Frightfully, I begin trotting inside the house and ascend the stairs. Few guests are there too. I put my hand on the stairs railing and try to search Noah or Carol from above here. It is easier to find them among the crowd from here. At the same time, I try calling on Carol's phone with a hope that she would take it. Ashar follows me too.

He takes my phone from my hands. I glance at him. He moves his fingers against my screen, tapping on some number keys. "I'm saving my number in your phone. You check this floor. I'm going upstairs."

He returns the device to me,...