Dr Gerald immediately chased after her. He knew this area like the back of his hands. He had the whole thing planned. How did they find out so quickly? He didn't have time to think about this, he needed to get to Alexandra fast.
Alexandra didn't dare to shout for help, she didn't want Dr Gerald to find her. For now, she needed to find a safer place to hide from him, until at least daylight approaches where she could move better.
Suddenly she came to an opening, she had nowhere to go. It seemed like a cliff ahead, or a ravine, Alexandra couldn't be sure. When she turned, she saw Dr Gerald approaching, looking so sinister. In his hand, Alexandra saw a knife, its blade glistening in the dark night. Fear instantly enveloped her whole being, there was no way else she could go.
"If you don't want me to harm you, you will do as I say. Come here now." With each word, Dr Gerald inched closer to her, and she subconsciously moved backward as well.
Loud noises could be heard coming towards them and in within minutes, she saw a group of people surrounding the area. However, in her moments of distraction, Dr Gerald Lee had approached her and quickly grabbed her neck, thrusting the knife against her throat, making all the policemen froze.
"Alex!!" Benjamin appeared in the midst of the group and quickly moved forward, but Inspector Xi held him back. The situation was dangerous and it's best to stay cautious.
Alexandra saw Benjamin and she instantly cried. He found her, he found her. She had no energy to speak, she only looked at the man who was obviously distressed and aggrieved as well.
At the sight of Benjamin, something snapped in Dr Gerald. His eyes darkened and he pressed the tip of the knife against her throat, causing blood to drip down her throat. He whispered in her ear and the words caused Alexandra to tremble in fear. "If I can't have you, no one can. You are mine in life and death, Alexandra."
With that, he dragged her with him towards the edge of the cliff.
"NO!!! Let her go!!!!" Benjamin shouted at the top of his lungs. He lunged forward to catch Alexandra but by the time he reached her, Dr Gerald had pulled Alexandra with him and they fell off the cliff together.
"NOOOO!!!!!!!" Benjamin screamed. He instantly wanted to follow suit but luckily Inspector Xi managed to pull him away from the edge of the cliff.
"Mr Benjamin, based on the map, there seemed to be a river at the bottom of the cliff. We will send a rescue and search team now to scout the area. I hope you won't be rash. She might still be alive." Inspector Xi advised Benjamin, who clearly was distraught and unable to think clearly.
He instructed a policeman to guard Benjamin for fear he would do something foolish. They proceeded immediately to the bottom of the cliff, heading towards the river. The search and rescue went on for several hours until the sun was up in the sky.
Benjamin stood by the river in silent. He could still remember Alexandra's last look. She was staring at him while crying. His head and heart hurt tremendously. What will happen to him now, Alexandra is gone. He still couldn't believe it. His whole world seemed hopeless now.
Suddenly a shout could be heard from a distance. Benjamin looked up and saw Inspector Xi running towards him. "Mr Benjamin, we found her!!" Benjamin quickly ran with Inspector Xi towards the direction where they had spotted her.
A stretcher was placed next to her and there were some medical personnel present. Benjamin crouched down to check on Alexandra and instantly cried at the sight of her. Her body was covered in bruises and scratches, there was also thick dried blood on her head. She was so pale, and there were no signs of movement at all.
"Is she..." Benjamin couldn't utter the question, afraid of the answer.
"We've detected a very faint heartbeat. The patient is in a critical condition. We need to bring her to the hospital now." One of the medical personnel said. With that, they carefully put her on the stretcher and carried her out of the woods.
Inspector Xi patted his back and ordered one of his subordinates to bring Benjamin to the hospital. Suddenly, Benjamin remembered something and asked, "What about the man? Is he alive?"
"His body was found not far from here. He suffered from a severe head injury, he must've landed on one of the big rocks in the riverbed." Inspector Xi said.
For the next few days, news of Alexandra Zane's kidnapping grazed the national newspapers. Many people sent their well wishes to the victim and her family. However, Alexandra Zane remained oblivious to what's going on after her rescue.
After she was brought to the hospital and obtained the necessary treatment, Alexandra had remained unconscious, with no signs of waking up. Sir Dominic Zane on the other hand, was recuperating well and could be discharged soon. Right now, Benjamin was in his room, and the men were talking about Alexandra's condition.
"Thank you Benjamin, for being there for Alex." The older man said, feeling grateful towards this young man.
"Alex is my life, I'd do anything for her." Benjamin said earnestly.
"She has been in coma for nearly two weeks now. The doctor can't tell when will she wake up. I will wait for another week, if there's still no progress, I will transfer her back home. If she needs any medical equipment to monitor her progress, we can set it up there. It will make it easier for us to take care of her." Sir Dominic informed Benjamin his plan for Alexandra.
Benjamin nodded in agreement. He's hopeful that Alexandra would wake up soon. It was the same as his brother when he had that accident, he eventually woke up and is doing well now. Alexandra would be too.
"Sir Dominic, my parents left for Northernlands last night. They sent their regards to you and said they will be coming to visit you and Alex again next month." Benjamin suddenly remembered what his parents had told him earlier.
"Yes, thank them for me. I'm already grateful that they kept coming to visit us in the hospital while they're in Azteria. You have such good parents Benjamin, you must cherish them always." Sir Dominic reminded Benjamin.
Benjamin smiled and nodded at this man who's around the same age as his father.
"Sir Dominic, I'll go and see Alex now." Benjamin stood up while saying that. Sir Dominic smiled and nodded his head.
In her ward, Alexandra looked so serene, as if she's just sleeping. Benjamin leaned down and kissed her lips. He sat down next to her in silence while holding her hands. Her superficial injuries had somehow healed and only a few deep cuts on her hands left unnoticeable scars on her skin.
"When will you be awake Alex? We have so many things to do together. I need you with me." Benjamin said softly, and finally rested his head on her arm. He stayed in this position for a while until he heard a knock on the door.