I woke up from the best night's sleep in I can't remember how long. I refused to open my eyes and just relished in this feeling. I wasn't sure if the torture was going to continue after giving in to Dark, so I wasn't going to enjoy this as much as possible. I was still tired but that wasn't a surprise, one little restful sleep wasn't going to do much in my state.

Without opening my eyes, I could tell I was in bed, warm from the covers over me. It felt like years since I was last in a bed and warm. I knew that any second Anti would come in and yank me out of bed to continue our daily routine but I couldn't care less anymore. I was numb from everything and could no longer feel emotions like hope, anger, or even sadness.

"I don't know, Matt. She's been sleeping for a couple hours now so it's not like I can ask her. One minute I'm minding my own business recording a video and then the next all the electricity is going crazy in my house." How did I get to Mark's house? Is this what Dark meant when he said Anti would take care of the next step? Mark was obviously talking about me but who was Matt?

I decided that I had nothing better to do than eavesdrop. It's not like I could get up if I tried, Anti made sure of that. "Don't let Stephanie come. The more people involved the more dangerous it gets. I even sent Amy and Chica to her mom's house until I get things figured out." Mark's voice sounded desperate and unsure like he didn't know what to do. His voice rising at times in frustration. "I already told you that I don't know. I can't even begin to describe how she looks; you'll have to see for yourself. No just bring what you think we might need. I have to go and check on her. I'll see you in a few hours."

There was silence after that. I heard a sigh and then glasses clinking. I'm not sure what happened after that because I fell back into a dreamless sleep.

The sound of people talking woke me up. It sounded like it was coming from right outside the room. I must have made a sound because I heard Mark call my name quietly. Opening my eyes, I found I was in the guest bedroom that I had stayed in before. I had to blink a few times so my eyes could adjust to the light and when my vision adjusted, I saw Mark standing near me. He looked at me with such concern that for a moment I almost believed it was him but I had been fooled too many times to trust this image.

"Hey Bri, I brought you something to drink. Do you think you can sit up or do you need help?" Mark's voice was soft and held such concern that I would have wept if I could. Instead, I tried to sit up to appease him. I was so weak that I couldn't even lift my head and it made me panic. What if he hurt me because I didn't do what he wanted? I struggled as hard as I could to lift my head before giving up and accepting whatever happened.

Mark put up his hands, "Hey, hey. It's ok if you can't. Is it going to hurt if I helped you up?" Mark started pulling down the covers to my waist and I shivered violently.

I opened my mouth to speak but my throat was so raw from all the screaming that I couldn't get any words to come out. I was just barely able to shake my head. Mark seemed to sigh in relief. "I asked a friend to come over and help, I hope you don't mind but I had no clue what to do." That seemed to be a signal because someone else walked into the room.

I recognized him as another YouTuber that Mark would occasionally do projects with. So, the Matt he was talking to was Matpat. "I still think she needs to go to the hospital. I'm not a doctor but she looks dehydrated. Who knows what they've done to her. She needs professional help that we can't give her." He

walked over to Mark and took the cup that Mark was holding.

"And just how do you think I'm supposed to explain to them what happened to her? I'll be the first suspect and they'll lock me up in the nuthouse. She'll be even more vulnerable if I'm locked away." Dark started yelling at Matt and that scared me. Matt noticed the expression right away and pointed at me.

"You're scaring her, Mark. Look at her and tell me you think this is the best option." Matt's voice was soft as he watched Mark start to lift my torso. I flinched when he touched me, an instinctive reflex.

After Mark had lifted me into a sitting position, he sat behind me. I could feel him at my back and that made me weary. I had no idea what he was about to do and not being able to see him made me terrified. I started to shake, part of it from terror, and part of it was just because I was cold. Matt noticed and started to move towards me, I think it was to cover me up but I flinched away and he stopped moving.

"Sorry. I was just going to cover you up. I promise I'm not going to hurt you. If Mark won't take you to the hospital then we need to get fluids in you. I have no idea what you went through but we won't let them hurt you anymore. I'm going to give you a drink now ok?" When I just stare him down, Matt moves forward and raises the glass to my lips.

