A.N: Holy shit guys 250! Thank you so much! Thank you to everyone who's joined me for this journey haha, sorry about the long wait cx, I have a maths test but yknow, writing is better :) But anyways, I kinda messed around with this chapter so if you don't like it sorry! If you do please tell me! Anywho suggestions in the comments below, and hopefully my first story is somewhat making you guys entertained :P Enjoy! Love you all so much! xxx

Warmth surrounded him, the comforting touch of his inviting palms resting on his tensed back. A tender grasp moving his head towards his soft chest. His rapid breathing gradually meeting to the rhythmic heartbeat. A gentle wave washed over him, allowing a shower of relief to fill his damaged figure. He shook with fear, anger and a mix of clashing emotions. Fingertips glided smoothly against his smooth locks, anguish befell his relieved expression before a familiar voice gently filled his ears. A passionate face gazed down onto Mark's, the familiar features calming down his own enraged expression. Warm, blue eyes melted into his own, running throughout the rest of his calming body. Moving closer into view, Mark scanned him attempting to remember each of his features. He gripped against the collar, attached to his gleaming, cream shirt. Terror devoured him, plain torment was plastered on his face, as he tightly held the only hope he had left. The only light in the darkness that engulfed him.

"Why are you so afraid?"

"It's coming for me."

"What is?"

"The dark."

His hand rested against his shoulder, tensing at the sudden movement.

"I won't let it."

"Jack…"

Jack stared back at Mark, their pupils dilated. Mark's heart raced, his hands lightly began to shake. As Jack's warm touch gripped against them, he smiled moving closer towards Mark's startled figure. Leaning in slowly towards Jack, Mark felt his soft breath brush against his flustered expression. His eyes began to shut, allowing his obedient self to move closer towards the man in front of him. He wanted this. He needed this. This was it. He'd finally found hope. The flickering light, keeping him alive. Keeping him safe. Keeping him sane.

Jack's hand slowly moved up, attempting to rest against Mark's warm cheek. Then it happened. The light had died. His hope slowly drowning in the darkness. Mark desperately reached out, the familiar feeling faded away, the warmth quickly turning into nothing. Blankly he stared, the light was in front of him, but he couldn't feel it. The hope he had yearned for, suddenly vanishing. The Irish man drifting away from his tight grasp, but physically still did hold him. This wasn't right. He was here, but he wasn't. His eyes were no longer blue, but now a dull, grey. The life had been sucked out of him. His limp hand fell through his own, slowly Jack began to fade.

"Mark?"

Silence.

Mark sat there, falling forward as the now obliterated man had vanished. Trembling silently, Mark whimpered before noticing the footsteps from afar. His piercing gaze shot through his shaking body, Mark could only grasp softly at his punctured leg, wincing at the searing pain. The reality was falling back, he could fell the movement of the now blood – drenched shackles. Instead of the sinister laughter he was so used to, he now heard the scraping of a blade against the brick wall. Writhing around only caused more discomfort, as the shackles tightened around his marked wrists. Dark merely glared at him. Mark had figured by now he had realized that he too was locked in here with himself. A relieving sigh left his split lip, warming the small trail of the dark, red substance. Dark glided towards him, suave movements present in his current state of ease. Mark sharply turned, eyeing the ground beneath him instead of facing that sickening creature. He's not human. The cold grasp on his chin lifted him up harshly. His index finger dug viciously through the back of his chin, whilst his thumb balanced between the crack which separated his darkened lips from his bent chin. The cold blow that Dark had left Mark with, now remained as a dent noticeably contorted to the right. Hypnotizing, cherry eyes looked down upon his trapped victim, staring into his terrified chocolate eyes only filled him with more satisfaction, his thirst for blood devoured at his mind.

Fear was truly beautiful.

"Oh Mark, you pathetic piece of shit. I should just end you now but I'm enjoying this," The familiar feeling of the metallic object brushed against the surface of his dry throat.

"So, much." Dark licked his lips as if to prevent his hunger. For now, Mark remained here and that was all he needed.

This time Dark would get what was his.

"You're stuck here too." Dark chuckled allowing his cold breath to slap Mark.

"You think a door will hold me? God you're so naïve. Poor Markimoo." Sarcasm was apparent in his playful tone, Mark only gulped.

