Chapter 75 A Fall That Changed Everything
"That I know does not mean I will reveal it to you," Mabel said, retreating from Amanda who kept walking closer to her. "Knowing things you all don't tend to give me joy nowadays."
"Mabel!" Amanda's voice grew more intense. "Tell me, who did that to me?" she said, moving closer to Mabel who kept retreating.
"Wait, why am I suddenly intimidated by you," Mabel said. Stay right there."
"No, I won't. That person is the father of my kids. I need to know, I deserve to know" Amanda snapped.
"I am not…" Mabel could not finish her statement, she stepped on a loose brick causing the already fragile structure to shift.
"Watch out," Amanda screamed.
The section of the building where she was standing suddenly gave way and she started to fall. In a split second, Amanda reacted by reaching out to grab her but the situation was chaotic and only got hold of her wrist.
"Help me," Mabel screamed.
"It's okay. Hold on tight. I won't let go" Amanda said, panting. She tried to pull her up but she had no strength to pull that weight with just her left hand. The more she pulled, the more cracks on the floor.
"Amanda please, don't let me die. Please." Mabel pleaded, seeing that Amanda had no choice but to let go, or else she would suffer the same fate.
Amanda was still thinking of what to do when she heard Detective Wills scream. "Amanda"
Startled by the unexpected noise, Amanda briefly lost focus on her grip. Mabel's fingers slipped from Amanda's grasp as she searched where the voice came from.
Amanda watched in horror as Mabel, unable to maintain her balance, slipped from her grasp and plummeted from the crumbling building. The world seemed to slow down as Mabel's screams filled the air.
"No..no..no" Amanda cried out in panic. She rushed to the edge and looked down to see Mabel lying on the ground floor of the building, motionless. Panic surged through her as she realized what had just happened
Wills stood for a moment, trying to digest what just happened as reality. He suddenly heard a cracking sound and he looked up. The floor where Amanda stooped was cracking as well and would crumble in no time.
"Get out of there, Amanda" he yelled.
Amanda did not hesitate for a second. She ran as fast as her legs could take her, the floor crumbling after her.
Wills also ran in her direction. When she got to the ground floor. She hugged Wills out of fear. "It is okay. You are safe." He said, patting her back.
"Ma..Ma..Mabel" she stuttered.
"I can see that. It's okay. I will call for help." Wills said, reaching for his phone.
"It was not intentional, I swear. I was holding her hand and..and she…Mabel..I don't know. I didn't do it." Amanda stuttered.
"Amanda!" Wills screamed. He had been calling her name but she didn't calm down because of the panic. She finally kept quiet when he screamed her name. "It's alright. I know you didn't do anything. I saw what happened. Okay?"
Amanda nodded and Wills called the police department. He also demanded an ambulance.
Amanda's heart was racing as she waited for assistance to arrive, guilt and shock weighing heavily on her. She never wanted anyone to get hurt but the situation had spiraled out of control.
When Wills got off the call. He walked back to Amanda. "Hey, listen to what I have to say carefully"
Amanda nodded, listening intently.
"If they ever get to ask you any question, no matter what, you were never up there. Okay?'' Wills said.
"But I was there." Amanda protested.
"Yes, you were there but only I knows that. Your story to every other person is that you were never up there. Mabel called you to meet her here, when you got here, you saw what had happened and you called me immediately."
Amanda nodded and he continued. "When I got here, you were shaken already, holding onto Mabel. That should explain your fingerprints on her body when they check."
Amanda nodded again. "Perfect. Now, let me get you in the car." Wills said, walking her to his car.
Amanda was sitting quietly when she heard the sirens approaching in the distance. She could only wonder what this incident would mean for her. She was already a suspect for murder.
When the whole procedure was over, Wills started the engine and then turned to Amanda, his expression serious. "That went well."
Amanda knew Wills was angry. She could see it in his eyes and she felt bad. He warned her not to go and now things have escalated more than they could imagine.
She nodded, her eyes filled with tears. "I never wanted any of this to happen, Wills. I just wanted answers."
"This is not the right time for this. Let's get you home first." He said, his expression still serious. He then drove off.
They went back to the hotel to get Amanda's luggage. When they were going back, Amanda walked into Alex.
"Amanda!" Alex called out to her. He walked up to her and hugged her.
Amanda was not expecting the hug and she struggled to get out of his embrace. Alex noticed.
"Are you okay?" He asked.
"Sure, yeah." She answered quickly. "I was just carried away in my head. I'm sorry. Ermm it's good to see you."
Alex studied her for a moment to be sure she was okay. He was soon carried away by the excitement of seeing her again. "It's been ages. You just left and you never looked back."
"I'm sorry. It's not what you think." Amanda said hurriedly. She wanted to get out of there before she met another person she knew.
"It's alright. I know what it is." Alex responded. "I heard you are finally with Mr. Xi. I am happy for you."
Amanda could not respond before Detective Wills called her name. "Let's go, Amanda."
"Wait, is that not the…?"
"Detective!" Amanda interjected. "Yes. We are friends now and he tends to escort me sometimes." Amanda said, smiling at Alex. Alex could tell the smile was fake but Amanda didn't wait for him to press further.
"I should go. See you some other time." She said and left him hurriedly.
When they finally reached Wills' house in the countryside, Amanda was amazed by the gigantic building.
"You live here?" She asked.
"Not really. I come here to relax anytime I am not working, which I have been doing more often these days.
"Why? People have stopped committing crimes." Amanda teased.
"Oh, no! Amanda" Wills chuckled. "I might be done with the police force soon."
"Mommy! Mommy!" The children rushed out to embrace their mother. "I have missed you," Adora said, hugging her tightly.
"I've missed you too darling." She turned to the rest, "I have missed all of you"
Tyler left his mom and ran to Wills. "Uncle Alberts, I know who killed Aunty Mabel."
"What? What did you say?" Amanda snapped, panting.