Mamá says I have to learn from my mistakes,

So I know what I have to do now.

Nights have been more than peaceful lately, so he's definitely thrown off by the incessant beaking to his chest.

"Ack!" The Cosmic Frontier book that once covered his face falls off, exposing Flapjack. "Hey! What gives?" Hunter whispers angrily.

Only his annoyance fades as soon as the cardinal speaks with him.

"What? What do you mean she's gone?" He questions.

Flapjack flies to get something from the floor, what appears to be a piece of paper. Hunter takes it, seeing it's a rather small note, but the few words written on it already makes his stomach drop.

"No… no, no, no, no, no…" Hunter is on the verge of panic, but he knows that's not going to help. "When did she leave exactly?"

His palisman replies, not too long ago .

Alright. Okay. She's probably not far.

Hunter looks to the side, Gus fast asleep. He quietly tiptoes to the stairs, doing his best not to make much noise. It doesn't seem like anyone else is awake right now. Maybe it's for the best.

Of course, he knows it'll be awful to leave everyone without a trace, especially in regards to someone's safety… However, Hunter knows Luz – he knows she'll feel horrible and guilty in case everyone goes to look for her. Besides, none of them know about Luz's secrets. He's the only one who can do this.

Hunter is still in his pajamas, with the exception of his sneakers. He closes the front door behind him with the most silence possible. After leaving the porch, he rushes to the once abandoned house they adopted as a hideout. It's practically untouched, not a sign of Luz either inside or outside. Where else could she be?

"Do you think she has her phone with her?" He asks Flapjack, who nods. That's a good sign.

So, the blond decides to call Luz, with the simple but efficient cell phone Camila gave him (and the rest). It rings, rings, rings, to no avail. It tells him to leave a voicemail, therefore he does.

"Luz, it's Hunter. I- I read your note. I…" he sighs, "Please, tell me where you are."

He tries again. Nothing.

"Luz, I'm serious, answer the phone. I'm alone, you don't have to face anyone right now. Just talk to me. Please ."

Hunter doubts she's even listening to these, but he insists. In the meantime, he thinks of every place they frequent – the statue of the Wittebane brothers, the museum, the school Luz attends…

Now that it's the middle of the night, Flapjack gives him a lift, while of course, trying to be discreet. The boy has probably left ten voicemails, and hasn't gotten a single reply, a sign of life. Hunter is beginning to expect the worst.

Should he call the others, after all? He doesn't want to make things worse for Luz, yet he really doesn't know where else to look, nor if she's safe at all.

Hunter will make just one more call, then he's asking for help.

He's back on the ground, Flapjack relying on his shoulder as Hunter tries yet again.

It goes on and on and…

It finally reaches the other end.

"Luz! Where are you? Are you okay? Are you hurt?" Hunter soon feels guilty for sounding so desperate and for making so many questions all at once, but he can't help it.

Despite that… Luz doesn't say anything.

Nor does he hear a sound.

It's like a ghost has picked up.

"Luz? Are you there?"

Nothing.

He doesn't know if this is worse than losing the calls.

Either way, the older teen takes a deep breath.

"I promise, it's just me, okay? I didn't get the others. No one knows you're gone." Hunter clears his throat, "Well, except Flapjack. He's worried about you. You know how much he loves you, don't you?"

Usually Flapjack cheers Luz up. Besides Hunter, the little bird likes following her, her attention and affection. He's definitely pampered, as Hunter remembers all the baby talk Luz uses with him.

The magenta-eyed boy smiles, until he doesn't.

"... Luz. If you're really there… Give me something. You don't have to tell me anything if you don't want to. Just give me a sign, so I know you're okay. And if you're not okay, I want to help you, with anything at all."

At the lack of response, he sighs.

"I promise, I won't mess with you. I'll do anything you need." He can't help the sniff. "Please."

Hunter is trying really hard to keep it together, because the last thing Luz needs is to worry over his well-being. How long has she been doing this, for everyone's sake? It's not fair. It's not fair for her to carry so much weight on her own. It's not fair for her to suffer so much.

And it's not fair for her to…

"... do you hate me?"

Hunter almost gasps at finally getting an answer, after such a dead silence. Thank the Titan, Luz doesn't sound like she's in danger. Though… her tone is certainly drained.

He then replies, without hesitation, "No, of course not."

There's another long pause.

"... Hunter?"

"Yeah?"

A sniff.

"I don't want to exist anymore."

Hunter swallows his tears for now.

"Each day that passes, it only gets worse. More and more pointless. My head is heavier, my chest hurts… Everyone is trying so hard to be hopeful, and I am too, but… I'm not. I can't."

He waits for her to say anything else, as much as she needs.

"I don't see a future for me anymore," Luz admits, her voice wet. "I'll be trapped for the rest of my life. Consumed by my mistakes, haunted by my nightmares… all on my own."

There are much more sniffs, as if Luz is trying hard to dry her tears.

Flapjack chirps in concern. Hunter hums.