"Anyways, I've got a few errands to run. I'll be back, don't you worry. Maybe I'll bring you a friend."

The rattling of the shackles sung into Dark's ears, obviously enraging his guest. As Dark began to move away, he camouflaged into the darkness that surrounded him. Mark could only hope that Jack had listened to his warning.

Jack was perched on a wooden park bench overlooking the messages that he had sent to Mark. He sighed with a noticeable worrisome tone, pondering why Mark had reacted in such an unusual way. Jack tried to grasp the image of when Mark barged through the door. Mark's disheveled appearance had only alerted Jack, his mind racing through the scenarios that could've occurred. Perhaps Mark just needed some alone time, Jack wouldn't disturb him. Dialling in the numbers he brought the phone towards his ear waiting for his friend's cheery tone.

"Hey Jack!"

"Hey Bob, can I come over?"

"Where are you? I'll pick you up."

"Ummm, hold on lemme find a sign." Jack wandered aimlessly throughout the vast field of green. Distinctly he had remembered that he wasn't too far away from Wade's own house. Lurking to the pathway hidden under the patches of dirt, he had reached a rusted pole. Lifting his head up slightly he squinted at the loosely attached sign that stood above him.

"Lancaster Street and Francis Lane?"

"I'm sorry, where? Weren't you just in Cincinnati?"

"I am? I mean I don't remember this area. I dunno."

"Hold on, I'll come get you, you aren't that far away. Although you're on the opposite of where Mark lives, weren't you visiting him?"

Jack tensed at his name.

"Yer, didn't work out haha, I'll see you soon."

"Alrighty, be there soon Jack."

Click.

He ignorantly kicked against the stone pavement covered in speckles of dirt. He watched intently as his shoe slowly began to darken into a deep brown against the cream, white sneakers. A trail of dust followed gently flowing away in movement with the wind. Once again he scanned Mark's disarranged features which were currently planted into his focused mind. Mark's chocolate eyes had stared up at Jack, filled with utter terror, his hand trembled against the wooden frame of his door. Multiple bruises had scattered over his damaged face, a gash along his cheek and a paranoid expression was smeared across his battered face. Sudden discomfort had filled every part of Mark's body, seeing Jack had completely astonished him.

"Maybe he hit his head and doesn't remember the message I sent 'im?"

Jack slowly made his way towards another similar park bench, the only difference being the metal frame holding up the bench, covered in small patches of rust. As he began to lean down to sit on the firm space below him, a small pang fled through him.

"Ugh, all this thinking is givin me a headache."

Shaking his head in discomfort, he allowed his narrow body to fit into the area below him. The bench itself could probably accompany a whole family if they so desired, it was quite a large bench. That, or Jack was just small. Grunting at the little comfort the bench provided him with, he turned sharply in an attempt to find a relaxing position. Facing the back rest of the leaning bench, his pupils darted around eyeing the various forms of graffiti that scattered along the wooden planks. Sighing in boredom, Jack closed his eyes in an attempt to rest his aching head. The pain wouldn't stop, it didn't grow strangely, but it didn't get better. Jack wriggled in the bench expecting Bob to appear any minute.

"Hey Jack."

"Took yer time."

Turning slowly, he picked himself off the bench ready to move off with his friend. Opening his eyes, he was met with a familiar face, except it wasn't Bob.

"Mark?"

"Hey Jackaboy, sorry about earlier." He softly chuckled, Jack sprung into a sense of relief and confusion. Jack scanned his features once again, clearly they had faded but still they remained engraved onto his face.

"What happened to ya?"

"Oh this?" Jack watched as Mark began to swiftly lift his finger towards one of the bruises on his face.

"You know me, I'm Mr Clumsy."

Jack laughed quietly. "Hey I'm going to Bob's, I'll see you later kay?"

"What no, no, come with me, we'll have lots of fun." Jack stared at Mark, allowing his emotions to get the better of him.

"Well, when Bob gets ere I'll tell em."

"Good."

Jack stared down, Mark had gripped Jack tightly, grasping against his forearm. Jack furrowed his thick, eyebrows questioning how he hadn't of noticed this earlier action. In an attempt to release himself from Mark's grasp, it only fixed itself becoming firmer.

"Mark, what are you doing?"

"You seem to be a bit out of it, I need to make sure you're stable. Don't want you to faint."

