Bryce peers into an alley for a moment, before pulling back, shaking his head, and pulling Ryan along a little further.

Ryan has no idea what Bryce is looking for. All he knows is that it's apparently in some alley and that it's important. They move along the sidewalk, before coming to another building.

Bryce, as per usual, stops to check the side of it. This time, he gasps lightly and pulls Ryan closer to him. "Look! This is it! You see that?"

Ryan looks at the wall in front of them, and feels a wave of confusion come over him. On the wall in bright cherry red spray paint is a little red devil with only one eye. Exactly the little thing Luke had gotten printed onto a jacket of his.

"It's me," he would always joke. "You know, because I am a sexy devil."

But now that Ryan and Bryce are standing in a creepy alley in the dead of night staring at the same devil, it looks more scary than anything.

"W- what does this have to do with anything? Anyone could've drawn the stupid devil," Ryan says nervously. For some odd reason, his mind refuses to accept the idea of Luke having been here, right under their damn noses the entire time they've been here.

But... It makes sense. The texts, Brock's stories, and now this. He was here, yes, but where?

"Feel it," Bryce says softly, gently running a finger over the horn of the devil. "It's still wet. A really pretty red, too."

Ryan does as asked, touching the tip of the devil's tail. A bit of bright red paint sticks to his finger, and he carelessly rubs it off on his jeans.

He's about to ask Bryce a question, but is cut off by the sound of a low grumble. Looking to Bryce with confusion, he's met with Bryce's sheepish smile and him rubbing his belly.

"I know what you're gonna say. Can we talk over some food? I bet there's a McDonald's open within walking distance."

-

"You know... With everything going on," Bryce mumbles softly," I almost forgot it's Christmas time."

Ryan nods, sipping on a hot chocolate he had bought. "I guess it's the fact we ended up in a really freaky part of Chicago that distracted us. That and like nobody in this business district decorated for the holiday."

Bryce hums in agreement, brushing some hair out of his face as he snatches some of Ryan's fries. "I hope Jonathan is okay, wherever he is. I think we both know how much he loves Christmas."

Ryan pauses mid-sip, staring at Bryce in horror. He had completely forgotten about Jonathan's existence. Was he okay? Where is he? Is he even alive?

"Shit, Bryce, we've been so worried about Luke that we completely forgot about Jonathan! Where do you think he even is?!"

Bryce seems to be deep in thought as he munches on a chicken nugget (that was also Ryan's) and eventually looks straight at Ryan, an odd look in his eyes. "I... I think, that wherever he may be, he's doing okay. I'm not gonna say he's all fine and dandy- we found his freaking hoodie all bloody for crying out loud. I'm just saying that he's strong and a lot smarter than we ever give him credit for, and that he'll make it out alive."

Ryan is taken aback by his.... everything, really. Where had the sudden determination come from? Since when could Bryce be so serious?

He's almost formed a coherent thought in his head when Bryce smiles sweetly with a stupidly cute giggle. "Now's not the time to worry, though. Do you think we could get more chicken nuggets?"

Ryan throws out the first thing that comes to mind. "What's with you and my food?! You've eaten all of my nuggets and haven't even touched your own fucking cheeseburger!"

"That's alright," a new voice says. "I'll eat it for you, you weird fucker."

-
ahahaha thats where it ends have fun guessing who it is kiddos

also 3 fun facts about this story-

-it was initially an h2obrohmtoonz story
-the original idea involved a lot of driving for bryce n ohm
- bryce and ohm were supposed to die but now theyre not ur welcome ;)