Optimum (adjective): best; most favorable; ideal

All five of them were connected on the voice call, emotion as tense as a drawn weapon but not a single word passing between their lips. A few nervous taps and clicks filled the static, quietly probing as if they were thinking the same thing but afraid to confirm each other’s fears.

The oldest voice was first to break the silence. “Alright… I’m sure you all know what we’re here for today.”

Solemn grunts and m-hm’s of affirmation sounded through the call.

“Well, I’ve done everything I could think of,” he said quietly. “Starting two weeks ago, I’ve sent a text every three days. Called her phone. Left a few voicemails.”

Another person finally joined him. “Yeah, I basically did the same. She’s made some alt accounts before, and I’ve tried contacting those as well.”

Of the remaining three, two girls murmured their equally fruitless attempts, the grim softness in their voices revealing enough of their worry. The final member of the friend group stayed silent for another while, but soon added half-heartedly that he’d checked the news of the area she lived in everyday. Nothing.

There was a long pause, but the oldest member again stood up for his unrelated, online family. “Listen, I know we’re not too familiar—all we know about each other is our chat room profile pictures, but I still trust you guys. And… I’d like to point out that her last few messages were something about focusing on herself. So, yeah. Let’s take her word for it?”

He didn’t point out that their friend was never the type to disappear without a word. She texted often, always sending weirdly funny gifs, each message filled with the typos of her unconventional yet endearing energy. They didn’t know what to do. They didn’t think there was anything left to do.

“Yeah, let’s take her word for it.” The others echoed.