desertion

80

LYDIA

The fire station was dark as it got late. Everyone was downstairs, trying to keep busy. I lay curled on the couch, staring at the ceiling. My head throbbed dully, but I ignored it like I had all day.

The vibrations of footsteps pulled me from my thoughts. I sat up slightly just in time to see Chimney make his way over to the fridge. He looked miserable-his eyes rimmed with red, his shoulders slumped in defeat.

"Chimney," I called, grabbing his attention. He looked up at me, startled, and then glanced around as if he wasn't sure he should stay. I gave him a small motion to come over. After a moment of hesitation, he walked over, glancing around before mouthing something. I caught the words, Where's something I can write with?

I shook my head, motioning for him to sit. "You don't need it," I said. "Just talk. I'll understand."

He hesitated again before sitting down in a chair near me. I studied him for a moment, his silence speaking louder than any words could. Though, I think I'm getting better at reading emotions since I can't hear.

"How are you?" I asked.

Chimney nodded, his lips pressing into a thin line.

"You shouldn't be here," I said after a moment. "Not like this. You should be with your daughter."

He shook his head firmly and pulled out his phone, typing quickly before handing it to me.

This is my last day here. I'm leaving tomorrow to go find Maddie.

I nodded slowly, handing the phone back. "I can help," I said, my voice steady.

Chimney shook his head again, mouthing, You can't go.

I sighed, taking a deep breath to steady myself. "I don't need to go," I said finally. "But I do need a laptop."

Chimney tilted his head, confused.

"A laptop," I repeated.

After a moment, he stood and rushed off somewhere. I pushed myself off the couch, walking over to the island and taking a seat. I was barely there for a minute before Miles appeared, sitting beside me.

"You need to go home," I told him. "Get some rest. I'm fine now."

Miles gave me a pointed look, his brow raised in skepticism.

"I'm serious," I said.

Miles shook his head but didn't try to argue further. A moment later, Chimney came rushing back upstairs, a laptop in hand. Buck and Dad followed behind him, both of them looking confused. Chimney handed me the laptop, and I nodded my thanks before immediately getting to work.

My fingers flew over the keyboard, typing line after line of code into the Find my Friends app. I was in my element, entirely focused on the task at hand. Finally, a list of IP addresses appeared on the screen. I turned the laptop toward Chimney, who leaned in, his face a mix of confusion and cautious hope.

Athena walked up the stairs with Bobby, standing beside Chimney.

I held up the laptop for everyone to see. "These are the locations of Maddie's phone over the past 24 hours."

Athena and Dad exchanged a glance. I looked at Miles, hoping he'd help me understand what they were saying, but he didn't. He just sat there, looking as confused as everyone else.

Then, I felt myself being pulled into a tight hug. Chimney. His grip was firm but full of gratitude. I smiled softly, relief washing over me. I'd finally done something useful.

Athena grabbed the laptop, starting to type on the keyboard. As she worked, she started speaking rapidly to Bobby. I caught snippets of the conversation-my own name, the word "Trouble," and something about Boston.

"Boston?" I repeated, catching their attention.

Everyone turned to look at me.

"You all really need to stop talking so fast around me," I said pointedly.

Athena raised a brow, clearly unamused. She typed something on the laptop then turned it toward me. It read: It's the only way to keep you out of the confidential parts.

I could tell she was joking though.

I rolled my eyes and motioned toward Miles. "Does he count as confidential?"

Athena gave me a look-one that screamed Seriously?

I shrugged and glanced over at Dad, who was watching me carefully. "How did you know how to do that?" He mouthed.

I hesitated, then sighed. "I used to do it when you were enlisted," I admitted. "I checked on you a lot."

Miles touched my arm, grabbing my attention. He spoke slowly, carefully. "Will you get in trouble for this?"

Athena shook her head firmly, grabbing mine and Miles's attention. "I won't let that happen," she mouthed.

I frowned. "Why would I get in trouble?"

Buck leaned forward, his mouth moving too fast for me to catch the words.

I narrowed my eyes at him. "Slow down, Evan."

Buck's expression turned exasperated, but he slowed his words. You could get in trouble for tracking Maddie.

I scoffed. "I didn't track her. It isn't illegal to use Find My Friends. Clearly, none of you thought to do that."

They all gave me pointed looks.

I shrugged again. "I was just trying to help. But if it's such a problem..." I stood, walking back to the couch. "I'll just go back to doing nothing."

I flopped onto the cushions, staring at the ceiling as my headache worsened. My eyes slipped shut as exhaustion took over, but my thoughts continued to swirl, drowning out the faint sense of accomplishment I'd felt moments ago.