[A U S T I N]

The anger was a thick, burning coil in Austin's gut, heating his blood and tightening his fists as he watched Jace carefully lift Tess from the table to leave recreation room. Her small form seemed even more diminutive, curled up in the hollow of Jace's hand, her face a mask of exhaustion and distress.

"Let's get her out of here," Jace muttered, his voice low and filled with a soft worry, unlike Austin who mirrored a protective intensity. Tess didn't protest, her eyes shut tight as if to block out the room, the echoes of Lenny's taunts, or the weight of her own fears.

Cole lingered by the door, his usual easy smile replaced by a hard, tense line. His eyes scanned the corridor as Jace carried Tess away, ensuring no one paid too much attention to their small group.

The halls of the facility felt colder, the fluorescent lights harsher as Austin trailed behind Jace and Cole. His mind raced—every echo in the corridor seemed to mock him, every glance from a passerby felt like an accusation. He clenched his jaw, the muscle ticking with tension.

The air in the dorm room felt thick, heavy with unspoken words and lingering tensions as the boys entered. The door had barely clicked shut behind them before Austin started pacing, his muscles coiled tight, his hands balled into fists. His whole body felt like it was buzzing—too much anger, too many questions, and absolutely no answers.

Jace stood near the bed, his fingers curled protectively around Tess's tiny frame, shielding her from whatever storm was brewing in Austin's head. Tess barely moved, curled into herself, her breathing shaky but quiet.

Jace gently sat down on one of the beds with Tess in his hands. She finally opened her eyes, looking up at Jace with a fragile sort of gratitude.

"It's okay, Tess," Jace said softly, his fingers still protective around her. "You're safe now."

Cole leaned against the door frame, back against the door, arms crossed, his usual smug ease absent. He was watching Austin, waiting for the explosion.

And it wasn't long before it came.

"Where the fuck is Darrick?" Austin snapped, his voice cutting through the silence like a blade. His pacing turned erratic, his jaw clenched so tight it ached. "He wouldn't just leave Tess like that. Not without a damn good reason."

Tess curled tighter, pulling her knees up to her chest. The small movement seemed to drain all the remaining color from her face.

Austin stopped pacing and looked down at her, his anger momentarily replaced by concern. "Tess, I—"

But he was cut off by the sound of his own frustration boiling over. "Dammit, where is Darrick? He should be here," he growled loudly, more to himself than to anyone else in the room. The question was rhetorical, a verbal manifestation of the helplessness he felt. Tess's presence in the dorm without Darrick's protective shadow was a glaring, unsettling anomaly.

Jace stood, setting Tess on the mattress before stepping in front of Austin, placing himself between Tess and Austin, as if to shield her from the intensity of Austin's wrath. "Austin, shouting isn't going to help."

Austin shot him a glare but knew he was right. He took a deep breath, trying to steady the rage simmering inside him.

"We need to stay calm, Austin. Panicking isn't going to help us figure this out." Jace eyes flicked back down to Tess, curled tightly into a ball on the large expanse of the mattress

Austin shot him a glare, his hands clenching into fists at his sides. "And neither will sitting around here doing nothing! We need to find out where he is, Jace!"

Cole unfolded his arms, stepping away from the door with a sigh. "He's got a point. We can't just wait here for answers that aren't coming. We need to start asking some serious questions."

With a sharp nod, Austin stopped his pacing and turned towards the door, his decision made. "I'm going to the cafeteria. Some of the handlers eat there; maybe they've heard something, seen something. Anything."

Before Jace or Cole could respond, Austin was out the door, his long strides eating up the hallway as he headed towards the cafeteria. His strides long and full of purpose as he made his way down to the cafeteria. The noise of the crowded space hit him like a wave as he entered, the din of conversation and clattering trays filling the air. None of it registered to Austin as he scanned the room, searching for any of the facility's handlers.

The cafeteria was bustling, the noise of conversation and clattering trays doing nothing to soothe his frayed nerves. He scanned the room, searching for any of the handlers who might know where Darrick was.

Spotting a group of them huddled together at a far table, laughing and oblivious to the urgency that fueled Austin's mission, he marched over, his anger a tangible force pushing him forward. He slammed his hands down on the table, causing utensils and trays to jump. The handlers' laughter cut off abruptly as they stared up at him, startled.

He eyed a middle-aged man with a clipboard. Austin didn't hesitate; he marched straight up to him, his presence commanding immediate attention.

"Where is Darrick?" Austin demanded, his voice low and dangerous. The handler looked up, clearly startled by the intensity in Austin's eyes.

"I—I'm not sure," the handler stammered, leaning back. "You might want to ask—"

"I'm asking you," Austin interrupted, stepping closer. "He was supposed to be with Tess. He never showed. I need to know where he is, now."

The handler swallowed, fumbling with his clipboard. "I'll see if I can check the schedule.." He looked to the women beside him for permission

Another handler, a woman with sharp features and a salad sat In front of her, fork still in hand, looked up at him, her expression turning cautious. "Go on, see if there's any record of his whereabouts" she motioned to the older man then looked back to Austin "If you can wait—"

"I'll wait," Austin cut in, his tone brooking no argument. He straightened, crossing his arms as he fixed the handlers with a stern look that ensured they understood the seriousness of his request.

The handler stood, his movements quick and efficient as he moved to a terminal on the side of the cafeteria, tapping and scrolling

Austin nodded, his stance rigid as he watched the man hurry away. He crossed his arms, his gaze sweeping over the cafeteria. The buzz of conversation seemed to fade into the background, every laugh and shout a distant echo as he waited.

His mind was a whirlwind of scenarios, each more grim than the last. Darrick was strong, one of the toughest people Austin knew, but the facility had ways of breaking even the strongest. The thought of his friend, possibly hurt or worse, tightened the coil of fear in his stomach.

He needed answers, and he needed them now. For Tess, for Darrick, for all of them. Whatever it took, he would find out what happened to his friend. And if someone was responsible, they would answer to him.