Zera had not heard anything from Joe in five days, and she was really concerned. Though worried, she tried to reassure herself. This wasn’t the first time Joe had gone silent. He often became so engrossed in his work that he lost track of time and forgot to call or respond to messages. It was frustrating, but she had grown used to it.

  Still, this time felt different. Something gnawed at her—an unsettling feeling she couldn’t quite shake. She hoped it was just her imagination. After all, everything was probably fine. She told herself that repeatedly, even as her thoughts strayed back to him. Zera needed to stay focused; tomorrow marked a major milestone in her life. She was set to leave for Kalmheim and then travel onward to Leafheim for her military service. Excitement and apprehension swirled in her mind like storm clouds. She clung to the hope that Joe would call her before her departure. If nothing else, she wanted one last dinner together in Kalmheim, a memory to hold on to before her journey into the unknown.

  The apartment, once filled with memories of their life together, now felt hollow. Zera had already canceled their lease. In her mind, she envisioned their future: after her two years of service, they would start anew. By then, Joe would probably be the CEO of Dinkins Corporation, climbing the ladder with his characteristic ambition and brilliance. With her military career and his success, they could finally afford a bigger apartment in Kalmheim, maybe even nicer furniture. More than that, Zera dreamed of starting a family with Joe, imagining the laughter of children echoing through their home.

  The thought brought a bittersweet smile to her face. She picked up a framed photo of the two of them, the last item not yet packed. In the picture, they stood side by side, smiling radiantly. It was taken during one of their rare vacations, a brief escape from their otherwise busy lives. She traced a finger over Joe’s face in the photo and whispered, “We’ll get through this, won’t we?”

  As if in response, her phone rang, breaking the silence. She hastily picked it up, her heart pounding.

  “Hello, Zera Falks speaking. How can I help you?”

  A woman’s voice answered, calm but unfamiliar. “Hello, Zera. My name is Clara. I work for Dinkins Corporation. I’m actually a colleague of Joe’s. I’ve been trying to reach you.”

  Zera’s pulse quickened. “Oh, hello. It’s nice to hear from you. How can I help? Is everything okay? I haven’t heard from Joe in days.”

  Clara hesitated. “I think it’s best if we discuss this in person. I called your officer at the military, and he informed me you’d be arriving in Kalmheim tomorrow. Could we meet then? I’ll send you the details.”

  A knot tightened in Zera’s stomach. “Sure. Can you at least tell me if Joe is okay? Is something wrong?”

  Clara’s voice softened. “Joe’s been… very busy. He’s working on a high-priority project. That’s all I can say for now. I promise we’ll talk more tomorrow.”

  Before Zera could press further, Clara ended the call, leaving her with more questions than answers. Why would a colleague of Joe’s want to speak with her privately? Why did it sound so urgent? And why hadn’t Joe himself called?

  The tale has been taken without authorization; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident.

  The rest of the day passed in a haze. Zera busied herself cleaning the flat, trying to distract her restless mind. She double-checked her bags and prepared for her journey. Yet, no matter how much she occupied herself, the uneasy feeling lingered. She told herself that everything would make sense tomorrow.

  The next morning, Zera boarded the train to Kalmheim. Her heart was heavy with uncertainty, but her mind buzzed with anticipation for what lay ahead. The city of Kalmheim had always been portrayed as a beacon of modernity and progress. Stories of its shining skyscrapers, bustling streets, and endless opportunities had fascinated her since childhood. Now, as the train approached, she caught her first glimpse of the city. It was both more and less than what she had imagined. The skyline was indeed impressive, with towering glass buildings glinting in the sunlight. But as the train moved closer, Zera noticed the disparities—the less glamorous parts of the city, where people struggled just as much as they did back home.

  Zera arrived at Clara’s address in the late afternoon. Strangely, it wasn’t an office but a modest flat in an older part of town. Clara greeted her at the door. She was pale, her hands trembling slightly as she welcomed Zera inside. The flat was small but tidy, shared with an older man whom Zera assumed was Clara’s father. The atmosphere was heavy, almost suffocating.

  “Thank you for coming,” Clara said as she led Zera to a small table. She offered tea, but her hands shook as she poured it. Zera accepted a cup, though she barely touched it.

  “So,” Zera began, trying to mask her unease. “Thank you for inviting me, but could you please explain why I’m here? Is Joe okay?”

  Clara took a deep breath. Her gaze darted around the room before finally settling on Zera. “This isn’t easy for me to say. Joe is… well, he’s an extraordinary mind. I’ve never worked with anyone quite like him. But that brilliance can sometimes lead to… risks.”

  Zera’s chest tightened. “What risks? Did something happen to him?”

  Clara’s voice wavered. “Joe was working on a highly classified project. I can’t go into the specifics, but it involved groundbreaking technology—something that could change everything. Joe had an idea, one so innovative that we fast-tracked the project. And it worked… at first. But then Joe did something impulsive. Without further testing, he… he used it. And now he’s gone.”

  Zera froze. “Gone?”

  Clara nodded, tears welling in her eyes. “He disappeared during the test. We don’t know where he went or… if he’s even alive. The project has been shut down, but some of us are still trying, unofficially, to replicate his results. So far, nothing has worked. I’m so sorry, Zera. But it’s unlikely you’ll ever see him again.”

  The words hit Zera like a physical blow. Her hands trembled, and the teacup slipped from her grasp, shattering on the floor. She didn’t care. The world around her seemed to collapse, the weight of Clara’s revelation crushing her.

  “No,” Zera whispered, shaking her head. “No, this can’t be true. He wouldn’t… he wouldn’t leave me like this. There has to be a mistake.”

  Clara reached out to touch her hand, but Zera pulled away. Her mind raced, trying to process the impossible. Joe, her partner, her future—gone? It didn’t make sense. It couldn’t.

  Tears streamed down her face as she stumbled to her feet. Clara’s voice was distant, her words indistinct. Zera didn’t know what to say or do. The world had become unrecognizable, a cruel and senseless place. She fled the flat, barely aware of her surroundings as she wandered aimlessly through Kalmheim.

  Hours later, Zera found herself sitting on a bench in a quiet park. The sun had set, and the city’s lights glimmered around her. She clutched the photo of her and Joe, now crumpled and damp with tears.

  “Why?” she whispered into the night. “Why did you leave me?”

  The question hung in the air, unanswered. All she could do was wait for morning—and the unknown future that awaited her in Leafheim