CHAPTER3
1172 Words
Makky lowered the phone with shaking hands. The icy words, "Anna Jones won't be making it to the hospital," continued to reverberate in her ears.
She hardly noticed Mrs. Brown's inquiry since her heart was beating so rapidly.
Mrs. Brown's stern voice said, "Makky," once more. "What’s wrong?"
Makky swallowed the panic building in her throat and turned to face her. Must she tell her? Was Mrs. Brown going to give a damn?
She compelled herself to inhale deeply. "Anna... she—" Unsure of how to express it, Makky paused.
Mrs. Brown's eyes narrowed. "She what?"
Makky confessed, "She never made it to the hospital," while holding her phone so firmly that her knuckles went white.
Mrs. Brown's expression stayed uncannily composed. "All right? Perhaps she had second thoughts. Perhaps she fled after realizing this connection was a mistake.
Makky felt a knot in her stomach. "No. She was taken by someone.
Mrs. Brown took notice of that. She jerked her head up. "Took her?"
Makky paused. Although she was aware of Mrs. Brown's disapproval of Anna, the situation went beyond that. "I received a call just now. A man. "Don't look for her," he said.
They were silent for a long time.
Then Mrs. Brown's lips curled slightly as she leaned back in her chair. "And you believed him?"
Makky lost her patience. "Are you even concerned? You're acting as if nothing is wrong, even though your son is in a coma and his fiancée is missing.
Mrs. Brown's face clouded, but a nurse came over before she could answer.
As the nurse said courteously, "Mrs. Brown," Mark was transferred to the intensive care unit. He is now visible to you, although only for a little while."
Mrs. Brown got up without any problems. "Finally." She approached the restricted area without giving Makky another look.
Makky's jaw tightened.
Alright. Mrs. Brown would discover Anna's fate on her own if she didn't take this seriously.
She stormed out of the hospital, dialing Anna’s phone again. Directly to voicemail.
There was a serious problem.
Anna's head pounded as her eyelids flickered open, causing her to sigh.
Darkness.
Where had she gone?
Something rough squeezed against her wrists as she attempted to move. Rope.
Anxiety swept through her.
She had a chair strapped to her.
The SUV and the collision were the last things she recalled. And then she was grabbed by someone.
A lone bulb overhead flickered a weak light. On the walls, distorted and threatening shadows loomed.
Anna breathed in short spurts. She pulled on the ropes, but they remained in place.
Outside the chamber came the sound of footsteps.
Her heart struck her ribs hard.
A figure entered through a creaking door.
A man. tall. The face is concealed with a black mask.
"You’re awake," he remarked in a distant, deep voice.
Anna made herself remain composed. "Who are you? What do you want?"
The man remained silent. His boots banged on the wood floor as he approached.
She demanded, "Where am I?"
He lowered his head slightly and knelt before her. "Somewhere safe… for now."
Anna felt her skin crawl. "You are mistaken if you believe Mark will overlook this. He'll come get me.
The man chuckled quietly. "Mark Brown? That's adorable.
She felt her tummy tighten. "What do you mean?"
The man got up. "You should be more concerned about yourself than him."
Then he locked the door behind him and turned to go.
In her throat, Anna swallowed the lump.
She was alone.
She also needed to leave this place.
Makky's thoughts were racing as she drove through the metropolis without direction.
Where might Anna be? Who would be interested in taking her?
She considered phoning the police, but she was at a loss for words. Why did some strange guy phone me about Anna Jones going missing?
No. First, she needed evidence.
Her initial plan was to visit Anna's residence. There might have been a hint there.
She got there in a matter of minutes and hurried to the door after getting out of the car. Inside, the lights were off.
Makky knocked. "Anna?"
Not a word.
She tested the handle. Locked.
She scowled as she took out the keys in her purse to try them on Anna's door. Fortunately one of the keys was able to unlock the door.
The dim interior was revealed as the door creaked open.
With a gulp, Makky turned on the lights.
It was a complete disaster.
Overturned furniture. Drawers opened. There were papers all over the floor.
This place had been visited.
She cautiously avoided the mess as she entered, her heart racing.
Anna's handbag remained on the countertop.
She never went out alone or someone came after she left, Makky taught.
Taking images of the scene, Makky reached for her phone.
This person has been looking for something.
However, what?
Had they discovered it?
She was about to walk away when she noticed something.
Fresh petals of a single red rose were resting on the kitchen counter.
A shiver went through her body.
This was more than a simple a*******n.
It served as a warning.
Mrs. Brown sat by Mark's bedside at the hospital, her face unreadable.
Lying there, her son appeared so different—so still, so exposed.
She extended her hand and brushed a lock of tawny hair off his forehead.
Murmuring, "You were never supposed to get hurt," she said.
Her eyes become stony.
Anna Jones had left. And now, maybe, everything could finally go back to how it was supposed to be.
She straightened when there was a gentle knock on the door.
A nurse took a look inside. "Mrs. Brown, visiting hours are almost over."
Mrs. Brown gave a nod. "I’ll be leaving soon."
The nurse paused. Additionally, Makky, a woman, inquired about your son's case. Should I—"
"She’s persistent, isn’t she?" Mrs. Brown spoke with ease. "Tell her I’ll handle everything from now on."
With a nod, the nurse departed.
Mrs. Brown's gaze returned to Mark.
A little smile curved her lips.
Anna was trouble, and she always knew it.
All she needed to do now was make sure she never returned.
Makky gripped the steering wheel as she sat in her vehicle.
She needed to locate Anna.
She didn't know where to begin, but she was certain that this wasn't just any k********g.
This was arranged by someone.
Furthermore, Makky would not let up until she located Anna if she was in danger.
She took her phone out and dialed another number.
Mrs. Brown would find someone to help if she couldn't.
She inhaled deeply as the phone rang.
"Pick up," she whispered. "Come on…"
At last, a voice responded.
Makky didn't think twice.
"I need your assistance. Anna is not there.
There was a brief pause in the line.
The voice then answered.
"Tell me everything."
Makky let out a breath.
In this battle, she wasn't fighting alone.
But was Anna still alive? That was the main question.
- Writer
