Adam had left Shalimar and Emma to prepare everything he needed to check out Brennan. Both of the women were lost deep in thought.
Emma turned towards Shal and looked her straight in the eye. From the looked on her face she must have had the same thought.
"Something is wrong!"
"Terribly wrong!"
Shalimar started to pace, playing with her hair, curling it around her finger at the same time.
"You know that my senses are very strong, it's just the Feral side of me. Every person has a special smell; it's like an aura they carry. And no two people smell the same, woman or men."
Emma looked at her friend. She knew what she was trying to say.
"Did Brennan smell like Brennan?"
Shalimar shook her head, uncertain how to answer.
"I am not quite sure. He smelled like… nothing and everything!"
Emma was a bit confused.
"What do you mean?"
Shal stopped walking for a moment. Emma could see that she didn't really know what she meant herself.
"Usually he smells like earth. Like pure energy and a bit spicy. Very manly. I have no idea how else I could describe it."
She paused for a moment, lost in memories.
"When he came in with Jesse, I didn't get that scent. I got a complete overload of scents. It was like he stood in a huge crowd."
Emma stood up.
"You want to go to the lab and see if you can find something unusual?"
Shal laughed out loud.
"What am I supposed to do? Go and 'smell' him up? No, I have a better idea. You sneak into his head and see what you can get! That is less inconspicuous!"
Emma agreed, nodding her head.
"I can try."
The two Mutants walked over to Shalimar's room in case Brennan or Jesse came back. Emma sat down on the bed and tried to relax while Shal seated herself on the floor in front of the bed, watching her friend.
She started focusing in on Brennan.
'Brennan. Can you hear me?'No answer. She concentrated harder, imagining his big, brown eyes.
'Brennan, can you here me? Answer please. Where are you?'
Her mind wandered in complete blackness, searching for the single light that was him.
All of a sudden the pain was there again, like this morning when Brennan tried to contact her.
'Emma.' Very far away and soft.
She could see him in the distance. She walked towards him but as soon as she took a step, he was gone again.
'Brennan, stay with me!'
He appeared again, just for a split second to her right, closer this time.
She could feel the pain he felt, the dizziness holding him in its arms.
Brennan, come to me!'
Her mind voice called out to him, soft yet urgent, but he slipped slowly away again.
'It's so hard… can't focus on you!'
It didn't work. She had to try something new.
Shalimar saw little gleaming drops of perspiration appear on her partner's forehead and a look of desperation on her face. She wished she could help Emma. She took her hands in her own, hoping to give her a bit of strength. She looked like she needed it.
Emma felt tired. It was an exhausting process chasing after him without really finding him. But she couldn't give up now, he needed her help.
'Brennan, look around. Where are you?'
For a moment she saw him very clearly. He lay in the dark, trying to find something with his hands he could show her. Then he slipped away again.
An angry little noise escaped from her. Why couldn't he stay with her?
'Brennan, for God's sake you have to try again. I need a clue, something, anything please!?'
She was loosing him, could feel him drifting away.
He reached out one last time with his hands. He was almost completely gone when she smelled it. She had found what she was looking for…
With deep breaths that were closer to wrenching sobs, Emma opened her eyes. Her whole body shook violently and she collapsed on the bed. Shalimar was beside her in an instant, taking the shivering Mutant in her arms.
She whispered soothing words to her while holding her close. Emma wanted to push her away and sit up but Shal kept her on the bed in a strong embrace.
"Calm down. Everything is fine, you are alright!"
"Nothing is ok, we have to find Brennan!"
More sobs escaped her.
"He is not with Jesse…"
She was really thrashing around now in order to free herself from Shalimar's grip. Finally, she let her go and Emma jumped out of the bed.
'Come on, I think I know where he is! We have to go!"
For a moment nothing happened. Shalimar kept on sitting on the bed, her features clearly showing shock. Fear shone brightly in her eyes, while creeping up and down her spine.
He is not with Jesse…
The words echoed over and over in her ears. But WHO was together with Jesse if not Brennan?
Her voice shivered slightly when she gave her orders to Emma.
"You go and find Brennan. I need to look for Jesse!"Tbc.