{last time}

During the Saika-attack, Izaya and Shizuo were battling the red-eyed admirers at West Gate Park. Before leaving, Izaya gave Namie very firm instructions to let only them and Eidolon into the apartment. However, Shingen Kishitani and Tyrone Elsworth had been lying in wait, watching for that specific moment. When Eidolon arrived at the apartment, an unpleasant surprise greeted him. The fight with Saika done, Izaya and Shizuo have found a message from Namie, warning them away from the apartment. Neither she or Eidolon are answering their phones. What will Izaya and Shizuo find waiting for them at the apartment?

OOOOooooOOOOooooOOOO

{Izaya's POV}

My breath tore through my throat in the same way that Shizuo and I were through the streets. There was no time for the rest my body screamed for, adrenaline racing through my body as I ducked around and pushed through crowds of people. The only thing on my mind was Eidolon.

Shizuo was ahead of me by several yards, his longer stride working to his advantage. As we ran, I could hear a few people asking if we had it backwards. On any other day, I might have laughed. But not now.

Putting on an extra burst of speed, I gradually drew even with Shizuo. I was hardly breathing any more, the lack of oxygen making me see spots.

But I managed to hold out. The building seemed much more ominous compared to usual, threatening the worst. Both of us panting like dogs, we bolted through the doors, skidding across the floor and pounding up the stairs. Dashing down the hallway, the worst began to greet us:

The door was open.

Shizuo slammed through the door, with me hot on his heels, both of us yelling, "EIDOLON!?"

No.

Things were broken and overturned. Namie lay in a small pool of blood on the floor. Eidolon's phone lay discarded on the floor, along with bloodstained scraps of fabric. Looking again, I saw his choker, the velvety fabric torn through.

No... No, it... it couldn't be...

All of the exhaustion crashed down on me at once. I fell to the floor, crying softly. Shizuo silently moved over to Namie, wobbling a little.

"She's alive." he said, voice heavy. He didn't care about her. I knew that. I didn't care about her!

"... Shizu..." I whimpered pathetically, trembling as I closed my eyes against the tears pouring down my face.

"Izaya... Izaya, look..."

Slowly, jerkily, I lifted my heavy head to look at Shizuo's hand. Perching almost uncertainly on his palm was a tuft of orange hair.

"... Ty... Ty... It was..."

No... No no no no...

"It was Tyrone." I forced out. My eyes burned as I lunged forward, hugging Shizuo.

They hadn't wanted us! They had left us alone! Why?! Why, dammit, why?!

I screamed in frustration and anguish into Shizuo's chest. He held onto me tightly, saying, "There's a chance yet, maybe we can find him..."

But he didn't believe that. I could hear it in his voice.

Eidolon was gone.