How Deep is Your Love

Chapter Five: Lost in the Mountains

It had been four days since Real Madrid had arrived at ranch hotel and things had only gotten worse for Iker; he had slowly started to withdraw from his team-mates, who were increasingly worried about him.

José had tried everything to bring the Spaniard out of his funk but nothing seemed to work and Iker was more than happy to spend time on his own away from his team-mates; he avoided those who had brought their families and other halves more than anyone else.

“I don’t know what to do anymore, I’m worried about him,” José said as he walked alongside Nathaniel, who was leading the squad on a trail that afternoon while it was still sunny; the Spaniard had noticed Iker’s sullenness and inquired about it.

Nathaniel nodded as he looked back at the Goalkeeper, who was walking with a couple of his team-mates although it was clear that he wasn’t listening to what they were saying.

“Aliona was the same when Daniel left after she told him that she was pregnant; if it wasn’t for the twins I doubt that she’d even be here now and working at the hospital. She hasn’t had a boyfriend in years,” Nathaniel revealed, concerned for his only child sinking in as he thought about her lack of a love life.

It was clear that Daniel had ruined men for her and leaving her with twins hadn’t made dating any easier for the young woman; what man wanted to date a single mother of twins, José chuckled as he watched his friend for a moment making him look at him confused.

“If only we could get them to date each other, they’d be perfect for one another,” mused José making Nathaniel laugh and nodding his head in agreement, but he had learnt a long time ago that Aliona didn't appreciate being set up on dates. Looking up Nathaniel glanced up at the sky and frowned at what he saw.

“Looks like there is a storm brewing… we’d better be getting back,” he said making José look up at the sunny sky and furrow his brow confused; not seeing what his friend was talking about.

Nathaniel chuckled as he called the group to attention, he told them that they needed to head back making the footballers all look up at the sky confused but none of them argued as they all started back towards the house.

Iker sighed as he followed the group at the back, he knew that it was only a matter of time before he decided to call Sara and beg her to take him back; he didn't know what to do without her anymore but it was clear that he couldn’t be happy without her.

Looking up from his feet, Iker looked around confused as he realised that his team-mates were nowhere in sight; the Spaniard groaned as he realised he was well and truly lost.

***

“When was the last time you saw him?” José asked as the team gathered in the dining hall, they were all worried since no one could find Iker; it hadn’t been until they had arrived back that they realised their captain was missing.

Xabi swallowed as he tried to think back to when he had last seen his close friend.

“On the hike,” the Spaniard admitted as he glanced around the room to see a couple of his team-mates nod in agreement. That was the one thing that they all seemed to agree on, the last time that anyone had seen Iker was when they had been hiking back to the ranch.

Nathaniel sighed as he turned to look at his daughter, who had been listening quietly; she was the only one who knew the land well enough to find the footballer. Nathaniel hated to ask this of her but he didn't have a choice.

“Aliona take one of the horse’s and see if you can find him?” Nathaniel ask making José look at his friend concerned. The blonde nodded as she quickly made her way out of the dining hall to prepare for her trip.

“You’re sending her?” Luka Modrić asked making Nathaniel look at the Croatian, and nodded making the team look at the Spaniard confused.

“Aliona knows the land like the back of her own hand, she’ll find Iker faster than I ever could,” Nathaniel admitted to the silent room before he left the dining hall and headed back to the house.

Aliona was packing her black leather backpack with tab detail with things that she would need in case she was caught in the storm before she could return home; she flashed her father a smile as he entered the back kitchen and watched her for a moment.

Aliona was wearing black/cream checked shirt, grey back tank and kick flare jeans paired with black studded trainers. Lola was being cuddled by Alexandria while Liam pouted at his mother.

“Mama why can’t we come?” Liam asked making Aliona sigh as she glanced at her son.

The blonde lowered herself onto her knees and gave him a hug, she pressed a kiss to his head; this was the first time in a while that she had gone out without the two of them since they had been born.

“Because I’m going on a rescue mission and you need to help Abuela and Abuelo while I am gone,” Aliona said making Liam nod while Alexandria smiled softly at her daughter, she knew how hard this was on her.

After she had given Lola a kiss on the cheek, Aliona headed out to the stables where she saddled the family’s black quarter horse stallion for the ride to find Iker; she glanced at her father and José who were watching her worried.

“Don’t worry so much, I’ll find him,” Aliona said as the wind started to pick up, the clouds darkened and small droplets of rain started to fall; Nathaniel flashed her, a smile, as she climbed onto the back of Black Beauty after José had handed her a picture of Iker to help her find him.

“Be careful,” Nathaniel said as he looked at his only daughter who nodded as he patted the black quarter horse stallion before Aliona urged him forward.

***

Iker shivered as he wandered through the woods, cursing himself for not paying attention before; his light jumper wasn’t doing much against the cold wind and freezing droplets of rain that had started to soak him.

The Spaniard bit his lip as he stumbled through the woods as he looked around trying to recognise any part of the woods around him, so that he could find his way back to the ranch; but so far he didn't recognise any of it.

Iker sighed as he rubbed his arms to try and warm himself as he continued to walk hoping that sooner or later that he would stumble back upon the ranch, glancing up at the ever darkening sky; he hoped that it was sooner rather than later.

Iker continued forward across the slippery path, he held onto trees as he clambered over rocks and roots; his hands slowly starting to feel numb as he tried to find his way down the slope.

However before he could stop himself, Iker tripped over a branch causing him to fall forward; the Spaniard wasn’t sure what happened next but he knew that he had continued to fall and roll down the slope.

His head hurt and his shoulder ached as he lay on the floor of the woods at the bottom of the slope, Iker found it difficult to move as the world around him span before he was slowly consumed by darkness.

The Spaniard was barely aware of the rain that had started to fall heavier, or the cold that now took hold of his body and pulled him deeper into the darkness.