The Haddock family thought to worry about Hunter when he was in Iraq and they didn't hear from him was scary, but Hunter not coming home seemed to have a stronger effect on them. Typically, it wasn't something they should need to be concerned about because they knew Hunter was with Audrey or that's where he said he would be and also added he would be home later that night since Hunter didn't spend the night with Audrey when he parents were going to be home. The Hofferson's knew Audrey and Hunter were sexually active but still forbid it in their home. The reason things were fearful was that Hunter usually lets them know when he was on his way home or if something else came up. Last night, however, there was no alerts and no sign of Hunter.
"I don't like this, Salvatore. It's not like Hunter to vanish," Viola said while pacing back and forth in the living room after the clock had struck 8 am and still nothing from their son.
"I know, Vi but Hunter is eighteen, and he's not obligated to tell us anything that he chooses to do. I know you're worried, but it's early, and perhaps it was a long night for them. Hunter mentioned he was taking Audrey to Berkian Fine Food & Drink, must have been a special occasion or something," Sal tried to ease his wife's concerns.
"I think Dad might be right. All day date, one of the nicest restaurants in town, saying he wouldn't be home until late. It's the perfect set up to propose, and Hunter had promised when they turned eighteen he would marry her. So maybe they got a hotel room to celebrate the engagement, and we'll see them later?" Caitlyn offered.
"It's still unlike him not to update us if his plans had changed. Hunter said he was coming home last night, and the last we heard from him was before he left the house to pick her up. That was 12:30 pm yesterday. I know he can take care of himself, but it's a mother's instinct when something is wrong, and I can't shake this feeling that something bad happened and he isn't okay," Viola began to sob. Sal sighed and got up to hug her.
"Alright, listen. We'll give it until after lunch at noon, and if we haven't heard from him, we'll start calling around to see if anyone has seen him. However, I will not involve the police until we know he's missing for sure," Salvatore informed as Viola and Caitlyn nodded in agreement about his idea.
(Noon; Sunday, August 19th, 2018)
Four hours had passed and not a word from Hunter, as per the agreement, the Haddock clan made the decision to start with Audrey first since that's where Hunter said he would be. Caitlyn had her phone out and called her brother's girlfriend, keeping it on speakerphone so the family could all hear what was said.
"Hello?" came Audrey's voice.
"Audrey, hi. It's Cait. Um, is my brother with you?" Caitlyn asked gently.
"Hunter's not with me. We got into an argument around 5:20 and I haven't seen or heard from him since. I assumed he went home; he's not there?" Audrey asked quickly.
"No, he never came back here last night. We tried to call a few times, but his phone goes straight to voicemail," Caitlyn replied then sighed slowly, "Well, thanks anyway. We'll try calling the others," Caitlyn hung up after that and looked to her parents.
"So they got into a fight, and Hunter took off. I told you something was wrong! Where would he go?" Viola began to get worked up.
"Breathe, Vi. I'm sure Hunter went to a friend or maybe Greg's. Let's not start jumping to conclusions that he ran away or is hurt somewhere," Salvatore instructed. "Caitlyn, you call the twins, Heather, and Fisher. Vi, call Shawn and Mikayla. I'll call Gregory," he stated. Without another world, the three Haddock family members started making their calls, but after fifteen minutes, there was nothing on Hunter or his whereabouts.
"We could try his army friends," Caitlyn suggested.
"We don't have their numbers or addresses," Viola cried into her her hands. "Call the police, Sal. Find our son," she demanded.
"Just because they haven't seen him doesn't mean he's missing. Now let's get into the car and look for him, we do not involve the police until we've looked first. We'll check some of his favorite places, and even the bars. I know he's not a big drinker but maybe after a fight with Audrey he needed something to relax with," Sal offered. For the next few hours until 3 pm, they checked all over Berkton for Hunter and came up empty handed. Reaching their home, the friends and even Audrey called in to see if they had luck finding him but to no avail. As the time came around to 4 pm, it was decided they would wait until tomorrow at noon once again. If Hunter weren't home or had made contact by then, they would call the authorities to locate him.
