Page 2 of Freeing Hawk
Exploding bodies, screaming babies, demons rising from the sands of Iraq. When I first arrived home, they haunted me, made me wake up screaming. I barely had time to deal with it all. Tin was murdered and I had to sack up and dive back into war-mode to help my best friend.
Still the demons visited me at nights, taking on different forms my subconscious thought would drive me mad.
I wasn’t as terrified of them anymore—no matter what form they took. Now, they were just inconveniences that disrupted my sleep, pushing me into fatigue.
My therapist said I stood in defiance of them—whatever the hell that meant.
I supposed she meant I was making them my bitch. Either way, I couldn’t be sidelined because my mind wouldn’t behave.
From somewhere in the distance a strange wailing sound filled the night inside my head. I looked around, trying to figure out where it was coming from. It didn’t sound like anything I was familiar with—not a sidewinder or a cruise missile.
Though the sky darkened, and the horizon glowed a strange neon orange colour, the sound was still a mystery.
Over seconds the noise changed, and I jerked upward in bed.
My cell was ringing.
I frowned and grabbed it.
“Yeah?” I grunted. My back was pulsing a little more than usual and my head was throbbing behind my eyes. This was worse than a hangover.
“Hawk?”
“Mia?” I groaned and reached across to turn on the bedside lamp. “What’s going on?”
“Sorry. I didn’t mean to wake you, but I don’t know what else to do?” She sobbed. “Are you home?”
“Yeah.”
“Is King with you?”
“With me?” I shook my head needlessly. “No. I’ve been in California. Didn’t he tell you?”
“No, he didn’t. He hasn’t been telling me a lot of things, it’s seems.”
“Okay?” I arched a brow. “Mia, what’s wrong? I’ve never heard you talk about Kingston like this.”
“King hasn’t been home.” She told me. “He hasn’t called, texted, video-chat—nothing.”
“Well, it’s normal for him to work late.” I told her. “Why are you freaking out?”
“It’s been two days.” Mia told me. “That’s not normal—we both know that. At first, I thought he left because he didn’t ask for this baby. I should have been more careful.”
“Mia, now you know better.” I snapped. “Even if Kingston was supposed to leave, he wouldn’t go anywhere without that baby. You and I know this. Now, put that garbage to the back of your mind.”
“Are you sure?” She sobbed. “Nothing beats this kind of stress.”
I rubbed my eyes. “King didn’t run off. Have you called the station?”
“They haven’t been telling me anything.” Mia was frustrated. “I don’t know where he is. And they’re telling me I’m being difficult! My fucking husband is missing! And these people who are supposed to have his back has no fucking clue!”
“I haven’t spoke to Kingston since the day I left for vacation.” I told her. “Look, I’m sure there’s a logical reason why he hasn’t called. Calm down. Stress can’t be good for the baby. Let me make a few calls. I’ll find him.”
“Thanks, Hawk. I’m freaking out.”
“Breathe.” I told her. “We can’t have you stressing right now.”
“I know. But you said it yourself. It’s not like him to disappear like this—especially because of the baby.” Mai groaned.
