Sienna Asma

Abandoned Cereal

Dean

I spin my gun around carelessly, keeping my eyes on Theodore and Gene. They've been working non-stop for days now and neither of them have rested. Gene wants to redeem himself and Theodore wants Sienna back as soon as possible.

"Theodore," I call out to him.

He looks up, his glasses foggy, and he frowns out into the distance. "Yes?"

I stand in front of him and fold my arms. "First, wipe your glasses."

Little Theodore jumps and rushes to wipe his glasses making me smile. When he's done and can finally see, he gives me an adorable smile.

"Now that you can actually see me," I say, grinning at him. "You need to go eat something."

Immediately he starts protesting and starts working again. "No."

I put my hand in front of the screen, stopping him from working further. "Yes. You're probably starving."

When he looks up at me, there's anguish in his eyes. "You know what happens when I do."

Nodding my head, I pull him from behind the computer and over to me. "I do, sweetheart, but I also know that you're getting better and that you haven't thrown up in a while. You kept down that salad, didn't you?"

He glances at the computer before sighing. Slowly he comes into my arms and shudders against me. "I just want her back now."

"Yeah, I know. We've always gotten her back though. I have faith that we'll get her back now," I say confidently.

With my reassuring words, Theodore gradually leaves the room, his face showing how much he wants to stay.

"Go eat some damn cereal, Theodore," I urge, resisting the urge to laugh at his hesitance. He frowns thoughtfully, but eventually, he leaves the room.

With Theodore gone, I turn to Gene with an indifferent smile. "Now, you."

He waves me off immediately and gestures to the energy drinks beside him. "I'm fine. I'm used to surviving on nothing but energy drinks and granola bars."

"You're wife probably misses you," I try, not really caring if he eats or not. Gene is going to help us though, so I need to care a little bit.

For a brief moment, he pauses, but then he keeps going again. "She's used to it. I promised her that after this, I'll leave science alone."

I take my seat beside Sienna and grab her hand. A small part of my anxiety calms down when I feel that it's as warm as ever. "That doesn't sound like a very good compromise," I say to him, though I could really care less.

"She's dealt with it for years now," he sighs. His words show that he doesn't want to give it up, but I guess he loves Joya more than science.

I'd give up a lot of stuff for Dom, Cole, Theodore and Sienna.

Theodore comes back with a bowl of cereal in his hand. I prefer for him to eat upstairs and get a real break, but this will do. At least he's eating. He takes his side by Gene and looks at the computer, eating quickly.

"That's weird," Gene says slowly, making my heart race.

I rush over to the other side of the computer, trying to see what he's talking about. The lines and statistics make no sense to me, however, and I frown at Gene. "What is it?"

He points at a few lines that move up and down steadily. "Her brain activity has slowed down considerably."

"Both of them have calmed down," Theodore adds, looking at Sienna.