Red Alert/Red Notice (The "Super Jerk" Prequel)

9 - Don't Dream It's Over

^^Above, chapter title credit: Song by Crowded House.^^

{Geoffrey}

Not stopping Raina as she storms out is probably my biggest mistake. She's right about everything, like she almost always is. And I know I hurt her when I'd accused her of not knowing what it's like to be super. I saw it in her entire body. Because despite all the abuse and neglect Raina's seen in her life, she seems to have retained the ability to love.

Shortly after she leaves, there's another tap on the door. I stand up slowly, and then go to answer it. It's Mila, staying with Ettie in the room across the hall. She must have heard us arguing.

"Mila?"

"Mister Geoffrey," she says, but seems at a loss for much else. I have a feeling she thinks it's not her place, but I wish she would, because it looks like I need to be put in mine.

"What's up?" My guilt over the way I spoke to Raina just now is painful.

"You must help her to understand," she says, after a short heavy silence. "She may not know, but she wants to help. And you must let her."

"I know, but—"

"She loves you, Mister Geoffrey. And I know you love her. Therefore you must find some way to work together and not against."

"You're right," I answer, thinking of my daughter. Raina and I can have our disagreements, but for Ettie, they need to be as short-lived as possible. "I'm going after her."

Mila smiles and moves aside. I hurry down the hall and towards the elevators. One is just opening as I get there, and I climb in and hammer on the lobby button. I get the sinking feeling that Raina's trying to get as far away from me as possible right now, but I don't want her wandering the streets alone. Especially not at this time of night.

When the doors open again, I tumble out into the lobby, casting about for any sign of her. She's nowhere. I run up to the concierge's desk, startling the older woman there.

"Did you see a young woman come through here?" I pant. "Blonde hair, gold dress, probably wearing a black coat over it?"

The woman shakes her head. "I'm sorry sir, but—"

"She's my wife, dammit! I just need to know if you saw her!"

I think she's about to answer when a voice comes from behind me.

"Geoff?"

I spin around, seeing Matt. He's changed into normal clothing, and as he looks me up and down, his brow furrows.

"Jesus, Geoff, what happened to you?" he asks when he's pulled me away from the desk.

"Raina and I...we fought and she stormed out...now I don't know where she is..."

"Okay," he says, catching my upper arms and holding them tight. "Slow down for a second and think about this. Are you sure she left the hotel?"

I make a sort of noncommittal noise.

"Just stay here for a second. Don't move." He looks me in the eye and waits for me to nod before leaving. He's gone for about five minutes. When he comes back, he says, "So one of the bellboys saw her leave. She was crying, I think they said. That's why they remembered."

"I don't want her wandering outside alone, Matt, bad things could happen..."

"Hey, man." He catches me when I start pacing, clasping the back of my neck and pressing our foreheads together. "Look. We'll find her, okay? Don't worry."

I take a deep breath. That's true, I guess. If I don't calm down, it won't help me find her any faster. I just hope we can get to her before someone else does.