-Nine-
Over the next few days, the only things that still cluttered the house were boxes of things we still needed. We slept in our beds, at least for another night until they too were shipped to our new homes in LA, our clothes sat in our suit cases and minimal cook ware sat in untaped boxes in the kitchen. Other than that and our equipment, our house was bare.
I woke up early the next morning, knowing very well my exams were today, but the urge to stay alseep wasn't there. I turn over, trying to find another comfortable position, but it didn't help. I decide to relax before I had to go to school and take a hot bubble bath. I tie my hair up, laying a towel and my clothes out, putting a classical music cd in a small portible radio.
I sigh deeply, loving the feel of the hot water slowly consuming my skin as I lie in the tub. I only stay in the tub long enough to relax before getting out, getting dressed and doing my makeup. I pull my hair down and scrunch it, making its waves more noticable, and walk out feeling confident in my following task.
After I finished my exams and talking to my professors about graduation seeing as I'd be settling into my new home in LA and my new job by then and coming to the conclusion that I'd be mailed my diploma, I walk out to the parking lot again. I pull my sunglasses out of my purse and slip them on, tugging my keys and phone out as well. With my head down, focusing on the objects in my hands, I hadn't noticed the small group of kids gathering around my car. I push through the thin line and smile at the happy smile plastered over Mark's lips as he leans against my car with his hands in his pockets as if he were taken right out of an '80s movie. I laugh faintly and walk up to him, my black heels clicking against the concrete pavement.
"Hello baby."He says in his usual dorkily alluring voice, his hands pulling me into his arms by my waist. I lean into him and wrap my arms around his neck, closing my eyes in a haze of greedy passion. He kisses my jaw gently and hums faintly in a calming notion.
"How are you here? Shouldn't you be home getting ready for another livestream with Bob and Wade?"I ask, pulling away to look into his loving brown eyes. He smiles and shrugs as if he had it all figured out.
"I'm on my may to film with Cyndago and Lex told me your exams were today so I figured you could use a distraction afterwards."He explains happily, kissing my forehead as he smooths my hair. I could never turn down a chance to see him, especially with such a sweet and selfless reason. He drives me home and rubs my back, playing the classical cd that was still sitting in the radio. I breathe deeply once he stops and lies beside me.
"Why didn't Daniel tell me you were coming? I talked to him like a week ago and he didn't tell me you guys were filming together."I say, turning slightly to look at him. He turns on his back and pulls me close, lying my head on his chest.
"I asked him and Ryan to keep it a surprise. I wanted to see you regaurdless, but your exams made it a definate."He smiles, playing with my hair. I smile at the thought and kiss his chest, thanking him for his kind gestures.
-Mark-
No matter how badly I wanted to keep my distance from her, something inside me kept nagging at my memories of her, distorting them and making me realize my wosrt nightmare. Loosing her. Something within me felt dark and my skin crawled everytime my mind reverted back to the red splotch on my neck after waking up from that awful nightmare. It wasn't a nightmare at all, but I convinced myself otherwise.
Somehow though, against my better judgement, I ended up leaning against her car in her college's parking lot. This time, in my reflection in her window I could see my own distortions taking place. Nothing seemed right anymore and the thought of her made my teeth ache. I was about to turn away and go straight to her cousin's house when she finally sees me. Then there was no going back. Fighting off the darkness, I took her home and rubbed her back, but the shadows within myself wouldn't dare be repressed for long.
-Natalia-
Once I fell asleep in Mark's arms it was like a dark fog had its claws deep inside my mind. I don't remember waking up to see Ryan and Daniel, though they swear they saw me, or moving to LA with Lex and Mark. Even our first job together seemed like a blur, though we got the positions I thought we would and the privilage of advising the other on our projects. All I could remember was that horrible nightmare.
The nightmare took place in a haunted, midevil circus which was terifying enough considering I'm terrified of clowns, but Mark singing a haunting song I only recognized from a video game he played.
"Tigers, bears, acrobats and a clown. Everybody, the circus is in town. The ring master's mad and full of fun, but after dark you better run. He'll lock you up in a box so tight, til you grow into an awful sight. You'll cry and scream when you're all lonely. You'll be lucky if you live for one night only." I could still hear him sing as his eyes glowed red in the shadows. The only way I knew it was him was by his voice. I recognized it anywhere, but Mark himself didn't show himself until the demented chant was over and even then he was horrifically violent.
"I'm coming for you, Nya and there's nothing you or your childish Markipoo can do about it."He growled, pinning me to the wall by my throat. I couldn't breathe and part of me didn't want to anymore. He flashes his fangs and shifts himself mere millimeters from my face.
