When Alfred tapped his fist lightly against the door of his apartment, he was surprised to see that it was Francis who opened the door for him. There was a moment of silence as the two locked eyes and a sort of unspoken message passed between them.

It was obvious that Alfred didn't want to talk.

Alfred pushed his way past Francis and walked down the hallway, just wanting to disappear into his room and sleep. His plan was halted momentarily by Francis' voice calling down the hallway. "They're still out looking for you. Arthur and Matthew." Not acknowledging that anything had been said, Alfred hesitated for only a moment before closing his door behind him.

Once locked in his room, Alfred sat on his bed, running his clammy hands through his air. How could I have been so fucking stupid? I mean, I lived with the guy! Alfred inwardly cursed himself. He never had been good at reading people.

He took off his jacket and rolled up his shirt sleeve, looking at the gauze that wrapped all the way up and down his arm. Breathing in, he unraveled the bandages, cringing at the sight of the cuts that were now covering his wrist. The worst one was the one the glass shard had left, winding down his arm like a river of infected flesh.

Alfred stood and lifted up his mattress, pulling out the extra gauze and disinfectants that he had hidden down there along with his blades. He grabbed one of those as well. He sat back down on the bed, putting the metal to his wrist and hesitating. For some reason recently, whenever the blade touched his skin, he didn't get the same feeling he used to when he first started. He pushed the metal deeper into his arm, trying to make a deeper cut. He remembered something Iggy had read him from a book when he was little. Apparently, back when there wasn't medicine for sick people, doctors would cut their patients and try to get them to bleed out their sickness. Alfred remembered it being called bloodletting, or something along those lines.

But as Alfred lost himself in this thought, and he realized that there was too much blood seeping out to be healthy, he realized something; he couldn't be free from his problems by bleeding them out. No, his problems were much more serious than that, something that could only be cured permanently by much more drastic actions. His laptop pinged from his table and he was shaken out of his thoughts. Shaking his head, he cleaned up and hid all of his supplies.

He walked over to his computer, which had finally decide that it was up to working, and inspected his computer screen which alerted him that someone was trying to PM him. He checked his messages and immediately wished he hadn't. Someone by the user name of Pochi-Kun0813 had sent him multiple PMs over the past few days, but Alfred had purposely ignored them, not wanting to face the person he had let down.

Deciding that it was finally time he replied, he clicked on the latest message and read it.

Pochi-kun0813: Alfred-san, I am worried about you for not answering my PMs. Arthur says you are feeling unwell. Do you need my help?

Alfred hesitated a moment. He hit the reply button and began typing.

UnitedHero778: Hey Kiku. Sorry I haven't replied. I've been busy with moving and stuff. I'm okay so don't worry, Iggy's just getting freaked out over nothing like he usually does. ; )

Alfred re-read the message. That sounds like something I'd say, right? He clicked send.

Not even a minute later a reply dinged for his attention again.

Pochi-kun0813: I'm glad to hear that. But Arthur just called me and said that he couldn't find you. Are you okay?

Alfred sighed. Dang it, Arthur…

UnitedHero778: I'm home now and there's nothing to worry about. You know how Arthur can get.

Pochi-kun0813: I understand. But Alfred, I am still concerned. Are you sure you are alright?

UnitedHero778: I've just been feeling a little down lately, and this whole moving situation is screwing me up.

Pochi-kun0813: If you think you need some help, I think I know someone who could help you. He's a doctor and is really good with helping people who are dealing with stress.

UnitedHero778: Thanks for the offer Kiku, but I don't think I need a doctor.

Pochi-kun0813: I understand. Just in case you change your mind, I'll send you his number, though.

A few seconds later another message popped up, a phone number typed out on the screen.

UnitedHero778: Thanks Kiku, but I don't think I'll need it. I have to go now, but we can chat later. Ttyl!

Pochi-kun0813: Good night, Alfred-san. I hope you feel better.

Alfred looked at the number on the screen for a few seconds before turning off his laptop and getting into bed. There was no way in hell he was going to talk to a doctor.

I mean, I'm not sick, am I?

Hey! I'm sorry I haven't been able to update, I've just been a little preoccupied lately. It took a lot of effort even to get this much written down! Anyways, I'll try and find the time to write more, so don't worry. Enjoy your day!