When Alec doesn't answer Richard's knocks on his dormitory door ten minutes before midnight, Richard is only mildly concerned. Though he's been there every other night, Alec is nothing if not unpredictable. Despite his penchant for trying to put himself in harm's way, Richard has come to learn that harm has a strange way of avoiding Alec. He also loses track of time something terrible.

He searches the library near his dormitory first, then the classroom where Alec likes to study. (He should not know this much about him.)

Jogging from one building to the next, the Dark Hour falls. Richard's concern becomes more sharp, and his pace picks up. He notices a strange glow from one of the buildings, and then the unmistakably lanky shape of Alec.

"Alec," He's out of breath when he reaches his side, glancing around to make sure there are no Shadows in the immediate area. "What are you doing?" He stares at where Alec's hand is melting into the mirror.