Джордан Шор - The Search

“That can’t be accurate,” George said in a brusque tone.

“Son…” the man said in a gloomy tone. “I know for a fact that alcohol burns, oxygen is highly flammable, and a defective battery can explode. So, what specifically don’t you agree with?”

I don’t agree with that outfit you’re wearing. Did you just tuck your pajamas down your pants and walk out the front door? Doesn’t your hallway have mirrors?

An awkward silence filled the room.

“But like I said, Mike. This isn’t terrorism,” Cliff added. “This is something else. Perhaps a person with a mental disorder, or someone with a personal vendetta.”

George thought his boss suddenly looked uncomfortable.

“Has Jeff fired anyone recently?” Cliff asked Mike.

“I don’t have that information,” Mike said hesitantly.

“Gentlemen, aren’t we getting ahead of ourselves here?” George blurted out. “I mean, shouldn’t we focus on our assignments, and instead let the authorities handle the investigation?”

CEO Michael Williams and security director Cliff both looked at him in annoyance. George felt as though he’d just interrupted his parents.

“Fair enough,” Mike eventually said. “Let’s get to work then.”

Mike suddenly stood up. Cliff looked surprised by the sudden gesture, but then hesitantly rose from his chair. Mike gestured to George to remain in his seat, and George assumed it was because of the planned press conference. But as soon as Cliff had left the conference room, his boss sat down in the chair next to George. The CEO swallowed once, and seemed to be hesitating as to what to say.

George began to feel nervous and thought that perhaps he was about to reprimanded for not getting to the crisis meeting fast enough. George was a very cautious driver; he always kept the speed limit, no matter what.

“I didn’t think it was appropriate to mention over the phone. I thought speaking in person would be better,” Mike finally said. “I heard about what happened to your sister, and I want to express my deepest concern, and assure you that she will be in my prayers.”

“Thank you, sir. My family and I appreciate your thoughts.”

“Call me Mike, please,” Mike said. “So, how is she?”

“She’s still in a coma.”

Another silence filled the room before George finally spoke.

“I’ll get started on that statement, and I’ll call a press conference as soon as possible.”

Both men rose to their feet. Then Michael Williams suddenly took a step closer to George and extended both his arms. At first, George imagined that his boss was about to approach him with a hug. But instead, Michael Williams put his hands, on top of George’s shoulders.

“I’ll pray for her,” Mike said, again expressing his intent.

Saturday morning

The wind had settled, and the few remaining leaves that had fought so persistently through the night grasping on to the remaining days of summer were finally at peace. The light rain and the thick clouds turned the surroundings of the lake gray and dull. Except for some small pieces of debris in the middle of the wide lake, no sign would alert someone that an airplane crash had ever taken place.

A large man stood at the top of the hillside and gazed down across the lake and the shore. Then he looked up toward the sky and moved his head methodically in each direction, back and forth.

“Any sign of the cavalry?” the woman who had introduced herself as Julie asked the large man.

The large man shook his head and then turned around and faced her.

“You weren’t exaggerating, were you?” Julie said. “You’re huge. Look at your arms. They look like they’ve been photoshopped.”

The large man frowned at Julie.

“You’ve heard of Photoshop, haven’t you?”

The large man kept frowning and shook his head slightly.

“Seriously? You never heard of Photoshop ?” Julie’s eyebrows rose. “It’s a software program that allows you to alter a photo digitally. So one could pretend to have arms as big as yours, I mean.” Julie smiled. “It’s a compliment, Jack.”

“I think I understand what you mean,” the large man by the name of Jack said. “You should have seen me a few months ago when I was still lifting weights. I was a lot bigger back then.”

“Is that even possible?”

Jack kept staring at Julie.

“What?” Julie asked.

“I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to stare. It’s just that… You know… Like when you talk to someone on the phone, and you imagine a face, but when you actually meet the person, the image doesn’t match,” Jack said hesitantly. “You know what I mean?”

“So how did you imagine me then?”

“Well, for starters, you look a lot younger than I imagined. You look closer to twenty, than thirty.”

“That’s nice of you to say, Jack.”

“And I pictured you with dark hair for some reason,” Jack added.

“What, I didn’t sound blonde enough to you? Is that a compliment or an insult?” Julie smiled.

“No, I didn’t mean it like that. I just imagined I would have seen your bright hair last night. But on the other hand, I couldn’t see my own hands in front of me, and I’m as white as a ghost, and so is my shirt.” Jack kept staring at Julie. “Are you, all right? I noticed you have a bump on your forehead.”

Julie touched her forehead. “Oh, that. That’s nothing.”

“And there’s blood on the sleeve of your jacket.”

Julie looked at her sleeve. “I must have wiped my forehead with it. I think I hit my head on the seat in front of me when the plane went down. But I’m all right. Thank you for asking, Jack.”

“How’s your ankle?”

“I’d completely forgotten about it,” Julie said, and focused on her feet. “No, it doesn’t move. But it doesn’t hurt, either. So, I think I’m all right as long as I don’t put any weight on it.”

“You just sit there, and I’ll go and get the others.”

“What?” Julie looked startled.

“There are two more of us. Nancy and Andrew, remember? It’s better if we stay together as a group.”

“But isn’t it better if we go down to them? We might need to drink water eventually.”

“That’s true.” Jack nodded. “So how do you want me to carry you?”

Julie climbed up on Jack’s back, and the two of them carefully descended the steep hillside.

They eventually met up with a man who was resting his back up against a tree. The man squinted, and then rose to his feet. Julie climbed off Jack’s back, and they both shook hands with the man, who introduced himself as Andrew.

“So, how’s your leg?” Andrew asked.

“I think my ankle is broken, but I’m all right.”

“You climbed that hillside with a broken ankle?”

“No, I didn’t break my ankle when the plane went down,” Julie said. “But I lost my footing as I ran into the woods.”

“Why did you run into the woods in the first place?”

“I don’t know,” Julie said. “I guess I was confused after the crash.”

“So, where’s Nancy?” Jack asked, and looked at Andrew.

“Who?”

“I thought her name was Nancy.”

“Who are you talking about?” Andrew asked.

“The woman from last night.”

“What woman?” Andrew looked confused.

“The woman who was here last night,” Jack said loudly.

“What did she look like?”

“What do you mean, what did she look like!” Jack yelled. “It was dark.”

“Well, I haven’t seen her.” Andrew shrugged.

“The woman you talked to last night,” Jack said harshly. “Where is she?”

“I don’t know what you’re talking about,” Andrew claimed. “I only talked to you last night.”