Evan stared at his phone, glaring at the notifications on his screen.

Wildcat smacked his arm, "The fuck is wrong with you? You're looking at you're fucking phone like it killed your child. Say something already, shithead."

Just before Evan could come back with a retort, his phone buzzed again. He stood quickly, grabbing his phone and answering the call.

Luke sounded out of breath again. "I thought I told you not to-"

Evan opened his mouth to vent out his frustrations when Wildcat snatched the device away, putting it on speaker. "WHERE THE FUCK ARE YOU AND WHAT THE FUCK IS GOING ON?! I'M FUCKING CONFUSED AS FUCK!"

Marcel looked over from his place in the living room, mean mugging as he apologized to the glass repairman on the phone for his friends. "Sorry about that.. So you'll be here tomorrow and..." Marcel trailed off on the way to the hallway away from the noise but still listening to his friends in case it got too heated. Which he deemed it most likely will, judging by how Wildcat was already.

"Look-" Luke began but was cut off once again. Evan retrieved his phone back as Tyler took his place on the stool, fidgeting and agitated by the sudden change of plans. He couldn't blame his friend, but the only thing disappointing him was that if the picture really was of Delirious, then why hadn't he asked for their help?

"Luke, tell us what you know. We deserve at least that from what's happening. Whoever you're dealing with is our problem now, so what the hell man?" Evan said, displaying less frustration in his tone than he initially went for, as he set the phone on the middle of the coffee table, sitting on the floor. Nogla, Moo, and Lui scooted forward and made room for Brian and Craig. Tyler shook his head at Nogla who offered a spot, opting for his place on the stool at the counter.

"Look, it wasn't supposed to go badly. I tried warning him, and I've done what I can, but Jo- Delirious.. he.. he just..." Luke got quieter, already drowning himself in the worse scenarios his mind could make up on the spot. Evan's snapped to attention at Luke's slip before unconsciously resuming his fidgeting, balancing his arm on his raised knee.

"Hey, hey, calm down okay? I'm sure he's alright, I mean they wouldn't be botherin' us if he wasn't still.. you know. Just tell us, what did he do Luke?" Nogla tried, soothing the tension a little.

"Yeah.. yeah.. I can't tell you everything, but I can try okay? You never know where they're listening.." Luke sounded more collected, but paranoid.. delirious even. They began to hear a door open and close with several jingles before shuffling filled the background. "Delirious owes money, a whole lot of it. He kept it a secret until I found him out and then started helping him out. He was supposed to finish the.. payment once and for all, but now he's in trouble."

"So.. how'd he mess it up? He's just supposed to turn in the rest of the money right?" Lui asked with a furrowed brow, gesturing to the rest of the guys if they shared his confusion. They nodded in agreement.

Drawers were forced open with continued shuffling. "He, uh.. didn't bring enough. Miscalculated.. Wasn't prepared.. Just..not.." He trailed off again, lost in thought. Luke shook his head and continued searching.

Everyone thought for a moment, just listening to the methodical ruffling. "..Why didn't you go with him then?" Silence. The shuffling papers stopped and heavy breathing began. Luke pounded the desk he leaned on.

Almost in a whisper, Luke answered Moo weakly, "..I couldn't stop him." Regret laced Cartoonz's voice. Tyler squinted, scrutinizing Evan as his jaw tightened and relaxed. Something wasn't right about any of this, none of the answers made sense. Tyler hit realization then; Evan really was paranoid but for the right reasons. Reasons they didn't know, but hell if Tyler wasn't going to find out tonight.

Tyler slid off his seat, walked over and getting everyone's attention, placed his hand on Evan's shoulder before leaning in. "Last question. Where the hell are you?" Wildcat nodded at Nogla, gesturing with his hand to add on. He watched Evan from the corner of his eyes.

Nogla looked at Tyler confused, but supported his friend anyways. "It's okay man, we just want to help.."

Luke took a breath before whispering, "..North Carolina. I can't tell you anything more than that. I promised him." Evan's jaw tightened once again before Wildcat grabbed the phone and handed it to Evan, confused for a second before Tyler stared at him back with more intensity than ever while flashing the photos from the counter.

Evan mouthed 'The fuck?' Tyler lifted an eyebrow, creasing the photo slightly at a certain spot before understanding hit. He nodded. "..Meet us at the pizza place tomorrow night. Call me anytime before you get there." Tyler grabbed the phone and hung up before tossing it back to Evan.

"Wait, what? He could be anywhere in North Carolina! Hell, Luke could be lying and not even be in North Carolina for all we know." Nogla asked, outraged that they were finally getting some clues and he just hung up on Luke.

Wildcat pursed his lips before raising his eyebrows at Evan, leaning on the counter. "Is that really all the we know, Evan?"

Evan glanced his way before looking down, placing his thumb on his lip for a second. "..No. I think know where Delirious lives." Evan went through his phone, sighing. He stared at the screenshot he could never delete.


The picture was a simple joke. They joked about leaving Santa cookies at the fireplace that were..'misshaped.' He sent him a penis shaped cookie with the name Vanoss written in red icing that was supposed to be a middle finger sticking up. Innocent fun, that's all it was supposed to be. ..However, Evan couldn't help himself. He didn't mean to be nosy, but all of them had always wanted to learn more about their mysterious friend, even if it were little by little.

The background showed a window with light snowfall and a wooden post, presumably connected to a wooden porch. There was a small TV, playing some typical Christmas movie or a show's holiday special. A Christmas tree stood in the corner, twinkling gold with blurred spots of reds and blues. It was homey, warming Evan's heart at the sight and that the rumors of Delirious living some kind of hard life were just that, rumors. He was safe and cozy, penis cookies on a white Christmas and all.. but his eyes had drifted too far. A significant detail that hadn't been seen. Christmas cards and magazines were strewn about, accompanying the mugs of hot chocolate or coffee. However, a red card stood out among the rest that their friends had given to Luke to send. It was plain and simple, but adorned a white label that Evan hadn't put, but Luke had in order to mail it. His home address.


Evan stood and walked to the counter, peering at the Halloween picture with the two kids. He swallowed hard before looking at the Christmas picture and the counter's photo. He turned it over, reading the scrawl again. A small smirk crossed his face. It was wrong.. but he couldn't help feeling the pieces clicking in his mind and heart. ..Merry Christmas eve to you too, bitch.

[H2ODelirious]
[12/24/14]
[Merry Christmas eve fucker.]

[My best friend and the only one I'll ever need!
-From. Jon...]

He shook his head before turning away from the kitchen counter, handing over his phone to Wildcat with the picture zoomed in on the address. His friends were expressing their excitement, surprise, and frustration in the background. Evan could only focus on the photo of a dark room and hostage. He sighed and pocketed the picture, opting to look at the kid Delirious, smiling. As he turned around and joined his friends in explaining what just happened to Marcel, Evan whispered, "See you soon.. Jon."


A/N: Thank you to everyone reading my fic, and major thank you to the reviews I received. A lot has been happening in my life that I just couldn't write, and when I did have time, it wasn't my best writing or on par with what's been posted already. Seeing the positive reviews and growing readers really brightened my days. I apologize it's taken awhile (I hadn't realized it's been a month already. ..I'll work on it,) but I will do my best to finish up the next one before Christmas. If not, well, in advanced, I wish you a happy and safe holidays, whatever it is you celebrate or if you're just on vacation from school and/or work! Thanks again for reading and reviewing, I hope you continue to enjoy the guys' escapade.