Asch was still wondering how Mello could have disappeared. His things weren't in his closet, nothing. It was...disconcerting. He'd asked the nurse at dinner, but she'd just smiled and told him that his roommate must have checked out.

Checked out wasn't exactly how he'd have liked to put it, but maybe it was more apt than anything else would have been. The nurses were either really good actresses or had no idea what was going on. He wasn't sure which idea was more upsetting.

He got his pipe ready and waited for Van. He didn't want to stand around in the hallway, so instead, he stood in his doorway, flashlight on, waiting. He hoped that the Commandant had actually found his flashlight tonight.