Fragments - Book One of the Missing

Chapter 31 - Taniel

He knew it would happen. He didn't warn her. What was he thinking? They could have prepared. How could he not see it coming tonight? He should have seen all the signs. Stars. He knew the signs.

Thoughts of guilt pushed their way through every cell of his body, ensuring that every last corner of him felt horrible for what happened. He looked down at Rowan, unconscious in his arms.

She was light, too light. Carrying her home was painless. But he wished it was more punishing. Something more like he deserved.

Even while she slept he could see her anguish. Her tear-streaked face broke his heart, a heart that he thought he lost long ago. He didn't know how he could have stopped Olive's disappeared, but he could have tried. He should have tried harder at Hamza's to control his dreams. He dreamed this would happen. All his fault.

As if she were a fragile china doll, he cradled her close and carried her up the stairs to their loft. He was so focused on getting her to bed that he almost missed Scooter in the living room. Scooter raised an eyebrow, willing Taniel to speak. But he just shook his head. The shame was unbearable.

Gratefully, Scooter didn't push him and let Taniel put Rowan down. He pulled the blanket over her shoulders and lightly tucked her in as he would a child. Before returning to Scooter, he smoothed her hair off her face and whispered in her ear.

"I am so sorry, Rowan."

When he returned to Scooter, he noticed what he didn't before—a person, gagged and tied to a kitchen chair. And because Scooter never did anything halfway, he also put a bag over the hostage's head.

"What the hell is this?"

"'Hey, Scooter. What's up man? I haven't seen you for weeks,' would be a good start. A 'thank you' would also be appropriate," Scooter said. He tried to look angry, his lips pressed in a firm line. But that was the thing with him, the anger never lasted too long. His face softened almost immediately. "What happened to Rowan?"

"Rowan's sister went Missing. We were there when it happened. I went to find Rowan downtown, and when we left the bar, we saw..." he took a steadying breath. "We saw the whole thing."

Scooter stared open mouthed, but his hostage coughed against the gag. The cough suspiciously sounded like a laugh, making Taniel sick. Scooter must have thought so too. He stood and punched him in the stomach.

"What is this all about, Scooter?" He jerked his chin in the direction of the hostage.

Scooter pulled the hood off and Taniel found himself face to face with Twitch, a little worse for wear than the last time Taniel saw him. His blood boiled. As if someone flipped the switch in his face, Taniel's shame was replaced by a dark rage. Rage at his betrayal, his choice of the wrong side.

Twitch had a bruise under his left eye, now turning an angry purple; his busted lip was swollen and bleeding. Scooter did this. Taniel thought it must have been so hard on him choosing between his two friends. Especially when he hadn't been wronged. Taniel's appreciation was beyond words.

"Gills, I think the Underground is more involved than we think."

Taniel didn't take his eyes off of Twitch. "I think so, too. But I don't know too much yet. Just that they have started kidnapping people, too. What have you learned?"

"Before I tell you what I'm thinking, you should probably hear from him," he said, jerking his thumb at the betrayer.

Taniel nodded and waited for Scooter to untie the gag. His hands were rough with the knots around Twitch's shaggy blonde hair, and he intentionally jerked Twitch's head around. It reminded Taniel of his time in the Underground, and he was almost ashamed.