Holding On To Hope

Chapter 24: Unease

The morning sun shone brightly, casting a golden glow over the city, but despite the beautiful day, something about it felt wrong. Leon couldn't shake the feeling gnawing at him as he and Grayson prepared for their meeting. Grayson stood in Lina's room, watching her carefully as she bustled around, gathering her things.

Lina smiled at both of them, her usual warmth shining through despite the past week's struggles. "You guys heading out early today?" she asked, leaning against the counter with her coffee in hand.

"Yeah, we've got a meeting that'll probably take up most of the day," Leon replied, eyeing her a little too closely, the unease still clinging to him. Lina smiled at him.

Both the brothers dropped Lina to her apartment. Before she got out of the car, Leon asked "You sure you'll be okay on your own?"

Lina chuckled softly. "I'm fine, Leon. I've been handling myself for a while now. Don't worry." She glanced at Grayson, who was unusually quiet. "You too, Gray? You look like you're expecting something bad to happen."

Grayson smiled but it didn't quite reach his eyes. "I just don't like leaving you alone, especially after everything. But you're right—you're strong."

"I'll be fine," Lina reassured them, trying to shake off the palpable tension between the two. "Go to your meeting and stop worrying about me. I'll probably just take it easy today, maybe catch up on some work."

Leon frowned slightly, but he gave a small nod. "Call if you need anything. Seriously. I'll keep my phone close."

"Got it. Now go, before you're late," she teased, waving them off with a grin.

The brothers exchanged glances, both feeling an inexplicable unease as she walked away to her apartment. As she disappeared from their eyes, Leon's hands felt heavier than usual, his gut twisting with anxiety he couldn't quite explain.

The meeting dragged on throughout the afternoon, though Leon's mind was elsewhere. His focus kept drifting, and more than once he found himself checking his phone, expecting a call or text from Lina—anything that would settle the knot in his stomach. But there was nothing.

Grayson, sitting beside him, was quieter than usual as well. His mind seemed to be preoccupied, and though he didn't say anything, Leon could sense the same concern from him.

By the time the meeting ended, the sky had turned dusky orange, and they both stepped outside into the fading light. Grayson broke the silence first. "I'm calling Lina. Just... to check in."

Leon nodded, relieved that Grayson was voicing what they were both thinking. Grayson dialed her number, but after several rings, there was no answer.

Leon tried next, but again, nothing.

"Maybe she's napping," Leon suggested, though the unease in his voice was evident.

"Maybe," Grayson agreed, though he didn't sound convinced. He dialed Mia next, hoping she might have heard from Lina.

Mia's voice crackled on the other end. "Hey, Grayson. What's up?"

"Have you heard from Lina today?" Grayson asked, trying to keep his voice calm.

"No... I haven't spoken to her since last night," Mia replied, sounding confused. "Why? What's going on?"

Grayson exchanged a worried glance with Leon. "We've been trying to call her. No answer."

Mia's tone shifted, concern creeping into her voice. "That's not like her. I'll try calling her too. Let me know if you find anything out."

Leon's heart was pounding now. They both made their way to Lina's apartment, speeding through the streets, the sinking feeling in their chests growing worse with every passing minute. When they reached her building, the door was locked, no sign of Lina anywhere.

Leon banged on the door, his worry spiking into panic. "Lina!" he called out, pressing his ear to the door. Nothing.

Grayson checked his phone again, but her number was still unreachable. They stood outside her apartment, hearts racing, a cold dread settling over them.

Mia's voice cut through the air, her concern evident as she called them back. "Did you find her?"

"No," Leon replied, frustration lacing his tone. "Her apartment's locked, and she's not answering."

Mia cursed under her breath. "Something's wrong. That's not like her."

Leon's mind raced as he called Lina's number once more, his hand shaking slightly as the phone rang... and then someone picked up. But it wasn't Lina.

"Hello?" came a male voice.

Leon's heart skipped a beat. "Who is this? Where's Lina?"

The voice on the other end was calm but serious. "My name's Blake. I don't know Lina, but I saw her get hit by a car. She was bleeding and unconscious, so I brought her to the hospital."

Leon's entire body froze as his brain tried to process what he had just heard. Grayson's eyes widened, immediately sensing something was very wrong.

"Is she—" Leon's voice cracked. "Is she okay?"

"I don't know, man. She was in bad shape when I found her. I didn't see it happen, just found her lying on the road near the mall. I called for help, she's at St. Mark's now."

Leon felt his world tilt. He barely registered Grayson shaking his shoulder, trying to pull him back to the present. "We're going there. Now."

"Thank you for helping her," Grayson said hurriedly, his voice tight with anxiety, before ending the call.

Leon didn't need to be told twice. He was already sprinting toward the car, his mind spinning with worst-case scenarios as they sped toward the hospital. His hands shook as he gripped the steering wheel, barely able to keep it steady. Grayson sat beside him, dialing Mia again, his voice tense as he updated her on what had happened.

"Blake," Leon murmured under his breath, the name of the stranger etched into his mind as they raced against time.

All he could think about was getting to Lina, seeing her, and knowing she was okay. The entire day had been a blur of anxiety, and now that it was confirmed, his fear skyrocketed.