Chasing Anne

Pieces

When Mark awoke, Blaze and Dawn were snuggled up next to him. Blaze had his head rested on Mark's shoulder, and Dawn had nosed her way under Mark's arm. Both were asleep initially, but as soon as Mark started moving, the two dog's eyes opened sleepily and Blaze let out a long whine. Mark chuckled and ruffled the fur on the retriever's head.

"I don't know what you're complaining about," he said softly, kneeling in front of the canine. Blaze opened his mouth and let his tongue flop out in a wide grin. Mark sighed and laughed. "Yeah, I'm hungry too. How does sausage sound?"

The dog seemed to understand and tilted his head to the side as if to beg. Mark smiled and then stood, walking out of the living room and into the kitchen. He found frozen sausage in the freezer, a few eggs, and some bread in the fridge using them to make his breakfast. Once he'd scrambled the eggs, fried the sausage, and toasted the bread, he sat down at the table and was about to pray when someone knocked on his front door. His senses immediately jumped and a chill ran down his spine. What if it was one of Raymond's men? He stood slowly, creeping towards the door. The knock came again and then the doorbell rang. Whoever was outside clearly wanted his attention. He picked up his baseball bat that he always kept near the door and then turned the doorknob to the front door. The knock came again, but halted abruptly as he opened the door. Mark raised his bat over his head and then threw the door open, ready to attack whoever was outside.

Brianna screamed and clapped her hands over her mouth, stumbling backwards. "Mark, I'm your sister!"

Mark dropped the bat and sighed in relief. Brianna's eyes were wide with terror. She grabbed the railing of his front porch, trying to keep herself from falling, and took a deep shaky breath. "Who did you think I was?" she asked.

"Raymond...or something."

Brianna nodded and straightened herself, trying to regain her composure. She took another deep breath and then spoke. "I just wanted to talk with you. Is that okay?"

"Sure! Come inside! Please!"

Brianna still seemed nervous and it hurt to think of how badly he had scared her. He hadn't meant to, but his first thought had been that Raymond had found where he lived and sent someone to kill him. He knew it was the worst case scenario, but...with Anne missing...it was all that he could think about.

Brianna went to the living room, slung her purse off of her shoulder, and then plopped onto the couch. Mark followed her, but he could tell that she was shaken up for more than one reason. Her brunette hair was let down over her shoulders which was something she rarely every allowed when she went out. Normally, she would have her hair pulled back in a bun or in a braid. It was odd, but a good kind of odd. He'd always told her that she looked prettier when she let her hair down, but she had always argued that her outward appearance was the least of her concerns. For some reason, he sensed that that wasn't the case now. She fumbled through her purse a moment and then pulled out her phone, tapping the screen a few times before handing it to Mark.

"Read this, please."

Mark looked down at the phone and then back at Brianna. "Are you sure you're okay?"

Brianna nodded. "Just read it, Mark."

Mark looked back at the phone and began to read the text message. It read as follows.

"Miss Normand,

Beware. Your brother in extreme danger because of Anne McCourtney. Don't get involved in this matter and I'll spare you. I'll be watching you and if you do anything in any way that aids your brother in finding Mr. McCourtney's machine or in finding Anne, you will not hear the end of it. I have warned you, stay out of this matter and save yourself."