit up with a chilling text: "You’re getting closer."

Samuel froze. His blood turned to ice. The message wasn’t from Zinnia. There was no name attached, only a number he didn’t recognize. His breath hitched as the reality began to sink in.

Someone was watching him.

He shot up, his eyes scanning the area again, more frantically this time. The construction site, with its dark corners, seemed to close in on him. His mind raced, trying to piece it together.

Who sent that message? What do they want? He had no time to stand still. If Zinnia was in danger, every second mattered.

Without hesitation, Samuel dialed Timmy’s number. His assistant picked up immediately.

"Timmy," Samuel said, his voice sharp. "I need you to track a number. Now."

Timmy didn’t hesitate. "Send it to me. I’ll get right on it."

Samuel forwarded the number, his heart pounding. Zinnia was out there, somewhere, and whoever sent that message was watching him.

I’ll find you, Zinnia. I promise.

Fear gnawed at him, but he couldn’t let it control him. He had to stay focused. Losing her wasn’t an option.

The minutes that followed felt like hours. Samuel paced the site, his eyes darting around, his phone clutched tightly. Every sound made him jump, every gust of wind making his heart race.

Finally, the phone buzzed. Samuel answered instantly.

"Sir," Timmy’s voice came through, tense. "It’s a burner phone—no name or traceable location."

Samuel’s heart sank. "So what now?"

There was a pause. "There’s more. I traced the message’s origin—it’s coming from nearby. Whoever sent it is close."

Samuel’s breath caught. Close? He scanned the dark site again, his nerves on edge.