Page 1 of His Witness To Have

CHAPTER ONE

The air lacing the atmosphere of the quiet Destiny Falls never felt as thin as it did that day. It was cold. Very cold. Thesunlight was dimmed by the dark clouds in the sky, and Brie Miller wanted nothing to do with the outside world.

It had been two days since her concise meeting with Mack. She missed him beyond her wildest dreams, and it hurt each time she remembered the night they shared.

"Brie!" She could hear her mother's faint voice calling out to her. Her mother kept trying all she could to make her happy after Mack's disappearance. Using her cooking skills to her advantage, mornings were filled with breakfast and homemade treats. Afternoons had variety because she didn't know what her mother would spring on her. But Brie was tired of the cheering up. She was tired of all the food and kind words of encouragement her father would occasionally give her. She wanted to forget it all and live her life—alone.

It didn't make any sense to her why Mack would just show up at her doorstep and disappear without a trace. She found herself wanting him even more now that she had had a taste of what it was like to be his. A momentary taste she wished would last longer.

She remembered the last words she heard him say,I love you. Never forget it, no matter what happens.It floated in her head like a bad headache. It was looking more like an empty statement now as she glanced at the other end of her bed. Empty.You don't leave someone you love,she kept telling herself.

"Brie!" The call from her mother got louder this time. She pulled off the bed covers from her face and encountered daylight. Not exactly a sight she wanted to behold again.

It took all the strength she had to haul herself out of bed. Shemade her way to the kitchen, and a puppy followed closely behind,nudging at her leg with each step she took. She ignored it andgreeted her parents on instinct as soon as she entered.

The look on her mother's face changed from a light one to a look of pity as soon as Brie stepped into the kitchen. She always had that look whenever Brie was nearby.

"Brie, darling, breakfast is ready. You should eat up," she said as she tossed a plate of bacon and a seasoned omelet on the table. Her father got up from the table and walked to the fridge to get a carton of orange juice.

"Have some juice while you're chowing down," he said cheerfully, pouring it into a glass. Brie loved her parents so much. She appreciated the constant effort they put in to cheer her up, but she wasn't going to sulk forever. If Mack wanted to leave, then he should. He had the option to, after all.

Brie sat down at the breakfast table and poked her fork into the crispy bacon on her plate.Why did he leave?she kept asking herself.

She immediately snapped herself out of her trance and proceeded to push every thought about Mack away.

"How's Rachel? Has the hospital called yet?" she quizzed.

"They placed a call this morning," her father replied with his mouth full. "She has recovered quite nicely, and they're planning on getting her discharged by the weekend."

"Okay," she replied in a nonchalant tone.

Rachel had been dragged into this mess because of her, and she suffered the most. She remembered watching Rachel get beat up by those horrible men while she remained bound to a corner, helpless, unable to do a thing.

They tore her clothes and attempted to rape her while she fought with all the strength she could muster. She remembered every punch they landed on her face each time she resisted. Every tear she had shed after every blow and the shriveled screams she let out when her strength was diminishing. Brie couldn't stop the tears from gathering in her eyes at that moment.

They didn't really do much to Brie compared to what they did to Rachel. They just tied her up and threatened to kill her a few times, but she couldn't understand why Rachel had to suffer so much. She didn't deserve it. She was just unlucky to be with her when they kidnapped her.

Brie pushed her plate forward without taking a bite. "Mom," she began, "I'm going to the hospital in Chicago to see Rachel."

"What?!" her parents exclaimed in unison.

"You heard me. I'm going to Chicago to see Rachel."

Her mom left the potatoes she was washing in the sink and rushed over to her side to place a firm hand on her shoulder.

As if on cue, her father chipped in, "You're not leaving this house, young lady, and definitely not back to Chicago."

Brie glared at her father. "Why not?"

"Baby, you're recovering," her mother said softly, maintaining a firm hand on her shoulder. "It wouldn't be a good idea to go back to Chicago. What if those guys come back for you?"

Brie looked indifferent. She had expected them to be totally against the idea, but she knew she couldn't stay here anymore.

"I'll be safe. I promise." The look in her eyes was fiery. "I need to make sure she has someone to take care of her as soon as she's discharged. And it's not like I'm really doing anything here in Destiny Falls."

Her father snapped, slamming his hands on the table with a force that made the cutlery rattle. "Brianna Miller! Listen to me and listen well. Under no circumstances are you to leave this house for Chicago! I mean it!"

Brie didn't want to hear it. She broke free from her mother's grip and stood up to face her father.

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