Work Text:
RING
RING
RING
The high pitched ringing of the landline bounced off the walls of the quiet house, penetrating through the sound of the Chicago cubs who were playing on Tv the light flickering against the dark walls. Saul sat reclined in his armchair with a six-pack of his favourite beer cradled between his thighs, popping his fourth bottle open with the opener next to him sighing with contentment as he took a swig. His arm hung limp down from the chair which groaned under his weight as he shifted. It had seen better days, the leather was cracked and faded with years worth of sweat and spilt beer soaked into it. Saul huffed, turning the Tv up louder trying to drown out the ringing. Hoping whoever it was would just give up. Probably just a scam caller or his doctor booking his next appointment, he needed more pills anyway.
RING
RING
The call seemed to be louder this time, and Saul tried to ignore it but it was starting to grate on his nerves. Finally, he slammed his beer down on the table next to him swearing when foam spilled all over the wood. With a grunt, he forced himself up, limping over to the phone. Grabbing it off the receiver and preparing himself to tell whoever it was to go away. His gaze lingered on the Chicago Cubs, watching their pitcher reel his arm back. “What?!” He barked down the phone, impatience and irritation thick in his voice.
“Saul?… it…it’s Jay” came the meek voice of his younger brother.
Saul’s demeanor shifted instantly, he hadn’t heard his little brother's voice in a few weeks but was too scared to make the first call. They weren’t as close as they were when they were kids, but Jay knew he could ring Saul anytime for advice or if he just needed to talk. “Ah, sorry about that Jay, thought you were someone else” he muttered, awkwardly rubbing the back of his neck trying to find the right words to say. Jay sounded rough, as if he had been crying. Saul couldn’t help but wonder how pitiful Jay must have looked. He knew Jay had always been the more sensitive one of them both, taking after their mothers “bleeding heart”. Saul had always been the protector—the stronger one, or so he’d been told.
“How are you?” Jay asked, his voice cracking. Saul wanted to ask the same, but the words stuck in his throat. He wasn’t good with emotions. He’d learned long ago to lock his feelings away and keep the tough guy act up.
“I’ve been good, works been decent”
“How’s your leg?” Jay asked, Saul sighed and leant against the wall trying to keep pressure off his left leg.“It’s been good, I’m off the walking stick now but I still walk with a limp” Jay hummed on the other end of the phone, “how have you been?” Saul asked, Jay let out a small whimper sounding like he was going to burst into tears again “fine… me and Lu have been ok…” Saul nodded “that’s good, how’s Nicky been? I heard you guys had moved, has he settled in ok?” He asked quietly.
“That's what I’m actually calling about Saul”
Saul’s chest tightened, his stomach dropping. “What’s wrong?” A horrible feeling in his stomach began to arise.
“Nicky’s missing.”
The room seemed to collapse in on itself, Saul’s lungs tightened, hand gripping the phone. He let out a loud gasping noise like a fish out of water “What?” He asked, eyes wide as he took several deep breaths in and out just as his doctor had instructed him to do when he felt overwhelmed. “Nicky’s missing” Jay reinstated, sounding as if Saul hadn’t heard him the first time. The Chicago Cubs blared too loud, the lights were too bright. Saul was now acutely aware of every fibre of wool in his jumper. He felt suffocated.
His mind raced imagining different scenarios, Luanne and Jay mourning the loss of their only child. Nicky who was probably scared and alone, or worse, trapped somewhere enduring unspeakable horrors. His breath caught in his chest.
“Shh, Saul, calm down,” Jay’s voice came softly, soothing him as best as he could. Saul cursed under his breath, Jay was the one who needed soothing not him. “I… I’m okay,” Saul said, pushing himself to stand slowly. “What’s your address?”
Saul had never driven so fast in his entire life, he swore he had broken a few laws and earned a few tickets but he didn’t care. He just thought of Nicky, his sweet nephew who was far too kind sometimes. while he was packing his mind wandered to the endless lists of possibilities. Had he fallen for the “lost puppy” trick? Or the candy trick? Maybe someone had simply snatched him up and taken him away. Saul remembered how, whenever he’d visit, he’d look away for a moment and Nicky would be gone, trotting off to inspect a rock or some other distraction. It was always so easy for him to slip away.
