I felt happy, finally I was no longer one of the suspects. No, I was the only suspect. I didn’t know. Mark just entered the office, he wanted to spoil my mood.

“What do you want here?” I shouted.

“What did you tell them?” he was furious. I could feel the heat.

“Nothing,” I answered.

He walked to my desk. I stood up. He wants to make me scared. What would Lauren think if I was threatened by Mark? She would probably think I was a weakling.

“Get out of my office,” I shouted. He walked towards me and I backed away. Then his hands were on my throat. I tried to fight but he was stronger than me. His eyes were scornful and weird. He looked like a lion ready to eat.

“P…lease… You… are hurting me,” my throat was getting painful.

Simba opened the door and Mark released me. I fell on the ground. I could see hatred in his eyes and I knew he killed the poor innocent girl. I just know. He wanted to kill me.

“What’s going on? Chris, are you OK?” Simba rushed towards me.

Mark was walking backwards, I saw him move slowly. Simba helped me to sit down and he gave me a glass of water.

“Mark? Mark! What is going on dude?” Simba first searched for Mark. He was gone. He looked at me worried. “Please tell me what’s going on?” he asked.

I took a deep breath and told him what I had done. Telling the detectives what I found out and how Mark got angry.

“If Mark is the murderer, you are in danger,” he said sitting down.

“I know, I have to warn the police,” I said nervously.

Mark could kill me. I wished I wasn’t a suspect so I wouldn’t have had to look, snooping around for evidence. I was scared. Men are supposed to be the stronger ones, God should have made me a woman. The knock on the door nearly gave me a heart attack. It kept banging. Simba walked to the door and opened it.

“Detective, can I help you?” he said allowing him to enter.

“We managed to track Donald but he says he didn’t notice the footage was gone,” Detective said. “Christopher, did you see Mark? He seemed to have taken a run,” he continued sitting on the chair.

“He is angry, nearly choked me,” I answered.

“So you told him about the footage?” he asked seriously.

“No… I wouldn’t do that. He saw you leaving my office and came and asked me what I told you,” I replied.

“Damn. We have been to the second floor but he was already gone when we arrived,” he said.

“Maybe he has gone home,” Simba said going to his desk to sit down.

“If you see him call me soon,” he said leaving.

I looked at my watch, it was only after three p.m. If they don’t find Mark I will be dead. Simba was right, I was in danger. I should go spend the night at my parents’, I thought, but Simba insisted I go to his place. I kept checking the window and door, thinking he would come and cut my throat. I had to wait outside the parkade, it was so dark there. Simba drove his car straight to where I stood at the exit point.

Detective Ronald called me to let me know Mark hadn’t been found at his place. Police were snooping at the building, checking for Mark. Detective Ronald warned all tollgates for Mark’s car and by sending his face and number plate all over the country.

I couldn’t sleep. I watched all the drama on television and if I closed my eyes, Mark would strike while I slept. I had to be careful but Simba had tried to assure me that I was safe. I didn’t feel safe as long he was still on the run. My legs were covered in a blue cartoon duvet and finally I slept on the couch. I don’t know how but I felt better. Sleep was needed, I had work tomorrow.

***

Tell us: Do you think Mark has skipped the country? Will he come for Christopher?