It's Quiet Uptown

Chapter Thirty-Five: Hollow

A/N: I just looked at the read count, and my mind just exploded. 7.1 THOUSAND reads??? You guys are just the best. I actually feel really bad for doing this to y'all :(

Lin's POV

    Confusion. Heartbreak. Hurt.

    These were the emotions that went off like fireworks in my brain as I watched Jonathan Groff, lover, boyfriend, best friend, the man I believed I would one day marry, walk out on me without a second glance.

    Somehow, through the disbelieving tears and body-wracking sobs, I spotted one of Sebby's crayon drawings on the fridge. Memories of a little boy with shining eyes and a beautiful laugh crowded in my head.

    My last words to the man I loved so deeply I sometimes feared that wouldn't breathe without his smile, was focused only for my son.

    "What do I tell Sebastian?" I whispered.

    His tall form stopped, hand resting on the door handle.

    "Tell him I said goodbye," he said without a trace of emotion, and shut the door.

    The thunder of the door slamming broke something in me. Ice that had been slowly creeping through my heart rushed through the rest of my body. My head sank to the couch cushions as tears seeped through my closed eyelids.

    I don't know how long I laid there until something possessed me to grab my phone and dial a very familiar number.

    "Hello?"

    "Pippa," I rasped, raw loss in my voice. "I need you."

*  *  *  *

Pippa's POV

    I had no idea what had happened, but all I knew was that Lin - my stage husband/very dear friend - needed me.

     I had never been so glad that I'd stayed in NYC when I'd left Hamilton, choosing to continue acting in Broadway productions. My apartment was only thirty minutes away from his.

    Now, I wasn't one to break laws. I was a rule-follower, through and through. But the goosebump-inducing pain in his voice made me break every speed limit I crossed.

    At last, I arrived at his apartment and flew up the stairs. The door was unlocked so I burst in, panting slightly.

    What I saw made me pale.

    Lin was curled up in the fetal position on the couch, tears streaming from his eyes. His eyes. Just a glance at his mocha orbs made me shiver from head to toe. Every trace of warmth that usually lingered was wiped away, replaced with a horrible vacantness.

    He didn't even glance over when the door banged open. It was like he was completely gone.

    "Lin!" I gasped, dropping to his side. "Lin, sweetie, I'm here, I'm here. It's Pippa. What's wrong? Why are you alone? Where's Groff?"

    He twitched almost imperceptibly before pain welled up in his eyes. He made a keening sound in his throat, so agonized I burst into tears.

    "Lin! LIN!"

    I slapped him.

    His face snapped to the side but he continued to wail.

    "Lin..." I sobbed. "Please! Just tell me what's wrong!"

    Finally, something seemed to get through to him. He whimpered, "Pippa? Pippa, he- he- he's gone!"

    His head sank back to the couch, continuing to sob.