The restaurant was closed for the night, and there was no sign of Claire. Joshua drove around the area, his eyes searching the streets and bus stops, hoping to catch a glimpse of her.
"Come on, Claire, where are you?" he grumbled, worry squeezing him tighter with each passing moment.
He toured the blocks near the diner several times, checking every side street and ditch. The rain made it difficult to see, but he kept looking, determined to find her.
Joshua's phone rang, and he quickly answered, hoping it was Claire. But it was Nathan.
"Joshua, any luck finding her?" Nathan asked, his voice tense.
"No, nothing," Joshua replied, frustration clear. "Her phone's still off, and I have no idea where she could be."
Nathan sighed on the other end. "Just keep looking. She can't have gone far."
"I will," Joshua said, stopping the call and continuing his search.
