• Chapter 1 - here
    Chapter 2 - here
    It was about three am when he awoke. He winced as the light penetrated his eyelids, momentarily blinding him. He propped himself up on one shoulder, wincing again as he felt a pain course through his chest, when he felt a hand on his shoulder.
    “Take it easy” he heard a familiar voice. He looked to the owner of the hand, and as his vision returned, he managed a small smile.
    “What are you doing here?” Robert looked at his superior and grinned.
    “Well I could leave you to have all the nurses by yourself could I?” James managed a small laugh before being subjected to a coughing fit. He looked around. He was in a ward all by himself, all the other beds being empty. On the bedside table next to him was a small bowl of grapes and a few cards. He managed to sit up with the help of Robert.
    “What happened?” he said in a small whisper. Robert avoided his gaze, his expression revealing that there as something James wouldn’t want to hear.
    “You passed out. No one knows why. It had something to do with that girl…” He didn’t need to say anymore. James’ eyes widened when his memory flashed back. The girl… she did something to him. He thought he saw something. He quickly pulled back the covers, revealing his bare chest.
    Robert’s eyebrows narrowed.
    “I didn’t know you had a birthmark sir.”
    “You’re not on duty are you? So don’t call me sir here.” He mumbled, still looking down to his chest. His eyes narrowed and he glared at the strange marking on his chest as if he could burn it away with the look alone.
    “Uhm, James?” Robert said, concern deep in his voice.
    James snapped out of his glare and looked to his friend.
    “Hm? Oh, I was just thinking about something…” he lied. He figured he needn’t tell him. He slowly pulled the covers over his chest and glanced to the fruit. “Who’re they from?” he said, trying to make small talk.
    “Oh! They’re from the lads. Said they knew you didn’t like bananas…” he grinned as James pulled a face at the mention of the yellow fruit. “Guess they didn’t want the risk of losing their jobs… or their fertility” Robert joked. James smirked at the thought of everyone actually behaving like his subordinates.
    “Yeah right. They’re probably waiting for me back at HQ with a whole bunch of them…” he shivered involuntarily. That was more like it. He didn’t like the thought of the lads actually behaving themselves. Made things seem unreal.
    Robert’s face dropped at the mention of his superior returning.
    “You’re coming back? When?”
    James glanced over to him, an eyebrow raised questioningly. “As soon as possible. I hate bloody hospitals.” He noted with a professional eye how Robert seemed saddened at the news. “Why? What’s wrong? I thought you wanted me to get out of here…”
    Robert’s eyes lightened, trying to make him seem happier than he felt. “I do. It’s just that… Are you sure you’re okay? I mean, you fell unconscious, yet the doctors say there’s nothing wrong with you. In fact, they say you surprisingly healthy for your age…”
    James waved a hand as if to ward off his friend’s worries. “If the doctors say that I’m healthy, then I’ve nothing to worry about, right?” Robert went to protest, but James cut him off. “That’s enough. I feel fine. It was probably just something I ate.” Robert mumbled some incoherent words but James ignored him, letting him mull it over for a minute.
    “Did you find them?”
    Robert was pulled from his momentary sulk and looked to James, puzzled.
    “Find who si…James?”
    “The girl’s parents.”
    Robert’s face softened. Even in a sick bed he was still able to think about others. He had a rough appearance. Dark eyes, large stature, an expression similar to a scowl and a gruff voice made everyone else weary around him.
    But Robert knew him better.
    “She’s still at the station. No one in the whole of Shropshire has reported a missing child and it looks like she’s a mute…”
    James’ eyebrows furrowed. Not one missing child case? In the whole county?
    “How long have I been out?”
    Robert shifted the weight on his feet, letting his gaze fall. James had to wait before Robert finally answered him under the pressure of the silence.
    “A fortnight.”
    James laughed deeply, making Robert look to him, surprised at the sudden outburst.
    “Two weeks? You really expect me to believe that? Who put you up to this? Was it Gaz?”
    Robert looked at him in disbelief. “I’m not making this up. Trust me on this one.” James looked to Robert, listening to the seriousness in Robert’s voice. He quickly pulled back the covers and swung his legs out of the bed in one move.
    “Sir!”
    “Don’t Sir me!” James snarled as he pushed himself off. He faltered, and Robert darted to his side only to be pushed back with a swipe of James’ hand.