Page 4 of His Witness To Have

There hadn't been any recent news of kidnappings or murdersin Chicago since they had been captured, but he was still frustrated on this case because Kamal, their leader, was still at large.

Their conversation was interrupted by the waiter bringingBrie's food. Deputy Chief Rodgers eventually excused himself and went back to the other end of the diner.

Brie began to wonder what exactly he wanted from her. Although he looked as though he was genuinely concerned about her safety, she sensed something fishy in their conversation.

While she was eating, she sent a quick text to Rachel:

BE THERE IN A FEW

She received an instant reply from Rachel and dropped her phone with a smile, trying not to let her mind wander off.

***

Getting a cab in Chicago was never this easy, especially to the hospital. There is usually a crowd of people struggling to get in with you, and sometimes a fight would erupt on the streets. There were patrol stations positioned in almost every corner ofevery street, and the security had tripled. Nobody trusted anybody again, and all eyes were peeled because Kamal was still on the loose.

As soon as Brie arrived at the hospital, she walked up to thereceptionist who directed her to Rachel's room. As soon as she entered, she saw her friend in a sitting position. She had a bandage on her head, and was out of the bed, staring out the window as Brie slowly approached her. As soon as Rachel noticed her, she jumped to her feet and embraced Brie in a warm hug.

"Babe, I've missed you so much," Brie started. "I'm sorry for everything you've gone through because of me." She was about to break into tears again.

Rachel tore away from the hug and placed her palm on Brie's face. It was hot with tears as she brushed some aside with her thumb.

"I'm glad you're alright," Brie said. Rachel was still silent but wearing a smile.

Brie was glad Rachel was alright. Fit enough to be discharged the next day, but she wished she could stop her mind fromgravitating toward the thought of Mack. She felt guilty that all she could think of was him. Even though she was here with her friend that nearly died, Mack was still a prominent thought in her head.

A nurse walked into the room to give Rachel her last dose of medication, and as she turned to leave, she stopped dead in her tracks in front of the television screen. She suddenly panicked and turned up the volume of the TV. There was a breaking news headline:

TERROR RETURNS TO CHICAGO AS TWO WOMEN FEARED KIDNAPPED, GO MISSING ON A HIKING TRIP

Brie's heart stopped, and Rachel started panicking; they’re back.

CHAPTER FOUR

Every day was practically a run — a run from all the problems in his life. Mack woke up from his bed with his heart racing and in a cold sweat. He had another nightmare. They kept coming, growing more frightening each time he slept. They were all about Brie, each one with a more gruesome thing happening to her.

Ever since he disappeared from her side at Destiny Falls, he didn't have the guts to call or pick up any of her calls. He loved her, but he wanted to protect her at all costs.

Ever since they crossed paths, he had done nothing but put her in danger. He felt guilty for every single thing that had happened to her. Immediately after he rescued Rachel from the den of the Brotherhood of Blood, the last thing he could remember was being hit by something hard. As soon as he woke up in the hospital, hewas told that Brie had been taken to Destiny Falls, and he immediately felt thankful for her safety.

He didn't know how badly she was hurt, but if he was to judge by how he found Rachel, he couldn't help but feel worried. Then he set out on the long journey to Destiny Fall, without having to fully recover himself. He had to see her. He had to confirm with his own eyes that she was safe and sound, so he took a break from work, in addition to his sick leave, under the pretense that he was going home to recuperate and drove all the way down to see her.

His heart was in his throat when he pulled up to the front yard of her house. It had the same warm and friendly atmosphere as when he came the first time, but it made him even more nervous.

As soon as he saw her out on the front porch, he was petrified. There she was, sitting as though she was expecting his arrival. He couldn't control himself any longer. All his desires came pouring out the moment she saw him too and, like magic, had a blissful night together. But Mack wasn't completely at ease.

The more he thought about her, the more he wanted her. And him wanting her would only pave the way for more adversities, so he decided to close Brie out of his life. Protecting her from his bad luck and choosing to suffer alone.

Mack got up from his bed and went into the bathroom. After getting out, he looked through his phone and saw a missed call from Brie. She was trying to get to him again and making it even harder for him to stay away. He didn't want to ignore her for long. He knew she was hurting on the inside all because of him, but he wanted her to know that he still cared – very much.

But he didn't want anything to happen to her, not again. He sent a very short text, hoping to signal to her that he was still there but just couldn't be with her. He hoped she didn't resent him for leaving, but he had no choice.

A part of him yearned for her, more than he expected it to, but until Kamal was caught alive or dead, Brie was always going to be his target. Even more likely when he's around her.

Kamal had failed to kill Brie twice now. The first time at the animal shelter when she first saw him, and the second time when she was kidnapped to get to him. Kamal has been in hiding ever since their den was uncovered, but Mack was certain that he would not rest till he punished Brie for exposing his identity to the public.

Mack turned on the TV and saw the breaking news of the women that were kidnapped on their hiking trip. He felt a sharp pain in his head as he remembered the blow he received while fighting Kamal and his men in order to rescue Brie and her friend. He also remembered the death of his friend Dave, who got shot in the process.

Mack felt extremely overwhelmed, but he needed to push forward if he ever wanted to live in peace. Kamal was a tricky one; he was last spotted in New York when he fled. What are the odds that he could be back in Chicago to exert his revenge on them already? He quickly put on his uniform as he made his way back to work to inform them of the latest proceedings.

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