Grappling for Answers
Theo
Rhys and Ollie havebeen missing for nearly two days, and we’re still no closer to finding them. It’s driving Alex to insanity and I’m not far behind.
Investigating the exit the Scourge used to infiltrate Haven only confirmed what we already knew; someone on the Council betrayed us. But there’s no other evidence to tell uswhoit is or even a solid reasonwhy.
The Scourge scumbags who survived the attack have been just as useless. None of them know anything aside from their orders, which were to create as much chaos as possible during the attack. They don’t know where Luke would hold Rhys and Ollie, or even that they had been taken in the firstplace.
It’s all been meticulously planned, leaving us to grapple withnothing.
And to make shit worse, the doctor has just sent word that Andy’s condition has suddenly deteriorated.
Which is why I’m leaning heavily against the wall in the corridor outside the isolation room he’s locked in. Alex stands next to me, stoically watching as Rachel cries against Tamsin’s arms. Tobias is on her other side, rubbing her back while fighting back tears of his own.
While I don’t know Andy very well, he’s important to Ollie and our friends, so I’ll stand here in silent support. Even if my ass and thigh are throbbing because I forgot to take my pain meds and have been moving around too much. Something I would have berated anyone I was treating for doing, but you know what they say about medical staff and them being the worst patients.
Kevin—the lead doctor at the medical centre—stands in front of the door leading to Andy’s room. He’s an older man with greying hair and blue eyes that are warm with sympathy as he watches Rachel breakdown.
“I understand this is difficult to hear,” he says grimly. “But with his condition worsening like it has, it won’t be long before the infection takes hold.”
“And there’s nothing you can do to help?” Tamsin asks.
Kevin shakes his head. “We’ve done all we can, but there’s no cure.”
“How much time?” Tobias asks softly while still rubbing Rachel’s back.
“I’d say less than forty-eight hours.”
Rachel’s sobs grow louder.
Fuck. I rub my face, exhaustion slamming into me. Ollie is going to lose it if we get her back only for her to find out Andy is dying or dead. Objectively, I understand that it’s not my fault, but that doesn’t stop guilt from worming its way into my chest. Maybe if I’d done something different, then neither of them would have been taken.
“I’ll leave you to process,” Kevin says, his voice thick with sympathy. “But I suggest you think about saying your goodbyes soon.” He turns and strides away, leaving the five of us in the corridor.
“Wehaveto get Ollie back before then,” Alex murmurs to me as Tobias and Tamsin continue to comfort a grieving Rachel.
I nod. “Agreed. Have you uncovered anything yet?”
“Anthony put one of the security guys on Adam to see if he’s doing anything sketchy, but so far, he’s clean.”
“And the others?” I’m still not sold on Adam being the traitor, even if he’s the most likely.
“Nothing yet. Anthony’s using the rest of the security team to patrol the other exits, in case the Scourge come back, so we’re focusing on Adam right now.”
Which means we have nothing to go on and an ever-present ticking time bomb. Fantastic.
“Alex. Theo,” Tobias says, causing both of us to turn our attention to him. He looks exhausted, his eyes are bloodshot, and the circles around them are darker than they were yesterday. “Tamsin and I are going to take Rachel back to their caravan, and then I’ll come help you with whatever you need.”
Personally, I think he needs a good night’s rest, but I don’t say it. It’d make me a hypocrite when I’m obviously in need of one too.
“Meet us back at our cabin so we can brainstorm our next moves,” I tell him and watch as they lead Rachel down the corridor, her sobs wracking her body with each breath.
Poor woman. I can remember watching my own mother die, and the grief was all-consuming. The only thing keeping me going was Alex and Rhys—when he wasn’t on a mission—forcing me to look after myself. Luckily, Rachel seems to have both her partner and friends to help her through it.
“Come on, let’s get going so you don’t risk ripping open your stitches,” Alex says with a heavy sigh.
I push myself off the wall with a wince as pain shoots up from my thigh and ass.Motherfucker. I really should have taken my pain meds this morning.
