Brennan sat in front of the computer and connected friends and foes and all the sources they had in the past or still worked with. Proxi Blue was informed about the missing Member of Adam's crew, sending a hidden message in all directions. Genomex didn't need to know about the latest happenings at the Sanctuary.
People who knew Shalimar were sent to places she might hide in. Brennan would go as soon as he was done with the work, to search on his own for his friend. He couldn't just sit and wait for a message.
~~~~~
Emma went to her room, entering the bathroom; she turned on the water and let it run into a pool in her hands. The cold splashed in her face sent icy shivers down her spine. Scared eyes looked at her through the mirror and she needed some time to realise that they were her own. How on earth could all this have happened?
The pictured of Jesse's lifeless body bathed in blood rushed once more into her mind, the spasm caused by the energy rushing through his unmoving form as Adam fought to keep him alive. The memory was too much. Her stomach spilled over and Emma threw up in the sink. The wrenching sobs along with sick feeling deep down in her brought her down to her knees.
She felt the cold tiles on the floor pressed against her heated face as soft cries shook her entire body. Tears ran down her cheeks and spilled on to the floor. Her eyes were shut tightly while her mind wandered on in search of Shalimar.
'Where are you, Shal? Why did you leave us? …Why did you leave Jesse?'
For a moment the picture of her Mutant friend and partner flashed into her mind. Emma saw her sitting in the seat of the car, knees high up to her chin, face bathed in silver tear-drops. Shal lifted her head quickly as if she'd look straight at Emma. Their eyes met for a split second before Emma felt herself being pushed back.
'No Emma, leave me alone…'
Heat rushed through her veins, flowing like liquid fire to all of her senses. Her head started spinning from the pain exploding in to it. She couldn't hold back the scream which echoed through the house. She almost welcomed the darkness pulling her in its arms a moment later.
~~~~
Jesse opened his eyes when he heard someone coming into the lab. It was Adam. Even Jesse's tired mind recognised the tense look in his face.
Adam seemed to feel the attention he had drawn to himself and smiled half-hearted. He didn't talk to the injured Mutant when he checked his vital signs.
Jesse's eyes never left Adam. He waited patiently for an explanation but his mentor said nothing. Finally he couldn't keep quiet anymore.
"What is it? Where…, where is Shalimar? You wanted to get her so I can see her."
Adam did not answer. He just turned around and took something from the table. He filled an injection shot with a clear liquid before he faced the bed with Jesse on it.
He wiped a swab with alcohol over his right arm before he pierced the needle into his arm.
"You need to sleep now."
His voice was low and shivered a little.
Warmth spread through Jesse's body as he felt the injection take effect. He also felt the fear that swept through his veins.
"What happened to Shalimar?"
His voice was barely a whisper.
Adam looked down into Jesse's face who was almost asleep but still fought against the healing slumber with all his might.
"She's fine. Everything's ok!"
Full of dread as he bold face lied to the Mutant he loved like a son, Adam's eyes filled slowly with tears.
As unwanted slumber reached Jesse, a painful scream filled his ears or was it just a dream? The moment before he lost his fight against his medicated slumber, he saw that Adam was crying.
Shalimar was the last thing on his mind before it went blank.
~~~~~
Brennan almost jumped out of his chair when he heard the terrible scream. He knew it was Emma and ran as fast as he could to her room. The door slammed open and it took him just a second to see that the room was deserted.
His heart sank when he entered the bathroom and saw Emma on the floor. Her face was white and her skin cold. Brennan reached for a pulse; relieved he found it and that she was still breathing.
Brennan lifted her into his arms very carefully and carried her over to the bed. Adam came inside the moment he had laid her down.
"What happened?"
Brennan just shrugged his shoulders, he simply didn't know.
"Emma. Emma, can you hear me?"
Adam slapped her cheeks a little and Emma woke up slowly. Her eyes fluttered open as she reached for her aching head. A small moan escaped her before she was aware of her surrounding and her friends leaning over her.
She took some deep breaths before she could speak.
"I tried to find Shalimar. I saw her but…"
Emma closed her eyes again as Adam placed a hand on her shoulder to get her attention.
"Yes?"
"She must have felt me because she pushed me away. It hurt. It hurt so badly."
She rolled onto her side and hid her face in her arms, leaning slightly against the warmth of Brennan's body, who sat beside her. He moved down next to her as he pulled her in his arms, looking at Adam.
"What can we do?"
"At the moment? Nothing. Just wait and hope for a sign. Or a wonder."
And without another word he left the room.
Tbc