Don't - Mark Tuan Fanfic (Third Book for 'Can't')

11 - Did I Really?

"SHIT!" Mark sees the girl now.

She's wearing the light blue pajamas she had on when I left her in the hotel earlier. I recognize it because we bought it when I visited her in New York before. Except now, it's not just blue anymore. Even in the dim light, I know that the dark stain on her chest is blood.

"Oh my God." I back away from the window, my eyes not leaving Karen's lifeless body.

"You just stay here." Mark tells me, he removes his hands from me and I almost fall on the floor. He is calling some names as he runs to the door.

"What's going on?" Sandra is still at the door, looking at us with her confused expression.

Ignoring what he said, I follow him down the stairs, running as fast as my feet can take me, passing Sandra who's still out of the loop. My heart is pounding so hard that my chest is starting to ache. I feel my scar throbbing as I chant the words 'Please don't die on me' over and over.

"Damn it, Cris." Mark turns to me angrily when I finally catch up with him at the foot of the steps. "I told you to stay in your room."

I push him to the side and run towards the kitchen where some of his men are, looking for the backdoor.

"Miss." One of them tries to stop me, but I push him aside, too. I reach for the knob before anyone else does and push the door open.

"Karen?" I'm already sobbing as I make my way to the dark garden, turning my head frantically from left to right, searching for the spot where I saw her. "Karen." I shout louder, almost tripping on a short flower bed that's on my way. There are bushes and trees and shrubs all around that it's difficult to find the exact location of the bench. The area brightens as flashlights from behind me light the garden, like tiny lighthouse beams moving all around.

"Where'd you see her?" One man is asking Mark. The guys are scattered around, searching.

"A bit at the back, I think." Mark answers. "Cris." He grabs my hand when I'm about to follow one of the guys with a light. "Stay close to me." He pulls me to his side, shining the flashlight ahead of us.

We finally reach a small clearing and I see the three benches which are at least three meters across from each other. But, there is no Karen.

"Where is she?"

"She was just right there." I point at the bench in the middle, the one that is laid parallel to the house. "Mark." I turn to him. "You saw her. She was just there."

"I know." He looks spooked, too. "Search everywhere." He orders his men and they immediately spread out.

"Mark. What's happening?" My tears are still streaming down. "Where is she?"

He walks slowly to the bench, lighting it. There are clear blood stains where Karen was. That's the only thing that's left, however.

"Are you sure it's her?" Mark faces me after inspecting the seat. "Was that really your friend?"

"Yes. I would know her, wouldn't I?" I unintentionally shout at him. 

"I'm sorry." He huffs, rubbing both my arms as he looks down at me. "C'mon, let's go inside."

Then again ... I didn't see her face. It was only her clothes that helped me identify her. What if it's just like the prank in front of the hotel? "Mark? I'm ... I'm not sure."

"What?"

"I don't know if it's her." I look up at him, still confused. "I didn't ... I didn't see her face. Her clothes ... It's hers. Her hair, too. But ... " I shake my head, closing my eyes. "I don't know." I cover my face with both hands and sob louder.