34
I’m standing at the bench catching my breath when Jackson runs over, who’s searching just working off clothing description, shaking his head. “I don’t see any kid matching what you said.”
I need to keep a level head. Where could he be, where could he have gone?
Who might have taken him.
A policeman walks over. “Someone said you might need some help.”
“My boyfriend’s nephew was with me. I think he might have walked off, or…”
The panic rises in me.
“Alright, no need to panic. It’s probably fine. He likely saw something and wandered off. Can you give me a description. Height, hair and eye color, age, what he was wearing?” I give him as detailed information as I can, which he then radios over for assistance.
A missing child at the Christmas market outside Dublin Castle. Ten years-old, brown hair with a hint of red. Green eyes. Wearing a Spider-Man sweater and jeans. Super Mario backpack.
“You the uncle?” The policeman addresses Jackson.
Niall.
“I haven’t called him yet.” I take my phone out, dial Niall.
“Hey, what’s going on? What are my two favorite lads up to?”
“Niall,” I pause, looking at the policeman and seeing the two additional reinforcements now backing him up. “It’s Hughie. He’s missing.”
Niall is at the castle in five minutes, frantically talking to the police. They assure him that they have multiple units looking for him, that he probably just wandered off.
When Niall finally turns to me, there is a mix of fear and fury in his eyes. “What happened.”
I’m crying at this point, trying to contain myself. “I was getting him another hot chocolate. I had him sit on the bench over there while I waited in line. It was a long line so I had him sit—”
“He’s ten, Daniel. What the fuck were you thinking.” It’s not lost on me that this is the first time he’s called me Daniel. It’s like a parent using their full name when punishing a child, and I know I deserve it.
“I’m sorry Niall. I’m so sorry.”
“We’ll split up and check places. I’ll take Temple Bar and check the apartment. You check the college and Dame Street.”
* * *
The classroom is empty. My office is empty. None of the spots on the campus we sit at have anything other than students.
“Danny! Is something wrong?” Noah and Samuel are walking towards me, the panic on my face registering with them.
“Hughie’s missing.”
Noah abruptly stops. “Where did you see him last? How long?”
“The Christmas market at the castle. About a half hour.”
“We’ll help. Samuel and I will go check out Grafton Street and circle back on Dame towards the castle. I’ll text the rest to keep an eye on campus.”
“Thank you.”
Noah leans in and hugs me. “We’ll find him.”
I am gasping for breath outside the Trinity Bar when I get a text from Noah, to both Niall and I.
Noah: We’ve got him
Noah: It’s alright lads. He’s okay
Noah: Come down to Doom Slice