409 LISTEN TO WHAT YOUR FATHER HAS TO SAY

The clock on the wall ticked loudly, each second echoing in the tense silence of the living room. Ethan sat hunched over, his phone clutched in his hand, the screen dark. With worry etched on her face, Madison placed a gentle hand on his arm. "Ethan," she began softly, "it's been weeks. Maybe we should." Ethan looked up, his eyes filled with a mixture of worry and frustration. "Maybe we should do what?" Wait here another week, hoping he just decided to take a spontaneous vacation to the moon." "No, of course not," Madison soothed, "but calling the police might seem a little drastic, don't you think?" Ethan scoffed. "Drastic? Madison and Aaden wouldn't simply disappear. He wouldn't miss his shift and wouldn't leave his phone on silent. Something is wrong." He stood abruptly, his voice rising in frustration. "We've waited long enough. We're going to the police station." Madison saw the steely resolve in his eyes and knew there was no arguing. She nodded, a flicker of fear in her ga