I really like this chapter so please review and tell me what you think. If you think I'm a bit OOC please warn me so I can make adjustments next chapter. Since I'm in England the third season is coming out…tomorrow night I think? So I'm recording it and I'll try to watch the first episode soon, like Wednesday.

Hal was gone.

Ben watched his father stare aimlessly into the distance, his face blank, eyes glassy and void of emotion. He was used to seeing him like this when he thought no one was looking; sat there for a few minutes just contemplating in silence before he was whisked away on another errand. However now he was ignoring everyone, completely lost in his own tangle of feeling; and no one dare interrupt his emotional stupor. It was disconcerting for Ben to see his father so visibly broken and he could sense the unease of the others positioned around him. Dai, Anthony, Anne, Maggie, Pope and Captain Weaver murmured quietly to each other though their eyes never left Tom Mason. If Tom was aware of their attention, he didn't show it; just slouched, unblinking in a hard, plastic chair.

Captain Weaver was the only other person seated-against the insistence of Dr Glass to rest and recuperate in bed-gingerly holding his bandaged side; his face pale and drawn, eyes conveying his discomfort underlined by dark, black bags and a tight grimace. Ben tapped his foot gently on the floor, keeping a steady rhythm that stopped complete, awkward quiet from descending upon the room. The wall he was currently leant against was cold to the touch and the white paint was dulled with dirt and dust that Ben absentmindedly picked at with a long finger. Maggie slowly approached him, placing a comforting hand against his shoulder and sliding next to him tentatively.

"You okay?" she whispered, blocking off the others with her back to privatise their conversation whilst still allowing Ben to guard his father.

Ben frowned and shrugged, still not looking away "I just…it's difficult…he was right there…but it wasn't him…"

"I know," Maggie said, chewing her lip thoughtfully "I thought the same thing. I so badly wanted to run out to him…but it's not the time. We'll get our chance."

Ben nodded, then tilted his head toward his father "Can he wait that long though?"

Maggie didn't reply for a second, just scrutinised Tom's distant expression "We'll find Hal…till then all we can do is try to carry on and do our best to win this war. It's the whole point of our group isn't it?"

Without waiting for a reply, Maggie pushed off the wall and briskly walked toward Dai and Anthony who started at her curiously as she approached the corner.

Ben lowered his head for a second, sighing deeply. It had been a serious struggle the last three months; Hal's disappearance damaging the group even more than when Tom was captured. Even Pope seemed effected by his brother's abduction becoming slightly more aggressive and snappy though always quietening whenever Matt or Ben were around in a strangely supportive manor. In fact the Berserkers as a collective had in some respect adopted Matt into their small group, though never involving him in anything…distasteful. Tom would never allow that and Pope knew better than to pressurise the man further, though he disguised his caring with the fact that he detested manual labour within the group especially when it concerned civilians as Tom's job entitled. On occasion, Pope would lessen the load on his father's shoulders, just odd tasks and he had taken to planning supply runs and stockpiling weapons as he knew Ben had little experience in that field. In return some if his more shady dealings were overlooked or forgiven more easily.

Ben had been more affected by his older brother's disappearance than he would readily admit, in a way that surprised him after Ben had convinced himself that they hated each other due to their ornate differences and constant arguing. It was a injudicious belief that made no logical sense to anyone, including Ben, but nevertheless it was how he had felt for a number of years especially after he had returned to his family after his life with the Skitters. Hal had never understood Ben, and to be honest Ben didn't feel like he really knew his brother. Despite their closeness in age Ben knew nothing about his brother or interests and barely acknowledged Hal's achievements. They had always been in constant competition throughout their youth, though Ben had always been rewarded with more praise due to his more academic achievements and Tom's respect for all types of academia. Ben had always felt a slight hint of guilt whenever Tom would commend him so openly yet pleasantly congratulate all of Hal's sporting triumphs unlike their mother. Rebecca would often scold her husband for his lack of interest in Hal's life and for missing some of his proudest moments, hence the detachment between Tom and his eldest son.

There was also a deep envy of Hal's ability to make friends, connect with people and sustain relationships. Whereas Ben struggled to even hold a basic conversation, Hal spoke to girls, was popular around school and on social networking websites, asked out by girls, invited to parties and generally had a fantastic social standing within school. No one didn't know who he was; being the star player in most of the school's sports teams and the main character in every theatrical event made him the face of the school who every teacher adored even when he 'lost' his homework. The worst of all was he was fantastic at all of it and still a good person that cared for everyone he met. Even the nerds worshipped him. All Ben would hear was how cool Hal was, and whether he could introduce them to Hal, what Hal was like at home, his mobile number and favourite things. It would drive him nuts and if anything made him even more socially awkward, avoiding whoever he could and making it clear to his friends that Hal was an unmentionable subject of conversation. Even in school events where Hal was winning points for their house, Ben strictly banned any cheering or encouragement of his older brother out of nothing but spite. Reflecting back, Ben felt pathetic and sad, disappointed in his own selfish behaviour especially after Hal was always so supportive of everything he did; attending every scholastic championship sometimes even when it meant missing a match or practice.

"Ben?"

Ben jumped at the gentle voice beside him and span round with a look of surprise written on his face.

Anne stood beside him, staring deep into his eyes as if reading his thoughts "Is everything alright? You're not going to pass out on me are you?"

"I-I'm okay," Ben stuttered, finally noticing that the sun had now set and everyone save himself, Anne and Tom-who was still sat in exactly the same position- had left the room.

Anne followed his gaze around the room "Everyone left about an hour ago. You looked…busy…so we didn't disturb you."

Ben's gaze fell and he just bowed his head, eyes wide and mouth agape in a strange feeling of awe and confusion.

"Matt's been asking for you," Anne blurted anxiously, seeing he was seemingly unable to respond "You should go see him, I think he needs someone to talk too. No one's told him anything about what happened, other than that we saw Hal and he was alive."

Fiddling with the zip of his jacket, Ben just murmured "Hal was always better at that kind of thing…breaking bad news I mean. Either Mum or him were the ones who looked after him if he was upset or sick-he preferred talking to them."

"I'm sure Matt would disagree with you. You've done a great job over the last few months; don't give up now."

When Ben finally managed to meet her eyes, he saw the sincerity reflected in her words and acknowledged her words before throwing a glance to his father, stock still in his seat.

She scrutinised Tom with a worried scowl "Don't worry about your Dad, I'll look after him…I promise."

Nodding gratefully, Ben threw one last glance his father's way before slowly trailing toward the door and heading out into the busy corridor.

His mind filled with heavy thoughts.