Edge of Despair and a New Lead
She ignored the filth, kneeling to grope the wet ground, nails black with grime. A stifled whimper escaped her—like a wounded animal. Nothing. Just trash, soaked cigarette butts, oily tissues. Cold despair gripped me tighter than the rain. Leaning against the car, soaked, I squinted against the sting. What next? Police? With this rain and less than 24 hours missing, would they care? Did he know anyone in Cleveland? My thoughts churned.
Muddy Futility and Useless Searches
Suddenly, she grabbed my sleeve, voice ragged. "Hospitals... check hospitals!" The idea struck like lightning. Yes! If something had happened, he might be at a hospital. The nearest ER! I scrambled into the car, engine groaning as we sped toward the red cross in the downpour. The ER lobby glared under harsh lights, stinking of antiseptic, sweat, and chaos. Coughs and children’s cries filled the air. A line snaked at reception. She released my hand and barreled forward, ignoring the queue. "Find someone! A man brought in an hour ago! Li Wei! Accident or something! Hurry!"
Chaotic Reception and Her Loss of Control
Her shriek cut through the din. Complaints rose behind her. The young nurse recoiled. "Ma'am, please wait—" "Check! Please! He’s missing! Near the gas station!" She was hysterical, leaning over the counter, clawing at a pen with desperate force. An older nurse rushed to calm her. "Ma'am, stay calm—" "Xiao Li? A-Wen?" A weary, familiar voice cut through the chaos. Like a spell, it froze us. We spun around. Near the hall corner, my brother stood—a square bandage on his forehead, stained yellow with ointment, face pale but alert. Time stopped. The noise—coughs, cries, nurses—faded. Only we three remained, spotlighted on a stage.
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