3:1 The Search Begins

"It's been a week," Evelyn said turning to Shon "where could they be?"

Shon shook his head seeing the worry cloud her eyes. He had his suspicions...none of them good. He walked over to his wife wrapping his arms around her as his mind attempted to find a way to deliver the bad news in a way that result in the least amount of pain.

"You suspect something don't you?" Evelyn asked leaning into him. "You think Dana's up to her old tricks, don't you?" She pulled back to pear into Shon's clear blue eyes.

"Yes, yes I do," he nodded kissing her forehead. "Dana went to Dragon Valley. I've confirmed she was seen at Adam's house. The officer I spoke with confirmed she was escorted to the plane bound for Bridgeport and that Don was on the same flight. The plane arrived here..."

"So whatever happened....happened here," Evelyn concluded. "Dana wouldn't hurt her brother?" She turned to Shon hoping for reassurance.

Exhaling loudly Shon wished he could say something to reassure her but the words stuck in his mouth. Running his hands along her back he hoped to soothe her while his mind raced with all the unpleasant possibilities. The simple truth was he believed his daughter was capable of harming her brother. Nothing in her past could convince him otherwise. Time and again she had proven her willingness to inflict pain on him. She looked and acted like a sweet young woman but inside lurked an evil that no one could touch. 

His continued silence prompted Evelyn to lift her head "what are we going to do?" Her tone void of emotion tore at Shon's heartstrings. He knew she had held firm to the hope that Dana would change. That all the therapy, nurturing and love would work a miracle. He wished it had. He didn't want to believe his daughter was capable of hurting anyone much less her own brother.

Squeezing her tight he replied "I'm waiting for a call back from Adam. Depending on what he says well determine what we do."

"Do you think Adam and Heath are in danger?" she asked.

"I'm afraid so. Dana's been obsessed with Heath for years. I don't doubt she's capable of hurting anyone who stands in her way." His voice broke as he realized he just put into words that Dana, his daughter was capable of hurting someone. Was there something genetically wrong with his family genes? He didn't know enough and the only person who might have the answer was serving a life term in Sim Penitentiary for trying to kill and his kids. As these unsettling thoughts went through his mind Shon's phone rang. "Hello Adam?" Shon's brow furrowed as he listened to Adam's panicked voice rising as anxiety took over. Disconnecting turning to meet Evelyn's stare he said "Heath's missing too along with Quentin."

Burying her face in her hands she dropped to her knees muttering "this can't be happening....can't be happening...."

Kneeling beside her Shon pulled her close "I have to go...I'm sorry but if we need to find the kids before someone gets hurt." Evelyn clung to him for a moment before nodding.

Pulling away Evelyn wiped her eyes "promise me you'll keep an open min. Maybe Dana's not at fault..." her lips quivered.

Pulling her close to him Shon kissed her "I promise...I just hope...."

"You'll find them," she spoke confidently "and you'll bring them home."

***

Moaning Don opened his eyes and groaned aloud. She was there again, watching him through the glass. After a week he had grown used to the idea that one wall of his cage was clear glass. It was a shock the first morning to find the blind lifted and Dana and the woman staring in at him. He could now empathize with animals in a zoo. Always on display, gawked at. This morning he felt an urge to put on a show but he squashed it. He wouldn't give Dana the satisfaction of knowing how close he was to cracking.

The slot opened revealing a Styrofoam bowl of soggy cornflakes. It looked disgusting as he leaned against the wall. The first bite was the worst, always was. His throat closed choking on the slop they persisted on giving him. Forcing it down he waited for his stomach to settle before taking the next bite. Warily he watched his sister idling wondering what perverse pleasure she derived from watching him. The older woman no longer came down. Only Dana. He clenched his hand around the plastic spoon wishing it was her scrawny little neck.

As if sensing his desire Dana smiled sweetly at him through the glass. She pressed a button so she could speak to him. "Tsk tsk baby brother. Thinking such naughty things. Don't you know you're not supposed to hurt a lady?"

Rage bubbling up he scowled "you're not a lady..."

"Oh that's right...you're the only lady around here," she smirked at him "always so sensitive and delicate. No wonder you're gay."

He choked on the mush he swallowed coughing he wondered how Dana knew. She had to be guessing. She couldn't know. He hadn't told anyone. He hadn't known himself not until recently. Not until Quentin confessed his feelings for him. He hadn't known what to do or say....Then it hit him. He wasn't upset that Quentin liked him or that he was gay but that Don had feelings for someone else. Someone he had known for a long time. Someone he considered his best friend but he had no idea if he felt the same way. 

Dana's laughter cut through his thoughts like splintering glass "didn't think I'd notice did you?" Laughing harder "I probably knew before you did." Her abrupt silence had Don looking up at her through the glass. She stared back her face unreadable "you can't compete with me. I'll always come up on top. Heath's mine. Don't forget that." She sent the screen down across the glass.

