Broken

Empty

PHIL

I thanked the teen working the information desk at the vet as she handed Toby over to me. He wagged his tail and licked my hand.
I held him close as I rushed out into the misty night.
I hailed a cab. The car ride would take almost 30 minutes. I kept Toby under control the best I could. It helped that he was so tired after his shots.  I decided to text see if Dan had texted me again. He hadn't.
6:52
Was displayed on the green clock in the cab.

After about 20 minutes, there was still nothing from Dan, so I decided to text him to check in.

Hey, love! I'm about 10 minutes from the flat, is everything ready to go? : )

I closed my phone and shifted in my seat, holding a sleeping Toby close to my chest. The cab driver had soft music playing as I stared out the window at Christmas lights that still hadn't been taken down.
I thought deeply about Dan.
He seemed to be improving emotionally since the week of thunderstorms. The week we had started dating.
Though he was too afraid to go out anywhere, we had a few stay-in dates. I planned one and he planned one.
I smiled at the memory of walking in to see twinkling lights all around Dan's usually darkened room. He played the piano for me, for  along time. It was beautiful. I stared at him as the music filled the room.
I didn't recognize the tune.
He had written it.
For me.

I sighed happily as I stared out the cab window. I began to recognize the buildings. We were nearing the flat.
I glanced at my Phone.
Still no reply from Dan.
I furrowed my eyebrows. Dan usually replied fairly quickly. I shrugged it off - assuming he was packing or something. But I couldn't shake the sinking feeling in my gut.
The cab finally pulled to a stop in front of the flat.
I paid the driver and thanked him before carrying Toby inside. I walked past several doors to get to our flats door.
But as soon as I spotted it- I froze.

It was open.

Not just unlocked. But wide open.

I walked cautiously forward. Once I got closer, I saw a huge chunk of splintered wood jutting out around the lock. My heart pounded and my ears hummed as I walked in. Toby wriggled in my arms. I absent mindedly set him on the carpet. He ran around the flat, sniffing.
"Dan?" I called, hopefully.

No answer.

I looked in the lounge. Dan wasn't there. Just the large suitcase we usually shared. He wasn't in the kitchen either.
"Dan?!" I shouted as panic took over.
I dropped my bags and ran out of the kitchen and down the hall. At the end of it I found Dan's phone laying in the middle of the floor. It was unlocked and the dial screen read

99-

He had tried dialing 999. I began to cry as I desperately searched the rest of the flat.
"Dan!" I sobbed, "Dan, Please! Answer me!!"
Toby ran at my heels and barked at me as I ran around the flat screaming.
Dan's father, I realized, It must have been.
Suddenly, Anger seeped in along with my fear.
Finally, I forced my shaky hands to dial 999.

       "999, what's your emergency?" A woman answered calmly.
But I was in no state to speak calmly. I was shaking, crying, hyperventilating.
"Help! Please- My- my boyfriend has been abducted! Please, I need police, He could be terribly hurt- or-or-" My chest tightened at the thought and I stopped talking. I breathed heavily as I kept pacing every inch of the flat.
"Okay, Sir, did you see anyone?" She asked, keeping her calm composure. I couldn't quite tell if I appreciated her calmness, or if It aggravated me. Dan, my world, was missing for fucks sake!! Taken! Gone!
"N-no, I just- when I got home, the door was broken open, and I-I found his phone on the ground and-" I gasped and stopped in my tracks as I passed Dan's phone in the hallway again. I stared at the wall, "t-there's blood." I almost whispered into the phone as I stared, transfixed at the smear of blood on the wall.
How had I not seen it before? It didn't look like a ton- but it may as well have been.
Dan was hurt. Bleeding. Scared. And I wasn't there for him.
"Alright, sir, stay calm and refrain from touching anything. Where are you?"  The woman questioned.
I told her our address and paced the lounge nervously.

"A unit has been dispatched to your location."

------------

When the police finally arrived, yellow crime tape and yellow numbered tags went up everywhere, marking evidence. I sat holding Toby on the sofa, shaking. Detectives and investigators shuffled through the flat, keeping to their work.

Soon, two officers approached me. A man and a woman.

"Hello, Mr. Lester, " The man greeted, "I'm detective Grey, and this is my partner, officer Hartly." He gestured to the woman.
"Did you touch anything?" Officer Hartly questioned.
I shook my head, "No, I-I didn't."
"What is your flat mates full name?" Detective Grey asked.
"Daniel James Howell." I said as calmly as I could.
"Wait, Dan Howell?" Hartly said, her expression changing, "The YouTuber?"
I nodded, "That's him."
"Then you must be Phil?" She added.
I nodded again, realizing she must know who we are.
"My son is obsessed with you two, you have some great videos." She noted before returning to a professional composure, "I'm so sorry this has happened. But we will do all we can to ensure his safe return."
I gave a weak smile.
"Was there anyone you knew who wanted to hurt Daniel?" Grey asked.

I took a deep breath, "Yes. H-his father. He used to abuse Dan and his family when Dan was young. Because of him Dan's mother is in a wheelchair. But He was let out of prison yesterday.." I explained, " I- I don't know why.."

The officers glanced at each other before Grey wrote more in his small notebook.
"Do you know his fathers name?" He asked.
"N-no.." I realized for the first time, "but my guess is his last name is Howell."
More Notebook scribbling.
I sighed impatiently. I wanted them to get out there and look for the monster already. Every moment they wasted, Dan was being taken further away from his home.

Our home.

The police stayed for hours. Taking pictures, placing little yellow tabs, and asking me the samequestions over and over.

What's his name?
What does he look like?
When did you last see him?
When did you last speak with him?
Where where you?
Do you live here?

I was sick of it.

But suddenly the detectives I had been speaking to left. They walked with purpose, they must have gotten something. I stood and ran out of the flat after them. I glanced at Toby in my arms.
I couldn't take him with me.

I spotted the old woman in the next flat over. She stood in front of two other officers as they questioned her. I sprinted up to her and transferred the small dog into her arms.
"Watch him, please." I begged quickly.
"Of course, Dear, but what's-"
I didn't listen to the rest of her sentence. I spun on my heel and continued after Detective Grey and Officer Hartly. They were getting into a police vehicle.

"Wait!" I said, finally reaching them, "I want to come with you. No- I need to come with you." I demanded, panting.

Officer Hartly sighed, "Look, dear, you're a civilian, I can't have you on this case-"

"Please! I know Dan better than anyone. If he leaves something, a sign, or a clue, I'll know. Please!" I explained, desperately trying to keep what little composure I had.

The two stared at me for a moment. Finally, Detective Grey rolled his eyes.

"Oh hell, Get in. We've got a lead. Just don't do anything stupid."

---

Hey guys! AAH! Poor Dan!

Anyways, I hope you are enjoying the story so far.

Should the next chapter be DANS POV or PHILS POV?

Let me know what you'd like next! Thanks for reading!