A/N: There's going to be some really dark thing that I'm going to be posting in my chapter(s). This first chapter(s) will be focused on Jason while the next one(s) will be focused on Joy during the same time as Jason's. This way I'm not jumping between characters. Please hope you enjoy. Thank you!
P.S. if the characters are acting OOC, that's how I picture them for this story.
The sunlight shone brightly lighting up the sky and slowly vanishing the dew that had descended during the night. Sheriff "Ep" Bridges drove down the roads doing is normal rounds when he saw something that was out of the ordinary around the side of the Bus Station. A small group of people were standing around making the Sheriff slow to a stop.
"Everything alright here?" He asked as he stopped to the side of the group.
"Sheriff Bridges, there's a boy here." Came a reply from a middle aged man who looked worried. Sheriff Bridges slowly climbed out of his car and walked over while fastening his hat on his head. "He was hit in the head last night and he doesn't appear to be waking up."
Sheriff Bridges knew it was unlike Jefferson county to have this kind of violence around so he knew it must have been serious. He was lead through the crowd and felt his feet nearly fall out from beneath him as he saw Jason's limp form leaning against the wall. He rushed over and gently pressed his fingers against the young man's neck and let out a sigh of relief as he felt the thumping of a pulse. "Someone have a blanket? Or a jacket?" He called felling how cold Jason's skin felt.
"I have a shawl." A woman called walking over and handing the Sheriff and black shawl.
Sheriff Bridges quickly wrapped it around Jason's shoulders careful not to hit his head against the side of the building.
"What should we do Sheriff?" Someone asked looking down.
"Did someone go for the Doctor?" he asked and got a couple of nods. "How long ago was that?" He asked knowing Jason's family would be worried and frantic once they found out that Jason had been hurt and left outside.
"Should be back any minute." An old man said looking down and frowning at the young man.
The doctor pulled up and the crowd moved apart letting the older man to go and examine Jason. "Let's get this boy over to the hospital. There I'll notify the family."
"I can do that." Sheriff Bridges said knowing the Walton's didn't have a phone at their house. He looked down at Jason wondering what he was doing at the Bus Station in the first place. As the Sheriff watched the doctor leave the sight, the older man slowly returned to his vehicle to head back to the boy's family.
~DSCWIN~
Sheriff Bridges was surprised to see the doctor driving passed him heading into town as he slowly drove up to the Walton's homestead. He was even more surprised to see Jason awake and trying to leave. As if he forgot that he was supposed to be in the vehicle.
"Jason, you're not making any sense." Olivia said trying to grab hold of the sleeve on Jason's shirt.
"Joy's missing, Momma." Jason said his voice matched the worry on his face. He winced slightly as it looked as though his head was about to split apart. "She and I were going to St. Louis, Missouri to make sure her Daddy doesn't come back and hurt her again. When she went inside the station to help with my ticket, someone walked up and hit me over the head. That's what the doctor had told me."
"Look Sheriff Bridges is here. Maybe he can help you."
Sheriff Bridges pulled up and stopped. Before he could say anything Jason hopped inside. "Jason, what is going-"
"Joy's in trouble." Jason said his blue eyes wide and serious. He had tears starting to slide down his cheeks and Sheriff Bridges knew Jason was scared.
"Where to?" He asked seeing Olivia rubbing her shoulders not sure what to say or do. John walked up and held his wife closely as they both watched their son ride off with Sheriff Bridges.
"Back to the station." Jason said grumbling slightly as his head started to hurt. "If Joy made it to the bus alright then I'll calm down."
Sheriff Bridges was reluctant of driving him as when he glanced over Jason was looking as though he would fall asleep any second. But each bump in the road snapped Jason awake and more focused. Sheriff Bridges knew Jason was determined to find out everything there was about Joy even if he worked until he didn't have a breath left in him.
