"I'm thinking about making Blank a real character," said Ethan from where he was on the couch. "Like, not just a one-off anymore."
Mark turned from his desk. "It's… not that easy, Ethan," he said. "It's dangerous."
"Stop trying to spook me, Mark," Ethan said, sitting up. "Darkiplier isn't dangerous. Anti isn't dangerous. They're characters."
Mark sighed. He couldn't keep the secret for too long, he supposed. But surely Ethan's innocence could be spared for a little while longer… he smiled, quickly ad-libbing. "It would be a fun video idea for Unus Annus. Do characters die with their creators?"
Ethan smiled. Mark was lucky his friend hadn't taken his meds that morning - Ethan was easily distracted today. "Oh, yeah!" cried Ethan. "That'd be cool."
"Right, well, I'll be right back," Mark stood, heading out the door. He closed it behind him, practically running down the hallway. He took out his phone, searching his contacts for the right number... God, where was it? The kid… Ethan was in his twenties now, why did he still think of him as a kid? - was catching on, he didn't have much time...
He couldn't let Blank become real, he couldn't let Ethan be haunted the same way he was… the same way Sean was… finally, the number!
It picked up on the second ring. "Hello?"
"Sean? We need to talk. Now."