Inferno Hearts | Xu Minghao

63. Save Me Please

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He walked a few paces, the ice cream slowly beginning to melt in his hand as he nervously checked the corners, the nearby park, and even the lakefront. The unease grew with each passing moment, his mind racing through potential scenarios.

Did she wander off, caught in her thoughts? 

Was she feeling unwell or wanted to escape him again?

Had something happened that he wasn't aware of?

Questions buzzed like a swarm of bees, and Minghao's worry escalated. He desperately tried to call her name, the concern in his voice palpable as he retraced their steps, hoping to find any clue that could lead him to her.

His heart pounded in his chest, the once sweet anticipation of the day now tinged with worry and confusion. He scanned the bustling streets, hoping to catch a glimpse of her familiar face or hear her voice in the distance. He was determined to find her and make sure she was safe and okay.

"Nabi!" He desperately called out her name, scanning his surroundings, the name a plea and a prayer. 

He searched feverishly, his heart racing like a wild stallion, galloping through a storm of worry and fear. A thousand thoughts swirled in his mind, each one a frantic puzzle piece, desperately trying to fit into place. 

She had vanished without a trace.

Retrieving the phone from his pocket, he fumbled with trembling hands, urgency compelling him to dial Woozi's number. Each press of the buttons felt like an eternity, his fingers struggling to find steadiness. 

The device seemed fragile in his grip, as if a gust of wind could shatter it into pieces. His pulse drummed in his ears, matching the frantic pace of his thoughts, racing with a mixture of worry and hope.

Dialing Woozi's number, he clutched the phone tightly in his hand, his grip unsteady with anxiety. His eyes darted everywhere, scanning the streets, desperation in every flicker of movement.

He ran a trembling hand through his disheveled hair, the strands slipping through his fingers like sand, a physical manifestation of his rising panic. Each passing moment felt like an eternity as he desperately sought any sign of Nabi, his heart pounding with a mix of fear and determination.

"Hyung!" he exclaimed the moment Woozi picked up, a rush of adrenaline surging through him. "Please, you have to help me. Nabi...she's gone. There's no sign of her anywhere," he uttered, his words quivering with a mix of anxiety and desperation. 

"Check the CCTV footage from the park near our old shelter. Maybe it caught something—anything that could give us a lead," he implored, his voice cracking slightly under the weight of worry. 

Every passing second felt like an eternity, and the helplessness was suffocating. He needed Woozi's support, the assurance that together they could unveil the mystery and bring Nabi back safely.

"Minghao, I'll do everything I can to find her. I'll check the CCTV footage right away. Just...try to stay calm," Woozi reassured, his tone projecting both determination and empathy.

Minghao took a deep breath, attempting to steady his racing heart. "Alright, hyung," he replied, forcing his voice to sound more composed than he felt. He knew he had to trust Woozi, to lean on that reassurance even in the face of dread. 

As he disconnected the call, he silently urged himself to keep a level head, to channel his worry into action and help bring Nabi back to safety.

Regaining his focus, he immediately resumed the search. His legs carried him swiftly back to the places he and Nabi had been just a few minutes ago. Every stride felt purposeful, fueled by determination and worry that spurred him forward.