"Come on, please, just pick up!" Ryan's voice cracked as he pressed the call button for what felt like the hundredth time. His hands wouldn't stop shaking as he held the phone to his ear, desperately hoping this time would be different. But the automated message crushed his hopes again:
"The number you are trying to reach is currently switched off."
"No, no, no!" The words tore from his throat as his whole body trembled. His mind kept racing to all the terrible things that could be happening right now. Every passing second felt like hours, and each failed call hit him like a punch to the gut. Why wasn't she answering? Where was she?
"Excuse me, sir?" The cab driver's voice cut through Ryan's panic, pulling him back to reality. Ryan spun around, his eyes wide and frantic.
"What is it?" he snapped, louder than he meant to.