"Do you want me to meet with you?" The latter suggests. "Or would you rather talk through the phone?"

Luz contemplates a little, before deciding, "I'm at the cliff by the graveyard."

Hunter remembers only going there once, when they were all searching for any clues to get back to the Boiling Isles. Flapjack wastes no time to turn back into a staff for Hunter to pilot again.

"I'm on my way. Hang on, okay?" Hunter says softly.

"Okay."

He turns off and makes his way to the creepy cemetery. It takes less than five minutes to get there, and from up there he already sees a lonely figure contemplating the dark pit. Hunter lands so as not to scare Luz. There aren't many lights to guide them in this empty night, but he doesn't need more than that.

Flapjack heads to Luz's side, chirping in joy of seeing her again. Luz does pet him a little, but she's not enthusiastic.

She hasn't been in a while.

Hunter has known that more than anyone does.

He steps slowly to her side, facing the cliff she's hanging over. Hunter isn't scared by the dark. It's all very… familiar to him. He knows how it is, to have darkness guide you. The truth is, there was light inside him all along. As for Luz, defined by her comforting light spells, she has always had darkness with her, even if secretly.

Now, it's all that's left of her.

Hunter sits next to her, not telling her to step away from the edge. Not yet.

Flapjack remains with her, now cuddling against her shoulder. Luz doesn't push either of them away.

Hunter takes a look at her. Luz is also wearing pajamas, but surely keeping the Owl Lady's jacket. The sleeves were sewed by yours truly, one of his first works to be proud of. He remembers her smile when he finished. One of the few times she showed happiness since getting to the Human Realm. Such a thankful, loving smile.

Luz's face right now… it's such a painful contrast.

Despite her crying earlier, her eyes are empty. Deep. Dark. It's like the pit has consumed her.

Hunter scoots a little closer, but not to the point of forcing her into it.

He doesn't say anything, knowing that nothing is going to heal Luz. The darkness can't be sewed, it can't be merely blinded by the sun, because the shadows will always be there.

There is one question that is lingering in his head, one he hopes is not invasive.

"How long have you been thinking about… this?" He breaks the silence.

Luz doesn't react.

"... a few weeks."

Hunter doesn't get mad or sad, he simply understands.

She sighs.

"Whenever things got grim, I always had something to rely on. But now… I have nothing. Nothing makes me happy. Nothing is keeping me here. And I don't know what to do anymore." Luz rubs her eyes. "I'm only more and more convinced that it would be better if I were gone and none of you would have to put up with me ever again."

Flapjack chirps sadly. Hunter remains stable.

"I've given up, but I keep having to mask myself, for everyone's sake," she vents. "I'm so tired of pretending. I'm tired of living. I'm tired ."

The girl hides her face in her arms. Hunter doesn't hear her sobbing, at least not loudly.

He thinks of what he can do for her. Because again, he can't magically solve these feelings she has. Hunter can only listen, and be present.

Flapjack looks at him with a saddened look, and Hunter nods.

"Luz," he whispers, even though it's only the two (or three) of them there, "do you want a hug?"

He doesn't think he's ever been affectionate towards Luz. He's aware she loves physical touch, but she seems to respect Hunter's space, even if he's definitely become a hugger thanks to Gus and Willow. Hunter can't help feeling a little guilty for never taking the initiative before.

Either way, Luz is lying against him, her face still hidden in her arms and knees. Hunter wraps an arm around her, pulling her close. Flapjack is then resting on his blond hair, to allow their contact.

His cheek is on Luz's head, this time without a beanie. His gaze greets the pit in front of them.

"... Thank you," Hunter says, "for telling me all of this. For letting me in."

Suddenly, he feels her body trembling, and then she's shoving her head against his chest. Luz doesn't make a lot of noise, save for her quiet sobbing, and she holds dearly onto him. Hunter wraps both arms around her, nuzzling her brown curls.

"... I'm sorry," Luz begs. "I'm sorry, I'm sorry–"

"Shhh…" Hunter squeezes her. "There's nothing to be sorry for." Flapjack agrees.

She seems to cry further with these words. Thankfully, Luz is allowing this. She's letting herself be safe with him.

It doesn't take too much time, but even if it did, Hunter wouldn't mind. Regardless, Luz eventually calms down, taking deep breaths.

"Hunter?" She calls out.

"Hm?"

"... could we go to the old house? I don't want to go back to my room."

"Yeah, of course."

Luz dries her face with her sewed sleeve. "Th-Thanks."

He smiles fondly. "No problem."

Finally, Flapjack takes them back, only they head to their little refuge near the woods. They share a bean bag, which is big enough for two. Luz seems to need it, since she falls asleep rather fast. Hunter, while sleeping better in the Human Realm, stays up to watch out for her.

Her note is still in his pocket, and it will likely remain there for the time being. Everything that happened in the graveyard shall stay there.

Luz is lying closer to him. Hunter can't help the hot cheeks at the contact. Still, he smiles at her and sticks in. That's what she needs the most.