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Jack Walten got home at 9:45 PM on May 2nd, 1974. He was exhausted. His eyes hurt from staring at tiny letters on the paperwork all day, and he felt horrible from sitting in the muggy workshop he and Felix set up at the old K-9 bunker.
He was hungry, and would have to probably heat up leftovers. But that was just his routine, and it had been for the past couple of weeks. He had so much work to do. Bon’s Burgers would open in a month. He wanted everything to go as smoothly as possible.
But, he was home. He wouldn’t have to worry about that for now. He could relax.
Next in his routine was to say hi to his family. Sophie walked downstairs, and he kissed her forehead, asking her how school went. Rosemary, who was sitting on the couch, told her to go back upstairs, since it was late.
He greeted Rosemary with a kiss before he went upstairs to check on Edd and Molly, expecting to see them laying in bed, hopefully asleep.
What he didn’t expect was to find their beds empty.
That was strange.
The bathroom light wasn’t on. There was nowhere else they could usually be at this hour.
He walked back downstairs, looking at Rosemary with a confused expression.
“Hey, did—“
He paused as he got a better look at his wife.
She was anxious. He knew that just by looking at her. She was biting her lip and tapping her foot against the floor, staring at the phone impatiently.
“What’s wrong, Rosie?”
She sighed. “Felix hasn’t called.”
He raised an eyebrow. “What?”
“He hasn’t called. He hasn’t been here yet. I tried calling him, but he didn’t answer.”
Jack’s eyebrows furrowed. It wasn’t like Felix to be this late. Felix had problems getting up in the morning, sure, but he was pretty reliable when it came to getting his family home. He usually came back on time, give or take a few minutes.
“Let me try. Maybe he’ll answer.”
He picked up the phone and dialed Felix’s number.
He waited.
And waited.
And waited.
“Hello, you’ve reached the voice—“
“Mierda…” Jack cursed under his breath.
“—mail box of Felix Kranken. I am unfortunately unable to take your call at the moment. Please leave a message after the tone. Thanks, bye.”
BEEP
“Felix. Where are you? Are you alright? Are Edd and Molly alright? You were supposed to be here 45 minutes ago. Please answer as soon as possible.”
15 minutes later, he tried again.
“Hello, you’ve reached the voicemail box of Felix Kranken. I am unfortunately unable to take your call at the moment. Please leave a message after the tone. Thanks, bye.”
BEEP
“Felix, please answer the phone. Where the hell are you? Please.”
He kept trying as the time got later and later. Over and over again, staying by the phone and calling Felix, asking him the same question. Each time he called, he got angrier and angrier. That damned recording of Felix that played whenever he went to the answering machine didn’t help.
But he couldn’t snap. He wouldn’t. Not in front of Rosemary and Sophie. He had been doing so well with his temper.
He started getting desperate. He called the school. He called Susan and Charles. He called anyone who would know where his children and Felix were.
But nothing.
He called Felix once again, clenching his jaw at the answering machine’s monologue.
BEEP
“Felix.” He said, trying to control his temper. “Pick up the phone. Now. I need you to pick up the phone. It’s been three hours since I told you to get Edd and Molly home. What happened to my children? If anything happened Felix you must tell me. You haven’t called me in three hours I need to know what is going on. I’ve tried to call you all night. What the hell is wrong with you? I’ve been trying to contact you all night. I’ve been calling everyone for you. Just what the hell is wrong with you? Three hours, you didn’t call. I asked you to do one simple favor for me. I need to know, where are they? Where did you go? Please, for the love of god, pick up the phone.”
He hung up, burying his head in his hands. He hadn’t felt this scared in a while.
“Please god, please let them be alright.” He whispered.
Finally, four hours after Felix was supposed to arrive, he snapped.
“Felix.” He said, his voice shaky. “Where are my children? Just answer the damn phone already! What happened?! Answer me!”
Four and a half hours after Felix was supposed to arrive, he had become furious.
“FELIX!” He shouted. “PICK UP THE PHONE, YOU SON OF A BITCH! WHERE THE FUCK ARE MY CHILDREN, FELIX?! WHERE ARE THEY?! I KNOW YOU CAN HEAR ME, KRANKEN! GET OFF OF YOUR ASS AND PICK UP THE PHONE!”
He slammed the phone onto the receiver.
His vision was red. He dug his nails into his palms.
Then, he heard something behind him.
A sob.
He spun around. Rosemary was standing there, tears streaming down her face, biting her knuckle to stop herself from crying.
Jack’s anger faded at the sight of it. His heart broke. “I’m sorry you had to hear that.” He said quietly.
Rosemary didn’t say anything. She rushed forward and wrapped her arms around Jack, burying her face in his shirt. Jack hugged her back, closing his eyes to stop the tears from flowing.
“It’s okay, Rosie. We’re gonna find them.” He whispered reassuringly.
They stood there for a while, before going to get ready for bed.
Before he went to sleep, Jack tried one more time, hoping Felix would finally be home.
“Hello, you’ve reached the—“
He slammed the phone on the receiver. “That fucking bastard.” He muttered.
—————————
The next morning, Jack heard a knock on the door. Rosemary had gone out to run some errands, while Jack stayed home from work that day. He had to think.
He opened it to find a sobbing Felix Kranken.
He glowered at him. “You.”
“Jack, I need help.”
“So do I.” He growled. “Get the fuck inside and sit down on the couch.”
He did as Jack asked, terrified at his tone.
Jack pulled a chair in front of him and sighed. “Felix. I asked you to do ONE SIMPLE FAVOR. I told you to bring my children to the school, and get them home. Am I correct?”
“Y-yes.”
“Great. So, where the fuck are my children?”
“I…I don’t know.” Felix sobbed.
“What the fuck do you mean, you don’t know?”
“I…we got into a crash yesterday, Jack. On the way home. There was a semi-truck that I didn’t see. I lost control of the car and we went off the road. I got knocked out.”
Felix paused for a moment to collect himself. “When I woke up, they were gone. Both of them. I don’t know what happened to them. I don’t know if they walked off, or if they got kidnapped, but they were missing. I spent three hours looking around the woods for them, but I couldn’t find them. I went looking again this morning, and found the Rocket doll lying on the ground. I couldn’t find any footprints or anything. They’re just gone. I was gonna call you, but my head hurt, and then I passed out on the couch before I could call you, and…I’m so sorry.” He said, burying his face in his hands.
Jack got up, pointing a finger at Felix. “You are going to help us find them. I don’t care what happens, or how bad you feel about whatever happened to them, you’re going to help us. You understand me?“
Felix nodded.
Jack pursed his lips. “Good. I’m glad. If you’ll excuse me, I have work to do.”
“I’m sorry Jack. I really am.”
“I know. That’s why I’m hoping you’ll help us look.”
He walked to the phone and dialed 911, hoping to file a missing report for Edd and Molly.
Felix sighed, wiping his eyes.
He was so screwed.