A/N I just want to thank all of you readers and reviewers for being patient with me. Sometimes, when I'm writing a chapter, you know what you want to convey, but you just can't put it into words. That's kinda what I did last chapter, but I managed. It's been a thing with me lately, school strains the creative mind. Anyway, I bet you don't want to hear me ramble; you came for chapter 3. Enjoy!

Disclaimer: I don't own Code Lyoko

Chapter 3: Search and Rescue

"Odd! Buddy, where are you? ODD!" Ulrich was growing more and more concerned with every passing second. Yumi, Aelita, Jeremie were also avidly searching for the blonde boy. They all split up in different directions to cover more ground. Jeremie took the southwest corner, Aelita took the southeast, Yumi traveled in the northwest direction, leaving Ulrich with the northeast. They frequently kept in contact to report their progress.

Out of the four, Ulrich was the most distraught of the group. Why was I such a fucking jerk to Odd? I knew he was totally out of it. I should have just let him be. I practically took his head off when I shook him. It's all my fault. I'm the worst friend ever! "Odd, where are you? Odd! Odd, please answer!" His only response was the wind whistling in the trees. "Odd, I'm sorry! Do you hear me? I'm sorry! Just tell me where you are!" No dice. The green clad boy was becoming hysterical himself, the emotional stress was getting to him. What if something happened to him? What if….No! He's fine. He's just sulking somewhere. He's just fine! What could happen? -RIINNNGGGG!- Ulrich was startled by his phone and almost jumped out of his shoes. He looked at the phone that requested his attention; it was Jeremie. "Hey Jeremie. Any progress?"

"No. I haven't found him yet." The blonde genius confessed. "Neither have Yumi or Aelita. Any luck on your end?"

"Not even a trace of Odd. Do you think he's okay, Jeremie?" Ulrich asked, needing reassurance.

"He's a big boy Ulrich. I'm sure he's fine." Jeremie soothed. "Keep in contact."

"Okay. Thanks, Jeremie" Ulrich hung up. He knew his other blond friend was trying to calm him down, but Ulrich had a gut feeling that Odd wasn't safe at all. Ulrich continued into the dark forest, looking for the slightest hint of purple.

Hours of walking and searching later, the artistic teen was still nowhere to be found. Ulrich had progressed from unease, to discomfort, to concern, to worry, to fear, and was closing in on hysteria. He literally pulling his hair out. Ulrich was now 100 sure that Odd was in danger. He couldn't hide this long. Odd never moped this long before. And he knew that it was all his fault. That's what got to him the most. He hurt his best friend.

Ulrich did something he almost never did. Something he didn't even do when he lost his grandmother. His emotions couldn't act as a barrier anymore; the dam burst. Ulrich began to cry. Streams of tears leaked form the boy's chocolate brown eyes. His shirt became spotted and damp.

Ulrich persevered, however. Impaired vision would not stop him. Fear would stop him. Danger would not stop him. Nothing would stop him. Odd, I'm gonna get you, buddy! Ulrich used whatever energy he had left and sprinted forward. He rushed past bushes, trees, and other flora. He sped through a quarter mile of forest and could've kept going, but he tripped over a big log, landing face first. "Ow! Fucking log!" The athlete checked his nose to see if he had injured it further. He landed on his chin, and was missing a layer of skin, but his nose was safe.

Ulrich went to kick the offender, but stopped mid-motion. His eyes bugged out. He couldn't believe his eyes or his fortune. He didn't trip over a log… he tripped over an unconscious Odd.

Odd!

"Odd! Odd, buddy! Are you okay?" No reply. Ulrich scuttled to his best friend's side. He noticed that the boy was sprawled out. Ulrich figured he either fainted or collapsed. The brunette pulled his best friend's head in his lap. Upon closer inspection, Ulrich noticed that Odd's eyes were red and puffy; his shirt was also stained. He was crying. "Odd, I'm so sorry! I didn't mean to upset you!" Ulrich was extremely ashamed of himself. "I'm calling the cavalry right now. I'm so sorry." Ulrich embraced his knocked-out friend. I'm sorry…

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"It's seems as if he slipped into an unconscious state for a short period of time. From the looks of it, it seems like Odd experienced a severe panic attack. I would think it was triggered by post-traumatic stress." Nurse Dorothy explained. "Do you know what happened to him?"

"He ran away before he told us, ma'am" Aelita stated. "We have no idea."

"I do, but it's not my place to tell you what he didn't. When he wakes up, you can ask him yourselves." The white clad woman said, observing Odd.

"So, he'll be okay?" Ulrich asked, worry infused in his voice.

"He'll be tired for a little while, but just fine by tomorrow."

"Thank you." The nurse nodded and went back to her paperwork.

"Ulrich, we're going to hit the sack," Jeremie said while yawning. "That all-night search took everything out of us." Aelita and Yumi nodded.

"You guys go, I'm gonna stay until he gets up." Ulrich waved goodbye to his friends and then took the seat next to the bed. Ulrich studied the face of his shorter friend. The redness subsided and the tears dried up. From afar, it seemed that the teen was just fine, but Ulrich knew better. Something was wrong, and he was going to find out.

A/N 1: I need to stress that this is NOT a SLASH fic. Ulrich feels responsible for Odd's erratic behavior.

A/N 2: Sorry it was short., next one will longer. If you plan to review (I hope you all do,) please tell me something you DIDN'T like. This needs to be improved, I just need your feedback. Was is too short? Too rushed? Too sappy? Anything! Thanks in advance. Will update soon. Bye.