Notes: Thankies as always for the comments/support/etc~ I've gotten rusty a bit so I apologize. Things have been somewhat stable, my writer's block is mostly gone, and I hope to finish my current fics + list before winter because of them 3rd jobs :' )

Chapter 13: Gone

Ain held Elsword tight against his body. Contrast from that rainy day some time ago, Elsword had become warmer. But even so, Ain felt as if he were still holding onto an empty shell. Ain wondered if Elsword had gotten any sleep. He tightened his grip. Feelings threatened to burst forth within Ain's heart. However, he was more confused than anything else. What should he do now? They never remained in a hotel for more than one or two days. However, Elsword was in no condition to do anything.

Ain slipped away from Elsword and off the bed to get him ready. When he saw his face, Ain's heart ached. A glossy look coated Elsword's eyes and they seem red from lack of sleep.

"Elsword...it is time to get up..." Ain murmured knowing that Elsword would not respond. Ain lifted Elsword out of the bed and attempted to do the same things Elsword had done to him such as changing his clothes, brushing his teeth, and feeding him breakfast. The tasks were quite difficult for Elsword didn't make an effort to cooperate. Ain watched as part of a cookie fell for the seventh time, away from Elsword's mouth. But, Ain wasn't about to give up. Elsword never gave up on him so he was going to do the same...even though it was difficult and that Ain had no clear idea what he was doing.

Should they leave the hotel? Elsword always was adamant that they leave as soon as possible. But where would they go? Where should Ain take them? What about the motorcycle? Ain couldn't drive that. He felt stuck. Ain didn't know what else to do so he sat on the bed holding Elsword in his arms, staring into the same space Elsword seemed to be staring at. This was something he was used to. Except now, he can see everything and he wasn't alone. It made things feel all the more poignant.

This continued for a few days and as Ain tried to take care of Elsword, he began to understand and realize the depths of just how much Elsword loves him. Sometimes, Ain would plead for Elsword to answer but he wouldn't. Ain desired to hear Elsword's voice again. The silence was unbearable. He already had to live through so many periods of deafening silence. Was this why Elsword always asked him menial things? Ain caressed Elsword's face. "...Elsword...will you look at me again?" Ain kept on apologizing until his voice felt hoarse. However, no response ever came.

At one point, the front desk asked for payment. Good thing Ain had a general idea of how to pay watching Elsword all the time. He wasn't sure how much money he had to give but the clerk was kind enough to show him. While Ain headed back towards the room, his vision turned black and he found himself upon the floor. Before he could say anything, he was gagged and dragged across the floor. He attempted to struggle but whoever was kidnapping him was too strong. He held out his hand in front of him. 'Elsword...!' Everything then faded.

-/-/-/-

Days passed as Elsword lay there on the bed, empty, and motionless save his breathing. His mind felt trapped in an endless fog. His brain tried, desperate, to erase the dark sickening vision and smell of blood. He could still see it. He could still smell it. He could still feel it trickle down his hands in an endless oozing waterfall. The scene kept on attempting to replay in his head but it was half blurred. Elsword kept trying to convince himself that it was necessary; that it was in self-defense. But the horror and trauma dug its claws deep into him. 'I killed somebody...I killed a living person...' He kept thinking. His bladder broke his rumination. Elsword staggered off the bed and into the bathroom. He peered at himself in the mirror. His face was disfigured in a contorted mess of stress. It was as if he was looking at an older version of himself. He glanced down at his palms. He could still see the blood washing off on his hands. A tiny consciousness kept him aware of at least his surroundings, preventing him from collapsing. After using the toilet, he washed his hands and face. That perked him up awake a bit. He glanced into the room. How long had he been here? Clothes lay scattered about and the bed was unmade. At that moment, fear killed his heart with a sudden arrow. Where was Ain? "...Ain?" Elsword croaked. Elsword rushed out, erratic, into the hallway and darted his eyes. He dashed to the counter. "H-how long had I been staying?"

The clerk seemed worried. He recalled that this man arrived at the hotel with the other man who paid the other day. "About a month, sir...is there something the matter?"

"Ain...have you seen...Ain?"

"Ah...the gray haired man? He came to pay a few days ago...I haven't seen him since...And he always comes out here in the mornings to head into the cafeteria...he's not in the room?" Elsword shook his head before turning away.

Elsword ran back into his room, threw on clothes and headed out. Ain would never leave him like that...would he? But Ain didn't walk out the front door...Elsword dashed to his motorcycle but to his surprise, it was gone. "Oh no...oh no no no no no no..." Elsword ravaged the city like a madman shouting Ain's name and asking people if they saw him. Elsword's worse fear surfaced. He hoped that Ain remained alive.

Things just felt as if they were getting worse and worse. Two conflictions and worries surged Elsword's mind. But right now, Ain's disappearance held his attention. Elsword grabbed his phone in the room, plugged it in to charge, and began dialing Chung.

"Hey what— " Chung began but was cut off.

"Ain is gone! They took him! They took Ain! What do I do?!" Elsword exasperated.

"C-calm down Elsword—"

"I CAN'T! Ain if he's gone...then- " Elsword sobbed and slumped to the floor. "Ain...Ain!"

"PULL YOURSELF TOGETHER MAN! Something will definitely happen if you don't do something!"

"But I...my hands I...How can I face him?"

"What are you talking about?"

A sudden realization had hit Elsword as he thought things over. "I...Chung...I...I haven't told him but...I...I don't deserve to—"

"Elsword! What's wrong?! This isn't like you? You're getting me confused!"

"...They took my ride..."

Chung remained silent for a short moment. That dodge and change of subject felt unsettling. "Elsword. Listen to me. I want you to tell me where you are. Don't leave from your area. Got that? Elsword...? Elsword?!" The line went dead.