120 Because You Are a Neotide

Dawn noticed how Daryn's chin almost trembled when he said that Gayle was missing. She could understand his emotions so well. He wanted to keep her safe, all the more now that Gayle wasn't there and he was thinking of the worse possibilities. He left her and stared at his empty hands. There was soreness in his throat and heaviness in his limbs. He took Dawn's hand in his just to comfort himself. Possibility of the worst-case scenario crept into him like moisture in wood. It travelled through his body making his mood petulant. 

Dawn said, "Daryn, you are overthinking. Nothing has happened to Gayle. He must have gone somewhere. He is a werewolf so cut him some slack. It is possible that he has also gone out to take a stroll." 

Daryn took a deep breath. "I am hoping for the same—" his voice trailed off. After a pause he added, "If we can't find him by the evening, it means red flag, because we were all supposed to return by tomorrow morning."