Page 124 of Steel

“Alright. We have communication. If you see anything, report back with your location. If you see wild animals, use the dart guns. Don’t take any chances, but we need to find him quickly.”

“Seriously. We will find him, Violet,” Axe said and squeezed her arm. “You’re in good hands. Including with my brother.”

She closed her eyes. “I trust you. Just know he’s my whole world. My little boy.”

“Alright. Let’s head out,” I told the crew, grabbing my flashlight, nodding to Axe. He could tell how upset I was.

“I’m coming with you,” Violet said from behind me.

“No, you are not. This is something we need to do. We’re trained for this, Violet.” I turned to face her.

With her head shaking, she moved around me, grabbing a flashlight. “This is my son. My child. Mine! I need to help find him.” Finally, tears appeared, but her expression of determination was exactly the woman I’d met.

Her outburst wasn’t untypical for a mother who’d lost a child.

The silence in the room was unnerving for everyone.

I crowded her space even though she didn’t want me to. “Listen to me. I know you don’t trust me right now and think I’m to blame for Damon running away, but we’re trained to find people who are lost, which is what Damon is. He doesn’t know the area. He is in danger, Violet. I’m not going to lie to you and havingyou out there with us will only slow us down. I can’t worry about losing you too. Can you understand that?”

“You don’t understand.”

“I think I do. Now, you’re going to need to place your trust in me for a little while. I promise you I’ll find him. Besides, you need to stay here in case he comes back.”

She continued to shake her head. “Fine, but I’m going to hold you to it. Find my son.”

“Yes, ma’am. I will.”

The woods surrounding the three homes went on for miles. The river bisected the area and given that the location was at the base of the woods, only the access road provided any ability for emergency vehicles to find its way to the center of the acreage. That’s one reason I’d purchased the house where I was currently living. The privacy and lack of access.

Now I regretted not being closer to town.

“No, Steel. I’ve changed my mind. He is my son and I’m going with you whether you like it or not.” Her determination was not going to be challenged. “Josie can stay here. Right?”

Another challenge.

“Of course, I’ll be here,” Josie answered. “Let her go, Steel. I would do the same thing.”

Every person who’d been on a rescue knew this wasn’t a good idea, but it was possible he would eventually come to the sound of her voice.

“Alright, but you’re coming with me and you’re going to do exactly as I say. Grab a jacket and a flashlight.” While exhaling, Ibacked away, waiting as she did. “Let’s go. We have a job to do. We’ll head in the location of this barn.”

The way Violet lifted her head, staring into my eyes would scorch my soul for weeks to come. I had to find Damon unharmed and bring him to safety if it was the last thing I did on this earth.

Flashlights helped lead the way, but it wasn’t long before the dense forest became oppressive. For a child with no source of light, only his will to get away, the situation had to be terrifying. The only light was that of the moon and even then, there was little getting through the thick canopy.

We branched out, hoping to find any clues.

The two of us walked in silence, heading directly toward the river. The sound might draw his attention. The dart gun along with my duffle full of rescue equipment was tossed over my back. We’d have everything we needed for a rescue.

Only I prayed to God it wouldn’t come to that.

“Call his name. Do it every few minutes. Then stop and listen,” I instructed.

“Okay. Damon. Where are you? Damon?”

She did as I instructed, calling his name every thirty seconds. I wasn’t going to tell her that there was no sign of him. I’d had some training in rescue, including what to look for.

While he was small, the foliage was thick, including ground cover. He’d break limbs or crush leaves while trying to make his way through the forest. So far, nothing. I kept the idea of the barn in the back of my mind.