Chapter 6

Gloom.

Shane Walsh was wide awake as he lay in bed with his mind in a rather troublesome state of vexation. And he'd been that way for hours, even long before the late Autumn Georgia sun slowly pierced its way through the crisp cold morning sky.

Yesterday's series of unfortunate events had robbed the man of his sleep, and for quite a while Lori too, both had experienced an extremely long, hard, and difficult night who's troubles have inconveniently stretched into Shane and Lori's brand new day.

Why Carl? The mentally flogged man mulled.

Then Shane looked over at his love tenderly wrapped up in his protective embrace, and with a free hand, lovingly swept away straight brown hair back from the woman's pale puffed face, as she quietly rest against her lover's chest.

Good, he said quietly. Finally the distraught woman has fallen asleep after having cried most of the night, and some of the early morning, out of concern for her child. Because her boy was gone and alone, and without either one of his parents there to see after him.

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Once Shane and Lori lefted the Playroom Director's office they immediately sprung into action and wasted no time in searching for her boy.

But they both were at a disadvantage, because neither one had a clue of where to look first, or how long Carl had even been missing. And time was of the essence, it was dark out and getting colder by the minute.

Lori, belittling herself for not thinking of it before, and really don't know why she hadn't; took out her phone and called Carl's number. Rick had installed a tracking app on it when he first gave the phone to their boy after the divorce, and against her unbending objections.

"He's too young Rick! Carl is just 5 years old!" She said forcefully.

But he was uncharacteristically stubborn, and would not budge.

"It's for the boy's safety Lori! End-of-story," the Sheriff had said with that slight head tilt.

And the call didn't go through.

"Oh no," the boy's mother cried. Carl's phone was dead, and Lori began panicking even more. But Shane reassured her that that could mean anything, and encouraged the woman not to think the worst. Because what good would that do Carl.

So with the phone being a bust, the two looked everywhere and anywhere that they could think of; three movie theaters, the child's two favorite restaurants, a couple of book stores that they'd taken him to once or twice…, even the Mall. And to no avail still no Carl.

And out of all the many people asked, none remembered, or could recalled ever seeing a young boy alone, or fitting Carl's description.

And that had frustrated the two adults to no end, because even at 7 both knew him to be a resourceful kind of kid, and now a very resourceful kind of kid with money at his disposal. And would be remissed to forget one who had a keen sense of direction and could also read a bus schedule to a T; even without his phone for help.

Carl could be anywhere! And it was getting very late; too late for a child his age to be out alone.

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Shane had known from the very start that he should never have agreed to Lori's plea of not calling the police.

Him being a Deputy Sheriff knew better, and was aware more than the average person that the first few hours when looking for a missing child, or children are the most crucial. And anything past 24 hours, then the chances of finding them diminishes expeditiously.

However, anytime after 72 it's sad to say they were looking for a body, or bodies.

But, Shane just would not allow his mind to go there. He couldn't, because there were so many places where a 7 year old could be, and be there unharmed.

But then and again, on the flip side of things, there were also so many places where things could still go wrong with and to Carl, he thought worriedly.

Now hadn't he been the one who told Lori earlier not to panic?

But, that's the whole crux of the matter…it's Carl and his wellbeing. And he alone was why they needed help, but Shane had promised the little boy's mother. And he would not go back on his word to her no matter what.

Lori had been adamant, she wanted to do it her way. They didn't need the authorities involved was what she had to say, the two of them could find her boy on their own.

However, Shane being an Officer of the law knew that that was not true, but more of a hopeful lie and Lori's fear speaking. He also knew why she felt that way in spite of the inherent danger to Carl. And due to the circumstances it was a no-brainer for him, which consisted of two words…Richard Grimes.

Shane bit down on his jaw, and looked up at the ceiling as he brood over yesterday, and the man behind that name. His ex-best friend, who for the better part of the last two plus years has been nothing but a thorn in the man's side; giving Shane a great deal of distress all day, and everyday. If it wasn't Rick wanting to spend more time with Carl, then it was the effect that the man was having on his woman Lori.

He's always there, and in every kind of way! Keeping her upset! The smug son of a bitch!

And he did it again, but biting down even harder this time, which was a rather unfortunate move to do on Shane's part!

Because, just like the last time, that action did nothing more but add to the pressure that was already radiating throughout the man's throbbing temples. Not only hadn't he been able to sleep, but now has a pulsating throb of a headache to deal with too!

