Chapter 16

When Warren awoke, he noticed he was suddenly alone in the bedroom. He sat up, his mind still foggy with sleep. "Dan?", he called out as he slid out of bed and headed towards the bathroom. But Dan wasn't there. Nor was he in the bathroom, the living room, or the kitchen.

Panic surged inside him, his mind racing with possibilities and worst-case scenarios. Has something happened to Dan? Had he left? Or was there a more sinister explanation?

His instincts told him to search for him, to find out what had happened. He quickly grabbed his phone and tried calling Dan's number, his impatience growing with each unanswered ring.

He glanced around the room, desperately trying to find some clue as to what had happened to Dan. His eyes fell on the front door, which seemed slightly ajar. He rushed towards it, pushing it open and peering out. The road outside was empty, no sign of Dan anywhere. 

Frustration and worry clouded Warren's mind as he stepped outside, his eyes searching the surroundings. Dan had completely vanished. No signs of a struggle, no clues as to what had happened. It was as if he had disappeared into thin air.

His frustration turned to anger as he paced back and forth, his fists clenched. He refused to accept the notion that Dan had just left without a trace. "Where the hell did you go Dan?" he muttered under his breath, his voice laced with a mixture of confusion and anger. He then dialed a number. The person on the other line answered. "Yes, sir?"

"Find Dan now! As Warren issued the demand, he continued to pace, his anger and worry evident in his voice. After hanging up the phone, he took a moment to compose himself, his mind racing with questions and theories.

He stormed out of the house, his steps quick and determined. Every sound, every shadow, seemed to draw his attention, his eyes scanning his surroundings with growing frustration. He couldn't fathom how he hadn't heard anything, how he had slept through Dan's disappearance. The thought gnawed at him, fueling his anger and impatience. Reaching his car, he threw himself into the driver's seat, slamming the door shut with a resounding thud. As he started the ignition, his knuckles white with tension, he took one last breath to steady himself.

He peeled out of the driveway, his tires screeching against the pavement as he careened down the road. His eyes were focused on the road ahead, his focus only on finding Dan.

Each mile that passed seemed to drive Warren's frustration even higher. He pushed the limits of his car's speed, willing it to make faster progress. He searched every alley, street corner, and possible hiding place along the way, hoping to catch even a glimpse of Dan. But there was no trace of him. No sign at all.

Warren's grip on the steering wheel tightened, his knuckles turning white. He felt a sense of panic creeping in, adding to his already growing frustration. "Where the hell are you, Dan?" he muttered through gritted teeth, his eyes narrowing as he scanned the road ahead.

He pushed the pedal to the floor, the car's engine roaring in response. He wove through traffic, his determination only increasing with each passing moment. His mind raced, his thoughts a mixture of worry, anger, and an almost desperate sense of resolve. He couldn't let Dan disappear without a trace, not after everything they had been through.

He was so focused on his search that he almost missed a small alleyway on the side of the road. Something about it caught his eye, and he abruptly slammed on the brakes, causing the car to skid to a sudden halt.

Without a moment's hesitation, Warren leaped out of the car and rushed into the alley. Adrenaline pumped through his veins as he scanned the area, his body tensing in anticipation.

As he got closer, his heart sank a little. It was just a discarded piece of clothing, torn and stained. It wasn't Dan. But amidst the disappointment, Warren noticed something else on the ground nearby.

A phone, its screen cracked and lifeless. Warren's heartbeat quickened, a surge of adrenaline coursing through him. He bent down, carefully picking up the phone and holding it gently in his hand.

He tried to turn it on, but the device remained unresponsive. Frustration mingled with determination in Warren's eyes as he examined the phone, searching for any clue that could lead to Dan's whereabouts. "Come on... work, damn it!" he muttered under his breath, hoping beyond hope that the phone would miraculously come to life and offer some answers.

He tried again, his finger pressing the power button with increasing urgency. Finally, the phone's screen flickered to life, displaying a low battery icon. Warren's eyes widened as he quickly navigated through the settings, desperately searching for any information that could be valuable.

As he scanned the phone's contents, his frustration grew even more. The phone had been wiped clean of any useful data. All contacts, messages, and photos had been wiped out, leaving only empty folders and default settings. Warren felt like he was running in circles, with every lead ending in a dead end.

"Dammit!" Warren shouted, his voice echoing in the quiet alley. He clenched his fist tightly, the phone dangling helplessly from his grip. He had hoped that the phone would hold some answers, but it seemed that whoever was behind Dan's disappearance had meticulously covered their tracks.

Warren's mind raced, attempting to piece together the puzzle. He considered the possibility that the phone had been deliberately planted here, perhaps to lead him on a wild goose chase or to mislead him. The thought gnawed at him, fueling his desperation to find Dan.

Determination burned in Warren's eyes, and he slipped the phone into his pocket, refusing to give up. "I'll find you, Dan," he muttered under his breath, his voice filled with a mixture of anger, worry, and unwavering resolve. He turned away from the alleyway, his thoughts shifting to t

he next possible course of action.