CHAPTER FOUR

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THE CENTRE

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It was late, most of the Centre employees left work a long time ago, but Miss Parker didn't. She was just sitting in her office, staring into space. Her father was gone for a couple of weeks in business, and Sydney seemed so busy with god knows what. She sighed, what was she going to do?

With a heavy sigh, she got up on her feet to get something to drink. The room was dark, just the way she liked it. It fit her mood perfectly.
Miss Parker slowly walked up to the window and looked out at the rainy autumn night. She swallowed her drink in one big gulp as tears slowly filled her eyes.

All of the sudden she felt extremely tired, she shook her head and blinked a couple of times. How in the world could she have gotten this tired? She was just about to turn and walk back to her desk, when her head started to spin. Then everything went dark.

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TWO DAYS LATER
THE INFIRMARY.

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It was early in the morning; if you listened carefully you could still hear the raindrops hit the window. The room was bright, with its hospital-like sterile white. Miss Parker squirmed in the bed as she slowly started to wake up. She tried to open her eyes, but the sudden light made them ache. And she had a headache stronger than ever, she whimpered. After several attempts she finally managed to localize herself. A man was sitting next to her, smiling as he realized she'd waken up.

"Sydney?" she asked in a raspy voice.

"Yes, how are you feeling?"

Miss Parker whined, trying to move her arm, but a strong wave of pain stopped her.

"What happened to me?" she managed to ask. Jarod, why didn't I just come with you… that would have been so much better.

"You were found by a sweeper at the parking place, with a gunshot wound in your shoulder, but you're going to be fine," Sydney explained kindly.

"What? I don't understand…"

"It's okay… confusion is totally normal, you hit your head when you fell, and you've been unconscious for two days."

"Someone shot me? I don't remember leaving my office… I was…" Miss Parker's voice trailed off and she closed her eyes for a while.

"You've been through a lot these couple of days; denial is the easiest way for you to handle this right now. I heard about what happened to your house, Jarod told me, he also told me someone was trying to kill you, so I'm afraid whoever did this found out you survived and came back to finish the job. God, I'm glad they didn't succeed. Parker, I think you should stay here until we find that person, if you don't, you could be in great danger," Sydney said, he reached out and took Miss Parker's cold hand in his, gently squeezing it. I'm sorry this had to happen sweetie, I should have protected you better…

Miss Parker sighed, blinking away a couple of tears.

"Syd… who told you this?" she asked.

"Mr Raines." When Sydney saw the sceptical look in Miss Parker's face he added. "For once Parker, you should be thankful to him, he saved your life."

Miss Parker didn't say anything; she didn't know what to think. How was it possible she didn't remember leaving her office? Why didn't she remember the garage, being shot… The last thing she remembered was being in her office, than everything was blanc.

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MEANWHILE IN MR RAINES' OFFICE.

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"So Mr Raines, how can you be so sure this brilliant plan of yours will actually work?"

"You're thinking too much Lyle, this IS going to work as a charm," Raines wheezed.

"If you say so," Lyle said. "But tell me one thing, what if sis suddenly remembers?"

"There is nothing to remember, she was passed out during the entire operation, the only thing she might remember is having a drink," Raines smirked.

"But, don't you think she might find it strange that she is told she was found in the garage when she wasn't even there."

Rained sighed. "Do you want Jarod back, or what?"

Lyle nodded. Of course I want, but why do we have to hurt Parker to do so… damn it…

"Then work with me here. After what she and Jarod did behind our backs, she is worthless to the Centre. When we get Jarod back there he belongs, we'll get rid of Miss Parker for good."

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TBC