The DollMaker Returns

Chapter 17: Caleb's Missing

  "I just got a message from James saying that the DollMaker has kidnapped Caleb." Mason said as the final person entered the room. "That explains why he's not here." Jackson commented.

  "Yeah, but how are we going to get him back exactly?" Lisa asked, obviously feeling concerned about her boyfriend. "To be honest, I was kinda hoping that someone else would know." Mason replied. 

  "Do I have to do everything around here?" Rachel asked. "It's obvious that we have to wait and see what the DollMaker gives us to do in order to get him back or simply just wait until the DollMaker has found a reason to give him back and realizes that Caleb isn't actually a good sorce of information." "Yeah, but for how long?" Sally wondered.

  "Good grief." Jackson responded. "We don't know how long Caleb will be held captive so we'll just have to wait paitently for further instruction." "My point exactly Jack." 

  "Hey, great minds think alike." Jackson replied. "You two are just too similiar in general." Sally commented. "Remember the whole 'soulmate' thing we discovered in June Sally?" Rachel asked. "That's why Jack and I are so similiar."

  "Well, now what?" Amelia asked. "I don't think any of us know what to do next." Phil replied. "Wait for futher instruction." Rachel and Jackson answered at the same time. "As if that hadn't already been said." Sally commented. "I'm pretty sure we all know that by now. Some resident geniuses they are."

  "Hey, they're trying their best." Phil argued. "Yeah!" Jackson agreed. "What else do you want from us?! We can only give you so much information! Not even us geniuses are perfect and have all the answers!" Sally rolled her eyes. 

  "Like Amelia said, what are we supposed to do other than wait for further instruction?" Lisa asked. Jackson sighed. "Not much else I'm afraid." Mason swallowed hard. Those were the last words he wanted to hear. He could already feel panic swelling up inside his chest, begging to be let out. His throat tightened, making it difficult to breathe. All he could do was think about Caleb's voice in his ears, calming, soothing, telling him to take slow, deep breaths and focus on his voice, which wasn't very difficult.

  He needed Caleb. It was so hard to think straight without him right by his side. Without Caleb, he was sure everything would go to shit real fast. Caleb was the glue between him and reality. Without him, Mason would lose his grasp on reality and the DollMaker would control him.

  He felt a squeeze on his hand and instantly knew it was Amelia. He didn't need to look over at her, sitting on his left. He could just tell by the feel of her hand in his. Nonverbal words of comfort were exchanged between them as Mason kept bringing up memories of Caleb telling him to calm down and focus. That he needed him just as much as Mason needed him at that moment. He just needed to focus and stay strong until they could find Caleb. Then he could collapse and break down and allow himself to be weak and vulnerable while also being safe again in his best friend's embrace.

  But in order to do that, he need to be strong.