A Broken Crew

Chapter 28

Roman sighs and sits down then starts making the calls he needs to. He keeps his voice quiet as not to wake anyone.

Maggie came back downstairs. She smiled warmly at him and sat down in one of the chairs, politely waiting for him to finish to calls.

Roman doesn't take long, assuring his mother that yes, he's alright and yes, so is Mikko, and no mom, I haven't been misbehaving. He also talks to Cassidy, going over the documents she's pulled up for Grey, listening as she explains that she has been tracing records and has figured out who Grey's mom is is. "Wait- WHAT?" Roman nearly drops the phone in shock. "His mom is HER?" He falls silent in shock. "Yeah, yeah I'm still here. I... Wow. Well, thanks Cass. I'll.. No, I won't tell him. Yeah. Bye." He hangs up and drops hi phone in his lap, sighing and running his hands through his hair.

"Are you okay, honey?" Maggie goes over and gently rubs his shoulder. "Things have been stressful, haven' t they? Do you need anything?"

Roman relaxes under her touch, calming down. "I just don't know what to do.... I've been trying so hard, for so long and I just don't know what to do anymore..." He says softly, sadly."We have the legal documents for Grey's custody, and we've gotten his father to sign them, but we don't have anyone to take custody. According to the documents his mom left with him when she dumped Grey with his dad, he's required to live with a legal guardian or parent until he's 25. He can't get a job, can't leave the country..." Roman bites his lip for a moment. "And everyone expects me to figure this out. Grey won't go to just anyone, he distrusts most adults. I just... I just don't know what to do.."

Maggie hugged him. "You don't have to figure it all out." she said. "If you'd like, put my name down for custody. I was applicable for Dakota, and I'm still applicable since we ended up not taking him in. If Grey is willing to live with me, I'm happy to take him in, even if the court only gives me temporary, though I've already proved that my home is acceptable for someone from his background. I tried to get custody of Dakota a few years ago, which unfortunately failed, since his father was fighting for him. But I'm cleared to take another child into my home, and I'd be happy to care for Grey, if he trusts me enough." She looked exhausted, but warm and sweet. "Just take it easy, honey, everything is gonna be okay."

Roman hugs her back, warmly. His eyes are a bit moist as he smiles slightly. "Thank you.. Thank you so much.." He's more thanking her for her support, for listening to him and even offering to help. He looks at her with a smile. "Thanks." He repeats. "Why don't you go get some sleep? You've been so busy. I can handle the house for a while if you want, and I can make sure things stay quiet." He offers.

"That's all right sweetheart, you've been doing so much already. I'm going to do some cooking, don't worry about a thing, alright?" She rubbed his head. "November is coming over in about 10 minutes, and Nehemiah is bringing Stephen, Kaaria, and Jocelyn in a few minutes, so I'm cooking some food for them."

"Alright." Roman smiles slightly. "I'm going to go check on Grey." He hugs Maggie quickly then runs upstairs, heading for Grey's room.He opens the door, then runs to his room and checks, then runs to the window and leans out as it has been thrown wide open. "GREY!!" Roman calls, searching worriedly, but the other is no where to be see. "Quizznack!!" He swears, turning and running out the door, heading for the front door.

Maggie came upstairs. "What's wrong, honey?"

Roman looks at her, fear clear in his eyes. "Grey's run off again!" He stops, realizing this isn't a good time to panic and takes a deep breath. " I don't know why, but he never stays in one place for long. Just when you think he's settling in and feeling safe, he runs away. Last time, it took two weeks for us to find him."

"Oh, dear." Maggie looked worried. "And we can't file a missing person report until 24 hours have passed." A thought occurred to her. "I know who to ask for help." She went downstairs and opened the door. "Hi everyone." Nehemiah politely nodded at her, and Jocelyn and Kaaria gave her a hug. November gave her a wave, his notebook clutched in his hand. His other hand was to his cheek, and his face was swollen, and his ears were drooping. "November dear, I know you're in pain, but there's something I know only you can do. It's an emergency." November lifted his eyes in curiosity. "Grey has run off." she said softly. "We don't know where and we can't file a report until later. But I know you'd be able to track his scent." November's eyes were wide. "Please, if you would Nova. Find Grey and save him." November slowly nodded, setting his notebook on the coffee table and heading towards the stairs. "I'll go with you." Kaaria said. "Everyone else, we should split up and look for him." Jocelyn, Stephen, and Nehemiah nodded. "I can help you with scenting." Nehemiah said. "I have a strong nose." Kaaria nodded. "Us three have a strong sense of smell." he said. "So we'll follow after the scent."

Kacey and Mikko come downstairs as well, and Kacey holds up Grey's phone and a pair of his gloves, both have been picked up with plastic baggies so no other scent is on them. "Mikko and I will look too. I have a good nose and Meeks can hear stuff really really well." Kacey announces, and Roman nods. "If possible, check rooftops and beside any bodies of water." He is slipping a satchel that Mikko handed him over his neck so the strap is across his body as he speaks, there is a bladder of water inside along with a few other items. "If you find him, call me or Mikko. He probably won't go with anyone he doesn't know. " His expression is sad and worried.

November nodded and took a sniff at the items, as did Nehemiah and Kaaria. November sniffed upstairs and at the window, then wandered outside, followed closely by Nehemiah and Kaaria.