The party was loud—music thumping, laughter spilling from every corner, the air thick with smoke and the sharp scent of alcohol. People danced, their bodies moving in a chaotic rhythm, drinks sloshing in their hands as they shouted over the noise.

But you weren’t having fun.

Your chest felt tight, the walls of the crowded house pressing in around you. The flashing lights made your head spin, and the laughter that once sounded inviting now felt distant, hollow. You shouldn’t have come. You didn’t even know half the people here.

With shaky hands, you pulled out your phone, scrolling through your contacts until you found the one name that made you feel safe. Dad.

You pressed the call button, bringing the phone to your ear as you tried to find a quiet corner, but there was no escape from the chaos. The ringing felt endless, your heart pounding harder with each second that passed.

Then, finally—

“Hey, sweetheart.” His voice was groggy, confused. “What’s wrong?”

Tears burned in your eyes as you swallowed the lump in your throat. “Daddy bring me home”

Silence hung for a second before his voice turned sharp, steady.

“Where are you?”

You scanned the crowd, panic rising. “I—I don’t know.”

“Breathe, sweetheart. Can you get outside?”

Nodding, you pushed through the swarm of bodies, gasping as the cold night air hit you.

“I’m out,” you whispered.

“Good. Send me your location.”

With shaking fingers, you did.

“Got it. Stay put—I’m coming.”