Alex's pov-
My friend's changed...
Something in him has shifted, irreversibly.
From the moment I saw Miss Anya's name in the file, I contemplated whether to him or not, but eventually, I gave in. I couldn't hide such information from him- not about the girl who actually tried to save him.
Otherwise,he would've cut ties with me. well it's not like he was ever sentimental to begin with, but still, I considered him my friend. We've spent our childhood together, after all.
But ever since this girl came into his life, he's been different. Showing emotions - anger, frustration, especially his smile.
I had never seen him smile. Until that day, when he sneaked out to meet her. Things were finally getting better.
He was getting better, but the sudden news of her kidnapping came as a shock.
The higher ups, anticipating his intentions towards this girl, ordered to keep him away from her. And after hearing that she's from the West on top of that, they wanted her to themselves.
So they gave me clear instructions to deliver the file to someone else. Not to jiang xi, saying he needs rest.
I know their intentions, Miss Anya will be in more danger if she is caught by higher ups, and becomes a token of exchange between east and west. So I chose my friend instead.
Since yesterday he had been running here and there, visiting places, I was trying to get a hold of him so we could work together, but whenever I visit his book store, it's empty.
I've been doing my part as well. Her kidnapping was seen by the elderly lady who lives nearby. Turns out she was out to give Anya something she made for dinner.
She said she was worried that the girl lived alone and didn't eat much, so she willingly made something extra for her every now and then.
She was going to deliver the stew she had set aside for her, but saw a strange man lurking outside the house,(if I could call it that) .
The guy knocked on her window, and as soon as she opened it, he placed something on her head and dragged her out.
The lady even shouted at him, to which he offered a curt acknowledgment and went away carrying Miss Anya on his back.
Thankfully, that lady wasted no time informing others or we would've already lost miss anya too.
Because the last three victims were found too late, as if someone had deliberately stalled time so their bodies could fester a little.
I just hope we find her soon..
After doing my usual run through the base, I again visit my friend's bookstore, the reason being simple.
He likes to solve his cases in his bookstore and the small compartment behind it. Says things like his books are special.
I feel relieved to see him inside this time, 'thank god he's there' I thought.
"You should've replied to my mails, I've been trying to find you like crazy" I said to him.
He only gave me a glare, his eyes saying 'if you had used your time wisely, Anya would've been here with us', I can practically hear his thoughts without him saying a word.
"Hey, Jiang xi, I was trying to get a hold of you to tell you what I found about the killer! " I told him, frustrated.
"Make it quick" He replied. He sounds like he hasn't slept a wink.
"Okey, take this file, I've organized everything neatly and you should also tell me what you know, so we can work together, "
He glanced over the file for a minute and then resumed glancing over the city map. I waited for his reaction, but nothing.
"Wait, you've already figured out this much? Without any help! " I couldn't help but be amused by his skills. Truly, a fine detective.
"Yes, I'm going to the Southwest forest next, I've already covered the other three and this one's left, Will you come? " He said, precise.
"Of course I'll come, but first tell me why are you searching the forests instead of the refineries, since the bodies were found near different refineries, shouldn't we search them first? Or have you already checked there? " I enquired.
"The bodies were dragged a bit too much to consider they come out of a refinery. Forests are a more possible place for the killer, given the distance".with that, he started packing up his things to go out.
It's already been more than 36 hours since she went missing. Any further delay means we'll see her corpse upon finding her.
He told me the details during our ride to the forest. He said I got lucky I found him, his car needed rest, so he stopped at his bookstore to plan ahead.
I can't believe this guy already searched three forests as a whole, alone, In just a day. While I was inspecting refineries.
The last victims were found near refineries so it's normal to search the nearby places first, but nobody would've thought that the bodies were brought there from forests. But if he says it, he has already figured out what the killer was trying to do with this trick.
Upon entering the forest, we separated to cover the entire area by evening. We searched for hours, he told me to keep a better eye on the soil because there might be containers hidden underneath.
So I've been checking everywhere, asking him evey once in a while about the situation on his side. The sun set and the sky started darkening.
I'm feeling more tired with every step I take, with every breath , I can hear Jiang xi getting worked up too. He's definitely more tired than me considering that he hasn't slept and hasn't eaten anything since yesterday.
He was usually like this, doesn't eat when too immersed in a case, and now it's about the girl he fancy. Of course he couldn't eat anything unless he finds her.
"Come to the setting point, two o' clock, north" His voice cut through my thoughts.
"Wait Jiang xi, did you find something? " Nothing. He's gone, or maybe the connection.
I tried connecting to him, but to no avail. Sweat dripped of me as I hurtled through the undergrowth..
I ran for a good while and reached where he told me to. But couldn't see him anywhere. I became restless, searching the nearby area, shouting his name.
Then I saw something, a pile of soil abruptly thrown away outside. Upon getting closer I saw faint light coming from below, it looked like a metal room.
I tried sneaking my head inside, he was there with Anya in his arms. Doing CPR on her. 'She looks blue' I thought.
Unable to say anything I pulled back and called for the emergency ambulance I had already prepared on standby outside the forest.
I dug away more soil, making the area bigger so he could come out and more air could flow inside.
Medics came swiftly and thanks to there instant care, she was taken to the hospital.
She's still breathing though it's very light, they said it's almost like she isn't. They said if we were even a minute late.
She would've been gone.
Right now she might be in a coma, because her organs had already gone limp. Jiang xi was just in time to do CPR, keeping her heart moving.
They're calling her condition 'half dead',saying they'll try everything in their power. But her going into a coma is a given. And that they can't say when she'll open her eyes.
Through the entire journey to the hospital, the nurses kept checking her pulse, giving injections to keep her alive.
Jiang xi had been too silent this whole time, I asked questions regarding her condition while he just stared at her aghast face.
My eyes trailed between them, I've always seen him calm and composed. But this time, he wore a disquieting stillness.
His eyes hollow, fixed yet seeing nothing, as if he can't even hear us.
His gaze clung to her as if mourning someone still breathing.