It was the panicked note in Laharl's voice that had sent him running in. His mind raced, flowing from one worry to the next, and by the time he had entered the room, Vyers was just as panicked as Laharl was. He opened his mouth to ask what had happened but the sight before him said it all.

Only Laharl was there. Gwen... He didn't see her. He couldn't hear her. Surely there was some sort of mistake. She had to be somewhere! She... She couldn't. Not again.

He looked through every part of the apartment, every room, every hiding place he could think of, and when he couldn't find her he checked again. It was only after the third time that he gave up, slowly walking back into the living room, his face blank but his eyes filled with sadness. And though he knew he should say something now, there was a lump in his throat that nearly choked him, swallowing any words he could possibly say.