Fractured (Josie) novel Chapter 304

Chapter 304 

**Josie’s POV ** 

I don’t have the time or patience to sugarcoat what has happened. These kids are not delicate flowers that need coddling. They have lived through hell and are still fighting so they can handle my abruptness. 

Harper comes to stand beside me once she is over her initial shock. 

“If you know anything that can help find my dad, you need to tell us now,” she calls out to the group, as determined as I to get answers from them. 

“Who put you in charge?” a teen boy with short dark curly hair snorts. 

“We did. Do you have a problem with that?” Mason snarls, stepping up to stand with me and Harper. 

“Look. I know some of you don’t want to be here, but you are. Do you really want to go back to those people who just buried some of our own alive? My dad was only there to save us from that life, so if you know anything, it’s the least you can do to speak up. He has jet–black hair and was at breakfast this morning with another man. He then ported some of you back here before the bunker was filled in,” Harper says, and I realise at that moment just how much she has grown up. 

She is no longer a little girl, she is becoming a woman, and she carries the traits and confidence instilled into her from me and my bonds. She is a leader. My heart swells with pride. 

“I didn’t see him, but I did see Mandy and Brent creeping around moments before I was found,” a boy offers. 

“I saw them too,” another chimes in. 

“Do you know what they were up to?” Harper asks. 

“No, I just thought it was odd they hadn’t ported out. I thought they were coming back for us, but they ignored us as if they had another goal,” the first boy says. 

“Did you see if they had a syringe?” Deacon asks, and both boys shake their heads. 

“Okay, thank you for your help. Did anyone else see anything?” Harper asks. 

“I think I heard something,” a familiar voice says, and I barely recognise Harrison now that he has had a chance to wipe some of the dirt from his face. 

“What was it?” I ask him. 

“Just before the roof came down I thought I heard a scuffle, but I can’t be sure,” he says with an apologetic smile. 

“Thank you, Harrison,” I nod at him. 

“Anyone else?” Harper asks and everyone shakes their heads. 

The kids haven’t given us any clues as to where Luke might be, but they have given us some information that points more towards a kidnapping than Luke betraying us. I want to make this point to Mason, but now is not the time for ‘I told you so‘ that can wait until we have Luke back. 

“We will find him, Mum,” Harper says softly, taking my hands in hers. 

“I’m sorry you have come back to this mess. I had thought everything would be fine now that we had you back, but we’ve gone from one missing straight to another,” I sigh, doing my best not to cry. 

1/2 

~ +25 BORUS 

Can’t you just talk to him? The way you guys do… with your minds,” she whispers, looking around nervously to make sure no one is listening. 

“No. I can’t get through to him,” I admit, but I hold back the part about not being able to feel him at all. I don’t want her to even consider what that might mean. I can’t even consider it myself. 

“Come on, we should get home. The kids need to see Harper, and we need to shower and decide what to do next,” Deacon says and Harper and I both say “No,” at the same time. 

“I can’t go back there without Luke. I can’t upset them like that again,” I shake my head. 

“I’m not going back either, not until we find him. I can’t lie to my brothers when they ask where he is. Besides, you’re going to need my help with these,” she gestures towards the room full of teens. 

“Okay, but we at least need to make some calls, we have to let family know we have Harper at least, and we have to talk to Luke’s parents and tell them what is going on,” Deacon sighs. 

I nod and we start making calls. Letting Harper speak to her brothers and her grandparents. Whilst Deacon goes to pick up Luke’s parents. Dread pools in my stomach at the thought of having to tell them.