The Fall of the Aftons

034: William Afton

"Oh, jeez--what if somebody kidnapped him? What if he got lost? What if somebody hurt him? What if he left the building?" William rambled anxiously as his eyes skimmed through the hospital corridors, looking for his son. He tore his hands through his extremely long, unplaited hair--he normally kept it braided so that it was out of his face. 

"William, slow down!" Henry shouted. He grabbed William's wrist, trying to get his friend to stop walking. He failed. "Everything will be fine."

"How can you say that? He's only three!" William exclaimed. His voice cracked as he spoke.

This time, Henry succeeded and pulled William to a stop. He struggled to keep him contained. "Will, please. You have to settle down. Take a deep breath." William obeyed and inhaled a shaky breath in, then exhaled. "Michael is wise beyond his years. I'm certain that he knows how to take care of himself."

William shook himself out of his friend's grip. "Can we please ask to use the PA system? The nurses said we could, and he's been gone for over two hours. We have to find him!"

Henry sighed. "Fine. We can use the PA system."

~ ~ ~

"And what's the name of the child?" the front desk worker asked, obviously bored. He didn't seem to like his job very much.

"Michael," William answered. He intertwined his hand in Henry's when his friend offered. 

"Last name?" the guy asked as he eyed William and Henry with suspicion.

William looked to Henry. "Which one am I supposed to use? Do I say Song or Afton?" he whisper-shouted, desperate for help. He didn't know what Michael wanted, or if he had even thought about it. It was the one thing that they had forgotten to discuss.

Henry shrugged, not being helpful at all. "I can't make that choice for you," he responded as he shrugged again. "I'm sorry, but it's not my decision."

"Last name?" the guy repeated irritably. 

William thought about it for a few moments, then took a deep breath. He wasn't entirely certain that he was making the right choice. "Afton," he said quietly. He scowled when Henry nudged him excitedly.

The guy lifted the phone and pressed a button, then spoke. "Michael Afton, please return to room 401. I repeat, Michael Afton, please return to room 401. Thank you." Then he set the phone down and motioned for William and Henry to leave him alone.

"What was that all about? Why was the speaker system asking for Michael?" Terrance asked when William and Henry returned to his room. Neither of them answered him. He didn't pry for the answer.

William sat down in one of the chairs against the wall and buried his face in his hands. There always had to be a lot of things going on. Everything was always go, go, go! There were no breaks to relax and catch your breath. Even though he'd been doing it for years now, William still wasn't used to it. It was exhausting. Why couldn't he get a break? He was supposed to go on vacation next year... That wasn't going to happen, was it? Now that he had Terrance and Michael to take care of. Henry might be his closest friend, but he doubted that he'd take care of his son and nephew if he were to leave for more than a day or two.

"Are you all right, Will?" Henry asked. He sat in the chair next to William and rested his hand on William's shoulder.

"I'm just worried about Michael," William mumbled. "I didn't expect you to act like this!" he snapped as he pointed an accusatory finger at Terrance. "You know that it was an accident! Besides, it's technically your fault that you were run over. You weren't paying any attention to your surroundings. Michael was chasing you, so he was following you. You are the one that led yourselves into the bloody road!"

Terrance looked away, his expression unreadable.

"William, calm down. I know you're stressed, but it'll all be okay," Henry said worriedly. 

"Sorry," he muttered, though he didn't mean it. He was never going to be sorry for worrying about his son. "I'm just mad at this entire situation." He sighed.

"I get it--" Henry attempted but was cut off.

"No, Henry. You don't get it!" William snapped angrily, his hands curling into fists as he quickly stood up. "My only child is missing right now, and I have no clue where he is--less than if he's coming back! I don't know how to help him feel safe, and you're certainly not helping, Terrance. All I want is for him to have a home--a real one, not an adoption center filled with mean kids that run him over all the bloody time!"

"Um... Will?" Henry said quietly. Once he had William's attention, he pointed at the open door.

Michael was standing there awkwardly in the doorway.