After being denied food and drink, the ice cold water going down my throat was like paradise in a glass. I sucked down the water greedily and after what seemed like only seconds, the water was taken away. "No. Please." My voice was just a whisper and it hurt to say that much but I needed more. My body craved it like a flower to the sun.

Matt looked at me with pity and hesitated a moment before setting the glass on the nightstand. "I'm sorry to do this but with you this dehydrated, it's best if you only take a small sip at a time. If you drink too much at once it'll make you sick."

Mark moved a bunch of pillows behind me until it was no longer him supporting me. Once he has me propped up, he stands to where I can see him. "I know you've been through hell but can you tell us what's happened so we know how to help you?"

This sounded like a trap. Dark had done this many times before. Dark would pretend to be Mark and try to get me to talk about everything that happened. When I did he would reveal himself and hurt me in so many imaginative ways. I wouldn't fall for his tricks this time.

I cleared my throat and it caused a coughing fit. Mark rushed to get the water and gave me a small drink. "Are you going to kill me? I'm sorry Dark, please don't hurt me. I'll do whatever you want. Please don't hurt me." My voice had given out but that didn't stop me from repeating my apologies over and over again. Anything to prevent more pain from happening.

Matt and Mark shared a look that I couldn't decipher as one of them gave me another small sip. "Get some rest and I'll be back to check in on you. If you want, I have a radio that I can play some music for you." After giving him a blank stare, Mark sighed and repositioned me so I was laying back down. He tried turning off the light but I cried out making him quickly turned the light back on. Both of them left the room though I could hear them talking to each other outside the room.

I was too tired to eavesdrop on them and quickly fell asleep.

I found myself sitting in a chair that wasn't the most comfortable. I wasn't tied down which was very surprising and I actually had the strength to walk around. The area was completely dark which reminded me of the first few times Dark had brought me here. That immediately made me panic. If he brought me back here then he had plans to hurt me and I now wanted to avoid that as much as possible. I stayed in that chair, trying to make myself as small as possible. Maybe if I didn't move or make a sound then I wouldn't be noticed.

I shivered as his voice floated to me from the darkness. "I see Anti has you right where we need you. Good. Things are moving along nicely." Dark's voice gradually grew closer to me until it was coming from right in front of me. There was silence for so long that I thought I had been forgotten or dismissed but when I looked up; Dark was sitting in a chair of his own just staring at me.

I ducked my head back down in fear of those expressionless eyes. I was so very afraid of what was going to happen to me here.

"Are you afraid?" He sounded amused and I only nodded my head in response. "So, I have your fear but do I have your obedience? Look at me." I only hesitated for a second before looking at Dark. I avoided his eyes, staring at a spot on his shoulder. "That is very good. Though that is a simple enough task. Let's try something a little harder."

Dark seemed to think for a minute and then a grin of pure wicked delight light up his face. "Come here, Bri."

My anxiety was high as I slowly stood and walked over to Dark. He looked so relaxed as he lounged in his chair. The complete opposite of how I was feeling. It seemed to take forever but in reality, it was only a few seconds and I was standing in front of Dark. He stood and played with a strand of my hair, "In here you remain strong and healthy but out there your body is frail and weak. Now that I have your obedience, I need you healthy. I'll lend you my strength until your own body can heal itself. Then the real games begin. Be warned though. As you gain your strength back do not think for a moment that you can disobey me. Try and we will waste time retraining you until you are but a husk of a person. Do you understand?"

My eyes widened as his words started to sink in. The entire reason I had run away was to avoid this part of Dark's plan and not only had I been forced to come back, but I would have to do this as obediently as possible in order to avoid being hurt even worse than before.

I nodded and that had Dark giving me one of his charming smiles. "Are you ready to let me in?" That sounded like a loaded question but with wide eyes I gave a small nod. The hand that had been playing with my hair moved to the back of my head. Grabbing a handful, he jerked my head back causing a whimper to escape my open mouth. Sinister laughter echoed from everywhere and nowhere all at once as Dark bent down towards me.

He stopped before his face touched mine. His eyes completely consumed by the darkness that he controls. "Let's spread a little darkness on the light, shall we?" At that moment I realized what he was about to do and tried to back away. His grip in my hair grew painfully tight and he devoured my mouth with his. I felt something flow into me as he kissed me.

