Missing
Chapter 4
Newt and Tina had searched high and low for the missing creatures when they find a destroyed apartment reeking with magic. They approach the ruins and while Tina is distracted, Newt darts up to the destroyed room.
New spots Jacob laying on his back, eyes closed and moaning. There is a Murtlap bite on his neck that had been treated.
Eli. He had taught Eli how to treat all sorts of animal bites.
He briefly checks the No-Maj before moving to his suitcase. He opens it, poking his head inside, and calls out for Eli.
Eli always came whenever he called. Always. Newt’s stomach dropped.
She didn’t reply.
Eli and a few other creatures were now missing.
His ward was missing.
An abused obscurus was missing in the streets of New York.
--The Child in the Suitcase--
When the suitcase first cracked open, Eli had figured that Newt had come to let her out. Animals press against the lid, eager to see their ‘mommy’. Newt would usually crack it, close the lid, tap if a few times to get them to settle down before he would open it again.
Instead, the case flies open and animals start to escape.
Eli can’t keep them inside. She gets to the top of the ladder and looks around the destroyed room.
She was tempted to run but remembers Newt’s first rule that he had taught her.
If they ever got separated, she was to stay in one spot. He would find her.
But, this building was dangerous. Creatures got out.
Eli heaves the top of the case shut, latching it shut before any more creatures escaped. She taps the top as Newt would to get them to settle down.
All she can think of was how Newt was going to kill her.
Eli then remembers the second rule.
If she was in danger, then she should hide. Do whatever is necessary to blend in.
But… if she takes the large case with her, she wouldn’t blend in.
Newt could follow the path of destruction. He would find the case. Eli flicks the switch to change the case to ‘MUGGLEWORTHY’ and glances around.
She spots that man that tumbled over the case earlier. He had a bleeding wound on his neck.
He was the one that opened the case.
Eli hesitantly approached the man, inspecting the wound. She recognized it as a Murtlap bite.
She treats the wound with instructions she remembers from Newt. He had taught her how to treat all sorts of creature bites and scratches.
She then hesitates, glancing at the case before leaving through the stairs and out into the streets because waiting in the center of a destroyed building was just not safe.
--The Child in the Suitcase--
Newt isn’t sure what made him follow Tina as he collects his case and the injured man.
Perhaps it was the overwhelming anxiety that took over his body and let him follow her like a robot as she leads them into her apartment and introduces them to her sister Queenie.
Nevermind that, he needed to get back out and find Eli. She must be so scared. At least she had Pickett.
So, Newt stands in the doorway of Tina’s apartment, ready to leave behind the trio conversing in the dining room.
“I really must be going,” Newt insists, trying to leave. “Sorry to barge in.”
“Won’t you at least stay for some food?” Queenie questioned with a smile.
“No, sorry. I really do have to go,” Newt turns for the door but Tina intercepts him.
“Sit down, Mr. Scamander,” She instructs. “You cannot go anywhere until we have sorted the situation out.”
“They’re out there!” Newt was a gentleman and he doesn’t have it in him to push Tina out of the way. “I have to find them!”
“Find what?” Tina demands, arms folded as she waited for the list of creatures that got out.
“El--” Newt slams his mouth shut before clearing his throat and glanced at her nervously. “Listen, there is something dangerous that I must find.”
Tina’s eyes narrowed in accusation. “You said none of them were dangerous to No-Maj’s.”
“It’s a child!” Newt can’t help but blurt it out, his need to find Eli overriding every safety protocol he had made to keep her a secret.
“You’re talking about a young creature… right?” Tina questioned, barely concealed horror growing on her face. “The child you mention is a creature, right Mr. Scamander?!”
Newt merely swallows hard, knowing that it is fruitless to argue at this point. “No. It is a human child. There was a human child in my case and now there is not so I must go and find them.”
Newt cannot wait any longer and turns, apparating out of the room with a twist, failing to realize that he had left behind his case.
