Silence, Chapter 5

See disclaimer in Chapter 1

The next morning Will took his morning coffee into his office and started going through some notes, when there was a knock at his door. He found himself waiting for the sound of the other shoe, but decided doing his normal, daily business was the best course of action. He felt he had a plan of action ready, if needed, and that helped.

"Come in," Will called from his desk, rather than getting up.

The door swung open. "Henry." Will was somewhat surprised to see his friend. Henry rarely came to his office

"Hey, got a minute?"

Will gestured toward a chair. "Sure. What's up?"

"Oh, nothin'," Henry dropped down into the chair and casually rubbed an ear. Definitely something. He gestured towards Will's papers. "Whatcha workin' on?"

"Oh, you know, more abnormals Magnus wants me to look over. Potential missions, that kind of thing."

"Ah. Hey, how are you doing, you know, with the whole…"

"You mean my waning super powers?"

Henry huffed. "Yeah, that."

"Well, I'm still under the influence. Don't tell Magnus, but I smashed one of her coffee cups this morning."

Henry laughed. "Man, she's gonna stick you in the Shoe for sure."

"Yeah, she wasn't too happy when I killed my nightstand." They shared a grin. "Hey, how are you doing, you know, with your changes?"

Henry's smile faded. "I…okay, I guess. Doc tells me to let it just happen, but it's not easy."

"Yeah, I can imagine. You're in the right place, though, you know. Imagine if you were living a normal life in the suburbs with a wife and kids, not having a clue about abnormals and this started to happen. At least you know what's going on and you're with people who understand and can help you."

Henry gave him an intent look. "Yeah, I never thought of it like that. I guess I am lucky to be here, aren't I?"

"Absolutely and…" He was just about to tell Henry that if he ever wanted to talk, he, Will, would be there for him, when Ashley burst through the door.

"Will, Henry, mom didn't come home last night."

A fist clenched itself around Will's heart. He shot to his feet.

Henry was on his feet as well. "What? Where would she go?"

Ashley was clearly agitated. "I don't know, but I have a good idea." She gave Will a probing look.

Will sighed and threw his pen down on the desk. "She's been seeing Druitt. Now that he's back to normal she thinks she can help him."

Ashley looked both betrayed and astounded. "Why would she do that? She's been guarding us against him my whole life and now she wants to spend time with him?" She looked disgusted. "And why would you let her do it?" She glared at Will.

Will huffed out a breath. "I don't think I have the power to "let" her do anything. In fact, I tried to convince her that Druitt's change wouldn't be permanent, but she told me to stay out of it. Ashley, your mother still has strong feelings for your father…"

Ashley's hand shot up. "Do NOT call him that. He's not my father. He's a sperm donor, that's all." Both men exchanged uncomfortable looks. "What if he's changed back? What if he hurt her? He could have her anywhere and we wouldn't be able to find her." Ashley's voice broke.

Will came around the desk to take Ashley's shoulders in his hands. "Ashley, we'll find her. In fact, I don't know exactly where they are, but I have a good idea of the direction."

Ashley and Henry both frowned and said in unison, "How?"

"I, uh, I followed her one night."

******

"I'll bet this is it," Ashley proclaimed.

"Why here?" Henry frowned up at the old brick building.

"Well, good old dad, "Ashley sneered the word, "has a thing for closed warehouses. Take it from me, I know."

They were standing in the street Will had watched Helen walk down the night he followed her. "Where's the Big Guy?" Will asked.

"He said he'd come a different way. He has to stay undercover, you know," Ashley said quietly. She pulled on the handle of the old metal door, and it came open with a creak. She gave them a triumphant look.

"See? Dad sticks to what he knows." Ashley reached behind her for her gun and entered the building, leaving Will and Henry to follow.

As they got inside, the first thing Will noticed was there were lights on overhead. Someone was definitely here. Then he saw a figure lying on the floor. Helen was lying against the far wall, unconscious, with a thin trickle of blood along the side of her mouth. God, Will thought, he hoped she was just unconscious.

Ashley saw her, too. "Mom!" She started to run to her, Henry following.

Will stayed where he was. He took the epi pen out of his pocket and jammed it into his upper thigh.

TBC