Page 25 of Fierce Family

“Josh, tell me you’ve found him.”

“Maybe. The police had a report about a noise disturbance in the woods behind Nook Farm. But they won’t do anything because it’s quiet now and Gregory being missing for a short time is not enough reason for them to consider him at risk.”

My breathing starts to speed up again.

“The police are wankers. Listen, the watch manager for tomorrow is coming in to take over from me now, and two of my guys who’ve been off today have offered to help. I’ve also spoken to Tommy, and although emergency services won’t authorise a helicopter search for the same reason as the police, he and his team are meeting us. If they’re up there we’ll find them.”

“I want to come with you!”

“Sheila, no—”

“Yes, Josh. Please. Nicholas and Peter have just pulled in. Take me along. And Nico may want to come too.”

There’s a sigh on the other end of the line.

“Okay, fine. I’ll text Tommy. He lives your end of town so you can come with him.” I nod even if he can’t see me.

“Josh, tell me honestly. Are you worried?” I grasp the phone tightly and hold my breath.

“It’s been quiet up there for over an hour and he hasn’t come home. That's got me a bit worried, but maybe he's just gone to a mate's place or something," he says, trying to keep his tone neutral. For the past half hour, my mind's been racing with all sorts of horrific scenarios. If I hadn't read that text about the drugs, I'd probably be more composed—concerned, yes, but not fearing the worst. Now, though, I'm at a loss.

The car’s headlights illuminate a group of people already assembled at the meeting point. Nicholas and Ijump out as soon as Tommy turns the engine off. Peter stayed with Keiran just in case he wakes up or the search takes until the morning.

The dark is only broken by head torches so it’s hard to see everyone clearly but I’m instinctively drawn to Josh. He’s talking to someone wearing a mountain rescue jacket, but the minute I step up to him he pulls me into his arms.

“We’ll find him,” he whispers in my ear. I know he’s trying to reassure me but I can tell that he’s tense and that’s not a good sign. If he’s worried it means something

“Right, listen up. There’s a clearing not far from here and I suggest—” Tommy stops talking as we hear shuffling noises coming in our direction. One of the guys directs a strong torch at the path and we can see a small figure slowly coming down the hill.

The only female mountain rescuer of the group is the first one to move and run towards the person. My instincts take over and I follow.

Someone is calling my name but I ignore it. This could be my son. As we get closer it becomes apparent that it’s a girl, probably around Gregory’s age. She stumbles and looks disorientated.

“I’m Suzie, you’re safe now,” I hear the mountain rescuer tell her. “Are you okay, are you hurt?”

“Help… help the others,” she slurs before her legs give out. Suzie rests the girls head in her lap and talks quietly to her. I want to ask her if Gregory is okay, I want to shake her and ask her what they’ve done. A strong arm slides around me.

“Let them talk to her,” Josh whispers like he’s read my mind. I lean against his chest and try to slow my breathingwhilst I watch Suzie and another one of her colleagues calmly talk with the girl.

Tommy, who has been listening close by, steps up to us.

“She said they were on a clearing and there are a few within a thirty-minute walk. I’m calling in the helicopter because now we have a reason to assume life at risk. We can then start the walk up. Hopefully the HELO will pick up their location with the infrared camera.”

Josh nods in agreement. “What about—”

“Did she say what happened? Did she say anything about Gregory?” I cut him off.

“No, she said they took pills…” My heart sinks and I don’t hear the rest of what Tommy says.

“He promised me he wouldn’t take drugs,” I sob.

“Sheila, listen to me; from what this girl described and the state she’s in it doesn’t look like E to me. People on E are usually hyper and she’s the complete opposite.”

I’m sure he’s right but given the state the girl is in I don’t care what they have taken. It’s not good either way.

“Let’s go; the HELO should be here in fifteen minutes so we should use the time to get closer to where the clearings are. Suzie and Chris will stay with the girl until the ambulance gets here,” Tommy rounds up the troops.

We walk up the hill quietly, Josh holding my hand and Nicholas on my other side. I’ve never felt so helpless before. Every fibre in me wants to just run to get to Gregory quicker but I can’t. We don’t even know where he is yet.

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