A/N: sorry for taking so long, writer's block is killer. For all of those readers who had complaints about Ch. 3, I've edited it and you should reread and give me your opinion. It's extremely helpful and helps me write faster. Hey, I want your opinion, tell me what you want to happen in this story, I seriously consider your suggestions. Anyways Merry Christmas and I hope you enjoy this chapter. Please Read and Review!
Chapter 4
That next week went by slower the Don ever thought time could possibly move. After seeing his apartment shredded he had stayed with his dad, guarding his every step. Each day he went searching for Charlie in every place he could think of, and still no luck. Repeatedly returning to his apartment he would find something gone or moved and each time his team checked it out, no clues were left behind. Frustrated, Don installed cameras throughout his apartment in plain sight in hopes of making the thief nervous and getting a visual.
It soon became apparent to Don that this thief could care less whether there were cameras watching when he received a note on his table written in ketchup spelling, "nice cameras". After that Don only came by his apartment to take the used tapes and put new ones in the cameras. He never did get a description because the thief came prepared in an outfit that covered everything, he could only tell the height and weight.
In the hopes of not scarring his father, Don decided not to tell Alan about the break-ins at his apartment, but simply pleaded that he not go anywhere alone. This peaked Alan's curiosity and concern but he consented.
Four days, it had been four agonizingly slow days since Charlie disappeared. Don quickly put Terry and David in charge of catching the thief while he searched for his brother. Don found himself driving through town yet again, this time he was in an area he hadn't been to before. His mind was blank, he couldn't think, all he wanted was to find Charlie and be able to hear those annoying endless equations Charlie rattled off. He never realized how much he would miss them until they were gone.
Don never noticed his foot pressing harder on the gas as he weaved in and out of traffic searching every nook and cranny for his baby brother. He was tunnel vision searching only for Charlie. There was nothing, no signs, no Charlie, nothing. Don suddenly realized that he hadn't checked one of Charlie's shortcuts home. How could he possibly forget! He hadn't checked the remote path that went through a small patch of trees. Don's foot was to the floor to get to that shortcut.
He felt so stupid that he didn't check it already. What if Charlie had crashed on his bike and hurt! It felt like hours before Don reached the beginning of the shortcut. Parking his car he started down the path looking for any sign of Charlie. From this shortcut he couldn't see the road or any buildings. He could barely hear the constant hum of cars going by on the road. Don slowly walked down the path looking for anything that would lead him to Charlie. When he reached the end of the path, he went back the way he came searching all the more carefully. Still he saw nothing.
On each side of him was a patch of trees no longer and wider than a mile. Don went to the left side and started looking for signs of Charlie. He didn't really think he would find anything but he had to try. After a couple of hours he had searched the entire left section of trees and found nothing. Going back to the car Don checked the clock, 3:00 P.M. After checking in with his dad, he began searching the right side of the tree patch, ignoring his thirst and grumbling stomach. Don's thought solely rested on Charlie and finding him. He didn't remember the last time he'd been this focused on getting something done. Don nearly had a heart attack when after about ten minutes of searching he found Charlie's bike. The bike was crunched and somewhat mangled leaning against a tree.
"Charlie!"
"Charlie, where are you!" Don called at the top of his lungs, Charlie had to be here. He just had to; his bike was here, why couldn't Life be nice and have Charlie there too.
"Charlie!" Don ran in every direction in search of his baby brother. Don searched until the entire area had been searched. Charlie wasn't here.
A/N: Cruel Chuckle, how'd you like that? Please Read and Review!
