Chapter 126

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~ Timoria: Searching... ~

The tears had long since subsided and now silence filled the festively decorated ballroom. After being called over by a distraught Stefan, Alex and Marcus had listened to Nikolas' tear-filled recount of what had transpired only moments before. Like wildfire, the details of the tragic event swept through the room and whether the detectives wanted them or not, a roomful of volunteers were at their disposal.

Being their usual efficient selves, Detectives Garcia and Taggert had delivered the instructions to their handsomely dressed helpers. As Mrs. Lansbury and the rest of Wyndemere's worried staff had handed out as many flashlights as they could find, Alex and Marcus had instructed everyone to team up. Once the partners were assigned, the search was on.

Stefan's eyes had never strayed from Nikolas as he allowed the police officers to control the situation. He had watched as a countless sea of emotions flitted across the younger man's face. And now as his son moved to join the search party, Stefan called out to him. "Nikolas. Wait."

"I can't," Nikolas choked out. He took another step forward, but as he reached the doorway, he stopped. He placed his hand on the doorframe. With his back to his father, he asked quietly, "What if it's already too late?"

"You mustn't think like that," Stefan told him. He crossed the ballroom to stand right behind his son. Nikolas, having felt his presence turned to face him. The despair in Nikolas' eyes took Stefan's breath away. He reached for Nikolas and breathed a ragged sigh of relief when Nikolas, returning his father's embrace, rested his head on his shoulder. "Dawn will come back to us."

"It's all my fault—" Nikolas began.

"No," Stefan told him, continuing to hold his son in his arms. "None of this is."

"You're wrong," Nikolas disagreed. "I-I told her that I'd protect her. I-I promised her that I would never allow any harm to come to her, but I lied. I didn't protect her, and now she's gone. She was so afraid of the fog...and I-I made light of it... I let go of her hand..."

The torment in Nikolas' voice was unbearable. Stefan couldn't bear to hear Nikolas blame himself for something that none of them had foreseen. He roughly released his hold on Nikolas only to cup his son's tear-streaked face. With strong hands, Stefan held Nikolas' face still. His emerald green eyes glistened with tears for his fear for Dawn's safety and his love for both her, his son and their unborn child. His voice was gruff with emotion when he spoke. "None of this is your burden to bear. This was orchestrated by a demonic mind—"

"Helena?" was Nikolas' ragged whisper.

Stefan nodded, "Yes."

"Well, then see!" Nikolas all but shouted as he pushed away from Stefan. "I should have anticipated this! Dawn counted on me to protect her, and I've failed miserably. She's out there somewhere alone and scared—"

"We will find her. No harm will come to her—"

"How do you know that!" Nikolas exclaimed. His hands moved wildly as he spoke. "You speak with such conviction. There are no guarantees that we will find her! Tonight has taught me that. Nothing is guaranteed!"

"Exactly!" Stefan grabbed Nikolas' shoulders in an iron grip. Nikolas tried to pull away, but his father's hold was strong. "Nothing in life is ever guaranteed never forget that! Now that Helena has Dawn, she will erroneously believe that the upper hand is hers. She will believe that her success is guaranteed, but she will fail to realize that nothing ever is! Mark my words, Nikolas, Dawn will come back to us! We will find her! Helena will not win! I refuse to grant her that victory!"

Nikolas found a moment of comfort from his father's impassioned words. He gently cupped Stefan's cheek. "Thank you, Father." Feeling energized, he was impatient to join in the search for more clues, and without waiting for Stefan's reaction, Nikolas quickly left the room.

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