If Feelings Weren't Real.

7. Unforeseen Twists.

In the dimly lit confines of her office, Agent Emma sat hunched over her cluttered desk, a solitary figure amidst the eerie silence that permeated the room. The weight of impending doom hung heavy in the air as she awaited the inevitable confrontation with the Mayor.

A knock on the door shattered the fragile peace, and with a resigned sigh, Emma called out, "Enter."

The door creaked open, admitting the imposing figure of the Mayor. His expression was inscrutable, a mask of authority that belied the tension crackling beneath the surface.

"Agent Emma," the Mayor's voice was clipped, his tone leaving no room for pleasantries. "We need to talk."

Emma braced herself for the impending storm, steeling her nerves against the onslaught of accusations and veiled threats she knew would follow.

"You can't arrest him, Emma, you know this" the Mayor's words cut through the stifling silence like a knife, his gaze boring into hers with unyielding intensity.

Emma's jaw tightened, her frustration bubbling just beneath the surface. "With all due respect, Mayor, the evidence-"

"I'm sorry, Emma," the Mayor interrupted, his tone final. "But my hands are tied. Unless you can provide concrete evidence of Jacob's guilt, there's nothing more I can do."

Emma fought to keep her frustration in check as the Mayor left the room, leaving her alone with her thoughts. "What is all this shit with Jacob's family?" She muttered to herself.

After she found out Jacob was linked to all this, she had told the Mayor about it.

"Sir I don't think we should ignore this. He could be the one doing all of this killings." Agent Emma said to the Mayor.

"Agent Emma, I can't afford to accuse Jacob of such things. Besides he was raised right, and his parents have been so generous to Benrov and Our upcoming election too." The mayor said with such assurance. "I can't afford to ruin my reputation because of all this murder accusations on a young man."

Agent Emma nodded and exited the office. The feeling of frustration came over her. She had hoped that reason and justice would prevail, but in the cutthroat world of politics, morality often took a backseat to self-preservation.

Days turned into weeks, and weeks into months, but the case remained unsolved. Emma refused to give up, her determination unshakeable despite the mounting pressure to let the matter drop.

Meanwhile, life carried on for Kyla and Mackenzie, their laughter mingling with the bustling sounds of the city outside. But beneath the facade of normalcy lurked a sense of unease, a nagging suspicion that danger lurked just beyond the horizon.

They had just ended classes for the day and Kyla and Mackenzie were laughing about a joke Mackenzie had made when Jacob arrives with his car to pick her up.

"Hey, beautiful," Jacob's voice was warm as he greeted Kyla with a kiss, his eyes gleaming with a hint of mischief.

Mackenzie rolled her eyes, her skepticism palpable. "Can we go home now? I'm exhausted."

Jacob and Kyla laughed and they all got into the car. Jacob navigated the evening traffic with ease, the city lights reflecting off the car's windows.

Inside the car, the mood was light, filled with the easy camaraderie of close friends."So, Kyla, how was Professor Martin's lecture today? As thrilling as ever?" Jacob teased, glancing at Kyla through the rearview mirror.

Kyla snorted, rolling her eyes. "Oh, absolutely. Thrilling like watching paint dry."Mackenzie chuckled, adjusting her seatbelt. "It wasn't that bad. At least he didn't go on about his cat today."Jacob laughed, turning the car into their apartment complex.

"Well, I've got a surprise that should be a bit more exciting than Professor Martin's lectures."

Kyla perked up, curiosity piqued. "A surprise? What kind of surprise?"

Jacob's smile broadened as he caught the intrigued look on Kyla's face. "Get ready for a night out. I'm taking you on a date."

Kyla's eyes lit up, the stress of the day melting away. "Really? Where are we going?"

"It's a surprise," Jacob replied, his eyes twinkling with excitement. "Just trust me, you'll love it."

Later that evening, Jacob drove them to a cozy, dimly lit restaurant tucked away in a quieter part of the city. The atmosphere was perfect, filled with soft music and the murmur of intimate conversations. They talked and laughed over dinner, enjoying each other's company more than ever.

"So, how did I do?" Jacob asked as they walked back to the car, a hopeful note in his voice.

Kyla beamed at him. "It was perfect, thank you."

They arrived back at the apartment and stood outside, reluctant to end the evening. Jacob leaned in, kissing Kyla softly. "Goodnight, Kyla. I had a great time."

"Me too," Kyla whispered back, her cheeks flushed with happiness.

Jacob watched her go inside, then drove away. But later that night, he returned. Parking his car a block away, he made his way back to the apartment under the cover of darkness. His expression was now serious, his earlier warmth gone.

Inside, the apartment was quiet, the only sounds the soft breathing of Kyla and Mackenzie asleep in their rooms. Jacob quietly entered Mackenzie's room. He knew this wasn't going to be easy, but it was necessary.

Carefully, he approached Mackenzie's bed, quickly and efficiently covering her mouth and restraining her before she could wake up fully or make any noise. Mackenzie struggled, but Jacob was too strong.

"Now you're all mine." Jacob whispered. He blindfolded and bound her, then silently carried her out of the apartment.

Once they were away from any potential witnesses, he placed her in his car and drove off into the night, heading towards an old, abandoned cabin in the woods.

The morning sun streamed through the curtains as Kyla awoke, the previous night's date leaving a lingering smile on her face. She got up from her bed, went to the kitchen hoping to see Mackenzie there but she wasn't.

"Mackenzie?" Her voice echoed slightly in the quiet apartment. No answer.

"Where is this girl?" Kyla muttered as she walked to get her phone to call Mackenzie. She dials her number, only to hear the phone ring. Mackenzie's phone was still in the apartment. A flutter of worry turned into real anxiety as she checked the bathroom, then the small balcony-places Mackenzie might have gone. She yelled her name but still no sign of her.

Kyla threw on some clothes and started knocking on the neighbors' doors. Each conversation added to her growing dread. No one had seen Mackenzie leave the building, and no one heard any unusual noises last night.

As the hours passed, Kyla's initial worry spiraled into full-blown panic. She retraced their usual haunts - the local café they frequented, the library where Mackenzie studied, even the small park where they often went for jogs. But Mackenzie was nowhere to be found.

By late afternoon, with every lead exhausted and her friend still missing, the gravity of the situation sank in. Kyla's hands trembled as she finally dialed the police, her voice cracking as she reported Mackenzie missing.

"Please, you have to help me find her. She wouldn't just leave like this," Kyla pleaded, her voice thick with fear.

The dispatcher's voice was calm, a stark contrast to the turmoil swirling inside Kyla. "We'll send an officer over to take your statement. Stay where you are and try to remember anything that might help us find her."

As the line disconnected, a heavy silence settled around Kyla. She sank to the floor, hugging her knees close, her gaze fixed on the dimly lit streets outside her window. The comforting routine of her life had shattered, replaced by a gnawing emptiness and fear. Each passing moment stretched longer, laden with dread and the unspoken question haunting her: Where is Mackenzie?

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Chapter 7 up! Enjoy!

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