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Mac groaned as he slowly came back to the land of living. He opened his eyes and was instantly hit by a wave of pain in his leg. Memories came flooding back to Mac with full force. Getting kidnapped by Ned...trying to escape...Harold...bat..broken ankle. He dared to shift but gasped when the pain shot up through his entire leg

Mac saw he was alone in the room and sighed in relief as the agent was in no mood to face the bully again. This time they didn't even bother to tie him up. Ned must have thought how far can a guy with broken ankle could go. He was confused at the man's behaviour. Mac could see guilt written all over his face. But why? For him? Then why kidnap him in first place

Mac was still in thoughts when the door clicked open and he tensed. He hoped it wasn't Harold. On seeing it was Ned who came in the room, Mac again sighed in relief. He saw the man walk towards him holding a large plastic cup in his hand "How are you feeling?"

Mac glared at Ned and kept his mouth shut. The older man stopped near his cot "I brought this for you" he offered the cup to Mac who shook his head "I don't want anything from you"

"But you haven't eaten anything since you were brought here. It's your favourite drink" insisted Ned

"I said No! If you want to do something for me...then let me go!" Mac gritted his teeth and rode out a plusing pain

"I'm afraid I can't do that"

"Then get the hell away from me!"

Ned sighed sadly "All I can say is that...one day hopefully you'll understand my problem" Ned placed the cup down near Mac's head and walked out of the room. Mac eyed at the cup and his stomach growled. His mouth watered at the liquid inside. It took another ten minutes for Mac to finally pick up the cup. With shaky hands he brought the cup to his lips and drank the first sip

Mac froze at the choice of drink. It was a pineapple smoothie. How the hell did Ned know this was his favourite drink. Only two person in this world knew about this. One was Jack and other was...

Harold paced angrily, hands rubbing vigorously to get rid of the itch of beating someone to pulp. He didn't like or approved when Ned brought the smoothie for the boy. Mackenzie was going weak. He had warn his boss. The muscle man pulled out his cell and dialled a number "It's me" he then told about the conversation between Mac and Ned "I'll not be surprised if he helps the kid to escape...yes I know...okay...where..I'll bring the kid" Harold pressed the red button and grinned. This was going to be fun.

AT JACK'S HOUSE

Jack opened the door and was surprised to see Ned standing at his doorstep "Ned? What are you doing here?" Ned smiled nervously "I..I brought lunch!" he showed a package "Thought of giving you a surprise"

Jack had barely slept last night in his worry for Mac. They had zero lead and it was frustrating him. He had forgotten Ned had come to the city to visit him. Ned saw the hesitation on Jack's face "Sorry I didn't call. I can go if you want"

"No no Ned. I should be the one apologising. Come in please" said Jack and made room for Ned. Together they unpacked the lunch and sat down on the table "I'm guessing your friend is still missing huh?" Ned started the conversation hoping Jack would open up on the investigation

Jack placed the fork down "No Ned. We've got nothing on him. It's been two days and...I just hope he's okay"

"He's fine Jack" Ned blurted out

"What? How do you know?"

Ned wiped the small beads of sweat from his forehead "I..What I mean to say is...I'm sure he's fine" Jack nodded not really believing Ned's words "Yeah..I still feel it's my fault you know. I shouldn't have let him walk alone"

"It's not your fault Jack. The kid did say he was going to hire a cab and you surely weren't expecting him to disappear" Ned chewed a bite

"We are asking all the people in that area if anyone saw Mac that night. Let's see if we find something"

Ned nodded "You'll find him soon" mentally taking in the information. They had rest of the lunch and later Ned waved Jack goodbye. The older agent sat on the couch with hands under his chin and mind going haywire. Why was Ned suddenly interested in Mac's case. Throughout their lunch he asked questions only related to Mac. Was it just a coincidence that Ned steps his foot in city and Mac disappeared the same night.

Jack's eyes grew wide when he thought about their latest conversation. He got up from the couch and started pacing. How in the world did Ned know Mac was going to hire a cab when this conversation happened between him and Mac. Plus he said with confidence that Mac was fine...how did he know that

Was it possible Ned was behind Mac's disappearance

No! Ned is his best friend. He wouldn't do that to him. Maybe I'm just over thinking things...or am I right? Jack was confused but the doubt had already taken a place in his heart. His cell rang and Jack picked up "Yes Riley...okay I'm coming"

PHOENIX FOUNDATION

"You're not going to believe this Jack" said Riley and pulled Jack towards her laptop. She punched few buttons and it was linked to the big screen "Did you find Mac?" asked Jack with hope

"No but you gotta see this" said Bozer. Jack watched the screen and his eyes widened in disbelief. There on the screen was a picture of Mac talking to someone who was sitting in a black car "Who is Mac talking to?"

"Wait" Riley zoomed in the picture of the man and Jack felt his heart drop to his knees "Oh God...Is that Ned?" Matty nodded "We were questioning the neighbourhood about Mac. When we showed Mac's picture to a couple, their eleven year old boy came forward and told us he took a snap of Mac. The boy was playing with his father's cell and thought it would be fun to click pictures outside his balcony"

"We are lucky the boy clicked Mac's pic or else we would've never be able to know about Ned" Bozer's voice was laced with anger. Jack was still in shock. All his doubts had taken a face of reality. Ned...his best friend...They met the same night Mac disappeared yet Ned lied to him on his face. Why? What the hell was going on "Are there any more pictures?"

"No...just this one but I think it's enough evidence" said Cage. Matty walked towards Jack "Jack I know this must be hard for you but..."

"Get our team ready Boss. We've to pay a visit to Ned Mackenzie" said Jack and walked out of the room.

ELSEWHERE

Harold stormed into the room when Ned walked out of the building. Before Mac could ask him, the big guy pulled out a tape from his back and roughly turned him over "What's going on?" asked Mac

"We're moving" said Harold and began rolling the tape tightly over Mac's wrists. The boy hissed at the pain and noticed Ned was no where to be seen "But..but what about Ned? Where is he?"

"Shut up" Harold, without warning hauled Mac up. As soon as Mac's foot touched the ground, he let out a loud yell and his knees buckled. Harold got irritated "You're good for nothing" he picked up Mac and threw him on his shoulders like a sack of patatoes

Harold then dumped Mac in a van "Get ready to meet him" he again pulled out the familiar syringe. Mac struggled fruitlessly but Harold held him by his arm and jammed the needle. Mac wheezed out a breath before he closed his eyes in submission.

We will finally meet the villain of this story in next chapter. Stay with me please and do leave a review :-)))