Aftermath

'Hi, Edward...'

'Roxxi? Hello.'

'Something... oh God.'

'Are you alright?'

'No... S-something awful's happened, I don't even know how to begin...'

'What's the matter?'

'It's Tristan, he... he's been attacked. He's hurt...'

'Attacked? Roxxi, what's happened?'

'He didn't come home from work at the usual time, and... oh God Edward, it's horrible!'

'Take your time.'

'Th-There was this flash of light outside then I saw this fucking demon... he was carrying Tristan. Then he dropped him on the ground and disappeared again.'

'Oh God...'

'Tate went outside and... he'd been attacked, we had to rush him to hospital...'

'Is he okay?!'

'Not really... he's alive, thank God. For a minute I thought... I thought...'

'...What did he do to him?'

'His eye...'

'His eye?'

'It's gone... cut out.'

'Fucking hell...'

'He's home now, he's been given painkillers and discharged.'

'Was it the eye alone, or did he have any other injuries?'

'Just the eye.'

'I'm glad it's not more... not that that on its own isn't horrifying enough. Poor Tristan...'

'Me too, Edward. I don't know what to do... he's fucking traumatised. He won't talk to us, he's just shut himself in his room. I don't blame him, but...'

'It's understandable. I'm so sorry, Roxxi. If there's anything I can do...'

'Thanks.'

'It's okay. Did he give any more information?'

'No. The police came to the hospital but he refused to tell them anything. He managed to tell us that he'd been kidnapped in the elevator at work by that demon.'

'Do you know who it might be?'

'There's only one person who's friendly with demons who also happens to be twisted enough to do something like this.'

'...You're right. That fucking cunt.'

'I'd better go now anyway. Could you tell the others? Just so they know the full story, and don't have to rely on gossip.'

'Of course I will.'

'Thanks Edward. Okay, I'll talk to you later.'

'Bye.'

'What's going on?'

'...Tristan's been attacked. Kidnapped and... had his eye taken out.'

'What the fuck?!'

'Did I hear that right?!'

'I'm so sorry...'

'Who?!'

'It could only be Miles.'

'...I wanna go see Tristan.'

'I wouldn't. Roxxi said he's isolating himself, and you know Tate would never let you in anyway.'

'But I need to do something! He's my best friend!'

'Edward's right. Why don't you send him a message? That way he doesn't have to come face to face with you, and he can choose to reply when he's ready. God... I can't believe it.'

'...Yeah, I guess.'

'I know you want to be with him. I do too, but... I think he needs some space.'

'Yeah... Let him know we care without forcing him into seeing us when he doesn't want to. We'll be there for him.'

'You're right...'

*ding*