Strange Addiction

Chapter 32

I eyed the huge wall and the thin rope in my hands. The feeling of hopelessness grew. I don’t think the rope will even work. There was nothing that it could hold on to. The wall was too big to jump over for me too.

I’m so cold right now. My feet hurt like I’ve been walking against a burning coal. I looked up at the sky. The rain pelted against my face mixing with the tears now falling down my cheeks.

All of the sudden, a light flickered. I searched for the source and it was up ahead on the east side. I realized that it was a lamp from the fence. The fence has a lamp?

An idea crossed my mind.

I uncoiled the rope in my hands and realized it was long enough for me to wind it around the neck of the lamp. So I tried my idea again and again. I failed countless times but I didn’t stop until I got it. And I finally did!

I slowly adjusted the other end of the rope so the other could fall downward so it’d look like a necklace. The two ends just reached to my head but it was enough for my hands to hold on to. I breathed a strength and raised my feet against the wall while holding on to the rope and then heaved myself.

It took long for me to reach the top. My palms and feet ached at the effort I’ve exerted, bruises and wounds forming. I panted when I finally reached the top. I looked down to the other side and thankful that there were bushes. I inhaled before jumping over, taking the rope with me. The evidence of my escape.

The bushes received my fall with additional bruises and cuts. When I tried to stand my ankle ached but I ignored the pain and started running. I crossed the road and hid myself through the trees. My feet aren’t going to rest for tonight but I’d very much prefer this than walk on that plain even road and risk getting caught.

I ran and ran until it felt like I was far away from his mansion. I hid behind the tree and sat down against it. I then grabbed the phone and started resetting it. My hands trembled as I moved. It was either from the temperature or what I had just committed.

I almost vomited when I remembered I killed a man. Nothing seemed to come out as I just gagged. I don’t think I killed him, right? I should’ve checked his pulse before leaving him.

As I waited for the system to boot, a thought crossed my mind. The rain reminded me of Nile so much. The first night we had together. The kiss, the sex, our intimate moments.

That night there was also a storm trapping us in his penthouse. I didn’t know what happened when we suddenly went from enemies to… We didn’t even talk about what our relationship is. We did nothing but argue one after another. I realized we have gone backwards in the process of forming a relationship.

He said he wants me. After everything that happened, does he still want me?

The phone was finally done booting. The screen lights up showing its apps and other functions. I typed Quinn’s number knowing it’s the only number I memorized for emergencies.

The first few times were ignored. Understandable since she obviously doesn't know this number.

---

Quinn

We’ve been sitting here at Nile’s office ever since he called that he had news about Kura. One of his men who had been assigned to investigate in Kura’s neighborhood, had found something, a witness. It took a little while since most of the people he questioned there didn’t see her. To top it off, we didn’t know when exactly she was missing.

Eventually, his investigator found a witness who happened to see my best friend the night he was with a man who also happened to fit Jacob’s description. It was a teenager who coincidentally passed by and saw Kura walking out of her apartment with a luggage behind Jacob who was walking ahead of her.

As soon as Nile heard the news, he immediately sent his people to trace where Jacob is right now. Unfortunately, he was not in New York. What’s more, we found out that Kura isn’t with her.

Furthermore, the storm was delaying our investigation which was frustrating. It feels like we're one step closer towards finding out where Kura is at the same time, it feels like we have no idea what to do next… and just wait here for answers to come. No one wants to go home tonight or even try to sleep. We’re all completely anxious.

Fortunately, Belle isn’t here. I don’t want to let her divide her mind from Kura to her baby. I’ll talk to her when we meet for work.

“Babe, your phone has been ringing. Aren’t you going to answer it?” My fiance said from my side. He was eyeing my vibrating phone that was sitting beside me on the sofa. I’ve been ignoring it since it was an unknown number.

I shook my head blankly. I wasn’t in the mood to answer it.

“You should answer it. Someone calling at this time must be an emergency.” Colton urged. He was sitting on the other sofa right across us. His head laid rest on the backrest, eyes closed, arms crossed. He was wearing a frown. He must be tired. He had joined the search outside ever since he came here. He hasn’t gone home either and stayed in a hotel nearby.

He’s right. It’s weird that someone was calling right at this time. It was already past twelve and the storm wasn’t letting up. My eyes shifted towards Nile who was sitting behind his desk. His hands clasped together, elbows propping on the table. His head leaned against his clasped hands. It seemed like he was praying for something miraculous to happen right at this time.

He too, was exhausted. Every one of us and I was on the verge of losing hope. I am just deeply frustrated and disappointed right now. Our bags were already dark as a shadow, our faces dull and dark. I might not be able to sleep ever if we can’t find her.

I sighed before swiping the call towards the green icon. “Hello?” Surely the other line could hear my exhausted voice.

“Quinn.”

My eyes widened as I stood straight in alarm. My ears perked up at the familiar voice that I haven’t heard for weeks and weeks.

Tyler was surprised at my initial reaction. “What’s wrong? Who is it?” He asked with a frown.

“Quinn…” She repeated again. Her voice was raspy and exhausted as well. I could hear the heavy rain from the other line.

“Kura?”

Everyone suddenly turned their heads towards me, all eyes widened. Nile immediately rose from his chair and stomped his way towards me. He snatched my phone that was still pressed against my ear.

“lyuBImaya.”