AFLOAT SEASON 2 E. 8

“Decisions are the frequent fabric of our daily design.”

 —Don Yaeger

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Alex took in the Chairman’s numerous security guards exchanging pleasantries with some men in matching ominous looking uniforms designed with slight hints of red. He squinted at them. His spry brain sized them up and tried to figure out who they were and who amongst them had called out his name. His hand slowly moved to the gun in his jacket when suddenly recognition dawned on him. 

They were men of the community vigilante group. A group he had to add to his payroll so as to ensure there was no reason to leave their community open to the dangers of killer herders and bandits. Their new uniform almost got him confused. Tony had obviously gotten them involved as he instructed. He also figured that he must have informed them he was at the Chairman's house after sending some over to his family home. 

His mother had called earlier to express her displeasure at sighting some of them securing the grounds. She always had her reservations about the men and her anxiety was palpable over the phone. He had succeeded in calming her down with promises of calling off the men once he brought Dapper home before midnight. He hated leaving her alone but he knew Aunt May, his mother’s only sister would keep her company for as long as they were gone. 

Sighing Alex watched the men closely. After awhile one of them stepped away from the group and turned towards him after issuing orders to the other men. He recognized him instantly. Eric was the dare-devil leader of the group. The young man's tale of valor, shrewdness and honesty endeared him to the hearts of his people and gained him the position as the leader of the security outfit. He was some years younger than him but nobody would deny him his rightful position at the meeting of the council of elders. Eric approached with two other young men Alex could not recognize while the others stayed behind with the guards.

“Eric.” Alex greeted the moment he was close enough. He extended his hand and Eric hurriedly strode over to grab it in a warm handshake.

“Alex, good evening. I came as soon as I heard you were here. Welcome back.”

 

“Thank you. Tony said you and your men found something.”

 

“Oh, yes we found these” he signaled to one of his men who rushed forward with some items; “a phone and a bag we believe to be hers...please confirm them.”

Alex reached out and took the items from them. There was no need for any form of confirmation. He instantly knew the items belonged to his sister but a part of him refused to rush to conclusions so he pressed the power button of the blank phone. The power light blinked twice but failed to power it. The battery was dead he concluded before turning to the Chairman’s gateman who was lurking around;

“You get this charger?”

The gate man sprinted over and took the phone from his hand; “yes sir. I go plug am inside”

He dashed off towards his house while Alex fumbled through the bag;

“This is hers alright. This is ...” his voice faltered as reality dawned on him. “Wh-where did you find these?” A large lump formed in his throat.

“At the deserted route that leads from the community center to the river and the other part of town where your house is located...but like I told Tony, it’s too early to conclude. Probably she was in a haste and lost her phone...” he trailed off when Alex gave him a strange glare like he had a stone for a head.

“Eric, stupidity is the least thing I need around me right now. You know my sister. You watched her grow up so don’t even try to make annoying statements like that.”

He sighed and dropped the bag in the back seat of his car.

“Oga the phone don bring small light!” The gate man called out and dashed over with the phone; “but e never fully charge.”

 

“Thank you.” Alex took it from him and pressed the button. The light came on and a smiling image of Dapper appeared on the screen. The phone vibrated as several notifications rang out. Knowing how attached his sister was to her phone, he knew she would never leave it lying around in the middle of the night unless someone or something she could not resist frightened her.

Alex swore silently and punched the hard steel of his car. A dent appeared as blood trickled down his hand from his already bruised knuckles. Now he was sure Dapper was taken. He glared at her phone and his vision blurred. He felt the familiar cold hands of fear and a burning rage grip his heart. He had felt this way when he realized he was going to lose his dad. 

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