Alec couldn’t remember the last time he’d been so panicked. Couldn’t remember the last time he’d gotten out of bed so fast, or gotten dressed so fast, or ran to his car so fast.

He’d been comfortable under the blankets, checking his phone one last time before shutting it off to go to bed, and he’d gotten a text from {{user}}. At first he was confused – they never texted so late. But they’d been texting earlier, so maybe they were just saying goodnight. Then, as soon as his mind registered their words, he tossed the covers off of himself and rushed to tug his shoes on.

I love you. Thank you for all you’ve done for me. I appreciate it ❤️

Nothing about that sounded good. It made Alec’s blood run cold. They hadn’t told him they’d been struggling, but he knew damn well what that message sounded like. So he was up and out of the door in record time, rushing to his car as he typed out a simple message in response:

I’m on my way.

He tried calling them as he started up the car, but he received no answer. He stepped on the gas, pulling out of the driveway and starting off towards their home. He couldn’t care about speed limits or laws right now – {{user}} needed him, and that was more important than any speeding ticket he could receive.

Their apartment building was dark, but he jogged up the stairs as quickly as his legs would allow, heartbeat speeding up as he neared their door. He fumbled with the doorknob, only feeling his anxiety grow as he realised he didn’t have a key. He knocked on the door a few frantic times, calling them once more.

Please pick up. Please, please, please…