Chapter 614: Rescue Mission - Part 3
Joshua understood the mental state Daniel was in. Who in their sane mind would listen to a psychopath having desires about their girlfriend? Not him at least and not anyone in his group and unknowingly, he considered Daniel one among them.
Letting out a sigh of relief on finding Rachel safe, Joshua stepped forward and patted Daniel's back. "Well done." He mumbled and moved forward to release Rachel from her binds.
It was only after he heard Joshua's voice that Daniel came out of his trance. He stared at the weapon in his hand and then at the dead man and his widened in shock. His jaw dropped and fear engulfed him.
Although this was not the first time he had shot someone, this was the first time he had killed someone and just the thought of it sent chills down his spine. He kept staring at the dead man as his eyes dilated in terror. Eventually, his legs gave out and he collapsed to the ground with a loud thud, gaining Joshua's attention on him.
"Daniel," He shouted in worry and rushed to him, leaving Rachel for a moment. Though he did not know what had happened, he could not help but panic.
Barely had he reached the man when he heard him mumble, "I killed him."
Joshua stopped walking and for a moment he did not know what was happening. He had no idea why Daniel was behaving this. It was only when he heard him mutter again that the realization hit him and he sighed softly.
'Is this the first time he killed someone?' He wondered. 'That has to be it. He must be in trauma after what he did.'
Joshua was not that great at consoling people and he did not know how to bring Daniel out of his state. He kneeled beside him and held his shoulder, shaking him gently to gain his attention.
"Listen to me, Daniel." His voice was serious yet calm and consoling. "You did it for Rachel."
That was all he said and that was all it took for Daniel to stop mumbling. He gaped at Joshua for a moment before his eyes gleamed, the fear and sorrow disappearing entirely.
"Yes, it was for Rachel. I did it to save the girl I love. I did nothing wrong. I did nothing wrong." With that thought, Daniel pushed himself up and rushed towards Rachel who was still unconscious.
"Rachel, Rachel." He spoke softly as he removed her binds. He cupped her cheeks and tried to wake her up again. But there was no response from her.
"She is still breathing. I presume they drugged her to make her faint." Joshua commented. "I will get some water."
Daniel did not even hear him as he tried to wake Rachel up. But in vain. There was no response from her whatsoever and dread start to settle in his heart slowly.
"Rachel, darling, please wake up. I am here. I am here. Please wake up." He continued, now utterly terrified for her.
"Rachel," He patted her cheek and fortunately for him, she responded. Although she did not open her eyes, she sucked in a deep breath.
"Rachel, it's me, Daniel. Wake up, dear." He continued and Rachel groaned in pain. Her head was throbbing as though it was about to split and shatter into pieces. Even opening her eyes became quite difficult, let alone answer him.
"Yes, yes, Rachel. Good girl. Wake up, dear." He continued and slowly but finally, Rachel forced her eyes open.
For a moment, all she could see was blurry images and she had to blink a few times to see where she was. But soon, her eyes were trained on the man in front of her. Rachel was in shock when she saw him in tears and she was just about to question him about it when she recalled all that had happened to her, how she had been kidnapped by Shane and how she had been drugged the moment she entered his car.
Unable to stop herself anymore, she threw herself at him with tears running down her cheeks. Only she knew how scared she had been when she had been injected with the drug. She did not even have the time to fight when her eyelids turned heavy and she felt drowsy suddenly. An unknown terror surrounded her but before she could call for help, she had lost herself to darkness.
Now that Daniel was here to save her, Rachel could not stop her tears and she embraced him tight for the fear that it was all a dream and she was still in the hands of her captor.
"I am here, darling. I am here. Don't cry. No one will hurt. No one." Daniel comforted her as he rubbed her back gently, whispering and assuring her of her safety.
"Everything is fine. You are safe. I am here." He continued and waited for her to calm down.
Rachel was too frightened by the day's events. So, she stayed in his embrace not caring about anything in the world.
A long time passed and if not for Daniel's legs that were slowly turning numb after squatting for long, he was sure he would have continued to embrace her.
"Rachel, though I like hugging you, can we continue after we stand up? My legs are about to lose sensation." He muttered, his voice filled with grievance and Rachel burst out laughing amidst her tears. She let him go and helped him up and she too stood up.
"How..." That was all she could manage to say and she shut up immediately. Her throat was parched and her voice came out as a croak.
Daniel chuckled softly at her and kissed her forehead.
historical
"Tch, tch, tch, can you please stop flaunting your love in front of me? I am going to turn blind otherwise." Joshua interrupted them and entered with a glass of water. "Here."
Smiling at him gratefully, Rachel emptied the glass in one go, the cold water soothing her dry throat.
"How did you find out I was kidnapped?"
"Not here." Joshua stopped Daniel from answering her. "Let's get out of here first. We do not know if Jared has sent any more men for precautionary measures. We will tell you everything on the road."
With that, the three people left the manor while some of the men stayed behind to take care of the bodies.