?Chapter 855:


    No lights flickered in the windows, no signs of a presence.


    “Rachel!” Brian called out, his voice echoing through the empty air. He ran inside, his footsteps quick and frantic as he searched every corner of the ce.


    But there was no sign of her.


    At that moment, a cold weight settled in his chest, his heart sinking into a pit of despair. Panic wed at him, tightening his throat as he absorbed Natalia’s words.


    All the ces connected to Rachel had been thoroughly searched without a trace of her.


    This ce, the old house, was theirst hope.


    After scouring the house again, Brian’s desperation grew, but Rachel was nowhere to be found. He left the house in a frenzy, his mind unraveling, his breathing in shallow gasps.


    Quick, ragged gasps escaped his lips. He began asking everyone he met, his voice frantic and unhinged.


    People stared at him, some recoiling, thinking he was mad, and quickly turned away.


    One elderly man, however, saw the desperation in Brian’s eyes and spoke gently. “This town’s small. Mostly locals here. If a stranger showed up, we’d notice. You should show her photo around.”


    ?????????? ???????? ???? ????????: ?????????ν????????????


    A spark of rity shot through Brian, and without wasting another second, he pulled out his phone, quickly scrolling until he found a clear picture of Rachel.


    By the third person he approached, he finally caught a break.


    “Oh, that youngdy… yes, I remember her,” the woman said, her brow furrowing in thought. “She came through, went to her old house… then she headed toward the river. After that, I don’t think I saw her.”


    The words hit Brian like a freezing wave. The river… she had gone to the river and then disappeared.


    His blood ran cold, and a sense of dread filled every inch of his body. He rushed toward the river, his footsteps frantic, as if he could outrun his own fear.


    When he reached the riverbank, murmurs of a crowd reached his ears. “How could such a young girl just…?”


    Brian pushed his way through the onlookers, his heart pounding in his chest, and froze.


    There, lying by the river, was Rachel—soaked, lifeless, a pale figure in the dimming light.


    His mind went nk, a wave of dizziness crashing over him as weakness flooded his limbs. He stumbled forward, desperation in every step, and reached for her, his breath shallow and shaky.


    “Rachel…” Brian whispered her name, his voice breaking as he cradled her in his arms, his trembling fingers brushing gently over her damp face.


    .


    .


    .