Step Back (AU)

XXIV

The days went quick. They seemed to merge into one for me as I slowly filled with dread.

The day that Harlan disappears makes me feel like I was in agony. It was too close, and I was out of control.

Luke looks at me, "What?"

I frown, "It's just driving me insane. How I don't know why he just. Disappears. It doesn't make sense to me. I just want to know. That he lives further than 26. I just want to know. Did he die?"

Luke hugs me into his side, "Those are all really good questions."

I huff, "Then why can't they be answered?" I run my hands through my hair. It was a ratty mess.

Luke smiles then wipes a stray tear that fell. "Sometimes those make the best questions. The ones that can't be answered."

I frown and push him, "That doesn't help!"

Luke frowns, "I have nothing for you." He was being honest and that was how he was being real. There was nothing he could do for me.

I start sobbing and he pulls me in close.

LUKE POV

Alina stopped crying after awhile and sniffed on the way home.

I did know something.

I knew something big and haven't had a chance to tell anyone yet. I read about it when we got back and then hoped that nobody else would find out.

I knew that when we left, when Alina left, Harlan lost it. If depression was something serious back then. That's what Harlan could've been diagnosed with.

He read about how the names of his two favorite people were carved on a tree. With a super intense date that while nobody could understand it. Luke knew exactly what it meant.

It meant.

SOS.

Please do something with your modern technology.

Now all he had to do was convince Ruby and Greg to let him to get them.

Maybe he was being unreasonable. But Harlan disappears and they couldn't even find his bones. So even if he did jump off a cliff or the three were brutally murdered and buried. It only made sense that they avoid that in total.

After dinner I secretly tell Ruby and Greg that I need to talk to them. They both nod understanding.

Ruby looks at me, "What?"

I turn my phone towards them, "This isn't talked about often. But look at this."

Greg's eyes widen, "Is that a call for help?"

Ruby looks at Greg, "Are you thinking this is why they end up and disappear? Oh my gosh."

I shake my head, "No. They disappear because they come to our time. We go get them. That's why they disappear. There would be more discussion. It's one of the boys telling us. Go get them."

Greg hesitates. Then Ruby agrees, "I think you are right. There is no explanation. There isn't even evidence towards the rumors like there was for Shakespeare."

Greg freezes, "I'm going to get them."

I shake my head, "No. I'll go."

Greg shakes his head, "No, I'm going because they will know it's bad."

I sigh, "I guess you are right."

Greg looks at me then at Ruby. "We still have time. Just until then to keep her sane and figure it all at."

I nod my head and then stand up, "Let's get some sleep."

Ruby sighs, "I wanted to go to Germany."

Greg nods his head. "Let's go. Then let's go. Let's get out of here and go. See if that waterfall is still there."

Ruby smiles and leans into Greg making me feel out of the moment. I clear my throat, "I'm going to see the little kid. She's probably not sleeping."

Greg smiles and nods his head. Ruby stands up and rushes past us to the room. I hear a groan and a small yelp. I walk a little faster to find the girls not harmed. Ruby was hugging a sleepy Alina. They were already whispering about Germany in German. I laugh and climb in.

I go in between the two women and snuggle into the bed. Ruby laughs while Alina pushes at me. "Luke, no. Why did you do that? I was comfy."

I laugh and push at her as well. She turns and gets comfortable again. Soon she is asleep. It never really took her long. We knew if she couldn't go to sleep that there was something wrong. Her brown hair tangled around her head.