Chapter 36: Frustration

Friesland navigated the deserted streets, a lone figure swallowed by the inky blackness. Every rustle of leaves, every distant creak of a signpost, sent a jolt of adrenaline through him. He retraced his steps, his mind replaying the fleeting glimpse of Sarah disappearing into the labyrinthine alleyways. Reaching the spot where he last saw her, he cursed under his breath. The maze of narrow streets branched out in all directions, each pathway shrouded in darkness. He had no way of knowing which path Sarah had taken, no way to predict where the Blackwoods might be searching. He drew a deep breath, his senses on high alert. He needed a plan, a way to find Sarah before it was too late. Spotting a flickering lamppost on a nearby corner, he headed towards it, hoping perhaps it might illuminate a clue, a stray shoe, a discarded scarf, anything that might indicate which direction she had fled. Reaching the lamppost, he scanned the ground, his heart sinking when he found nothing. Frustration