Carlos found himself standing outside the house that doesn't exist in the Desert Creek housing development. It seems like it exists, like it's just right there when you look at it, and it's between two other identical houses, so it would make more sense for it to be there than not, but it does not exist. He was home, or at least what was once his home. There didn't seem to be much left here for him.

"Oh how wonderful!" Kevin said, grinning like more of a maniac than usual, "I never thought I'd be so happy to see this dreary little town. What about you Carlos? Isn't it just fantastic?"

Kevin continued to prattle on about how happy he was, but his words fell on deaf ears. Carlos wondered if he should call someone and let them know that he was back in Night Vale, especially since he didn't really have a house to go back to considering that Cecil had left him. He felt another pang in his chest, but it was different this time. A bit more angry than sad.

"Carlos!" Kevin said, nearly shouting, "You haven't said a word to me since that phone call and I think it's very rude. Especially after all that bonding we did in the desert. You're home now! Why not be happy?"

"Sorry," Carlos said, "I'm just…." Carlos couldn't hold back the tears anymore, and as much as he didn't want to let Kevin see him cry there was no helping it now, "Cecil's been having an affair."

Kevin didn't know how to respond to tears. He'd never seen anyone cry in Desert Bluffs, at least not from sadness, it wasn't allowed. Having no idea what was proper in such a situation as this, but still wanting to help because he felt he owed Carlos for finding the way back home, he settled for patting his shoulder. It was incredibly awkward, and didn't really help anyone, but it was the best he could think of.

"I'm sorry friend," Kevin said, "But look on the brightside, you now know he wasn't the one and therefor won't have to waste many years of your life slowly realizing that you don't love each other anymore. This way is quick, efficient, and won't result in years of unresolved tension and bad sex."

Carlos didn't stop crying, much to Kevin's confusion. He desperately tried to think of something else to say, because it almost seemed like Carlos was more upset than he had been. Luckily for Kevin, their reappearance in Night Vale hadn't gone unnoticed, and the welcoming committee, which was technically just Mayor Cardinal and some of the Sheriff's Secret Police, had arrived to greet them.

"Carlos!" Dana exclaimed, "Are you all right? Did Kevin hurt you?"

"I'm hurt that you would make such an accusation against me," Kevin said, feigning offense, "I have been doing nothing but attempt to cheer him up."

"Carlos?" Dana asked, not letting her mistrust get in the way of helping her friend, "What's wrong?"

Carlos didn't answer her question, but he did walk over and hug her, "Can we talk later?"

"Of course," she said, "All that matters is that you're home."

There was a small silence, as Kevin shifted awkwardly.

"Well this has been very touching, but I should really be getting back to Desert Bluffs now," he said, "So if you'll excuse me-"

"Not so fast," Dana said, breaking off the hug, "I'm afraid you're being arrested for crimes against the Night Vale community, as well as several counts of murder."

Two of the Sheriff's Secret Police grabbed Kevin, immediately cuffing his hands behind his back. Kevin's smile faltered for a moment.

"Now Mayor Cardinal," he said, "Surely you don't intend to charge one innocent man for following the orders of his superiors? Especially one who been completely rehabilitated by his long term imprisonment in a desert otherworld. Carlos, surely you'll vouch for me? Haven't I been well behaved?"

Dana gave Carlos an inquisitive look, to which he responded with a shrug, then after a moment's deliberation said, "We shall keep that in mind when deciding your punishment. For now, you'll stay in police custody."

She waved her hand in a dismissive gesture and the police dragged Kevin off, then she turned to Carlos.

"Would you like a ride home?" she asked, still concerned for his well being.

"I'm not sure how welcome I'd be," Carlos said, Dana seemed confused so he was forced to elaborate, "He's been having an affair with Earl Harlan."

Dana couldn't hide her shock, "Are you sure?"

"I tried to call him when we found the door, but he'd left his phone at the studio. The intern, Molly, she told me about it. I don't think she realized that he was…" Carlos' voice broke, and the tears came again.

Dana hugged him again, "Come on, you can stay with me tonight."

XoXoXoXoX

Carlos couldn't sleep. He closed his eyes, and he tried to fall asleep, but his mind wouldn't stop thinking of Cecil. Of all the things Carlos had thought could go wrong with their relationship, he'd never considered that Cecil would cheat on him. But as hurt as he was by it, the more he thought back to what Molly had said the angrier he got. Especially when he leaves with Mr. Harlan. As though it happened more than once. Just how long had Cecil been doing this? How many times must it have happened for her to take such a tone?

It was becoming increasingly obvious that their relationship must not have meant that much to Cecil, and that everything they'd had was now wasted efforts. As he thought of all the times they said 'I love you' and all secrets they'd shared, he was just infuriated. And he found that what he wanted now, more than anything else, was to get back at him somehow. If only he knew how.

XoXoXoXoX

Kevin sat in the small cell, wondering how long it would take before he was released. He refused to think about the possibility that he wouldn't be released, there was nothing to be achieved by worrying about that. He was slightly concerned that they wouldn't let him leave though, the Night Vale court system had some very original punishments for crimes, and Kevin was regretting not trying to learn more about them the last time he was in town.

Supposedly his "trial" wasn't until tomorrow, but he didn't know for sure because he wasn't even allowed to watch, let alone defend himself. He sighed and tried to make himself comfortable on the bed, but it was so much softer than the ones distributed by Strex Corp that it was a very difficult task.

Kevin missed his home, he'd been trapped in that desert otherworld for more months than he had cared to count, and now that he was finally back in his own dimension he was being held prisoner in an abandoned mine shaft. The situation was far from ideal, but he couldn't do anything about it. He couldn't do anything at all, except lie on the cell bed and stare at the ceiling. He closed his eyes and tried to sleep.

It didn't work.