~DSCWIN~
The Bus was up and running smoothly when Jason stumbled out of the Sheriff's vehicle and headed inside. He needed to find answers. Jason fought another dizzy spell as he waited to talk to the clerk at the station. When his time was up Jason, with Sheriff Bridges standing next to him supporting him, walked to the desk.
"Sheriff," The clerk nodded friendly at both men that stood in front of him. "What can I do for you?"
"The two AM bus from this morning," Jason said his words starting to slightly slur together, "did a young woman with long blond hair and green eyes get on it?"
The clerk looked confused before glancing up at the Sheriff. "I'm not sure I understand." He said.
"This young man asked if a young woman got on a bus that left here at two this morning." Sheriff Bridges said softly to not come off as accusing.
"I'm afraid I have no idea what you're talking about." The clerk said pulling his roster to show the Sheriff. "There was no bus for two this morning."
"It was for St. Louis, Missouri." Jason said his eyes fighting to stay open as he looked at the clerk's eyes. "She was needing to go there for her Daddy's trial."
The clerk let out a long sigh as he looked at the young man in front of him. "Son, there was no bus for anywhere at two AM. I'm sorry, but there is nothing."
"Who was working here last night? Maybe we can talk to them." Jason's voice was on the verge of hysterics as if this one lead didn't go anywhere, he would have no idea where Joy was. If she was alright or if things were very bad for her.
"That would be Royce Haines. He's in the back. I can go see if he's able to talk to you."
"Please." Sheriff Bridges said struggling to hold Jason on his feet. "Jason after this I'm taking you home. You're not in any shape to go on a man hunt."
"I got to find her, Sheriff." Jason said squeezing his eyes and forcing himself to stand up. "I can't give up now."
Sheriff Bridges smiled at the stubbornness this young man had. But he figured it was something deeper that was driving Jason Walton.
The older clerk walked up and smiled at the two men that stood in front of him. "What can I do for you gentlemen?"
"We're wondering about a young woman that came in to take a two AM bus to St. Louis Missouri." Sheriff Bridges said seeing that Jason was in pain not just physically but emotionally too.
The older clerk looked thoughtful for a few seconds before catching Jason's and the Sheriff's eyes. "Did this young woman have long blond hair. Wore light blue overalls and a yellow shirt?"
Jason's eyes lit up and he felt his body stand straighter even though his head screamed in pain. "You saw her? Did she get on that bus?"
The older clerk slowly shook his head. "I'm afraid there wasn't a bus set out for that time. The ticket she had was not real and she took the news quite hard. She ran out of here. I went to stop her to see if she could get back home but when I got out she was already gone."
Jason's heart seemed to shatter in his chest. His breathing stopped and he began to see bright lights explode in his eyes.
Sheriff Bridges barely managed to catch Jason as he collapsed towards the ground. He saw the feeling of failure in Jason's eyes as he sat him down. "I need a ice pack now please, and some water now please."
The older clerk nodded and went right to work while Sheriff Bridges sat down next to Jason to keep him from falling over. He could see how pale Jason was and figured he should return the young man reluctantly back to his house.
~DSCWIN~
Jason didn't remember how he got back home or into his room. But as he lay there staring at the ceiling he had done many times when he was younger, he couldn't help but wonder why he was brought back. Someone walked in and sat down next to him. He saw the blond hair and sat up quickly throwing his arms around the person.
"Oh, Joy!" He cried holding the person tightly. "I knew you'd be back."
"Jason let me go." Jason stopped and gently pushed his sister Erin away feeling his cheeks flush with embarrassment.
"Sorry...Erin." He said heavy hearted. He laid back down and closed his eyes. His body was stiff and sore.
"Sheriff Bridges is downstairs talking to Momma and Daddy." Erin said she could see the pain and hurt in Jason's eyes. "There's also about twenty people out looking for Joy right now."
Jason slowly turned and looked at his sister his eyes trying to focus on her face. "I'll be right down." He said as what he had heard took hold.
"Momma told me to keep you in bed. Mary Ellen would do this but she's helping feed the volunteers that turned up."
