Failing Spectacularly

      “ Charlie. “ The general strode in with a concerned look in his eyes              “ General. “ Charles straightened in the bed, giving a quick salute with his wrist brace on. He, of course winced from moving it so fast after just being in a crash, but respect comes first.              “ You may lower your hand Charlie. “ The general took a seat nearby, clearly wanting to talk to the injured pilot, “ You’re clearly too injured to move too much. You don’t want to risk breaking your wrists further. “ Charles lowered his hand thankfully when the general asked a question.              “ How did you crash this time around? “              “ Well.. “ Charles looked around awkwardly, “ I didn’t see a missile coming our way from behind and it took out the entire back half of the helicopter. “              “ And how did you manage to survive alone? “              “ .. What do you mean ‘ Survive alone ‘ .. You did find Henry… right? “ Charles said, panic closing in on him. It didn’t help his worries when the general shook his head in a silent no.              “ What do you mean you didn’t find him!? “ Charles couldn’t help but raise his voice at that, stiff and unmoving everywhere but his lips and chest to breathe.              “ I’m sorry Charlie. “ The general shook his head, standing to put a ‘ I’m sorry for your loss ‘ hand on the pilot’s shoulder. What the general did not expect was Charles trying to stand once part of the shock wore off.              “ Charlie- “ The general forced the hyperventilating Charles to lay back down.              “ I need to find him! He’s alive- I just know it! He has to be! He has to be! He can’t die! Not yet! “ Charles said frantically, fighting against the general as he sobbed. The general continued to stop him before giving him a hug.              “ I know it’s a lot to process Charlie, but just know, we are still searching for him. It doesn’t seem to be good- what happened to him anyways. There was a lot of blood from what I heard, and plenty of broken branches. There looked to be a struggle as the rescue team said. I hope for all of our sakes he’s safe, but we must prepare for the worst in the meantime. “ The general pat Charles’s shoulder again, pulling away. Charles immediately held onto his father-figure tighter, crying harder as he shook his head.              “ He.. we.. I didn’t wake up in time to save him.. That’s why he’s not here with me.. “ Charles whispered as he trembled with tears.              “ What do you mean by that Charlie? “              " Well.. I.. I over-over heard Henry.. talking to someone. Maybe two people. All I remember is that they told him to follow them, and since he wasn't there when I woke up.. I suppose he did. " At that, the general's face darkened.              " Did it even remotely sound threatening? " The general said, continuing to try and comfort the pilot while also getting potentially vital information to save Charles's work partner and best friend.              " Not.. Not really.. But they did say they can use it to their advantage.. " The general froze before kneeling beside the bed like a father comforting a child who thought there were monsters under his bed.              " Charlie. I know this may be hard to hear... but I think Henry was captured by someone. Potentially the Toppats themselves, and if he wasn’t, he probably will be sold to them. “              “ SOLD?! “ Charles jumped back up, swinging his legs over the other side of the bed, adrenaline pumping so fast he hardly felt the pain.              “ Charlie- “ General Galeforce said, quickly standing as well as a medic came over to guide Charles back to the bed.              “ No-! No Henry’s in danger- I- I can’t- can’t- I need to help him! “ Charles sobbed out.              “ Charles. I know he means a lot to you- “              “ No! No you don’t! General, I was planning on asking him to a movie after the mission- I need him to be alright! I- my- my heart couldn’t take it if.. If.. “ Suddenly, all the fight fled from Charles’s body as he stared at the edge of the bed, fresh tears falling from his face.              “ I’m sorry for your loss. “ Hubert Galeforce placed his hand back onto Charles’s shoulder.              “ He’s not.. Dead.. “ Charles whispered, trembling.              “ Charlie. We must expect the worst, even if we hope for the best. “ the general said with a sigh. Charles continued to sob, slowly laying back down with the doctor’s insistent hand. He stayed like that through the night, not even remotely knowing what Henry was doing.