It was getting dark when Virgil finally got out of work. He reached into his pocket and grabbed his wallet. It was mostly empty, not enough for a cab. He had forgotten to borrow a little money from Patton because his pay check was late.

Oh well, it was a nice night for a walk.

***

"What do you mean 'legally dead'"? Logan splayed his hands in the air, as if searching for the answer with his fingers.

"It's a long story."

"Is that one of the reasons you wanted to get him out of the asylum? You were afraid someone would find out?"

"Partly, yes."

"What's the other part?!" Logan flung his arms out.

Python tapped his gloved fingers on his cane.

"I cannot say."

"As in you don't know or-"

"As in I can't tell you."

"Okay, okay." Logan rubbed his temples. "So we have to find a dangerous, legally dead man before he kills anyone, we can't get help from the police, and it's just the three of us in the all of London."

"When you put it that way, it seems impossible."

"That's because it is!"

They paused as the carriage slowed to a stop. Python payed the driver as they all got out. It was a dirtier, darker part of town.

"What's your plan?" Patton took off his glasses and cleaned it with a handkerchief from his pocket.

"We could cover more ground by splitting up," Python suggested. "I have an acquaintance that saw him in this area.

And that's when Logan stopped trusting this stranger. He had a suspicion "Python Delphi" was telling more lies then truths. He grabbed Patton's arm.

"No."

Python looked annoyed.

"What do you mean 'no'?"

***

Roman was pleased with himself. He had done very well at the audition and hadn't tripped once.

He made a note to throw that in Virgil's face as he slid a prop sword onto the highest shelf of the prop room. He usually went straight home after an audition but he felt great so he had stayed a little longer to help organize some props. But now it was getting late and he had to get home.

***

"Look, I know you're anxious to find your friend but every time you talk this situation gets fishier and fishier."

"Logan," Patton said quietly. "Can I have a word?"

Logan frowned but agreed and they walked away a few paces.

"Patton, I don't trust him."

"I know, I know. But I... I think I recognized Wolf."

"You know Wolf?"

Patton shook his head. "No, but something was familiar about his features."

"So," Logan adjusted his necktie. "You are going to help this creep because his friend, who, need I mention, may have killed someone, looks somewhat familiar?"

Patton folded his arms. "Something like that."

Logan shook his head. "I'm going home."

Patton frowned. "You're going to leave me alone with him?"

"No, you're coming with me."

"I'm helping Mr Delphi find his friend."

Logan laughed. "Yeah, no."

"Yeah, yes."

"I'm not going to fight with you, Patton."

"And I'm helping Mr Delphi." Patton looked defiant. "I'm an adult, Logan, I'll make my own decisions."

"Patton, you're so naive you would trust a murderer!" Logan snapped.

Patton stepped back. "What?"

"All your friends know how poor your judgement is when it comes to these matters." Logan grabbed Patton's sleeve. "Come on, we're going home."

He hadn't realized how harsh and hurtful his words were until Patton started to blink rapidly and looked away.

"Oh, Pat, I'm sorry, I didn't realize-."

"Go home, Logan, I'll take it from here." Patton pulled away.

"Patton, I didn't mean it."

"Sure. I'm so naive I believe you." Patton wouldn't look in his eyes.

"Hey," Logan tilted his head, trying to get his friend to look at him. "I'm sorry."

"I don't care. I need to get back to Mr Delphi."

Anger and frustration took hold of Logan. He grabbed Patton's shoulders. "Listen. You can't help everyone you meet. Stop being a fool."

Patton finally looked at him. Logan had never seen Patton this angry.

Patton opened his mouth but couldn't think of anything to say. He shoved Logan. Logan wasn't expecting this so he fell onto his rear.

"I'll do what I want!" Patton yelled, fiercely brushing away the tears that had started rolling down his cheeks.

Logan was so startled he didn't get up and follow Patton as he stormed back to Python.

"Is everything alright?" Python asked, genuinely concerned.

"I'm fine," Patton rubbed his nose with his sleeve. "He wouldn't have been much help anyway. Let's go."

Patton walked into an alley to start the search. Python glanced at Logan apolitically and followed.

Logan sat up on the pavement. He stayed there for a few seconds before getting up and hailing a cab.

***

Roman stepped out of the theater's back door and breathed in the new night air. He started humming to himself as he rounded the building to get to the main road.

"That was an astounding audition."

Roman whirled around. He couldn't quite make out the man standing in the shadows but he hadn't been there before.

"Thank you," Roman squinted. "Who are you?"

"You don't know me?"

Roman opened his mouth answer in the negative but then noticed that the man had something dangling by a small leather strap in his hand. A... mace?

***

Virgil raised his eyes from the pavement just enough to see he was near the theater Roman worked at. He wondered whether Roman would be done with auditions by now. Maybe Virgil wouldn't have to walk home alone.

***

Roman's amber eyes locked with the man's glowing green ones. Roman's feet were rooted to the ground. He didn't know who this man was but he knew he wasn't there just to congratulate him on a well done audition.

The man seemed to sense Roman's fear because he grabbed the mace handle with both his hands and ran at Roman.

A yelp escaped Roman's lips and he tried to scurry away.

***

Virgil frowned. Had he heard someone yell? He started to walk faster. He reached the alley and looked down it. Someone leaned over the form of a man crumpled to the earth.

"Hey!" Virgil yelled.

The person looked up, his eyes flashing, and seemed to melt into the shadows and disappear.

Virgil ran to the man and turned him over. He started to panic. It was Roman!

"Roman! Wake up!" Virgil started to shake him wildly. "You can't be dead!"

Roman moaned and mumbled something that sounded like "Mommy, I don't want the mashed potatoes."

Virgil laughed in relief. "Come on, princey, we should get you home."

It was difficult because of Roman's muscular frame but Virgil managed to lift him up and pull one of Roman's arm over his neck while Virgil held him around his waist. Roman did his best to walk but was dazed so Virgil had to practically drag him home.

***

"Have you seen a man about..." Patton looked at Python. Python held his gloved hand a few inches above his head. "... that tall? He has brown hair with white in the front."

The scraggly man looked them. "Did he have glowing green eyes?"

"Yes." Oh, Patton was so relieved. Maybe he would actually get home before bed-.

"Maybe. Depends."

"On what?" Patton asked, getting frustrated.

Python sighed and slipped the man some money.

"Yeah, yeah, the weird guy. Saw him step into the blacksmith. When he came out he asked the time and where the local theater was."

"The local theater?" Python frowned.

"That's what he said."

"Did you tell him?"

"Course. Didn't take any money though. He looked worst that I do."

"Where's the nearest phone?" Patton asked suddenly.

"Uh, post office, I think."

"Thank you, take care of yourself."

The man made Patton nervous so he grabbed Python's cane and Python let him pull him down the street.

"I need to call my flat," Patton told Python.

"Why?"

"My friend works at the theater."