Don drew an uneasy breath putting his head in his lap, gulping in lungfuls of air. The room was plunged into darkness as Dana's laughter filled the void. He shivered in the darkness trying to blot out he sound. Was he a fool to hold out for something that might not happen? Should he have give Quentin a chance?

He could still see the devastated lost look Quentin had as he told him he didn't feel the same way towards him. He wanted to take the hurtful words back but couldn't. He felt like he had lost his best friend. What if that is how Heath reacted to  him? Was the possible gain worth the risk of losing his best friend? He may never get the chance to find out. Not if Dana had anything to do with it.

***

Huddled around the small fire Quentin made. Heath made up his mind to ask the question that had been weighing upon his mind. "How well do you know Don?"

Looking up from the flickering flames Quentin said "fairly well. We've been roommates for two years." Turning his gaze from the fire he looked over at Heath "why?"

Shrugging unsure whether he really wanted to know Heath stared into the darkness beyond the fire. "Do you know...um Dana mentioned...." sighing he hung his head realizing just how bad this was coming out. He decided to just ask it "is she right, is he gay?" It wasn't so much him being that bothered him but the implications that she made. Was Dana right? Did Don like him more than a friend?

"Does it matter?" Quentin asked standing up he moved away from the fire. His face in shadow he hoped Heath couldn't see the pain he was in. It still hurt knowing that Don had turned him down, hadn't felt the same way as Quentin did about him. Things might have been different if he wasn't so sure Don turned him down because he was in love with Heath. Quentin had suspected it but had convinced himself that Don would get over it once he realized Heath was straight. What if he had been wrong? Running his hands through his hair that had fallen out of his ponytail.

"No I guess not..." Heath muttered "he'd still be my best friend." Sighing loudly "I don't even know why I'm giving any credence to anything Dana says anyway."

"Would it surprise you if I said he was?" Quentin asked watching him closely. 

Shaking his head Heath laughed "not really. It'd make sense but why wouldn't he have told me?"

Busy adding wood to the fire Quentin muttered "probably for the same reason I haven't."

Astounded Heath looked up at his brother "you're gay?"

Sitting crossed leg across the fire from Heath Quentin nodded his eyes misting over as he wondered if he had just lost his brother. Instead he was shocked when Heath moved beside him asking "are you and Don...."

Shaking his head he couldn't keep the tears from coming "he doesn't like me ... not like that..."

"How do you know? Have you told him how you feel?" Heath asked wanting to help.

"I told him and...and....he doesn't feel the same way about me. He likes someone else." Quentin burst into tears "oh god Heath it hurts...it hurts so much...."

Not knowing what else to do he held Quentin feeling his shoulders shake as he cried on his shoulder. He felt inadequate to assuage the pain Quentin was in. He wanted to be there for him but why did he feel so relieved that Quentin and his best friend wouldn't be dating? And who is this someone else and why did it bother him?

It felt good to tell someone about his feelings with someone. Quentin had tried to keep this to himself fearing Heath wouldn't understand. He had been positive that Heath was the someone else that Don referred to but he didn't be reacting to any of this the way Quentin thought he would. Maybe he had been wrong Quentin thought sitting up wiping his eyes "I'm sorry I shouldn't have unloaded all of this on you. I guess the stress of knowing that Don was kidnapped upset me more than I realized."

"What are brothers for?" Heath told him trying to lighten the mood but all the while wanting to ask needing to know who that someone else was. Wondering too why it mattered? It's not like he was gay or anything. He had dated plenty of girls in high school but other than the kiss Dana forced on him he hadn't kissed anyone before. He just thought it would happen when he met the right person and the time was right. That didn't make him gay, did it? "We should probably get some sleep" Heath suggested unsure what else to do or say.

"You're right," Quentin said moving to pull out the sleeping bags from the pack he had hastily packed when he stopped. Sniffing the air he suddenly bristled baring his teeth.

Jumping to his feet Heath asked "what's wrong?" As he asked he heard rustling in the trees to their left...

***

"You can't go," Grace cried pulling on Percy's arm.

"I have to," he said shrugging her arm off "Heath's missing. I can't sit back and do nothing."

Crossing her arms Grace pouted "we just got in engaged...."

"I know, I know, I wanted time to spend with you too," he said gently. He wrapped her in his arms, kissing her soft lips he murmured against them "sometimes we have to do things we don't want to do."

Squeezing him tight she nodded "I've already lost my dad. I can't lose you too."

"You won't..." Percy began.

Pulling away Grace walked away "you can't promise that." Crossing her arms she turned to look at him "I'm not asking you to promise that....just be careful."