Whatever was coming from Dark slide down my throat and tasted like a starless sky. I felt as though I was swallowing the darkness whole and I could feel it changing me. I went from trying to escape the kiss to melting into it completely. My body relaxed and I found myself kissing him back with vigor. The hand gripping my hair slowly let go and his presence disappeared. When I opened my eyes Dark was gone and in his place was a full-length mirror.

Dark was gone but that didn't mean I was alone. I was about to wander around in this hellish place when my reflection caught my eye. Something seemed off about it and I walked nearer for a closer examination.

The first thing I noticed was my eyes had changed. No longer were they the hazelnut brown with the flecks of green. Now they had been consumed by the black that Dark was known for. I closed my eyes hoping they would change back but they remained the same. When I moved my hand, I noticed that my nails were pitch black and much sharper. The black seemed to leak onto my fingers and spread to my hands. My long, faded black hair seemed to hold the darkness of space and moved to an invisible breeze.

The stance my reflection had taken on no longer resembled my own. Instead of horror, it was relaxed and content with itself. She/me held up a hand in front of her/my face and gave a chuckle that sounded like me but held an echo of something far more sinister and masculine. "This body will do nicely. A little shorter than I like but an otherwise good fit. This is going to be so much fun."

I/she stepped through the mirror with an elegance that I could never have pulled off and stood in front of me. I started screaming in horror when she/me put her/my hands behind her/my back in the same fashion as Dark. The last thing I saw was a wicked grin forming on my double's face before everything went black.

I shot up like a bullet still screaming. Stumbling out of bed, I ran to the bathroom and turned on the light. I stared at the mirror in disbelief when I saw that I no longer looked like I did in my dream. I looked different but that was because of the scars from Anti. My eyes and hair looked normal and when I looked at my hands, they were normal.

"Bri, what's wrong? Why di-" Mark's breathy voice sounded from the doorway and when I turned to him, his face looked pale. I realized then that I shouldn't be able to get up, let alone run. I felt like I was at half strength and that didn't make me happy. Dark had given me some of his strength like he had said he would.

Matt's head popped in the doorway and he started mumbling under his breath. It was too low for me to hear but Mark shook his head. "Bri, why don't we get you back in bed. Since you look like you're feeling better I can fix you something to eat."

I started shaking my head and backing away. I was wrong. Everything was wrong. Dark was gonna hurt Mark using me as his weapon. At this moment I regret everything that had led me to here.

I didn't realize I was still moving until I fell over the edge of the tub and hit my head against the wall. Mark rushed into the bathroom to help me up until I put my hand up. Slowly curling into a ball, I started choking up. "It's my fault. This is all my fault. I wish I'd never met you."

Matt sat next to the tub and watched as I had a nervous breakdown. I thought I had run out of tears but I guess with my newfound strength also came the ability to cry. I sobbed and tried to make myself as small as possible. "Uh, Bri? What happened? What is your fault? Is something coming?" He tried to make his voice soft but there was something analytical about it.

My sobbing slowed and my voice grew quiet. "I did something I should have never done. I tried to fix it so I ran. Dark and An-," it felt like someone had cut off my air supply and I tried to fight against this invisible hold by clawing at my throat.

"Now let's not give away all our secrets. Let's leave some things as a surprise." Dark's voice whispered through my mind. I whimpered as my lungs struggled for oxygen.

"Bri? What about Dark? What's happening?" Matt knew something was happening but couldn't figure out exactly what it was.

The hold on my throat disappeared and I gasped for air. When I was breathing normally, I turned to Matt and whispered. "I'm sorry, the person you are trying to reach is no longer available. Perhaps, you should leave the lights on when you try to redial. Please put your tray into its upright position and turn off all electronics when possible. There is a storm coming and it would be best if you and your friend are prepared for all possibilities."

Matt's eyes widened and he looked like he was going to open his mouth before I shook my head and motioned towards my ears. He nodded and looked towards Mark before looking back at me again. "Um ok. Why don't Mark and I go fix you something to eat and you get cleaned up? You can come down when you're ready."

Mark tries to protest but Matt ushers him out of the doorway with a hushing noise without a backward glance. I can hear him whispering to my friend but soon they are too far away for me to hear even that.

