Rescue

Her body gave up to fight anymore. Her mind became numb with only one person in it.

"Ashton"

It was the only word that was constantly ringing in her head. The struggle did not only battered her body and soul but also brought the immeasurable heartache of the death of her love, her everything being a reminder of the past. Her eyes shut off on their own accord. She was gradually slipping into the world of darkness when she felt the weight that was crushing her brutally being pulled away from her, instantly making her feel light.

The next moment, she was engulfed in a familiar warmth which she couldn't recognize but yet felt it strongly. She could hear someone speaking to her, urging to open her eyes, pleading her to hold on and be safe. She knew that voice but couldn't recognize it. The voice was loaded with enormous pain and inspite of her own pain, she wanted to erase the pain in that voice. She wanted to speak but words didn't get out from her mouth. She somehow moved her hand towards the source of voice but was stopped midway when it was gripped in the familiar warmth. She felt it being placed on a hard surface which was vibrating in a rhythm. Her heart beats were slow, but somehow it picked the rhythm of the vibration that passed through her hand and spread in her body reaching her heart to increase it's pace. The voice that soothed her in the midst of all the evil started sounding distant, fading away with every passing moment and with that the rhythm of her heart too lost the connection with the source that assured her the comfort she needed making her to gradually lose complete consciousness.

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Regan was still at his home regretting over his words and actions when he got a call. It was constantly ringing since a while which he avoided everytime but this time it was something that urged him to get it. He was shocked when he saw Anna's name flashing on its screen. He didn't know if it was true to receive a call from her, especially after everything that he did to her. He instantly received it but instead of hearing out from her, he heard someone cursing followed by the sounds of shattering glasses. Consequently, he heard a painful scream that stopped his heart for a few seconds. It didn't take him long to recognize that voice. His legs headed towards the door on their own accord without knowing where he was heading to. He constantly tried to reach her through the phone, calling out her name repeatedly, but it all went in vain as he got no response in return and when the call got disconnected, he lost it.

He was still looking into his phone to activate his resources to search for Anna and trace her phone number when he noticed several missed calls from Drake and from the head of his security team followed by various messages. He called Drake who responded on the very first ring. Before he could ask or say anything, he heard his panicked voice that filled his heart with terror for the first time.

"Reg... Reach Knights Enterprise right away. It's about Anna. I am right over it."

"Drake what the hell is happening around? I got a call from her and she is not...."

"Reg.... I have an idea about it. I'll explain everything later. It will still take me some time to reach there, please reach there at the earliest. I am scared...."

"I am already on my way."

Regan cut the call. He was already in his car slamming on the accelerator to break all the barriers in his way. He was barking orders to his people to get to his office owing to an emergency. He was constantly brushing his hair cursing himself for the situation Anna was in. He didn't exactly know about the situation but he was sure that she was being hurt at his own place and he was oblivious about it. He tried to call her several times but got no response which accelerated his anxiety. He reached there within ten minutes. The thirty minutes ride to his office was unusually cut short owing to his insane speed with the unnerving need to reach her. He didn't even bothered to wait for the elevator and ascended towards the stairs blindly calling out her name. He had just reached the twentieth floor when he heard the sound of something crashing down with a thud and his heart nearly stopped again.

When he reached the last stair, he was already on pins and needles anticipating the worst but when he moved his sight towards the person bent over the fragile frame lying lifeless on the floor, anger rippled through his veins. He approached him with rapid steps and pulled off the scumbag from her shoving him afar making him to falter on his back by a few feet. But as soon as his eyes landed on Anna, the heat of his anger vanished, replaced by fear.

He felt on his knees beside her. Anger seized him and his body refused to move. He sat there rigid for one long moment with blood throbbing in his temple and hatred that he never possessed for anyone concentrated in his heart for the one behind her condition and for himself who failed to protect her. A second later, he recovered from his shock and gathered her in his arms tightly.

"Anna? Anna? Open your eyes. Anna can you hear me? Open your eyes heart. Please Anna... I beg you."

He lightly tapped on her cheek. Her eyes were closed and she was lying lifeless in his arms. He was repeatedly pleading and begging her in his heavy voice chocked with emotions. He didn't even realize but his own eyes brimmed with tears on seeing her like that.

Subsequently, the footsteps of few people were heard behind him who took control of the situation. The security team immediately handled Mr. Benc who was ready to charge on Regan who looked completely lost with the things happening in the surrounding with Anna in his arms. When Drake approached him, he gasped at her condition. Her tearstained face was red with a hand print on it with blood dripping from the corner of her mouth along with her head. Her dress was tattered from several places. Her whole body was covered with cuts and bruises describing the struggle that she went through. He was constantly calling Regan to make him realize that she needed immediate medical attention but it seemed as if his voice reached to deaf ears.

"Anna....Please hold on. Stay strong for me. I am sorry. I am sorry for all of this heart. Please hold on." He was still begging her to be alright when she gradually raised her hand towards him as if she could hear him. Her eyes were closed but when he noticed the little movement, he instantly grabbed her hand in his and kissed it frequently. He placed her hand over his heart.

"Anna.... Can you hear me? Can you hear this? You are my heart Anna. You have to stay strong for me. You have to be alright for me. My heart beats because of you love.... for you. I need you. I need you Anna. I love you. Please stay strong for me. I won't let anything happen to you. I promise heart. Please stay strong...I wouldn't be able to forgive myself if..."

Before he could say further, her hand slumped from his grip to her side which brought him back to his senses and made him realize that she needed urgent medical attention.

Without waiting for another second, he stood with her in his arms and rushed to the elevator. He sat at the back of his car with Anna still in his arms while Drake was driving it. Drake had already informed the hospital about the emergency and the paramedics were on their toes to immediately deal with the case. They reached the hospital in no time and Anna was instantly rushed into the ICU owing to her critical condition.