When he finally pulled up outside his brother's house taking a moment to appreciate the pretty turquoise paint before knocking on the door. After a few minutes of knocking, Lu opened the door and practically flew into his arms crying, getting tears all over his shirt. “Saul!” She cried into his chest trying to control herself somewhat, sniffling as her husband comforted her. She looked so…dishevelled, her hair was a mess and looked as if she hadn’t washed her hair in a few days or slept. She had deep eyebags and the lack of makeup made her seem so much more tired. “I got here as fast as I could” he said, bringing his duffel bag inside which was packed with a few clothes and essentials. “Come in,” Lu said flatly, her usual warmth gone. She led him to the kitchen where she proceeded to pour herself, Jay and Saul a cup of coffee, Saul didn’t miss the way her hands shook as she tried not to spill it. “How have you been?” She asked, it was hollow, like she was forcing herself to fill the silence. “Fine” he replied not wanting to worry her by saying how panicked he had been when he had gotten the news. “Good” she said, sipping her coffee, adding far too much creamer and sugar like she was trying to give herself a heart attack.
“So… when did Nicky-“
“Four days ago” Jay replied and Luanne shook more, “the police think it’s a run away” Saul nodded and sipped his own coffee trying not to grimace at how strong it was. “They think Nicky is… disturbed” Jay tried to put lightly as if he was tip-toeing around something fragile. “He’s just recently lost his best friend, Aaron, who lives across the street”
Jay sipped his coffee “Aaron lives across the street with his father Theodore, Diane his mother has died also in a car crash not long before him and his sister Mya went missing” Saul watched his brother put “missing” in air quotations “they are at a aunts in Minnesota but Nicky seems convinced they are still in raven brooks” Saul sighed and leaned back against his chair, dragging a hand down his face. “Nicky has always been like this” Saul muttered and Jay nodded, sighing in agreement “he has always been curious and…” he stopped himself but Saul finished him “a wanderer”. Lu nodded at that and spoke up, voice cracking “his bubba always said that… she called him “little wolf” because of it”
Saul stood up, dumping the coffee in the sink, trying to ignore the amount of empty takeout containers piled up and undone dishes in the sink. The house felt depressing, dusty shelves, unvacuumed carpets, the faint smell of old food. Saul drummed his fingers on the sink.“You’re both exhausted,” he said, his voice firm. “Lu, go upstairs, have a shower. You too, Jay. I’ll take care of the dishes and the rest. You won’t find Nicky if you’re not mentally fit.” Luanne nodded as she slowly stood, leaning on Jay for support. She looked like she might collapse right there. Saul watched them go before turning to the sink to wash the dishes.
When everything was clean and drying Saul stepped outside to take a breather, he pulled the pack of cigarettes from his pocket and lit one up. He drew in a deep breath letting the smoke sit in his lungs before letting it out slowly, stuffing the packet back in his pocket. Satisfied with the work he had done- dusting, vacuuming, cleaning the kitchen. Now, at least, the weight of a clean house wouldn’t add to Luanne and Jay’s stress. Just as he was about to head back inside, he heard a cough behind him. Turning around, he found a tall man standing on the porch, his hair slicked back and eyes a pale green. His skin was too pale, as if he’d spent too much time inside.
“Hello” he said, voice smooth tho with a slight hint of concern like Saul wasn’t meant to be there. “Hello” Saul replied, finishing his cigarettes and stamping it out under his boot making sure to pick it up to dispose of later. “Who are you?” Saul asked, stepping down the porch watching the stranger extend his hand in a friendly manner. “Theodore Peterson” the man replied, taking Sauls hand and shaking it firmly, a little too firm for his liking.
“Saul” he replied, “Jay’s brother” he confirmed.
“Oh I assume you heard about Nicholas then” Theodore replied, sympathy creeping its way into his voice. “I did,” Saul nodded, looking at the ground as Theodore took a step closer, smiling kindly “I have my door open if you ever need to talk.” Saul smiled back but there was something about this man he didn’t trust. His vibes were off, like a wolf in sheep's clothing hiding his true intentions from everyone until the perfect moment he could strike.
Saul nodded but something about this man set him on edge. Theodore’s gaze lingered on Saul’s military jacket, and there was a flicker of fear in his eyes.“Military trained?” Theodore asked, almost nervously. “Vietnam,” Saul confirmed, standing up just a little bit straighter. Theodore’s smile simply tightened, his eyes flashing with something Saul couldn’t place, perhaps panic. “Well Saul… I wish you the best in helping find Nicholas, send Luanne and Jay my sympathies.” Saul nodded, wanting to keep the man longer to talk to him more about how exactly he knew Nicky since he knew Theodore was Aaron's father and perhaps knew anything more about Nicky. Instead, he watched as Theodore disappeared into his house with a firm CLICK of the door