Chapter 5
The call came at 3:17 a.m.
I jolted awake.
My heart pounding.
"Mr. Hale?" It was Detective Carter.
"Yes," I said. "Did you find her?"
"We found Celeste," he said. "She was at her apartment. She tried to run. We have her in custody."
Relief washed over me.
But it was quickly replaced by anxiety.
"And Elena?" I asked.
There was a pause.
"We found something," he said. "A property. In Celeste's name. A small cabin about two hours outside the city. Records show she's been paying rent on it for the last nine months."
My breath caught.
"We're heading there now," he said. "I wanted you to know. I'll call you the second we have news."
"I'm coming too," I said.
"Mr. Hale—"
"I'm coming," I repeated. "I have to be there. If she's there... I have to see her."
Detective Carter sighed.
"Meet us at the station in twenty minutes," he said. "I'll have an officer drive you. You shouldn't be behind the wheel right now."
I woke my mother.
I told her what was happening.
She hugged me tight.
"Go," she said. "I'll stay with Ilaria. Call me the second you know anything."
I kissed Ilaria's forehead.
She stirred but didn't wake up.
I drove to the station.
An officer named Mills drove me to the cabin.
The ride was silent.
My mind raced with possibilities.
Elena alive.
Elena hurt.
Elena gone.
I prayed.
I hadn't prayed in a long time.
But I prayed now.
We arrived at the cabin as the sun began to rise.
It was small and isolated.
Surrounded by trees.
Several police cars were already there.
Detective Carter met us at the door.
His face was unreadable.
"Is she here?" I asked.
He nodded.
"She's alive," he said.
The words hit me like a wave.
Alive.
My legs felt weak.
"She's... she's been through a lot," he continued gently. "She's malnourished. Dehydrated. But she's alive. And she's asking for you."
I pushed past him.
I ran into the cabin.
The main room was sparse.
A couch.
A table.
A chain on the floor.
Then I saw her.
Paramedics were tending to her.
She was sitting on the couch.
She looked smaller.
Thinner.
Her hair was longer than I remembered.
Her face was pale.
But her eyes.
Her beautiful eyes.
They found mine.
"Evren," she whispered.
I crossed the room in three steps.
I dropped to my knees in front of her.
I took her hand.
It was cold and thin.
But it was her hand.
"Elena," I said. My voice broke. "Oh my God, Elena."
She reached out with her other hand.
She touched my face.
"You found me," she said. Tears streamed down her cheeks. "I knew you would."
"I never stopped looking," I said.
The paramedic cleared his throat.
"We need to get her to the hospital," he said. "She needs a full examination."
I nodded.
I stood up.
I helped Elena to her feet.
She leaned against me.
She was so light.
So fragile.
But she was alive.
May you like
As we walked to the ambulance, I held her tight.
I never wanted to let go again.
