Chapter 2:-
Nick shoved himself to his feet and conducted a quick scan of the surrounding area. He spotted several rocks and trees that he thought maybe he recognised but then again there must be thousands of rocks and trees in this bloody forest and they all looked vaguely familiar to him. Where the hell was Stephen when you needed him? The thought popped into Nick's head automatically. He winced, thinking about Stephen was both painful and confusing and he couldn't deal with that right now. After all Stephen wasn't going to be around anymore to get him out of trouble so he needed to find a way to solve his own problems. Starting now. With a sigh, Nick picked a random direction and started walking. Forests don't last forever so sooner or later he had to hit civilisation. Hopefully it would be sooner.(Back at the anomaly site in the Forest of Dean) Connor glanced up from the computer equipment he was checking. Glancing around he spotted Abby, standing metres apart from the others leaning against a tree with a worried expression on her face. Casually he wandered over and stood next to her. She didn't react at all, staring at the distant figure of Stephen, a fixed expression on her face. Stephen seemed to be have some kind of agitated discussion with the SAS men and Lester, waving his hands around and jabbing the air with a finger.
"He's not worth it you know Abby" said Connor. "I can't believe he cheated on Nick with Helen." He paused. " That came out really wrong."
Abby laughed unexpectedly, the sound feeling wrong as it forced its way out of her throat.
"Yes it did, Connor. Please don't say that kind of thing to anyone else, I think Nick and Stephen have enough on their plates at the moment without you starting up any gay rumours about them." Connor flushed slightly.
"Seriously though Abby, you couldn't trust a man like that." Abby looked up at him a steely expression in her blue eyes.
"Connor I'm flattered. But I can and will form my OWN opinion of Stephen and his actions."
"I know, but I was just saying..."
"Without any help from you." Squashed Connor, looked at the floor. After an awkward moments silence Abby spoke again.
"Connor, I'm worried about Nick. I don't pretend to know him well, but you know, he just didn't seem like the type to suddenly go insane like that. He always seemed so..safe." Connor shrugged.
"I know but love can do strange things to people." Abby stared at him.
"What do you mean, love? Who was Nick in love with? Helen? I can't believe that."
"No, of course not Helen. I'm certain he didn't still love her. But he was in love. I'm sure of it. But, Abby...I can't remember who with."Connor had started to look slightly worried, thinking that maybe the insanity was catching.
"Connor, do you think there is something to all of this Claudia Brown stuff? I mean, I don't actually know her but I can sort of remember something. Like a sort of memory that's gone wrong. Just little glimpses of stuff. A woman. I mean, Nick seemed so sure of himself." Connor paused before answering, clearly thinking.
"You know Abby, I think you might be right. Maybe Claudia Brown isn't just a figment of Nick Cutter's science-crazed imagination. We could investigate! Be a crime cracking duo! Uncovering the truth!" Abby rolled her eyes and socked him in the arm before stalking off. Connor sighed. I guess it was the wrong time for humour he thought, rubbing the mounting bruise on his left arm. He sighed again and turned back to the computer set. Computers were safe. They didn't talk about imaginary friends or randomnly produce dinosaurs, or hit you in the arm. Abby made her way through the woods. No-one had noticed that she had slipped off by herself. She wasn't sure if Nick's insanity was catching or something but suddenly something inside her was sure there was something in his claims. Maybe Claudia Brown did exist. Abby wanted to know what had happened. Abby wanted answers. And to find answers, first she had to find Nick Cutter. As dusk began to fall, Abby walked further and further into the darkening forest...
