Faded Embers

07

Sean's POV:

Will owes me one.

Not only do I hate stocking bar, but the brat texted me and said he was running late. Of course, I cannot blame him for being late because he is almost always on time, but there are days every now and then where he needs a little more time.

Will is one of my friends and I can allow him some leeway, since this is a rarity. He let me know and the club doesn't open for another few hours so there is no massive rush. Thankfully there isn't much to stock or unload tonight, so I handle most of it when I hear knocking at the front door of the club.

People don't usually start lining up until an hour before we open, so I'm surprised someone is at the front, especially because Will has a key to the back. He may have forgotten it, but I can't see if it's him because there are no windows down here.

The Ember security guard, Chase, isn't here yet, either, so I can't ask him to check for me. I put down the box of lemons I have in my hands and walk to the front door. The front door is through the small check in area where people pay their entry fee, and behind a curtain is the actual club floor.

I crack it open, making sure I'll be able to close it if it's a psychopath trying to break in, and I'm shocked by the sight before me.

Calin is standing outside with tear-stained cheeks and his phone in hand. "I tried calling Miles but he wasn't answering and you didn't either but I need help," he sobs, and I let him inside the building, closing the door after.

"What's going on?" I ask because Calin does not seem like the kind of guy to break down for no reason.

"I got this text from Atlas!" he sobs, shoving his phone into my hand.

Atlas😩💖: I'm not coming home tonight. My life is going to shit and I'm sick of everything being completely horrible for me. Please don't ask any stupid questions and don't wait up for me.

That is a really vague text and I feel my stomach drop. I don't know what kind of person Atlas is because we haven't spoken all that much, but if he is a depressed man and is hitting what he sees as rock bottom, he could be a danger to himself. Especially based on what happened at the Sunrise a couple of nights ago, he could be going through a tough time.

"Do you know where he is?" I ask Calin as I hand his phone back and take my own out of my pocket.

Sure enough, there's two missed calls from Calin because my ringer was off. I usually leave it on, too, so I feel a bit like an idiot.

"Yes," Calin says, still crying. "But I was scared to go alone. Where's Miles?"

"He's checking on one of his pubs and won't be back for a while. My coworker and the security manager should be here soon. I'll call them and let them know there's an emergency and that I should be back later," I tell him, dialing Will's number.

He's thankfully almost here, and Chase says he'll get here sooner to keep an eye on the place. Because Miles is probably occupied with his current task, I leave him a text to call me or Calin as soon as he has the chance, but I know we can't wait around for him.

"Where is he?" I ask Calin as we walk toward the subway station closest to us.

"I tracked him to Bryant Park which isn't far from here, but I'm so worried," Calin says, leaning against me and crying.

He reminds me of a younger sibling or friend, so I let him cry into my side and wrap my arm around him as we get on the train and take the short ride to the park. When we depart the train and enter the park, it is easy to find Atlas, laying on his back on the grass.