Chapter 53

Annabelle's voice quivered with emotion as she spoke, her resolve unwavering despite the tears that streaked her cheeks. "Okay, I will do anything to save Jade, so you better stay true to your word."

Her words stung with accusation, a reminder of the weight of my promise. Anger simmered within me, but before I could respond, movement at the river caught my attention. A massive figure emerged, striding towards us with purpose.

I turned my gaze towards the approaching figure, my heart pounding with unease. Annabelle's hand trembled beside me, a telltale sign of danger lurking nearby. The man noticed our scrutiny and bolted, prompting me to give chase.

As we pursued the fleeing figure into the depths of the forest, Annabelle's labored breaths echoed in my ears. Her determination fueled her steps, matching my own as we raced through the dense foliage.

Arriving at a clearing, I found only discarded clothes strewn upon the ground. Had the man shed his garments to evade capture? I picked up the clothing, examining it briefly before letting it fall to the forest floor once more.

Annabelle arrived at my side, her eyes searching mine for answers. "Did he run away?"

I nodded, though uncertainty gnawed at me. "He must have."

Her next question hung heavy in the air. "What about my sister?"

Anxiety clawed at my chest as I surveyed our surroundings, searching for any sign of Jade. "He probably took her," I admitted, my heart sinking with the weight of our failure.

Annabelle's voice cracked with desperation as she called out for her sister, her pleas echoing through the forest. Confusion clouded my mind as I struggled to piece together our next move.

Meanwhile, inside the confines of the car, Jade's eyes snapped open to the dim interior. Panic surged through her as she realized her predicament, her hands bound tightly with ropes and her mouth sealed shut with tape.

Frantically, she struggled against her restraints, her heart racing with fear as she assessed her surroundings. A strange man sat behind the wheel, his eyes fixed on the road ahead as the car hurtled through the night.

Annabelle's voice trembled as she called out to her sister, her pleas filled with anguish and desperation. With each failed attempt to reach Jade, her resolve crumbled, and she collapsed to her knees, tears streaming down her cheeks. I stood by helplessly, the weight of our failure pressing down on me as I watched her anguish unfold.

Meanwhile, in the car where Jade was held captive, the driver's phone rang, displaying the name "Black Soul." His reaction was swift as he answered the call, his voice tense with apprehension. "I thought she would be alone? Who was that man?"

Jade listened intently, her heart pounding with fear as she strained to hear the conversation unfolding on the other end. The man's words sent shivers down her spine as he described encountering someone he deemed non-human.

Black Soul's response was cold and commanding. "That's none of your business! Just keep an eye on her sister. And don't you touch her without my permission. We need to use her as bait."

The driver's gaze flickered back to Jade, his eyes filled with a mix of fear and resignation. Her heart hammered in her chest as she realized the extent of her danger. Black Soul's authority hung over them like a dark cloud, suffocating any hope of escape.

Before the driver could respond further, Black Soul abruptly ended the call, leaving him seething with frustration. In a fit of rage, he slammed his hand against the steering wheel, startling Jade with his outburst. "How dare him! I'm the one who caught her! She's mine!"

His words sent a chill down Jade's spine, her fear escalating as she realized the full extent of her captor's twisted intentions. Trapped and helpless, she could only watch in terror as the man's laughter filled the car, echoing off the walls like a sinister refrain.

Meanwhile, Mr. Thomas had managed to track us down, his urgency evident as he relayed his message to Annabelle. "We need to report this to the police."

But Annabelle's response was firm, her voice laced with resolve. "He said he will kill my sister if I did."

Mr. Thomas's expression hardened with determination. "That's what all kidnappers say. There's no time."

But Annabelle shook her head, her gaze unwavering. "This isn't something the police can handle."

Surprise flickered across Mr. Thomas's face at her words, his confusion evident. "Just like 15 years ago."

Mr. Thomas's confusion deepened as he drew closer to Annabelle, his voice tinged with concern. "Does this also have to do with Imoogi Vampire? Is that kidnapper colluding with Imoogi Vampire?"

Annabelle fought to control her tears, nodding in affirmation. "Yes, I think so."

Frustration etched across Mr. Thomas's features as he turned to Annabelle once more, seeking clarification. "Then what about that man?"

Just then, I emerged from the shadows, approaching them with purpose. Mr. Thomas's gaze shifted to me, suspicion evident in his eyes.

I addressed him calmly, attempting to dispel his doubts. "I found no other traces."

Mr. Thomas narrowed his eyes at me, his accusation hanging palpably in the air. "Isn't he on their side? You said he tried to kill you back there."

Annabelle interjected, her voice wavering slightly. "That was... a misunderstanding."

Mr. Thomas regarded me skeptically before relenting. "All right then. First, we need to save your sister. What's your next move?"

I met Mr. Thomas's gaze evenly, suggesting a course of action. "I heard you used to be a detective."

His interest piqued, Mr. Thomas looked at me expectantly. "So what?"

I elaborated on my idea, outlining a plan to utilize his expertise. "We could use some inside information. Find out which reservoir around here had a lot of incidents and accidents."

Mr. Thomas's surprise was evident as he processed my suggestion. "What? There are over ten reservoirs around here."

Undeterred, I assured him of the significance of our task. "One of them will have more recent drowning cases than the rest, and all the bodies will have something in common."

Mr. Thomas pondered my words, considering the implications of our investigation. With a determined nod, he made a decisive move, heading towards his car with purpose.

Upon arriving at the police station, Mr. Thomas wasted no time in taking action. He placed a call, his voice filled with urgency. "Hey, I just arrived. I brought some snacks. Okay." With that, he hung up the phone.