(Monday; August 20th, 2018-12:30 pm)
Everyone was over, Audrey too because they were concerned about Hunter. Of course, all of them tried to find out what the argument was over but Audrey said it was between her and Hunter, so she wasn't saying anything about it. "We've waited two days, Sal. I want to know where my son is, call the police," Viola insisted. Sal sighed, as much as he didn't want to, his wife was right. Hunter had been gone since Saturday at 12:30, his last time being seen was leaving Audrey's at 5:20 pm that same day. There had been no updates and Hunter had not returned home. Salvatore picked up the phone and prepared to call 911 when something was heard pulling into the driveway.
"It's Treyden, Andrew, Theo, and...Harry?" Caitlyn informed after looking out the window. "And then a jeep with two others,"
"I guess that means Hunter didn't show up for work today and they are trying to figure out where he is too," Gregory stated calmly. There was a knocking on the door as Salvatore went to answer it, seeing four men there looking worried and two remaining serious, it only made his fear worse.
"Is Hunter here, Sal?" Harry asked right away.
"I'm afraid not and given you're here; I assume he didn't show up to work?" Salvatore inquired.
"No, and unfortunately now we have to call in the military police who have so kindly decided to come along to see what would cause him to take off and not make contact, also where he might go. May we come in?" Harry questioned. Salvatore stepped aside to allow them inside. "You know the four of us, these two are officers Thomas Miles and Jason Braxton, here to help find Hunter. Kingston, Fury, and Vollan confirmed speaking to Hunter on Friday at work and that evening when he said he'd be busy Saturday. He was due for work at 4:30 am today, and there was no record of a call out or him clocking in. We're hoping any of you can fill in the blanks since you noticed he isn't around,"
"The last person to see Hunter was his girlfriend, Audrey at 5:20 pm, Saturday the 18th. He left here at 12:30 to pick her up and never came home. Audrey says they had a fight and Hunter left, hasn't been seen since," Salvatore informed. Suddenly all eyes were on Audrey.
"Can you tell us what the argument was about? Or at least his state of mind, that's far more imperative," spoke one of the officers, Thomas if the group remembered correctly.
"W-Why is his state of mind more important?..." Viola cried lightly.
"It's protocol for us to try and rule out some of the more severe reasons why he would...vanish, shall we say," replied Officer Braxton.
"Su-Such as?" Gregory tried.
Harry sighed. "It's because it's still within in a six-month period that he's been home from war. It's a precaution we take with all the soldiers, and one suddenly takes off like this and hasn't made contact or can't be reached, then we have started considering the possibility of late-onset PTSD," the man explained.
"You mean a situation where he became so upset that he tries to commit suicide or could have already done so," Salvatore closed his eyes.
"Yes, which is why his state of mind after that argument is relevant," remarked officer Braxton again.
"Audrey didn't want to say; she knew she would be yelled at. "Audrey! This is not a time to be silent. Hunter has been missing for two days, and you were the last one to see him after an argument you two had. Do you not understand what is happening? Hunter could have been triggered by a PTSD attack, something he can hurt someone else or himself if he hasn't already committed suicide!" Theo said firmly.
"I did something foolish. Hunter left my house crying at 5:20 pm on Saturday and told me to leave him alone until he contacted me before school started next week," Audrey looked down.
"Boys easy," Harry said.
Treyden pulled Audrey to her feet and moved down the hall to Hunter's room and pushed her inside then shut the door and locked it. "Tell me. Now. This isn't a game, and if you care about him at all, you will tell me so we can find him before something bad happens," Audrey felt the tears form again as she told Treyden the short version of everything that happened. Treyden stared at her then backed up and unlocked the door leading her out. "I seriously cannot even believe you would do something like that to him and if we find Hunter hurt or dead, I'm blaming you entirely," Trey glared at her. "We need to find him. The argument doesn't matter, Hunter's not in a good mental state, and we're wasting time,"
"We looked for him yesterday. His favorite spots, motels, bars even and came up with nothing," Caitlyn informed.
