24#24

24

As Travis journeyed home, he encountered a garbage bin. Without hesitation, he removed his new jacket and discarded it as if it were contaminated with something dangerous.

Concurrently, Denver was utilizing every available resource and requesting assistance from all his contacts in an attempt to locate Leslie.

It seemed as though she had disappeared without a trace. There was no information or indication of her whereabouts.

A month had passed since he lost touch with her—thirty days of restless evenings.

He reclined on Leslie's former side of the bed, repeatedly inhaling the subtle aroma that still clung to the bedding.

However, as time progressed, even this small consolation was gradually diminishing.

He meticulously collected strands of her hair from her pillow and hairbrush. He carefully arranged them, wound them into a coil, and kept them close to his heart in his pocket.