Danger Zone (File One of The First Responders Files)

Chapter Thirteen

Well, it's been . . . a long last few weeks, to put it mildly. That's not even taking into consideration the "musical houses" game I've been playing while figuring out where I'm staying for the rest of my summer job. Basically, a lot's been going on, including what went down on my profile. To everyone sticking with me through this, you have absolutely no idea what that means to me, and I will do my absolute best not to let any of you down.

Also, this chapter was hard to write, especially trying to get everything set up for Austin. Huzzah, though . . . almost 7K words for everyone to enjoy!

So, let's see, what all happens . . . ah, yes. Maddie fills Buck in, he runs but ends up somewhere he knows he can go, Sylvie's the focal point at 51, Eddie's the perfect friend, the Halsteads have some problems Sylvie might be able to help with, Maddie makes another friend, and TK finds out what his dad has been so excited about.

Enjoy, everyone!

***

"He was seven when you were born," Maddie continued to explain. "He was gone a year later. That's why you don't remember him."

Buck swallowed hard, trying to work moisture into his mouth. It wasn't working. "How did he die?" he croaked.

"Juvenile leukemia," Maddie answered. "He got sick right after that photo was taken." Buck rubbed a hand over his face as Maddie looked at the photo again. "Our lives changed forever after that. Three years of doctors and hospitals, every treatment they could find . . . but nothing worked."

Buck looked at the photo again, of Daniel . . . of Daniel Buckley, his older brother, who – "I don't understand why no one told me. I mean . . . I had a brother!"

"They were in shock after he died," Maddie said. "They packed up his things. We moved to a new town. They made me promise never to tell you."

"No, it doesn't make any sense!" Buck insisted.

"They were grieving," Maddie said. "I think they still are."

Buck stood up from the couch, starting to pace back and forth. "So I was born in the middle of that," he said slowly, thinking through everything. "Of him being sick."

"Yeah," Maddie nodded.

"Leukemia," Buck repeated. "I'm surprised they didn't try a bone marrow transplant."

"None of us were a match," Maddie said. "Not Dad, not Mom. Not me. They couldn't find a match." She looked up at Buck. "So they made one."

Buck abruptly sat down on the arm of the chair, feeling his legs give out. "Me," he said numbly. "I was a match."

"You were," Maddie confirmed. "But then the cells didn't graft. Daniel had a relapse."

"And he died," Buck's voice wavered. "And our parents decided to pretend he never existed. And they never could look at me like a son they wanted because the one they did want was the one that died."

Maddie cringed. "I wanted to tell you so many times," she whispered. "But the more time that went by . . . it just got harder, you know? And I'm so sorry."

Buck looked down at his hands, not sure what he should be thinking. All he knew was his entire mind was careening around, trying to find something, something that made sense, something he could cling to. "This – " He took a deep breath. "This wasn't your idea, was it?"

"No," Maddie shook her head desperately. "No, never! I never wanted to pack up my dead brother's things and move to a new town, much less pretend he never existed!"