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Sword and Rocket pushed open the door of Med's apartment, Sword stepping through the door first with slight haste, taking it all in.
"M.." Sword stuttered a little, before calling out his brother's name, "Med!!! Are you here? We came to see if you were doing alright!!!" he continued, hoping that this was all a huge misunderstanding and Medkit was fine and just in his apartment, chilling, or had been on a long business venture in relation to his job and was worn out.
Nothing.
Everything was where it was supposed to be. Everything was neatly arranged and put away. No sign of a struggle or anything of the sort. Sword lunged forward and started observing everything around them meticulously, trying his absolute hardest to find anything that could clue them in to where he was or why Sword hadn't seen him in days.
The chairs? All in line and tucked in.
The countertops? Spotless. Only object on them being a mug.
The floors? Very clean. No loose objects strewn about.
"We could get this done quicker if we split up to search the place." Rocket asserted.
"Uh, yeah! You search the kitchen and bathroom!" Sword agreed, before continuing his investigation. He was going to find something. There was no way he was going to leave empty-handed. Once he had felt satisfied with how much he had gazed watchfully at everything present in the entrance, he walked through a door.
He was welcomed to a room that he assumed was where Medkit slept - rather unremarkable. There was a small, dark sofa, and a table next to it, only housing an alarm clock and a bright red telephone. The carpet was soft and pristine. There were no wall decorations.
He began to analyse the little that was there.
Everything was bare, but everything just seemed so.... normal. Like it was all frozen in time.
But. There was something that caught his attention, even if only a little.
The telephone.
Sword walked over to it, curious but quite unsettled by it, for some unknown reason. It was just a normal telephone. The swordsman knelt down, directing a piercing gaze at the object. He picked the handset up, looking at it carefully, examining the crevices. Nothing, of course.
He placed the handset back onto the switch hook, feeling slightly defeated. Checking one last thing, he lifted up the phone. There he found...
A string of numbers.
On the back of a piece of photographic, glossy paper.
He snatched the paper and set the phone down, very intrigued. Quickly, he flipped over the photo in his palms - there he was. He was right there... but younger. A lot younger. Displayed was a picture of Medkit and two other people, presumably colleagues; this was most likely taken back when he resided within Blackrock, due to the different clothes and the fact Medkit's eye was still intact.
It was wild, seeing this version of his brother, that knew nothing of Sword. It made him think of what would have happened if Medkit... never did leave Blackrock..? He hastily shook of the thought. He needed to focus. Slowly, he pulled the photo close to his heart and closed his eyes. He breathed.
He turned it back over to the side that held something very important; a telephone number. Who's number was this? Why was this here? This is clearly a number Med had to remember, so calling it was probably going to give them at least a little to off of.
With shaky fingers, he pulled each number, making sure to get them all correct. It was ringing.
It made him sweat.
Who was going to pick up?
It could be anyone.
He swallowed in an attempt to ground himself. It was all going to be okay. It was...
"...hello? Who is this?" a voice erupted through the receiver - one that he did not recognise. It was playful but malicious.
"Hi? I am Sword-" he spoke, shakily, trying to collect his thoughts and think of what to ask that could provide meaningful information.
"Oh! You're Med's friend right?" it continued. The use of that nickname struck him; wasn't that what Sword called Medkit? Sword opened his mouth to respond, but was interrupted, sharply. "I remember you, when you were small and weak."
A sort of panic and unease was starting to pool in the depths of Sword's mind. Who was this guy?!! Sword's grip on the telephone was wobbly and uncertain. How did he know who Sword was? Sword had not heard this voice before. It was very creepy, and making Sword tremble. It felt like he was being watched. It felt like a million eyes were staring directly through him. He felt like he was being stalked.
"I- Uhh.." Sword mumbled, before being cut off again. The person on the other end let out a little giggle - they could clearly sense Sword's nervousness.
"Though, even I have to admit you're still something of a mystery to me, kid." Sword could find no solace or safety in these spoken words, they only increased his fear and paranoia. Why did this person know so much? Why could he not just speak up. Sword let his mouth open, tightening his grasp and glaring at his feet. The person on the other end seemed cunning, they seemed like they were getting a kick out of this. They were unfased, as if what they were saying was just a normal thing to tell someone you are speaking to for the first time ever.
"Hey, uh-"
"Who are you really?"
Who are you.
Sword's heart rate rose. It was as if thousands of spiders were crawling all over his skin. Who was he? Who was he??!! What was this person's business? And.. what exactly did they mean? This phrase was beginning to make Sword doubt himself, but hey. He knew who he was. This person had no right to know that. With their utterly frightening and illegal behaviour and mannerisms they should be locked up in prison. Sword was drenched in sweat. Where was Rocket. Why hadn't he came to check up on his progress yet. Why did he not notice he was spending a bit too much time in one measly room.
"Wh.. what do you mean..? Who.. are you?" the tense swordsman stuttered.
"Apologies, it seems I have forgotten my manners!" the voice returned, chortling playfully, dripping with a slight speck of malevolence and sadism. "Maybe one of these days he could bring you over here, just for a visit." the person seemed amused by this hypothetical. "Doesn't that sound nice?"
Sword was alarmed instantly by this - this person definitely knew where Medkit was. They definitely knew something that Sword did not. And he needed to know. He needed to know now. Medkit's well-being depended on it.
In a desperate bout and want for information and comfort, Sword blurted out, "Tell me! Where is he, where is Med!!! I need to know, it's.." tears began to well up in his eyes, "it's.. important." he was crumbling.
A moment of silence.
It stretched for what felt like an eternity.
The voice.
Again.
The mystery person on the other end let out a callous laugh, that made Sword's breath quicken and made his head spin. His grip on the phone was loose and his legs felt like jelly. This person really found toying with him absolutely hilarious. They really did like to stalk and pry.
Sword tried to speak but all that came out were sharp breaths and undiscernible sounds.
This person was crazy.
What was Sword going to do.
"I have a feeling I'm going to be hearing from you rather soon... bye!" the voice exclaimed nonchalantly, leaving Sword to pick himself up on his own.
He had learned nothing.
He had learned absolutely nothing.
Great.
He had failed.
He placed the handset back onto the switch hook and was startled by the noise it made when it collided. He peeked back at the photo. In a swift, secretive motion, he pocketed the picture. No one was going to hurt Medkit and get away with it. No one.
He craned his neck towards the exit of the room. Rocket was stood right in the doorframe, an expression on his face that was a mix of confusion and concern. They locked eyes.
"What.. was that? Who did you call?" Rocket said.
"It's... not important."
He scuttled out briskly, not looking behind.
The telephone stared back at him, grimly.