Stryker frowned and reached for me out of the blue, faltering.
I steadied him, allowing him to rest his head in the crook of my neck as his eyes fluttered shut, taking deep, slow breaths in an attempt to get the lightheadedness to pass. The mother had begun to look incredibly concerned.
“I think we need to head back. I’m really sorry” I offered “I can’t imagine how you feel with Bill missing, really, but…”
“It’s okay” the mother assured me “he's clearly not well. And he got a lot while he was still on his feet, so…we got somewhere today, right?”
I nodded and forced a smile..
Ispoke to Stryker in a low voice as we walked, getting nonverbal answers every time but it was enough to assure me he could still understand what was going on. Once we got to the unit, Jack picked up on the situation and produced apple juice and berries.
"I sent for Octavia." He informed me in a low voice.
The teen apologised in a small whimper but Jack simply shushed him. “It’s not your fault you aren’t feeling well.” He murmured.
Stryker closed his eyes “I think” he started, sounding a little drowsy “that if we asked around for recent appearances of unfamiliar folk in the area we could narrow down where the kidnapper may be from. Dean’s been on watch lately, right?”
“Hm. Yeah, he has.”
“And John has all the reports anyway. But maybe they haven't said anything on the report because they didn’t think it was important or suspicious so we should ask just in case.”
“Give your mind a rest.” Jack murmured “we’ll work on this when you’re feeling better. Maybe later, maybe tomorrow. Wait until Octavia checks you out.”
“A kidnapped kid isn’t a waiting matter, Jack. We've waited enough.”
I could agree withthat.
“Then I’ll go through everything, butyouneed to take it real easy. I’ll put Matthew on your case.”
Stryker didn’t even react, just mumbling a low “okay.”
He shifted slightly, hardly open eyes slipping shut “I didn’t sleep well last night, alright?" He sighed as Jack continued staring "think I’m tired, too.”
“You would be” I agreed. I yelped when Octavia made a grand entrance into the room.
"Jesus, woman." I hissed, eyes narrowing. She limited herself to flipping me off and crouching beside Stryker, who mumbled something quietly that made her roll her eyes.
She talked to us three as she worked.
"You should put the dogs on the case."
"We don't need them. We're good enough trackers." Stryker argued.
"Yeah, but it might make your life easier." She grumbled back "you stubborn ass. Think about it. And get some rest."
Jack held out another glass of juice for Stryker, which he accepted with a grimace, and sat beside him “she’s right, though. All we have to do is send the dogs after the trail; they should still be able to pick it up.”
Hewasright. I shifted where I stood, wondering if I should vocalise my opinion.
“I know that, Jack. I just have a bad feeling about this.”
“Don’t be silly.” Octavia said “you’re the one stressing about finding the boy and youknow-“
“Yes, Octavia, I do know!” Stryker exclaimed. Jack squeezed his bicep “S.” he murmured. Stryker glanced over at him and gave a small nod. “Okay.” Stryker sighed. He met Octavia’s eyes “I’ll talk to John tomorrow.”
CHAPTER 20
Matthew
