Solitude

A/N: Since I have two finals left on Monday, tomorrow I'm finishing up Exile. Yep, the last two chapters will be out soon, thanks for reading.

A week had passed since Shadow's abrupt leave during Nazo and Clara's performance. Sandy sat on the couch beside Static, asking, "Any luck reaching him?"

"No, not even his coach can get him to answer the phone." Static replied, tossing his phone onto the cushion next to him. The three of them had exchanged numbers while Static was in the hospital and Shadow's phone always went to voicemail after ringing so at least it wasn't turned off.

Static sighed, rubbing his propped up leg. "We should go visit him," he said, grabbing his crutch and standing.

Sandy looked at him, tail flickering for a moment as she chewed on her lip. "We don't even know where he lives. . .but I'm pretty sure Clara knows." She said, standing up as well.

"Mom," Jenny yelled, walking away from the front door. "your friends are here."

Clara walked out of the kitchen and into the living room. She smiled as Sandy and Static sat down, asking, "What are you two doing here? I was just about to fix lunch, you guys want anything?"

"No thanks, 'cept we'd 'ppreciate it if you told where Shadow lived," Sandy said. "He hasn't been answerin' his phone n we're kinda worried."

Clara swallowed, taking her phone out. She put it to her ear as the dial tone started and Shadow's voice mail met her instead. She bit her lip as she went to go get a pen and sheet of paper, writing down an address and handing it to Static. "Make sure you tell him I sent you if he answers that is."

Sandy nodded, holding the door open for Static. She just hoped he was alright.

Shadow groaned, turning over in bed as his alarm went off for the third time that day. He knew he shouldn't be in bed for this long, but what was the point in getting out of bed? He set himself back by two years and there wasn't any point in trying anymore. He looked over as the light turned on, pulling the cover over his head.

"Shadow," Mei started, walking further into the room. "you know this won't help."

"Who cares? I'm retired anyway." He mumbled, voice soft from disuse. "They probably lost cause of me."

Mei sighed, going over to him and sitting on the edge of the bed. "You and Sandy were second place, and that's just as good as first. Do you know what Static said to me after you left?"

Shadow shook his head, peeking over the cover to look at his former coach.

"Well, he said it was like watching you for the first time all over again. It gave him hope that he'd get better and do his tribute." She said, tugging the cover off of Shadow's face entirely. "And if you don't get out of bed and take care of yourself I'm taking Rune and calling your parents." She added, patting his stomach.

Shadow huffed, sitting up. "No," he mumbled, tossing the cover off himself. He looked up as someone knocked on the door, getting to go answer it before Rune could.

Mei stopped him, holding her nose. "I got it, go shower, you stink."

Shadow swallowed, watching Mei leave before heading towards the bathroom. Whoever was at his door must've been concerned about him too bang on the door that much.