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Chapter 643: Preston is missing?

"We haven\'t found Preston yet." Maggie frowned as she tried to recall all the rescued people she had seen before she returned to Ryder. Preston was not among them. In her worry and fear, she had even forgotten about it. It was only when Ryder questioned her about him that she remembered Preston too had suffered in the explosion and his whereabouts were still unknown.         

Maggie\'s frown deepened when she thought about the man and looked at Ryder, who had a grave expression on his face.     

"Maggie, this is bad. As time passes...." He was anxious and as time passed, his worry for his friend only increased. His Deputy and Preston were the last to exit the building. Hence, they had suffered the impact of the blast most.     

Although they had found Valerie, her situation was extremely critical. There were chances for her survival. However, that could not be said the same about Preston. The man was nowhere to be found and if he was as severely injured as Valerie, or maybe even more, then it makes it all the more important for them to find him soon so that he got the timely treatment.     

They were running short of time and they had to find him soon. Ryder leaned forward immediately and tried to move but Maggie stopped him.     

"What are you doing?" She pushed him back onto the bed gently and glared at him. But her glare did not affect the man whatsoever. His concern for his friend overtook all other emotions.     

"I am going in search of Preston. I cannot sit here and do nothing. His life might be in danger." Ryder exclaimed, his tone laced with fear. "I need to find him, Maggie."     

"No, you are not going anywhere." Maggie pushed him back again when he tried to get off his bed again and looked at him coldly. "You are staying here and taking some rest. I will not allow you to leave."     

"Maggie, you are not understanding. Preston is in danger."     

"You are not understanding, Ryder." Maggie\'s voice rose and her face morphed in fury. "Did you not hear what Ian said. Your leg is injured severely and you need to make sure that you do not exert much pressure on it. Do you not want your leg at all?" She questioned him sternly and for a moment, Ryder had no idea how to rebuke her.     

It was true that his leg hurt like hell and even moving an inch sent waves of pain shooting through his entire body. Ryder did not forget what Ian had told him. He had to be careful with his wounds and not neglect them. But his fear of losing his friend was too strong to care about himself. He could not help but wish to find the man as soon as possible.     

"But it is Preston," Ryder mumbled as he stared at her, his eyes reddening slowly and Maggie let out a sigh in defeat.     

"I understand your concerns, Ryder. The rescue team is here and is trying to find all the victims of the explosion. I am sure they will find Preston soon. Please be patient and trust them to do their work. And.." When she saw Ryder trying to interrupt her, she shook her head and held his hand. "You will only be a hindrance to everyone if you leave the tent and attempt to find Preston. Have a look at your physical condition and take your decision."     

Maggie patted his hand and smiled at him faintly. "I will go and help the others."     

Ryder sat still as he watched Maggie leave the tent. His shoulders drooped when he realized that she was saying the truth. He looked at his injured feet and let a sigh. He would only be a disturbance if he went out to help the others in the state he was in.     

\'It\'s best I stay here and rest. Magie is right.\' He thought and ran a hand through his hair as he looked out of the tent. Fortunately for him, the tent was open and he could see the people running around. Although it was not clear, it was still better than nothing.     

"Maggie, I will do as you say and stay here. But please just find Preston and make sure he is okay. Please." He begged as he fixed his gaze on the opening of the tent while he waited for Maggie to return.     

Meanwhile, Maggie started searching all the tents, looking for Preston. Her frown only deepened as she failed to find him with each tent she visited and her heart started to bear wildly. She was now terrified and all horrifying scenarios started to pop up in her mind. She could not stop herself from conjuring the worst possibilities and when she finally came out of the last tent, her face was deathly pale.     

Maggie\'s legs gave away and she collapsed to the ground at once. Her eyes lost focus and everything started to blur. Her world spun and her head felt heavy. She was having a hard time breathing and her entire shirt was drenched.     

Ian was coming her way when he saw her collapse and his eyes widened in shock. He quickened his footsteps and rushed to her.      

"Maggie.." He shouted in panic and patted her cheeks to stop her from losing her consciousness. "Get me a bottle of juice." He shouted at the man who was following him and patted Maggie\'s face again. "Maggie, stay here. Maggie, take deep breaths with your mouth. Listen to me." He instructed.     

Although Maggie\'s mind was turning cloudy, she tried as hard as she could to do as Ian told and took deep breaths. Although minimal, it worked and she felt her vision returning to normal slowly.     

By then, the man had returned with the bottle of juice and Ian helped her to drink it. The sweetness in it gave her some strength and her mind cleared.     

"How do you feel, Maggie? Do you still feel woozy?" Ian did not let her go and held her gently by her shoulders.     

Maggie shook her head and it was only when Ian was certain that she could stand on her own, that he helped her up and brought her to the tent. He then helped her to sit, with her back leaning against an air pillow.     

"What happened? Why did you...." He could not find any problems with her. So, how did she fall sick all of a sudden? He wondered.         

"Preston."     

"What?" Ian looked at her in confusion.     

"We need to find Preston. He is still missing and...and..."     

Ian now understood what had triggered such a huge reaction from Maggie. She was worried for Preston and since the man was far from being found, how could she not be anxious? Her concerns were justified and Ian felt a headache coming. This was one of the longest days of his life and it was yet to end. He rubbed his forehead and let out a sigh.     

"You stay here. I will search for him."     

"But..."     

"Don\'t you dare leave this place. Otherwise, don\'t blame me for being rude." He warned and Maggie shut up immediately. Ian was not a man to be trifled with when he was irked.     

Satisfied by her reaction, Ian gave her a look that told her to not test him before he went in search of Preston, leaving Maggie to her thoughts.