"Mark I'm fine, please let go."

"I'll let go when I want to."

Chucking nervously Jack merely attempted to loosen Mark's grip replying with a wavering voice.

"Hey Mark, no jokes please haha. Maybe later. Right?"

His grip slowly began to loosen, allowing Jack to free his weak arm, Mark looked at him with an expression Jack could not recognize.

"Oh, sorry Jack. I do that with Wade all the time."

Jack softened at the familiar voice. The harsh, ferocity faded replacing his hostile tone with his familiar carefree tone.

"Haha, it's okay Mark, thought yer wer being serious. Scared me fer a second."

"Hey Jack!" Bob cheerfully walked over towards the two.

"and Mark?" Bob eyed Mark in confusion, but shrugged his shoulders before greeting both of them with a hug.

"Good to see yer Bob." Jack latched his hands around Bob, grinning at the warmth of their hug.

"Hey Bob." Bob moved towards Mark with opened arms, reluctantly he wrapped his hands around his approaching friend.

Jack swore that he could see Mark filled with disgust.

"So Jack, ready to go?"

"About that,"

"Yeah… I can see you two are busy haha, I'll go visit Wade, he's not too far from here."

"Sorry Bob."

"All good Jack!"

"Have fun!"

"You too. Bye Mark!"

Mark rolled his eyes before murmuring an apathetic farewell. Bob shrugged before moving off towards the direction he had arrived.

"Mark what's up with you?"

"Me? I'm not the one in pain."

Jack eyed Mark in bewilderment, intensely watching his unfamiliar eyes. They weren't his normal chocolate, they were darker, deeper and duller. In an instant, Jack swore he could see them shine as a bloody, red. Jack shivered at the sight, slowly stepping away from his 'friend'.

"Jack, what are you doing? Are you scared of your own friend?"

Jack stumbled over his own feet, falling softly onto a patch of dirt, gaze unbroken with the man in front of him. Mark moved slowly forward, overshadowing the small man that lied helplessly on the ground. Attempting to push himself off of the ground, a sudden hand seized at his brown hair, decorated with his vibrant and now faded green tips.

"You're not going anywhere."

Jack trembled in fear, unable to respond back. Mixed with confusion, terror and anger, Jack could only watch the figure intimidate him. His head was already filled with enough agony, the pull against his locks creating stabs of sharp torment followed by his nimble gasps. Soon Jack was pinned helplessly to the ground, 'Mark' whispering words mocking his powerless actions.

"Oh Jack, now I can see why he likes you."

He leaned down slowly, Jack attempted to flail in an attempt of escape only to be followed by more strength exerted onto him.

"Your eyes, the fear. Oh Jack, how I enjoy it." He could feel the breath tickling against his nose, Jack attempted to lunge forward to throw the man off of him.

"Feisty aren't we?"

His lips brushed against his own, desperation filled Jack as he urged himself to get up. Mark's lips were covered by the snake – like flesh that glided deviously over his dark lips. Jack could now see his vermillion eyes clearly. Shivering at the sight, the sudden crashing of his lips fell onto Jack. Whimpering silently, tears began to fall from his closed eyes. Mark was forcing his tongue through Jack's mouth, Jack struggled to keep his mouth shut until Mark bit his soft lip which let out a small yelp from Jack's hoarse voice. Jack couldn't fight back, Mark's strength was too much for him. Was this even Mark? No. His thoughts were soon distracted by the sudden bite against his top lip, which Jack involuntarily moaned to. Jack could feel Mark's lips move into a small smirk, his tongue moved deeper into Jack's entrance as Jack continually tried to push him out. Jack's attempts only proved futile. Slowly Mark allowed his tongue to move out of Jack's mouth, immediately after exiting Jack shut it tightly.

"Oh sweetie, don't cry. You're wonderful."

Mark gently let his index finger rest against Jack's cheek, catching the warm tear that splashed onto Mark's own warm flesh. Bringing it to his mouth, he allowed his serpent tongue to taste the transparent substance.

"Even your tears taste nice."

"Who are you?" Jack's voice was barely audible by now.

"Don't you recognize your own best friend?"

"You're not Mark."

A soft snicker followed, before Mark let his grip loosen around Jack.

"I'm Dark, the better Mark."