Chapter 126
The mystery woman.
Chris’ POV:
“Why did she run away?” I wondered after watching Kayla run away.
“Is she really dead?” I asked myself.
I was trying to uncover the truth, but it’s like digging through a web of lies.
Kayla’s supposed death has left me with more questions than answers.
I cannot shake the feeling that she is still alive, that she staged her own death to escape the hand of the law.
But why would she do that? And how could she possibly pull it off?
I am desperate to know the truth to know if it’s really Kayla I’m searching for or just a ghost of my own making.
I started following every lead, every hint that might bring me closer to the truth.
But the more I dig, the more I realize that nothing is as it seems. Everyone seems to be hiding something, and I am starting to question my own sanity.
Is it really Kayla I’m searching for, or is it just a figment of my imagination? I need to know the truth, no matter how painful it may be. I owe it to myself, and to Kayla, to uncover the secrets that lie beneath the surface.
I packed my head trying to find the best way that I will get close to the truth.
“The store!” It struck me.
“I have been going there every day, trying to gather any information I can about Kayla’s whereabouts.” I said.
I went there but the regular reception was not there.
“Argh! What a bad day!” I said out loud.
It was the store owner.
“You found your missing rib here, uh?” He asked smiling.
The store owner let something slip, I guess he knew I was talking about Kayla.
“She comes in here every week, always buys the same things,” he said, his eyes darting around the room as if he was afraid of being overheard.
My heart raced as I pressed him for more information.
“Do you know where she goes after she leaves here?” I asked, trying to keep my excitement in check.
The store owner hesitated, then leaned in close.
“I have seen her walking down Elm Street, towards the old warehouse district,” he whispered.
“Elm Street!” I echoed.
That’s the hint I’ve been waiting for. I know that area, it’s not too far from here. I can start canvassing the neighborhood, see if anyone’s seen her.
I feel like I’m getting close, finally. I can’t wait to see where this lead takes me.
I thanked the store owner for his information and set off towards Elm Street, my heart racing with anticipation and concern. I had to find Kayla, had to make sure she was safe.
As I walked, I scanned the streets, looking for any sign of her. The old warehouse district was a maze of crumbling buildings and deserted streets, the perfect place for someone to hide.
My mind is racing with possibilities. Could she be hiding out in one of the abandoned warehouses? Or maybe she’s using them as a meeting point with someone else?
I turned onto Elm Street, my eyes scanning the sidewalks, the alleys, the windows. And then, suddenly, I saw her. Kayla, walking down the street, her head down, her shoulders hunched.
My heart skipped a beat as I quickened my pace, calling out her name.
“Kayla! Kayla!” I called to see if she was the one.
She spun around, her eyes widening in surprise, and then a look of fear crossed her face.
“Chris, what are you doing here?” she whispered, glancing around nervously.
I reached her side, my eyes locked on hers.
“I’ve been searching for you everywhere. What’s going on, Kayla? What’s happening?” she asked.
She hesitated, her eyes darting around us, and then she grabbed my arm, pulling me into a nearby alleyway. “We need to talk,” she whispered, her voice urgent. “But we need to be careful. He’s watching us.”
All of a sudden, I noticed she was not Kayla.
She looked different as she took the hoodie off.
I was taken aback by her sudden interruption and the revelation that she wasn’t Kayla.
“Who are you?” I demanded, trying to keep my voice down.
“How does she know my name?” I thought.
The woman’s eyes narrowed, and she pulled the hood closer, revealing only a sliver of her face.
“You’re asking too many questions, Chris,” she hissed.
“Just know that Kayla is in danger, and if you want to help her, you’ll do exactly as I say.” She said.
I felt a surge of anger nd fear. Who was this mysterious woman, and what did she want from me? But before I could ask any more questions, she turned and disappeared into the shadows, leaving me with more questions than answers.
“The same woman that has Megan locked up in jail?” I asked in disgust.
The woman’s eyes widened in surprise, and she took a step back, her hand on her holstered gun.
“What are you talking about?” she demanded.
“Kayla would never hurt anyone, especially not Megan.” She said as I wondered if this woman was okay… in the head.
I snorted, my skepticism evident.
“You don’t know Kayla like I do,” I said.
The woman’s expression turned cold, her eyes narrowing.
“You are wrong,” she said.
I raised my hands, exasperated. “Then explain it to me,” I said. “Tell me what’s really going on. Where is Kayla? Is she dead?” I asked her.
“What does she want with Megan?” I continued
The woman hesitated, then nodded.
“Fine,” she said.
“But we need to get out of here first. We can’t talk here.”
“Look, lady, I don’t know what kind of game you’re playing, but I’m not buying it,” I said, my frustration boiling over all of a sudden.
“You are just trying to spin some kind of web of lies to get me.” I said.
“Well, it’s not going to work. I’m not some pawn you can use to further your own agenda.” I revealed.
The woman’s eyes flashed with anger, but she remained calm, her voice even.
“You don’t understand the situation, Chris. You don’t know what’s at stake.” She said.
I snorted.
“Oh, I think I understand just fine. You and Kayla are in some kind of trouble, and you need someone to bail you out. Well, it’s not going to be me. I’m done playing hero.” I scoffed.
The woman’s face hardened; her jaw clenched.
“Fine,” she said. “But know this, Chris, you’re making a big mistake. And when you finally figure out what’s really going on, it’ll be too late.” She told me.
“That’s on you!” I said as I turned to leave.
But before I could take a step, I felt a searing pain in my side. I looked down to see blood spreading across my shirt, and my eyes widened in shock.
The woman stood behind me, her gun still trained on me.
“It had to end like this, Chris,” she said, her voice cold and detached.
The woman’s expression didn’t waver.
“You were never part of the plan, Chris. You were just a means to an end. And now, you’re a loose end that needs to be tied up.” She added.
I felt my vision blurring, my legs giving out beneath me. As I fell to the ground, then she hit my head with the head of her pistol, and I became unconscious.