Her thumb hovered anxiously over the screen, ready to press it as soon as her courage allowed. She felt her heartbeat roar in her ears, drowning out the whispers of the outside world. She held her breath, barely able to gather her thoughts. "Not now, nerves."
Just as she was about to make the call, her phone screen lit up. She froze, staring at Mason's name glowing on the screen. Mason. She felt a rush of relief, and without a second thought, she answered, bringing the phone close to her ear.
Before she could speak, Mason's voice cut through the line, panicked and worried. "Ellen? Ellen, are you okay? Are you safe?"
He voice trembled with panic, the calm demeanor he usually wore stripped away. Ellen steadied her voice, forcing calm into her words, though she could only manage a whisper. "Yeah," she whispered, glancing at the door as if Hans might somehow hear her even through the walls. "I'm okay." For now.