"Would he go anywhere else?" Harry tried. "Any place you might have overlooked thinking it wouldn't be possible?" Everyone shook their head sadly.
"We'll send teams out to start checking the other towns and on the look for Lieutenant Haddock's vehicle," said Officer Miles calmly. Suddenly, Treyden looked up as if remembering something.
"Trey? Treyden, what's wrong?" Andrew asked trying to shake him, but Trey didn't answer.
/Flashback; October 2017-Iraq/
The Hooligan Platoon finally had some down time and decided to use it to relax after all the missions and attacks. The topic had thus become the argument between Hunter and his mother before he forgave her the day of the going away party where they had been called back.
"Would you have just moved out and left?" Treyden asked while Andrew and Theo were talking with the others out in the hall, preparing to go to the entertainment room.
"Hm? Oh, what I said to my Mom about not seeing me again?" Hunter inquired, and Treyden nodded to him. "I was dead serious about that. If all she's gonna do when I call, e-mail, Skype, or even being home is give me shit about being in the army, then yeah, I'm just gonna leave, disappear, and only tell Dad, Caitlyn, Audrey, and my friends where I am," he added.
"What if anyone else gave you trouble or hurt you that much?" Treyden questioned.
"What? Decided to be unsupportive about my choice having no consideration for my feelings. Same thing I suppose. I'd just take off for a while or move elsewhere," Hunter shrugged.
"Where would you go?" Treyden chuckled a bit.
"My favorite place in the world. Downtown Archi City where all the bar/inn establishments are. No one would think to look for me there," Hunter smiled. "I can be in a bar while under eighteen as long as I'm not drinking," he added.
"You're a smart asshole. Go to a place no one would expect you to be," Treyden laughed and then the two of them left to join the others.
/End Flashback/
"TREY!" Andrew, Theo, and Harry yelled as Treyden felt himself get shaken hard and he snapped out of it panting.
"What the hell, man? You just blanked out on us for two minutes," Theo scolded.
"We're supposed to be searching for Hunter, remember," Andrew added.
"The city," Treyden replied.
"You're not making any sense, Treyden," Harry sighed.
"In the city, Hunter's in the city!" Treyden told them as they all blinked. "Just...Ugh, don't ask questions and let's move. Head for the city, downtown. Check the bars and inns for his truck,"
"Where are you getting this? Did he contact you?" Harry asked.
"No! Look, in October last year after the big fight Hunter has with his mother, I asked him if he would have left home if anyone hurt him that much again. I also asked where he would go and he told me his favorite place in the world. Downtown Archi City, trust me, that's where he is." Treyden stated firmly before rushing outside. Not arguing because, with that explanation, it seemed logical, everyone prepared to load up and head into the city, of course, Treyden did order that Audrey goes home because Hunter was not going to want to see her. After that, they were gone, going forty-five minutes to downtown.
(Dragoon's Bar & Inn)
By the time they arrived, it was 1:45 pm and had looked almost at every bar that had an inn too but no sign of Hunter. They were coming up on the last one. Only the Haddock's, Treyden, Theo, Andrew, and Harry had gone for the search. Harry said he would update the officers and if they didn't find Hunter, then it would be time to put on a full search. There was no sign of Hunter's truck, but this was the last place to check, so the seven of them hurried inside.
"Hi folks, welcome to Dragoon's Bar & Inn. What'll it be for ya? Except her, she's too young," the bartender greeted while motioning to Caitlyn.
"We're looking for someone. Eighteen-years-old, male, auburn hair that's military cut, green eyes, and goes by Hunter Haddock?" Harry asked.
"I'm sorry, I can't give out that information. It's...against the policy, and I wouldn't know. I work day shifts and just started yesterday," the man replied, and the group sighed. Another person came over to them now with a soft smile.
"You know his password?" the man said.
"Excuse me?" Viola blinked.
"He left me with a password for anyone who came looking for him to give me," the bartender informed.
