Karl.

Karl stood in my aunt's living room, smiling at me as if he didn't just cause any damage. I couldn't believe what I was actually seeing.

Karl, the fictional resin statue?!

HERE?!

I was speechless, trembling as I stared at him. Casey seemed to back off, but remained close to me, growling.

"Deary me, I'm sorry for breaking open your door like that! I guess I just don't know my own strength!"

"Y-You...you're..." I stammered, shaking my head. "Y-You're...K-Karl!"

"Why yes! Yes I am!" He giggled and I couldn't help but flinch. "And you must be Miss EmilytheNeko! A pleasure to finally meet you!"

I could have fainted right on the spot. He knew my Internet name. How could he have possibly known that?! My eyes widened and I glanced over for a second. If I was quick enough, I could run up the stairs and out the back door (the house was built next to a hill, so the upstairs door led right outside). I looked back at him. "H-How do you know my Internet name?"

"Ah, well, you see, I have recently discovered that I am actually just a fictional character in this world! And it seems that I have...fans." His eyes seemed to narrow as he continued to smile. "You are one of my fans, as I have also discovered."

So that's what was going on here. Some weird fourth wall got broken, he slipped through, and now he was seeking out to kill every fangirl he could find.

Well, fuck me.

I dove to the stairs, and scrambled up. I could hear Casey start to bark again, but I knew he wouldn't attack Karl or run with me. Lazy dog. I swung the door open and jumped out, running as fast as I could. It was pretty painful, running barefoot through rocks and pebbles, but I kept moving. After what seemed like an eternity, I stopped. I was in the woods and it was so dark, I could barely see. I panted, trying to make out anything in the shadows.

"Now, was running really necessary?"

I screamed out when I suddenly felt a cold stone hand grip my throat and slam me against a tree. I gasped and tried to pry it away, my eyes squeezing shut as I coughed. Karl continued, "You didn't even let me explain my situation! How very rude!" He squeezed my neck and I could feel tears leaking from my eyes. "As much as I would enjoy killing you...I need your help." He loosened his grip, but still held me up by my neck. I caught my breath, panting and coughing.

"W-What do you want?" I asked.

"Now, Miss Neko, you should know! You are my fan, are you not?"

"I-It's hard trying to think when I'm being held up by my throat! P-Put me down!"

"If I do that, you will run again!"

"I-I won't! I-I swear!"

"Well, alright." He chuckled and released my throat, causing me to fall on the ground like a pathetic rag-doll. I rubbed by neck and couldn't help but let out a whimper, sniffling. I wiped my eyes and glared up at his darkened form. I could feel his eyes on me.

I shivered. "N-Now, what do you need help with?"

Karl sighed. "In case you didn't notice, my dear Arma isn't with me. I wish to have her back."

I knew there was something missing. His faithful crow wasn't anywhere in sight. I finally stood up on my feet, stumbling and resting my hand against the tree I was pinned to moments ago. "W-Well, what do you want me to do about that?"

"You're a writer, are you not?"

"Y-Yeah, but how is that gonna-"

"You can simply write her into being! That's how I got here!"

"W-Wait, are you saying someone brought you here through writing? Was it your creator?"

"Oh no, definitely not! Just a fan-girl!" He giggled. "A naive one at that!"

"W-Why didn't you make her bring Arma here?"

"Ah, well, when she suddenly hugged me I got a little...well, I'm sure you can guess what happened." He chuckled darkly. I cringed in response. "So, will you help me?"

"W-Why are you asking? I don't have a choice." I sighed. "I'll help you." I went to walk past him, but he stopped me. I looked up at him. "W-What?"

"There is something else! There is something here...something giving me energy. I want to know what that is, and I want you to help me find it as well."

I didn't think about that either. Karl was now out of the amusement park, which meant that he was cut off from Castle's energy. But if there was something giving him energy besides Castle...then what could it be?

"O-Okay...but when we get back, we gotta do something first."

"Oh, and what is that?"

I began to walk, grumbling softly, "We're fixing the door."