Chapter 99

"Daughter, please. Give us a sign of life. We're very worried about you," says one of the audio messages I play.

Damn it.

With trembling fingers, I dial her number, and after a few rings, I finally hear her voice.

"Claudia, is that you?" I hear her say with a worried tone.

"Mom."

"Daughter," she responds distressed. "My girl, tell me you're okay."

"Mom, calm down, I am."

"Oh my god, Claudia!" I hear her exclaim amidst sobs.

"Is it her?" I hear another voice ask. "Can you pass her to me?"

"Claudia, is that you?" they say, and now I realize it's Eva.

"Eva, how are you?"

"How am I, Claudia!? We're all so worried about you. Where are you?"

"Uh..."

"Why did you disappear like this?"

"I..." I stutter as I think about what response to give. "Uh, I... needed some time for myself, just like you said, friend."

"But why not tell us, Claudia? And can we know where you are?"

"No."

"No?"

Damn it.

"Because..."

"Claudia, you have to come back. We were about to go to the police to report a missing per