"I am his mother; you tell me where my son is!" Viola demanded as Sal backed her up and made her stay quiet.
"This is a matter of urgency, my good man. Hunter is a member of the A.I.A and been missing for two days without making contact to anyone. We're worried he's not okay and might hurt him-" Andrew started, but the barmaid put his hand up to stop him.
"I'm sure you have your reasons, but I have laws to follow regarding privacy. I'm sure if he wanted to be found, he'd of contacted someone. Now, if you pay attention, I can tell you where he's at, but you need to give me the password. It's something I set up for this place when I opened it ten years ago. Patrons who come in trying to get away from things leave me with a password of their choosing, something that if anyone comes looking for them, the password acts as a safety feature. If someone can give me the password he chose, I can tell you where he is," the man said.
"What the hell would Hunter use as a passcode?" Harry groaned. "Do we get a hint?"
"Best Friends," the barmaid leaned back.
"Uh. Travis, Renee, Heather, Fisher?" Caitlyn tried, but the man shook his head.
"Audrey?" Viola said and received another shake from the bartender.
Treyden thought it over. Best friends? Finally, his eyes widened. "Alpha Dragons!" Treyden announced quickly as everyone looked at him.
"You got it. Hunter is around the back in room 201, second floor. Might still be sleeping, he didn't leave here until the bar closed at 1:00 am and came back down when it opened at 12:30 pm. As far as I know, he returned to the room twenty minutes before you arrived," the man said.
"Thank you so much," Treyden told the man then they all went to leave.
"Hold up there. The young man who got the password right can go, the rest of you can't. And it doesn't count if you heard him say it." the bartender informed.
"It's okay, you wait out front, and I'll go get him," Treyden said before exiting the bar and walked around back, sure enough, Hunter's truck sat there all locked up. Making his way up the stairs, he got to room 201 and knocked a few times then waited. After two minutes, the door opened, and Treyden was able to see a very tired looking Hunter.
"How did I know you'd be the one to find me and figure out the password," Hunter said to him.
"Because you're one of my best friends and I remembered what you said about being hurt bad and taking off to the city for a bit. I know what happened, I made her tell me when everyone wanted to figure out where you've been," Treyden replied. Hunter sighed and closed his eyes, Treyden was able to see the tear stains on his cheeks. "I know it hurts, Hunt, but drowning yourself in alcohol isn't going to make that easier. Come on now, let's get back to Berkton. Your family, Harry, and the rest of Alpha Dragons are waiting on the other side of the building,"
Hunter took a deep breath and nodded as he grabbed his things slowly, and Treyden helped him out since Hunter was still drunk for all intensive purposes, thank the Gods he wasn't wasted though. When everything was ready, Treyden took the keys and got Hunter in the truck, then himself as they drove around front seeing the others waiting still. In all that time, Hunter managed to fall back to sleep, so Treyden motioned for them not to wake him up as he went and told the bartender they were leaving and taking Hunter with them.
"How was he, Trey? Is he hurt?" Harry asked.
"No. I checked his arms, legs, wrists, and for any weapons or other methods of committing suicide but found nothing. Hunter's just been in the room looking at pictures of Audrey and him, crying while in between buzzed and drunk. I don't think he wants to hurt or kill himself, he's just trying to feel something other than the pain of what Audrey did," Treyden informed.
"What did she do?" Caitlyn asked.
"It's not up to me to tell you. I know because I was worried about my best friend and forced her to tell me. For now, I think it is best we return to Berkton so he can rest, grab a shower, sober up first and then we can talk to him. Just us, don't have anyone else come over," Treyden suggested, "I'll take Hunter back in his truck and meet you there,"
"Treyden is right; there isn't much we can do right now while Hunter's in this state," Harry agreed. Unable to argue because talking to Hunter while he was drunk wasn't going to do any good, they all loaded up and started the drive back to Berkton. Everyone wanted to know what Audrey did to make Hunter go missing for two days in the city to drink to kill the pain but what mattered now is that he had been found and they could help him as much as he'd allow.
