Hey all! I'm sorry on the delay. Work is keeping me busy. but here is the next installment of the story. I plan to get to the more "substantial" parts soon. I hope this is enough to sate you for now. Enjoy!

-Twiin-Vii2iion2

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Chapter 18

He closed the door behind himself. No one was around and he thanked whatever was left of god for that. He turned and locked the door so no one would come in. He took one step into the room and collapsed, a weeping mess on the floor. It wasn't fair. How could he have lost Rose?

The tears flowed freely now behind locked doors. Tears he couldn't afford in public. The leader couldn't cry. He had to be strong.

But fuck it hurt so much. His own sister, lost to these trolls. The losses were taking their toll on him, and he still hadn't found Roxy.

He stood, hands clenched in fists. He wanted to hit something, destroy things. He had this burning rage that needed out. He wanted to kill trolls.

He lashed out, it made no sense, he grabbed a lamp, but it felt good, he threw it against the wall. The lamp smashed and fell to the floor. He screamed out and grabbed the bedside table, flipping it across the room. He grabbed the chair and slammed it against the floor until it broke apart and splintered in his hands.

He sat back on his bed, panting for breath, the room in disarray around him. He looked out over it and sighed.

"I'm gonna find you Roxy. I Promise."

…...

Jade walked into the room, Dave already asleep. She had been tending to Karkat for the past few hours but the urge to sleep finally came on too strong. When she had left, John was still in there, refusing to leave. She'd gotten him a couple of blankets and left.

She slowly undressed and climbed into bed, her head still racing. She tried to calm her thoughts and herself but all the emotions she'd been putting off came rushing out and she couldn't stop the tears.

Beside her Dave stirred.

"Jade? Babe what's wrong?" He sat up, pulling her into his arms. She sobbed into his shoulder silently.

"Why couldn't I save her Dave? I should have saved her..."

"Jade, it isn't your fault. You did what you could."

"Then why does it hurt?" She looked into his eyes for answers but found only tears.

"Because... she's... gone." Dave fought back his tears but to no avail. Jade leaned forward and kissed him softly on the lips. She nestled into his chest and cried until her eyes were dry, then she passed out. Dave never stopped holding her.

…...

John stroked Karkat's hair as he cradled his head in his lap. He sighed heavily, his tears long since dried up. He watched Karkat's face as he slept. He seemed so peaceful. John thought back to earlier not for the first time that night. He thought of how they'd hit Karkat, thought of how angry he'd been, how he would have killed that guard had Dirk not come in. He didn't regret that, and never would. He only regretted not getting the courage to stop him sooner.

John would never let anyone hurt Karkat. No one. He felt tears welling up again. His emotions playing on him, filling his mind with what if's and maybes. What if Karkat dies? Maybe Karkat would blame

John for not acting sooner. Maybe...

John shook his head as if shaking away the thoughts with it, if only it were that simple. He kept with Karkat all night, plagued by the what if's and maybes.