Joe awoke as he did every morning lately. All too suddenly and with Digitamamon kicking the door hard enough to make the hinges rattle.
"Wake up!" the monster was screaming as usual. "If you're not in that kitchen in five minutes, it'll go on your tab!"
Joe shuddered as Gomamon wearily blinked the sleep from his eyes. Five minutes from Digitamamon was very generous and would give him just enough time to eat a snack (at a price, of course). He reached over for his glasses and winced as the pain in his cheek hit him with full force. Last night in his sleepy daze, it hadn't been so completely unbearable, and he wished that the price of Digitamamon's medication wasn't so high. Even a few aspirin would have helped, but telling Matt to add a few more days to their schedule would probably push him over the edge. He was surprised that, aside yesterday, the blonde had accepted everything so stoically. Joe was used to his father's rage, physical punishments falling at the mildest derailing of his plans, so when Matt merely nodded whenever their stay was extended, he took it as a good sign.
The rage displayed the night before sent a shiver down his spine, and he wondered if now that the gates were open, he would have to expect even more.
Joe gingerly shook the thought from his head, knowing that if violence were to come, he would accept his punishments without a word.
"Matt?" he called. He wasn't sure if the other boy would still be angry from last night, but he knew they had to start heading to the restaurant to avoid Digitamamon's wrath which would have a much larger impact on their well being. "Matt, wake up."
Gomamon, not as scared of the other's temper, poked his head under the curtain. "Gabumon, hurry -!" Joe jumped as Gomamon yelped. "They're gone!"
"They're what?" Tightness gripped Joe's chest and he hoped he wouldn't have to pay to use his inhaler, locked away in Digitamamon's office. More worried about the haunting silence from the other side of the curtain than what rage he might face, Joe reached out and tore down the dirty sheet. The grimy cloth fluttered to the ground to reveal...
Nothing.
Even Matt's futon had been rolled up neatly in the corner – the only sign that the boy had even come back to the boiler room the night before. Gomamon, upon regaining his composure, began yelling and cursing, using all the delightful new words he'd learned from Tai. Joe's knees shook and he almost collapsed. His chest ached and the only thought he had was simply, I wish he'd have let me know, so I could have told him goodbye...
Even the pain in his cheek seemed insignificant compared to the overwhelming bleakness that was flooding his body.
He wasn't sure how long he stood there, silent and dazed, with Gomamon screaming at nothing, but it was long enough for Digitamamon to come back, kicking down the door in a rage.
"I told you to be in that kitchen! What kind of lazy, incompetent, stupid - -" Even the monster fell silent when he saw only one human in the boiler room. Joe turned to him, seeming like he couldn't recognize him, and Gomamon slowed his tirade to a low growl. Digitamamon blinked deep in his shell as what took place began to fall into place. He snickered. Then he giggled. Then he chuckled.
Finally, he laughed, the sound bouncing off the walls and drowning out everything else.
"I told him!" Digitamamon wheezed between bouts of crazed laughter. "I told you! I knew he would leave and abandon you! I warned him, but he didn't listen!"
"I bet he left because you ran him off!" Gomamon accused. He took a step closer and shook his fist(?) at the monster, rendered almost immobile from laughter.
"Me?" Digitamamon was more amused than he'd ever been in his whole life. "I'm not the one who burnt everything he touched. I'm not the one who dropped every dish on the floor. I'm not the one who screwed up every order. I'm not the one who couldn't get his act together for more than ten minutes a day!" He fell into another fit of laughter as Joe fell to his knees.
Everything the monster said was true, striking Joe in his heart over and over. It was as though he were pulling the words straight from the boy's brain.
"He's right," Joe mumbled as Gomamon rushed over in concern. "I ran Matt off, and there's no one to blame but me." He placed his hand heavily on Gomamon's head, not even able to feel the surge of strength the seal forced between them. He looked up at the cackling manager with a dark look in his eyes. "I'll be in the kitchen in just a moment."
That stopped Digitamamon's ruthless mirth in a heartbeat. He glowered, dark energy gathering around his shell. "You? There's no way I'm letting you anywhere near that kitchen. No. Come with me, and I'll find something you're more... suited to."
"I don't trust this," Gomamon began, but Joe shook his head.
"I gave my word that I would repay my debt. If I can't make the money in the kitchen, I'll earn it however else I can."
"But..." Gomamon frowned. "What about Matt? He wouldn't just up and leave... Would he?"
"There's no struggle," Joe said wearily. "I can't see where he was taken against his will, and we didn't hear a fight. Therefore, it's only logical he left on his own, probably to get TK." He pulled himself to his feet. He felt empty inside, every word he spoke was hollow. "Besides, he was dragged into my issues. He didn't make my mistakes and he didn't have to stay to help. The time I had with him was enjoyable, but he has his responsibilities and I have mine."
"Joe..." Gomamon whimpered, feeling ashamed at his rightful rage. "You're too kind to someone like that."
Joe began walking toward the restaurant, slowly following Digitamamon. "He has a little brother to look after. I'm old enough to take care of myself. When I repay Digitamamon, I'll find him and apologize for making him late."