When he got back and found her gone he felt a moment of irrational panic. Something close to worry even.

A voice in his head told him she was just hiding. Remember how she likes to hide sometimes before you get home, so you can find her. Remember how when you find her, she'll smile and kiss you and…

He growls at his memories. They should stay in the past where they belong, but lately he's been confusing them with the present. He's beginning to think that maybe he is going mad, just like they always said he would. They said he was.

He doesn't call her name. She might think he cares.

She can't think he cares.