Caesar's forced smirk slipped from his face abruptly. He had been sleeping, right next door, up until the point they'd taken his brother. He knew it was a stupid thing to berate himself for -- how could he have possibly known? -- but the guilt remained, nonetheless.

He laid a hand gently on Albert's shoulder. "You've been gone for about three days," he said softly. "Were you out the whole time?"

He could only hope.