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"Mack?" she asked with a tone of confusion.

"Brie, I've missed you so much, but we need to talk about something extremely important. Can you make it to town tonight?"

Brie was frightened. Mack had worry evident in his voice, so it must truly be a matter of utmost importance.

"If I'm lucky enough to find a taxi, I should," she replied.

"Can you come to my place? I'll leave the door open for you," he said. "Please be safe," he added before ending the call.

Brie went back in to change. She took a piece of paper from the table and quickly scribbled something on it, leaving it on the bedside table before exiting out the door.

Chicago was beautiful at night. Brie managed to find a taxi, and she was on the way to Mack's place.

As soon as she arrived, she rushed up the flight of stairs to his apartment and carefully turned the doorknob. It opened, and she went in, locking the door behind her.

The apartment came into focus, and she saw Mack stand up from one of the couches.

"Brie…3" Mack muttered, running toward her and enclosing her in a tight embrace.

Tears fell from Brie's eyes. "Why did you leave me?" was the first thing she managed to say.

"I'm sorry. So sorry. I wanted to protect you. I didn't want you to get hurt," he said with tears falling from his face too.

They remained in that position for a while, and when they had managed to regain themselves, Mack's face wore a look of seriousness.

"Brie, you're in grave danger now."

"What do you mean?"

He went to fetch his phone and showed her the picture of the shrine. She gasped when she saw her picture encircled with the threat written beneath it.

"Kamal wants to kill me?" she said in fear.

"Someone wants to kill you," he responded with a hint of uncertainty in his voice. "But I'm not sure it's Kamal this time."

To be continued…