Percy walked over to the beautiful girl who had won his heart "I love you."

"I know," she said "I love you too."

Bending her head Grace reached for his hand. Holding it in hers for a moment listening to the sound of their combined breathing. Lifting her blue eyes to his "I have to tell you something before you go...." biting her her bottom lip she blurted "I'm pregnant."

Feeling as if someone had punched him in the stomach Percy stood with his mouth open trying to breath as her words sank in "you're...you're....preg....pregnant?" He blinked bringing his hand to her stomach a grin slowly spread across his face.

"You're not mad?" Grace asked gripping his hand tight.

"Why would I be mad?" Percy asked incredulous "If it weren't for your family I don't know what would have happened to me. I doubt very much I'd be planning a wedding or being told I'm about to become a daddy."

"But being a part of the Van Winkle family isn't exactly easy is it?" Grace mumbled as she drew him into an embrace. 

"No but I wouldn't change it for anything," Percy murmured again her cheek "I love you so much and I'm never letting you go."

Laughing softly "that's good because I'm not letting you go either. You'll always be in my heart no matter how far apart we may be." Kissing him as she let him go "now go bring my nephew home."

***

Upstairs Adam and Shon were discussing where they should begin their search. "Where exactly is Midnight Hollow?" Shon asked looking at the map.

"I don't think it's on any map," Adam told him "It's a town ran by Imaginary Friends. They don't like humans...." looking at his long time friend he said "maybe you should wait here..."

"No I'm going," Shon said "they're my kids too."

Putting his hands up in surrender Adam didn't press it. He could hear the anger and belligerence in Shon's voice. He didn't want Shon to later follow them and get into worse trouble alone. Adam wondered how Dana had managed to get the boys to Midnight Hollow. Who was helping her? His suspicions led him to believe it was Windy. What other vindictive IF did he know who would help Dana? 

"You know if your suspicions are correct," Shon said as if reading his mind "this could be a trap to lure you out into the open."

"Is that true?" Beverly asked coming into the room.

Shooting a look at Shon who shrugged mumbling "sorry." Adam went towards Beverly putting his hands on her shoulders. "Yes it could be trap...."

"Don't go," she demanded as she broke into tears "I'm sorry...I know you have to do...It's just so hard watching you go into dangerous situations. Knowing I can't go with you."

"I know sweet heart and I'm sorry," he held her tight fearing that once he let go he'd never get her back.

Bringing her hand up to stroke his face she looked deep into his eyes. She felt the strange almost hypnotic pull that always happened when she did that. Almost as if he was memorizing her soul "you'll never lose me. I'll be right here waiting for you."

"I love you," Adam said pulling her close. He brought his mouth down to hers before she could respond.

Parting she breathed "I love you."

***

A couple of days later they were searching a small clearing where a campfire had been made. Adam motioned everyone to be still as he thought he heard something. A low moan possibly. Adam reached out with is vampire hearing to pin point where it was coming from. He moved towards a pile of rocks and twigs thrown together in a pile. With a sinking heart he knew one of the boys was buried beneath, hurt and bleeding. 

"Over hear," he called to his companions. While he waited for them to join him Adam started to remove the debris. "Someone is buried underneath all this." They nodded as they moved to assist him.

A half hour later they had Quentin out of his make shift grave. "How is he?" Adam asked as he hovered behind Shon who was inspecting the boy for injuries.

Shaking his head Shon said "it's amazing he's still alive..."

"He needs medical treatment," Percy stated standing up "we've done all we can for him."

Looking down at the boy he had raised like his own for the last five years Adam knew Quentin had done all he could to protect his son. Now he had to do whatever it took to save his life "You and Shon need to take him back to Bridgeport..."

"Why not Midnight Falls?" Shon asked "it's closer."

"I know but Midnight Falls is annexed with Moonlight Falls. They would be duty bound to turn Quentin over to Alessandro. He'll be executed for helping me." Kneeling beside the boy Adam peered into his pain filled eyes infusing him with a sense of peace dulling his pain. "I know it's a risk to take him to Bridgeport but it's the best chance he has to survive."

"What about you?" Percy asked "you'll be vulnerable alone..."

"I'll be careful. I have to find my son." Adam said stubbornness setting in

"Don't do anything until we're back," Percy insisted knowing Adam wouldn't listen. "Adam promise me you won't do anything until we're back."

Adam's eyes moved towards Percy's face. What Percy was asking made sense but Adam's sense of urgency was telling him time was running out. He knew he would have to act alone whatever the cost. Putting hand on Percy's shoulder "I'll try." Adam told him "I can't promise anything more than that. I'll keep our link open so you can follow after and you'll know if I get into trouble." Looking down at Shon who had stayed beside Quentin's side "you better hurry he doesn't have much time left."