They tried calling the base, tried calling Hammond at home, and even called Jack's house. No one on the base had paged him, and Hammond hadn't heard from him – although he was now aware that something was going on and told them to let him know if they couldn't find him – and there was no answer at Jack's house.
"Is it like Jack to disappear like this?" Sirius asked, when Sam hung up her phone after trying the house again.
She shook her head, and so did Daniel.
"No. Not usually."
"Something must be going on…" Daniel said.
"Yeah."
They decided that they'd head back to Jack's house, where he'd hopefully show up. If they didn't hear from him by later that night, then they'd call Hammond and let him know what was going on, and a full search could begin.
OOOOOOOO
The loud crack startled Harry, who had just barely returned to his bedroom and was looking out the window towards the park he'd just left. Harry whirled, just in time to see Dobby appear.
"Dobby!"
"Harry Potter, we must alert Dumbledore."
"Where's Jack?"
"We must tell-"
"Where's Jack, Dobby?"
He felt the worry in the pit of his stomach turn into fear at the look on Dobby's face. Not everyone could read the emotions of a house elf, but Harry had had a lot of exposure to them – and Dobby in particular – and he read the concern there easily.
"They captured him, Harry Potter. We must tell Dumbledore."
"What? Who-" Harry interrupted himself, whirling and looking around the room as if trying to find something that would jump up at him and offer its services. "I have to get him back!"
"Not alone, Harry Potter," Dobby told him. "You must get help!"
"I don't have help!" Harry snapped. He didn't have Hedwig, either, so he couldn't send her for help – even if he had a clue where Dumbledore was. All he had was-
"Dobby will get help."
Of course! He was so stupid. Doubly so.
"Yes! Go find Dumbledore, Dobby. Bring him here, and tell him what happened. Tell him that-"
There was a crack and Dobby was gone before Harry could even finish the sentence. Wand in hand, the boy went back to the window, staring back at the park, where there were no longer any flashing lights. No nothing.
OOOOOOOO
Fawkes was waiting for them at Jack's house when they came through the front door. The phoenix was perched on the back of Jack's couch, his talons digging deep into the already battered leather and he threw them all a baleful look when they arrived, plainly telling them that he wasn't happy at having been left behind.
Daniel looked at the bird just as intently as it was looking at him.
"Maybe we should send for Dumbledore?"
Sirius frowned.
"You think Jack's disappearance has something to do with us?"
"It might," Sam said, thoughtfully. "The timing is pretty suspicious."
"It wouldn't hurt," Daniel said. "If nothing else, we'd have help looking for him if he proves to be actually missing."
"If Dumbledore was willing to help."
"He'd help," Sirius said. "If you give me a pen and a piece of paper, I'll send a message."
Sam nodded, feeling a little of her anxiety ease at the thought of such formidable help as Dumbledore. She wasn't positive that Jack was missing because of foul play, but it wasn't like Jack to vanish without a trace – not without help.
OOOOOOOOO
"You idiots."
The voice was angry and sharp – and more than loud enough to pull Jack from the darkness that had engulfed him.
"Master, he fought us."
"He's not even a wizard."
"He had help, Master."
The voice was the woman. Bellatrix Lasomething or the other. Jack couldn't quite remember. Of course, his head was killing him and he wasn't positive he'd be able to remember his last name just then, but he was pretty sure it was the same voice. Even though the voice was afraid now, where before it had been sneering and scornful.
"I told you I wanted him uninjured."
This voice was another Jack knew. Cold and sibilant, he didn't even need to open his eyes to know who was there. Wherever he was.
"He's only stunned, Master. Wormtail looked him over and-"
"Is Wormtail a healer?" There was anger and scorn in his voice now. "No. I thought you could be trusted with this, Bella. It was a simple assignment. I wanted him awake…"
While Jack was more than willing to let the woman get chewed out for knocking him flat – whether it was her that had actually done it or not – he was in no mood to listen in on any conversation. His head was killing him and he needed to find out what was going on and where he was – although he knew that considering the company he was keeping, things weren't good. Not at all. But Jack had never been one to shy away from trouble – and as far as he was concerned, it was better to know where he was and what they wanted. So he could tell them to go to hell.
He moved, just a little. Just enough to see if he could (meaning he was trying to see if he was tied up) and just enough to let them know he wasn't unconscious any longer. He wasn't tied, and the conversation stopped when his motion was noticed. A hand pressed against his cheek and Jack moved his head away from it, and promptly wished that he hadn't. Pain lanced through him. Not just his head – which really was killing him – but through his entire body. His back, legs and arms all protested, even though he hadn't moved anything but his head, and he gasped in pain despite his intention to keep quiet.
"You're very fortunate, Bella…" the voice said, with a relief that Jack didn't understand.
He opened his eyes, slowly, and looked up.
Into the cold eyes of Lord Voldemort himself.