002 | video

[uncurse]

Hey, anyone heard from Henry? He didn't come home from school today.

[ Hurrying along on the sidewalk, business-like buildings passing just beyond her shoulder, Emma raises a hand to indicate. ]

About this tall, brown hair.

[ She turns the corner and her attention drifts off the camera quickly. ]

Let me know if you've seen him.

[ And she hangs up as she lowers the phone, on the move. ]

Comments

[inmyothertights]

Want a tracking spell?

[uncurse]

Definitely. You think you could work something up? I've got some of his stuff.

[inmyothertights]

Yeah, it's no problem. I'm happy to help you.

[uncurse]

Where should I meet you?

[inmyothertights]

You know that diner on 17th? I live around the corner, we can start there.

[You know, the diner. That the player made up just now.]

I'm Billy, by the way. Billy Kaplan.

video;

[unhand]

I'm coming to find you.

[She'd better not think this is optional. It's clear that Hook's on the move. He has enough trouble using the phone when he's not moving, and now that he's trying to talk to her and use it, he's getting his shoulder and a some buildings. At least it's a pretty distinct shoulder.]

video;

[uncurse]

Heading to the school now to see if any of his teachers know where he'd go.

[ The video shows her cutting past the gate, ignoring a security guard in the process. ]

video -> action;

[unhand]

I'll be there. [He hangs up so he can move more quickly.

After a little while, he catches up, arguing his way past the same security guard before he goes in to find Emma.]

Don't suppose it turns out he just happened to be in detention, did it?

action;

[uncurse]

[ She doesn't answer him. Not verbally, anyway.

The look on her face says it all, devastation crumpling her expression as she looks down at a scarf in her hands. Henry's scarf. She meets Hook's gaze for a moment, lets it sink in, and then she crosses the quad to meet him, arms sliding around him instinctually. She buries her face in his neck, pulling him in close. Trying not to choke on her own misery.

Henry's gone. ]

action;

[unhand]

[Oh.

His arms come up around her, holding her tightly. He doesn't need her to say anything, not right now. There'll be time for that later. For vague reassurances and promises that finding lost loved ones is what her family's most known for. Now's not that time. Now's the time for holding her, lips pressed to her hair as he holds her and steadies her and lets her take what time she needs. He runs his good hand along her back softly.]

audio

[katastrophe]

I've seen him.

[ No he hasn't. ]

audio

[uncurse]

[ Hope and panic intertwine all at once in her voice, raising it just slightly. ]

You have? Where?!

audio

[katastrophe]

In a ditch on the side of the road. Guess you should've been watching him more carefully.

audio

[uncurse]

[ A chill washes over her, but she bristles to cold fury after only a beat of silence. ]

What the hell is wrong with you?

[ Even knowing it's not true, the image deeply unsettles her. ]

audio

[katastrophe]

[ So many things. ]

What's wrong with you? It takes a special kind of deadbeat mom to lose her own son.

Voice

[bays]

Sorry, ain't seen no one like that. Have ya got something of his?

Voice

[uncurse]

Uh ... Plenty. He's my kid. Why?

Voice

[bays]

I was just thinkin' I might could track him by it if ya did.

Voice

[uncurse]

Thanks, but I've got Billy Kaplan on the whole location spell thing.

Voice

[bays]

A spell like a witch or something?

( audio )

[chancetoatone]

[His voice is a tad concerned when he responds, and sympathetic.]

I haven't spoken with the boy, I'm sorry. [A beat.] Have you had any luck?

( audio )

[uncurse]

He's gone.

[ Her voice, by comparison, is slightly choked and strained. ]

( audio )

[chancetoatone]

[There's a more gentle tone there when he speaks again.]

I'm sorry. Perhaps it's for the best. One so young has no place in the middle of a war.

( audio )

[uncurse]

He's gonna be caught in the middle of a fight whether it's here or at home. Better he gets caught in the middle of it with me there to look out for him.

( audio )

[chancetoatone]

I am truly sorry, Emma. Perhaps his is a temporary leave.

[There's genuine compassion in his voice. He knows what it feels like to be separated from a son, to know they could be in danger and not be able to stop it.]