Chapter 129 - Where are you? (4)

When Aiden reached point of recording where Philip lost Sarah, he told Eve, "Eve, stop the recording." Aiden looked at the time stamp and saw that this happened at 10:34 PM.

"Eve, play surveillance video in front of B1S starting with 10:32 PM." Aiden watched the video... it was a bit blurry, but he could see Philip dragging Sarah, and a bartender coming after them. Philip pushed Sarah to the wall and turned to the bartender. While they talked, Sarah jumped in the back of the white pickup truck! And truck drove away with Sarah inside!!!

Aiden was on an emotional rollercoaster. He finally got a real clue where Sarah disappeared. That white pickup truck is the answer!

"Eve, white truck in the back of the video. I need the license plate."

"The video is blurry, I can't enhance it enough to read the license plate.", Eve responded.

"Traffic cameras! Eve, get footage of traffic camera from that intersection and read license plate of that pickup truck!" Aiden was almost shouting. His heart was beating so hard he thought it will jump out of his throat.

After less than a minute, Eve found the license plate.

"Eve, give me the address of the owner of that pickup truck."

Not long after, Aiden rushed out of the study. Vivian was in the living room. "Where are you going?"

"I found her!" Aiden said while putting his jacket on.

"I'm coming with you!" Vivian didn't want to stay alone in this apartment anymore.

Aiden stopped and looked at Vivian. Her eyes were red, probably from crying. "Get you coat.", he told her, and they rushed outside.

…

It was early morning when Aiden and Vivian reached farm located thirty miles West of Fairfield. He stopped the car and walked outside. White pickup truck was parked in front of the single-story rundown house. There was some trash visible on the side of the house.

Aiden rushed to the truck, and saw that Sarah is not in the back. He walked to the door and knocked impatiently. No one answered. He knocked again. Harder this time.

Vivian was right behind him, anxious. She didn't like this place.

Aiden was ready to kick the door down, when door opened slightly, and woman peered outside. "Who are you?"

Aiden pushed the door, and woman stumbled backwards. He walked inside and Vivian was right behind him. Aiden saw Sarah on the bed and rushed to her. He stopped in his tracks one step away from Sarah, observing her. She didn't look good, his face darkened.

The woman yelled, "Who are you!? Why are you forcing your way in my house!? Sunny! Adam! Come here! We have intruders!"

Aiden didn't pay attention to her. He leaned toward Sarah and placed his hand on her cheek. "She is burning up...", then he turned to face woman, glaring at her.

Two men stumbled out of the side rooms in their pajamas. One had a shotgun in his hands.

Vivian observed that they had Sarah on the sofa, covered up and concluded that they don't mean any harm. "We are her friends! We came for her!", Vivian exclaimed while pointing at Sarah.

Sunny lowered the shotgun.

Aiden glared at Sunny and Adam, "What did you do to her?"

They felt fear seeping into their bones.

Adam spoke defensively, "Hey, we didn't do anything. Last night I came from town, and she was in the back of my truck."

"Why didn't you call the police?", Aiden was boiling inside. He had a need to release his anger.

Sunny looked down while talking, "I have a record, and was afraid that if I call them, they will think I kidnapped her."

Aiden looked like he will pounce on them any moment.

Vivian approached Sarah and held her hand. Sarah was burning with a fever. Vivian looked at Aiden, "This is not a time for that... we need to get help for Sarah. I never felt anyone burning this much."

Sarah shifted slightly, Aiden immediately dropped on his knees next to her and looked at her face twisted in pain when she whimpered.

"Sarah, can you hear me?", his voice trembled.

Sarah opened her eyes, they were unfocused, looking at the ceiling. Her mouth opened slightly, and she said in a quiet voice, "Aiden... I knew you will find me." She smiled for a second and then fainted again. Aiden pressed his lips trying to suppress emotions which swelled inside him while looking at her. He pulled out his phone and called JoAnna.

"Hey, it's Sarah. She is not well..." Aiden explained JoAnna what he knows, that she was drugged almost eight hours ago, and that currently she is running a high fever and unconscious.

JoAnna thought for a second before saying, "Take her to the Fairfield Main Hospital. I will make calls so that they expect you. They will do initial checkup and see what to do next."

Aiden hanged up and carried Sarah carefully to the back seat of her car. "Sit with her and hold her. I will drive." He told Vivian.

...

He does not remember how they reached the hospital. He was driving, but his mind was clouded. He only thought about Sarah and hoped that she will be OK.

When they reached Fairfield Main Hospital, Aiden carried Sarah inside. When he said her name, group of doctors and nurses immediately rushed to them, and carried Sarah in the emergency treatment room. Vivian and Aiden waited in the hallway.

Vivian was on the chair, silent. Aiden was in a daze, pacing back and forth.

Half an hour later, nurse came out. "We stabilized her, but she is unconscious. You can't see her yet. We are preparing her for transfer. We will let you know when everything is ready."

Aiden was processing what he heard. 'Stabilized is good... Transfer? What transfer?' Few seconds later, Aiden's phone rang. It was JoAnna. "I'm having Sarah brought here, to Franciscan Medical Center. Helicopter will be there in less than ten minutes. I arranged so that you can come with her."

"Thank you", Aiden responded to JoAnna, and looked at Vivian, "Sarah is being transferred. I will go with her. You can go back." He handed her car keys. Vivian shook her head rejecting the keys, "I will take a cab. Keep me informed of any changes."

He nodded in agreement.