"I got to find her Erin..." Jason blinked back a few tears as his eyes slowly closed. "I got to find her."
~DSCWIN~
Jason stood and saw Joy's face screaming at him. Not out of anger but out of pain. Tears were streaming down her face as he tried to run to her. But no matter how hard he ran towards her she wasn't getting any closer.
"Jason!" She screamed as something dark slowly enveloped her. "Jason help! Jason!"
~DSCWIN~
Jason sat up quickly his breath tight in his chest. His eyes scanned around to see he was still in his room and it was dark inside. Jim Bob and Ben weren't in their beds and figured that everyone was still eating dinner.
"Joy!" The muffled voices flowed through the window making Jason turn to look at it. "Joy!"
Jason sighed to release that tightness inside before slowly sliding out of bed. He still was in the clothes from last night and looked for his shoes. He found them near the door making him slowly stand up. He slipped his feet inside his shoes and opened his bedroom door. The light from the hallway didn't hurt as he stepped out. The dizziness was no longer hurting him as he walked towards the steps. He slowly made his way down the steps in heavy thought.
Olivia had just pulled out a plate from the oven to take upstairs when she nearly dropped it at the sight of her son standing at the base of the steps.
Ben and Emma, who were alone at the table stopped and looked at Jason who looked lost and strange.
"Jason?" Olivia asked making her son slowly look up at her. She could tell he had been struggling with sleep as dark rings painted the underside of his eyes almost giving her son a hunted look. "I was coming up with some food." She said and carefully set it on the table. "Sit and eat, please."
Jason silently sat down at the table. He didn't feel like eating but with his mother slowly sitting next to him, he slowly began to eat. Taking very small bites. He wanted to quickly finish his food so that he could go out and search but as the front door opened, he saw John Boy, John and Grandpa Zeb walking in looking tired and worried. Jason pushed his plate to the middle of the table and rushed to his family. "Did you find her?"
John slowly shook his head as he placed a hand on his son's shoulder. "We will find her, Jason." He said although something in John's voice made Jason believe it wouldn't be alive.
He pushed past his family and headed for the door but was stopped by John Boy. "Let me go, John Boy." Jason said trying to pull away from his brother's grip.
"Jason, you're still recovering from your injury." John Boy said his voice raising a little sounding like a father instead of older brother. "If we can't find her, I doubt you will."
Jason froze. His older brother, someone who always had an slightly optimistic outlook was giving up hope. Jason spun around and shoved John Boy hard causing the older body to stumble and land hard on the floor. Jason took the opportunity to storm outside and head off towards the pond. He could hear John Boy scream out his name not out of anger but of worry for his well being. But Jason needed to be alone. He needed to think. That nightmare had left him shaken and determined to find her before it came true.
~DSCWIN~
John had slowly come to the pond to find his son sitting next to the pond staring at the moon's reflection in the water. He had been sitting on the rock just in the dark not caring his body was trembling in the cool night air.
"Jason may I sit down?" John asked and sat down next to his son. "We will find her. She's a part of this family so we're not giving up."
"Then why did John Boy say those things, Daddy?" He asked tears of frustration.
"He didn't mean we were giving up, son. He was saying you wouldn't be able to search for clues in your condition." John placed a hand on his son's shoulder as comfort seeing that Jason was fighting to not burst into sobs.
John pulled his son into a hug and held him close; just like he had done when he was a small boy and was frustrated when things wouldn't go his way. But John knew why Jason was struggling now. Joy, a daughter in John's eyes, was missing. He would be frustrated if he wasn't able to search for any of his now five daughters. He too was feeling useless as his second daughter was missing and he hadn't a clue where to look.
"Let's get you back home. You need some more sleep." John said as Jason pulled away to wipe the tears from his eyes. John helped his son to his feet and walked beside him not wanting to feel the same pain his son was feeling. But he knew if his wife or any of his kids or parents had gone missing, he too would not allow anything to stop him from finding them.