THE two ladies sat at their usual table in the mall, their phones buzzing with anticipation. They had both been anxiously checking their messages, hoping to hear from Orlanda. Hours had passed since they last saw her, and worry gnawed at them like a persistent itch.

"This is so unlike her," Flourish said, frowning as she scrolled through her messages again. "She usually texts us to let us know she is okay if she couldn't make it to the group chat."

"I know! I have been thinking the same thing," Winifred replied, her brow furrowed in concern. "What if something happened? What if she is in trouble?"

Flourish sighed, her...