Laura
Laura knew that the drone of the airplane engine ringing in her ears wasn't real. She knew it was just her own mind reminding her of what terrible things could happen. She'd started hearing that horrible engine anytime she was too quiet. It was the sound of loss.
She had to find Dallas. She needed her brother to be okay and safe. She was supposed to watch out for him. She was supposed to keep him safe. Mom and Dad had asked her to. They asked her before they left. They put it in their wills that she would watch over Dallas and Ivy if anything happened to them.
And she was failing.
She had only been in charge for a few months and she had already lost Dallas. He was out there, wandering around in the snow. He was cold and scared. She'd lost him. What was she going to tell Ivy?
Laura looked up, trying to see the airplane making the noise in her mind. A snowflake landed on her cheek.
And now it was snowing. Her brother was lost in the snow.
She couldn't have stopped the tears if she tried. The engine droned through her mind, telling her that she was going to lose everything she cared about. She tried to keep the sobs of terror and loss inside, to keep them where she was in control, but it was no use. Her body shook and couldn't contain them.
She didn't want Ethan to see her like this. She didn't want anyone to see her break like this, but especially not him. Of all the people in all the world, he was the last person she wanted to see her fall apart.
But, somehow, she was in his arms. He wrapped his arms around her, pulling her into a hug and holding him to her. He whispered into her hair. She wasn't sure what he was saying, but it sounded comforting. It sounded safe. He was solid beneath her. The engines stopped humming as he held her close. He made her feel safe for the first time in months.
She cried into his shoulder, breathing in the scent of him. He smelled so good, just like he did at the Christmas party.
But, he didn't want her. His secretary had made that abundantly clear. He had changed his number just so he wouldn't have to deal with her. This comforting was just pity. He felt sorry for her.
She pushed him away and wiped at her face, turning into the wind. She didn't want his pity. She didn't need it.
“I have to find my brother.” The words hurt coming out of her raw throat.
“Laura,” he said, reaching out to touch her. She shied away from his touch. The last thing she wanted was for him to feel bad for her. He slowly brought his hand back to his side. “We'll find him.”
A fresh sob grew in her chest. “But where? Where is he? He could be anywhere!” She motioned to the mountains behind her, but even they were hidden with the snow coming down. “I have to find my brother. My parents need me to keep him safe.”
“Your parents will understand,” he said. “I'm sure they'll tell you it's not your fault.”
She turned on him, anger replacing despair.
“No they won't!” Her voice came out shrill and high. “They're dead. They can't tell me anything.”
His eyes went wide and his mouth opened and then shut. He cast about for a moment before finding the words he was supposed to say. “I'm sorry.”
She wrapped her arms around her. She took a deep breath. This wasn't his fault. He was doing his best to help.
“That's why I have to find him,” she said quietly, looking at the snow collecting on the grass. “I'm supposed to watch out for him. I'm not just his big sister. I'm his parent now. I'm supposed to make sure he's okay.”
Tears rolled down her face. They were hot, but as soon as the wind hit them they grew cold on her face. She tried to stop, but they just kept coming out of her eyes. He reached over and put a hand on her shoulder. The touch was gentle and kind. She thought about pulling away, but his touch was warm and she needed it in this cold world.
“We'll find him. I promise.”
“How can you promise that?” she asked. They'd been searching everywhere and hadn't found him yet.
“Because I can,” he told her. “I'll get helicopters and the whole Denver Search and Rescue team up here. We'll find him.”
Laura lifted her eyes to his. He meant his words. His light green eyes held determination and honesty. He wasn't going to let her down. A little of his strength flowed into her and she nodded. She didn't dare open her mouth or she knew she'd just start crying again.
He gave her shoulder a gentle squeeze. “Let's keep looking, okay?”
She nodded. He moved to her side, guiding her to search in a new area. The snow was coming down harder now. It already coated the grass and was making the rocks and dirt wet. She tried not to think about what was going to happen when night came and everything froze.
“Did you know that Pluto isn't a planet anymore?” Ethan asked.