Chapter 1

The upload button stared back at his concentrated expression, reflecting off the rectangular lenses along his thin, aluminium frame. Hesitant fingers placed against the right clicker on his black, wireless mouse.

Click.

A heavy sigh exited his mouth allowing a small trail of air, follow due to the cold temperature in his isolated room. The light foot - tapping beginning in order to maintain his calmness. He had done this a million times, yet here he sat nervous and restless about the new content he would upload to his awaiting audience. Lifting himself out of his swivel, desk chair before moving towards his ajar door was a normal routine, whilst waiting for the slow internet to allow the video to pass onto youtube. Running his hand through his dark locks complemented with his red tips, he let out a distant yawn before sauntering into his bland kitchen.

He began to stretch his muscular arms allowing the trail of veins to slowly crawl up his enticing biceps following the shallow groan as he closed his dry lips. Reaching for his favourite assortment of mugs, he grabbed an intricately designed, regular cup, placing it carelessly under the nozzle of his coffee machine. Placing his fingertips against his forehead, he began to lightly trace along the lines of his noticeable wrinkles. Trudging slowly towards the fridge door seemed like an effortless journey, before reaching the milk weariness would fall over him slowly rocking him side to side, before grasping back to reality. He stopped for a while pondering whether or not to have sugar or just plain ol' black coffee. Hearing the blaring beep from the monstrous machine, allowed his thoughts to wander back leading to his decision of just having it with milk. He chuckled as the thought of why it would matter if he had his coffee one way or another, as he brought the cup to his agape mouth, he shivered at the touch. He allowed the liquid to follow down his throat, the sensation of the hot substance resting against the edge of his burning entrances, making up for the cold feel of the cup itself. A crisp noise would follow his trail of warmth, confirming the satisfaction he had looked forward to.

The glint in his chocolate coloured eyes followed against the reflection of his metallic sink. Watching the cup intently while rinsing allowed him to slowly watch the remaining powder tumble out and swim down towards the drain. Reminded him of how he flushed himself in Octodad.

Hmpf. Good times.

He'd put the washed mug in the dishwasher later, as he was more focused on the task at hand. Moving back into his inviting swivel chair, he allowed his eyes to scan the screen.

73% completed.

He cracked his knuckles in interest of how successful another one of his silly content would appeal to his audience. Reaching for the plastic, drink bottle lying next to his various plush toys seemed like an exercise at this point. He had exhausted his limbs from the constant working out he had fallen victim to. His brown eyes wandered to the bottom - right corner of his illuminating monitor. 4:30 am. Snickering once again at his silly mistake for missing sleep, and instead providing content for his audience.

"Let's hope this video will keep them entertained. After all, it was Super Mario Maker."

As the uploading bar reached to the end, he turned off the monitor before making his way to bed. The bright screen flickered off of his small device, residing comfortably on his bedside table. His thumb tapped away pressing multiple digits before being met with a message from one of his best friends.

Jack: Hey Markimoo! Wanna play some Prop Hunt w/ Wade & Bob?

Subtly, a meek grin began to grow on his face.

Mark: Ugh. Prop Hunt again? Why not another round of Move or Die? This time we'll rek Wade.

He allowed his hand to run through his greasy locks.

'Shit, probably should have a shower first.'

Moving out of his bedroom and back to his extravagant studio, Mark placed himself once again on his already warm swivel chair. The curvature of the cushioned chair allowing him to sit comfortably and with ease. Immediately his phone rang out. Eagerly he entered his password and replied back to his awaiting message.

Jack: Mark, are ya serious? Move or Die? You're just sad that you lost last time ;)

Mark: I'm pretty sure Booper Dooper was the last one.

Jack: … BUMBUM was.

Mark: Mhm. So how about it?

Jack: Go on skype ya dumbass.

Mark lightly chuckled at the usual nickname Jack would give him, after all he was known for his constant swearing.

Mark: Hold on gotta shower.

As he placed his phone gently on his glass coffee table, it immediately vibrated creating an echo against the surface.

'God dammit Jack.'

Reaching for his phone once again, he unlocked the screen allowing himself to end his conversation with the playful Irish man.

Jack: At 4:39 in the morning, you decide to shower. I'll never understand you Americans.

Mark: Got a problem with that St Patrick?

Jack: Was that meant to be an insult?

Mark stared at Jack's reply already filled with humorous thoughts of comebacks, realizing if he didn't shower now, he wouldn't be able to play with his best friends. Mark hurriedly ended their 'interesting' conversation before moving off into the teal themed bathroom.

He had painted small dolphins along the brim of the white tiles lined along the bottom of each wall contrasting with the solid texture. A plush Freddy Fazbear sat against the edge of his bathtub eyeing him, giving Mark some chills. Slowly stripping off each item of clothing allowed his bare skin to feel the small breeze flowing through the slightly opened window. Goosebumps began to form along his body, accentuating his muscular build as the veins began to appear. Sliding off his warm tracksuit pants, exposed his thick leg build, indicating his intention to not skip leg day. Once again the veins began to ride up. By now he was naked, forgetful as always he reached towards the lever, pulling it slightly to the right to adjust the temperature of the water to be lukewarm, unaware that his glasses still remained resting on his nose. As the water began to trickle down his body, the glasses slid off slowly falling into his calm hands.

'Seriously Mark? This is a new level of clumsy.'

