He should have realized it was too easy.

Daring escapes with guns pointed at him were never Henry’s forte, despite what his Xbox Live Gamerscore was. He was more comfortable behind his laptop, offering support to Helen and Ashley.

Ashley.

He felt the weight of guilt upon him again. Here he was, sitting in his room, while his two closest friends--one locked up for the safety of those around him and the other missing--were in trouble. And there was nothing he could do about it.

Henry needed somebody to talk to, to push him out of the bowels of depression, but no one was around. Will was engrossed with Clara; John and Tesla were completely out of the question; and Henry couldn’t even think about Helen without a veil of shame covering his face.

No, he knew he was on his own.

Closing his eyes, he forced himself to think about his time with the Cabal, to remember something--anything--that could help him find Ashley and the desperately needed blood to save the Abnormals around the world. Visions of the room where they strapped him down popped in his head, but there were no clues there.

A knock startled him out of his thoughts. “Come in,” he weakly called.

To his surprise, Will stuck his head in the room. “Helen is looking for you.”

Panic gripped him. He couldn’t face her. “I, uh,” he shook his head. “I can’t talk to her right now.”

Will took a step inside the room. “Henry, what happened to Ashley is not your fault,” he said reassuringly.

“Sorry if I don’t trust the judgment of a man who does a striptease in the middle of an ancient underground labyrinth,” he shot back.

Pink tinged Will’s cheeks. “Helen told you about that?”

Henry nodded. “Before Ash--Before. She thought it was amusing.”
 

“Anyway,” Will said, diverting the conversation back on track. “It’s going to take all of us to find her. Sitting here doing nothing isn’t going to help get Ashley back.”

“It’s my fault she‘s gone!” Henry shouted.

“No it’s not,” Will argued calmly. “Do you think Helen would have let you two go if she had any idea of what the Cabal’s real plan was?”

Henry’s shoulders sagged. “No.”

“They knew exactly what we were going to do and used it to their advantage. Now it’s time to turn tables on them,” Will encouraged. “You were there.”

“I tried. I don’t remember anything that can help,” he answered, shaking his head.

“Henry, don’t give up. For Ashley’s sake.”

With that plea, Henry’s guilt transformed into determination. Will was right. Ashley needed him--them--to save her. After all, Henry thought with a mixture of pride and admiration, she had saved his life enough times. It was time to return the favor.

“Ok,” Henry said, standing up, “let’s get Ashley home."