Shane knew of the fear that Lori was dealing with. Her being afraid of what Rick would do if he ever found out about their boy being missing, and the power that that information held; giving him just the right ammunition needed to use this situation against her to get Carl back.

And Lori's lover from his core knew too that he wasn't going to allow that to ever happen. No siree Bob-not-nev-er! That would hurt her to no end, and it would also interfere with his plans for them starting a whole new life together elsewhere.

He, Lori and Carl belongs together. They are the family!

Because there's a wonderful life to be had by all three of them out west, and it comes with a great job offer that Shane plans on taking. It's the position as Sheriff that's waiting for him in Kodda Falls, Idaho; a rather popular ski town located close to the Canadian boarder. He's even put in a very good bid for a rather large house for the three of them.

Even though the place is nothing as close too, or like the home and property that Rick has, it's a start for right now. And Shane believes that Lori will love it, along with the fact that it has a more than ample size fenced in yard for a growing boy, and a dog if his Bud so desires.

And that's why there is no way in, or out of Hell, that he is ever going to allow Rick to mess that up for him-, for them

An irate and livid Shane at the moment, also had known that they were playing with fire too! Mainly and most importantly with Carl's safety and his life, along with both the authorities and his ex-friend. Because, when it comes to the wellbeing of that man's son, Rick was a fool who could be an extremely unpredictable and dangerous one too!

And when he and Lori finally did give up their efforts, and went to the police station for help, and reported Carl missing; they both found out first hand just how much fire the two had been playing with, which was of no surprise to the Deputy at all.

The hotel, and rightly so had already reported the child missing. Carl was almost kidnapped, and now in the protected custody of Children Services, and placed in foster care. Lori nor he could see her boy, and lastly but certainly not least by any long shot, Sheriff Richard Grimes, the boy's father knew all about it. And had for quite some time.

Now Shane and Lori's plan of going back to the courthouse to get married is out of the question; well, at least for now anyway. Everything has gone so wrong when he had been so close to having it all!

Just why in the world would Carl have any reason to run away? And how could a day that started out with so much promise, have ended like it had? The man wondered angrily.

And at that thought Shane felt his free hand balling up in a rather tight unyielding fist, wishing he had something, or someone to hit, and hit extremely hard!

"Rick you holier-than-thou bastard!" the incensed man filled full with rage hissed.

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Lori feigned sleep as she laid very still, wrapped firmly in Shane's embrace, but felt anything but secure while laying there in the man's strongs arms. Because unfortunately for her, she was in the wrong place! And in the arms of the wrong man.

Oh my God! our baby was almost kidnapped, the woman wanted to scream out loud, but didn't.

And she'd heard Shane, as well as felt his body tense up when she did.

Yes, her and Rick's Carl was safe. Thank you Lord for that! But she couldn't see, nor talk to him. Lori didn't even know how her boy was, where he was, or who he was with, and if he was scared or not.

And saying that she doesn't care one lick what that Mrs. Anderson Ross had to say about anything was putting it mildly, because she's Carl's mother and he needs his Mom now!

Oh yeah, and Rick knows, she groaned inwardly.

Which really hadn't been much of a surprise, because, Lori had known that fact with complete certainty when his numbers came up on her phone earlier last evening, along with those of the police. And that included the very first time he'd called, and then all the rest that she'd unwisely ignored too.

Now he won't even pick up, or answer when she calls!

Rick's ex-wife was now a desperate piece of work, who needed to talk to, or just hear her ex-husband's voice, even if it's filled full with anger and all directed straight at her. She didn't care.

But everything was going to be alright, her father promised when they'd spoken over the phone late last night; after her and Shane had lefted the police station. Lori, thought frantically.

He'd assured his little Bunny that he was going to fix it all!

And Daddy…, well he always keeps his promises to her, and does what he says-Right? Lori questioned as sleep slowly creeps in, and a lone tear rolled from her eye, and down an already salt stained cheek.

However, in spite of her father's promise the woman still had a heavy heart like never before, because no matter what William Carl Henderson had promised his little Bunny, Lori knew in her heart of hearts that this time things were, and would be different.

Much more different in more than one way. A way that she couldn't help but feel was going to leave her being on the losing end of everything; of Carl and...Rick.