Grim reclined back in the booth, eyes locked on the empty space that once held Artemis. Nothing felt real.

The room suddenly seemed very hot, and Grim began to sweat. Blood roared in his ears, drowning out the doomsday report on television. Nothing could break his trance, not even the alluring smell of waffles that permeated from his place.

As long as he could remember, Artemis had just been there, like a shadow constantly tailing him. He couldn't recall Artemis ever going out on his own. They were each other's only companions. He loved his brother with all his heart.

And, now, for the first time in hundreds of years, Grim was alone.

Grim wasn't even sure what had just happened. Everything seemed to move lighting-fast, and suddenly Artemis was out of his life. His brain refused to process any of it.

Artemis's words kept replaying in his head. Was this all his fault? Was he just running away?

Grim's nails dug into the table as he bitterly shook his head. No, he thought, pushing down the fringes of doubt, he's wrong. Moony is wrong. This isn't my fault. His cheeks burned with fierce emotion, which totally meant he was firmly set on his innocence.

Grim pushed himself to his feet, the room spinning circles around him. A lock of dirty black hair fell across his face, casting a shadow over his wild eyes.

Of course he was going after Artemis. He can't function without me, Grim told himself fervently, but his racing heart and sweaty neck implied the inverse.

He stumbled out the door, catching the eye of the waitress.

"Hey, you haven't payed-"

Grim twisted his head around, exceeding the limits of a normal human's neck. He allowed his humanoid form to slip for a split second, but it was enough to make the waitress drop her tray. Grim rushed out the door.

Artemis couldn't have gotten far. He couldn't teleport, and they didn't have a car.

The parking lot was nearly empty, and there was no trace of Artemis. Grim stopped to pant. Where could he have gone?

He took a clumsy step forward, only to hear a crunch. He looked down, and his heart plunged into his stomach.

Artemis's glasses. They were laying on the pavement, shattered. The obnoxiously red old-lady chains that hung off the sides were even broken.

Swallowing, Grim let his eyes veer forward. Artemis's jean-jacket sat only a few feet away, and it was in tatters.

Whatever had happened, there had been a struggle.

Author's Note- i added some music i think fits the book good lol

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