"I WILL sink my fangs into this delicate neck of yours."He laughs manically before the shadows took over and consumed us both, even as his teeth scarred my neck. When I told Mark about the nightmare he reassured me it was just that and calmed me down, though his eyes held regret and fear. He knew why I had that nightmare, but he refused to tell me. Even after I found a video he had deleted just before filming with them called Come Little Chrildren- Darkiplier. The video was chilling, using the song we sang at Comic Con as its focus. Today, Lex wasn't coming over after work and Wade wasn't meeting Mark at his house until 7. Today I would find out what he was hiding from me.
"Mark?"I call softly, walking into my new home. I gave him and Lex spare keys and asked him to help me unpack. His car sat out front, but no answer sounded. I put my purse down on the table and hang up my jacket, moving to the bathroom to wash my hands a second time after the fake blood refused to remove itself from my skin the first time.
"Mark, you here?"I call, walking out to the living room. Everything was unpacked last night and he must've taken the boxes outside, but where was he?
"Hey there hot stuff."He chuckles lowly, making me jump out of my skin. He stood on the stairs, sipping a beer with an overly amused gleam in his eyes. Again they seemed to shine red. The similiarity to the Mark I encountered in my nightmare made me shiver. He hops down the stairsa nd over to me, wrapping me in his arms tight just to kiss me hard. This wasn't the first time he's kissed me forcefully, but this one was different. It was usually filled with lust, passion and adoration, but this...this was sinister, demanding and almost painful. I push against his chest, but he doesn't pull away for a few more long moments and when he finally does, his smirk is awaiting me. I sigha dn roll my eyes.
"You were right."I say softly, turning away and walking up toward my room to finish unpacking, not meaning for my thoughts to be so audible. That caught his attention and it didn't sem to be for a positive reason.
"What do you mean?"He asks, following me. He cuts me off after I ignore him, blocking the door with his body.
"You've changed, Mark. Something about you isn't...right."I say softly, tears filling my eyes as ever ounce of darkness drains from his being. He breathes shallowly as if in pain, reaching for me. I let him pull me into his chest and rest there.
"I know. I'm so sorry."He whispers, his tears and pain choking his words. He knew he had changed? Is that why he often switches between sinister and goofy? Is he trying to change back? I pull away and look at him.
"Mark, you know why I had that nightmare don't you? Be honest."I say, pressing the matter gently. He sighs and nods, sliding down the door to sit on the floor with his head in his hands. He rubs his hands over his face as if to clear it of his stress before looking at me, sitting in front of him.
"I'm not trying to change, I'm really not, but it...it's hard."He says, running a hand through his hair. I move to lift his chin to look at me when he jerks out of my reach, groaning almost in pain and disgust, and glares at me with balled up fists.
"Did I hurt you? I didn't mean to. I'm so sorry."I say quickly, more worried about his wellbeing than anything on my mind. He looks up at me slowly, a low roar of a laugh croking to life from his chest. He lunges almost too quick for me to understand, and pins me to the hall floor.
"You didn't hurt me, dear."He growls, flashing his fangs, his eyes as red as the fire that should've burned that demonic soul of his.
"I'm taking over for Mark. I'm afraid he's not accepting the change as much as I expected."He hisses, shifting to brush his fangs over my neck. I whimper in fear, struggling to pull away.
"Darkiplier..."I start to beg when he grips my jaw painfully hard and whips my head around.
"No!"He shouts, an animalistice growl rumbling through his chest and into me. He leans into me again and sniffs me as if he were a dog.
"I can smell your excitement, love. I know you like things a little rougher than what you would've led Markimoo here to believe."He says, his voice dropping to his normal threatening level.
"I can fix that."He purrs in my ear, licking my neck. My heart pounded not only knowing he was right, but I was terrified. Could Mark hear me?
"Don't you dare."I snap.
"I love Mark. Leave us be."I hiss, thrashing in his grip. He chuckles and nods as he stands, picking me up and throwing me over his shoulder. He kicks open my bedroom door and throws me onto my bed.
"As you wish."He grins before snapping his fingers. I clinge and close my eyes tight, not opening them until cold metal makes me gasp. I open them and look around the small room I was sitting in. A rather bright light flashes on, blinding me as a voice booms through the speakers.
"Have fun, Nya dear."Mark's darker half cackles as the ringing phone goes to voice mail. Five words stuck out as the blinding light slowly starts to fade into normality.
"Welcome To Freddy Fazbear's Pizzaria..."
This can't be happening.