Sliding the glass door open, he walked over to the bathroom sink, body still dripping with the lukewarm liquid and placed them down cautiously. Entering the inviting space once again, he closed the steaming glass door and allowed his body to soak in the warm sensation of the drops falling against his relaxed figure, indulging in the refreshing comfort.

'I wonder if Jack fell asleep.' Was the only thought that raced through his mind during this hypnotic euphoria.

'Ah back in some clothes.'

Slipping into a tank top and a pair of shorts seemed like a better choice than nothing at all. Walking back towards the coffee table, Mark could clearly see he had been bombarded by Jack's incessant messaging.

11 unread messages.

Rolling his eyes, Mark began to calm Jack down by proving he was still alive. Jack began to scold him for not saying goodbye or any sort of indication he was leaving.

Mark: Just go on Skype you goof.

Jack: Hey! That's my line. :(

As Mark slouched back into his comfortable resting position, he clicked the bright white S, surrounding by a babyish blue. A tab popped up asking if he wished to update. Clicking notifying me later, allowed his usual skype window to appear. As he scrolled through his recent conversations, he found the group conversation 'THE BONERCAST'. Laughing at the comical name, he clicked on it soon to be met with a bunch of messages from his awaiting friends.

Mark: Howdy Doo.

Jack: Howdy Doo? What are you even saying,

Wade: Howdy Doooooo

Bob: hello

Jack: xD Bob you normal shit

Bob: I don't know what you're talking about

Wade: Oh Bobbbbbb

Mark: … Remind me why we're friends again?

Jack: (rofl)

The round – edged rectangle popped out at Mark's face peering against his wide monitor, the video call, voice call or decline button falling underneath the silly group name. Moving his mouse towards the voice call option, he entered hearing Wade groaning.

'Silly Wade.'

"HEYYYYYYY!" Jack's voice boomed into his headset.

"Welp so much for having ears."

"Oi, I scream get on with it."

Mark chuckled lightly to himself, hearing Jack's small giggle follow after. Hesitant to click the steam browser delayed the process of getting our game started. The spam that followed, it was nice of course but at this time, Mark just found it annoying.

"Wait so, what are we playing?"

"Ngnnnnn Jack."

"Hey sweetie." Followed shortly by a short but sweet kiss. Immediately Mark's grin fell.

By the sound of that, it must've been Signe. Mark tensed up thinking about her, he didn't know why he reacted in this way but he just knew that he opposed the idea of them being together. The thought and question of jealously rising up constantly due to his reaction of this normal occurrence.

'I don't like Jack in that way. Right? Wait. What am I saying?!'

A soft murmur would wiggle into his ears, attempting to distract his thoughts and back to his current situation.

"Meeeerrrrrkkkkk." The Irish accent sung into his ringing ears.

"Sorry, was zoning out."

"You seem to do that a lot now Mark." Bob replied in a worrisome tone.

"Yeah Mark!" Wade simply agreeing to both parties.

"That's just nonsense. It's frikin 5 in the morning. Lay off."

Various laughs and snickers would rise up in the friendly group call, relief following as everyone agreed to his statement.

"Yeah guess we ar' jus bein rude."

"Hah. See you admitted it."

"Argh shut up."

Mark's phone angrily vibrated against his wooden table, 'What now?' he thought to himself as he reached for it. In plain, black print a text pierced into him.

"Watch out."

A note that had been written by himself, popping up at this exact time of day. Perhaps a signal? Immediately a sharp pain tore at his body. Sharply falling onto the floor covered in carpet along with the heavy breathing that followed. Headset still barely sitting on his now throbbing head. Cries rang out as he attempted to understand what his friends were desperately shouting at him. Words spitting out over and over again, incoherent to his piercing ears. He realised now exactly what that note had meant.

A warning.

It's about time.

His eyes darted back and forth, the familiar voice filling into his throbbing ears. Red eyes pierced into his skull, a subtle grin smeared across his pale, grey face.

"It's been a while, old friend."

His dark, brown pupils dilated. Weakened by his fall, he began to tremble. Perhaps in fear or perhaps in anger.

"Having fun where you belong?"

A clenched fist blurring his vision soon feeling the combination of both pain and enjoyment.

"Heh, probably shouldn't damage my good looks, but looking at you and your pathetic existence, doesn't seem that bad now."

As the crimson liquid began to run down his already stained tank top, his sleek, business shoes dug in deeply aimed right for his liver. A chuckle followed from his opposite.

"I mean after all I am you, so I know all your weak spots."

"Fuck. You."

"Did you like the little message I left you? Obviously, you didn't think much of it."

Another swing into his side. A scream left his blood – filled mouth, as he crouched helplessly on the ground, staining his carpet.

"Pathetic, but no matter. I'm stronger so I'll deal with your minor injuries."

Forcefully it began to push itself down his helpless body, a thick, cloud of black smoke entering his weakened figure. Screams of agonizing pain followed before he was encased in a room of darkness.

Ah, back at last.

A glint of red sparked in the corner of the unknown, white fangs slowly glistening by a light source. Footsteps tapped against the tiled flooring, as he began to move closer to the confused figure.

"Oh, Mark. How I yearned to be back here."

His Adam's apple slowly rose up before quickly falling down, the voice hissed throughout his now clear mind. Out of the shadows he appeared.

"Dark."