I sat in the tub for a few moments to collect myself. Too much was happening and I felt overwhelmed. This was a disaster and I wished that I had never made that deal with Dark. My selfishness may have cost me my best friend and I couldn't live with myself if that was the case.

Sighing, I picked myself up and walked over to the sink. After throwing some water on my face I stare into the mirror. The person in the mirror wasn't me and that was scary. Oh, the reflection looked like me but it held a more confident and arrogant stance than I felt. It stared at me, as close to the glass as I was, and gave me a mocking smile. Its eyes turned pitch black and winked at me before walking off to the side out of view.

Knees trembling, I turn and make for the kitchen. The sound of a hushed argument had me stopping on the stairs. The noises ceased after I cleared my throat and I continued to the kitchen. Mark was standing at the counter with various items for sandwiches. He looked at me, some emotion flitted across his eyes before I could catch it, and then his face was a mask. He continued with what he was doing and completely ignored me. It hurt but after that performance, I can't really blame him. I'd probably react the same way.

Matt was sitting at the island opposite of where Mark was working. He had already made his food and was digging in when he patted the seat next to him. My head was low and my anxiety high as I made my way to the seat. Just as I sat down Mark put a plate in front of me with a giant sandwich on it.

"There's plenty if you want more." Mark sort of mumbled at me.

I just nodded and started to eat the food. It was great and exactly how I liked it. I was starving but could only eat about 3 small bites before I felt like I was going to throw up. I might look like I was better but after having been deprived of food for so long, my stomach couldn't handle much. Matt watched as I slowly started to pull the crust off the sandwich and sort of play with my food. Out of the corner of my eye, I could see him give Mark a pointed look.

Mark cleared his throat and I looked up at him. He looked nervous which made me even more nervous and I was wondering if I was about to get in trouble. "We need to talk about what happened Bri. Something happened to you and I can't fix it if I don't know what's going on. I found you passed out on my couch yesterday after not being able to get in touch with you for a week, near death and now you look almost like nothing happened. I need answers."

I knew this was going to happen but I didn't know what Dark would let me say. I stared at my plate and tried to shrink in on myself as if making myself as small as possible would make them forget about me. Something gently touched my back, forcing a surprised scream out of me as I jump off the stool. Matt is still sitting but he has both hands up. Mark looks shocked and confused but the pity on Matt's face almost makes me cry.

"I'm sorry. I was just putting a hand on your shoulder. I was trying to comfort you, not scare you." His voice was soothing. I was about to say something when I felt something weird happen.

It felt as though I got sucked to the back of my mind and was chained to the darkness of my mind. All my senses worked but I could no longer control anything. I could feel my back straighten up as my posture became rigid and languid all at once. My hand ran through my hair almost pulling it all to the side. My body walked in such a liquid and graceful way that it felt wrong. I would never be able to pull that off and I struggled against the chains that held me.

My body glided into the seat I had been occupying earlier and broke off a piece of the sandwich. I took a small bite and a blissful sigh escaped my lips. My mouth opened and it sounded like me talking, but the words were wrong. The speech pattern was off and the words were as elegant as the walk. "Yes, I suppose you both should be concerned. The shock must have been dreadful at the sight of Br- me. Poor Marky, how that dreadful ball of uncertainty must sit in the pit of your stomach, eating away at you."

My eyes turned to look at Matt, who looked pale and slightly green. A devilish grin settled on my face, "Oh Mathew. Rushed over here like a valiant knight only to find yourself helplessly outmatched. Tell me, how is dear Stephanie and Ollie doing? What a shame you left them…unprotected." Matt turned seemed to turn a shade paler and ran out of the room, leaving only Mark and me in the room.

I struggled against the chains that had me bound and trapped within my own mind. I needed to get control back before Dark could do anything worse than taunt my friend. It was like trying to fight against some an immovable force. When I paid attention to what was happening outside my body I screamed. One hand was covered in black wispy shadows while the other was wrapped around Mark's neck. He was lifted slightly off the ground and struggling to breathe. His face turning a mottled purple color.

I screamed and fought against the chains as hard as I could. I could feel them weakening and giving way as I pulled. The harder I pulled against them, the more they gave way until they finally snapped. A scream ripped out of my mouth as took control once more. I let go of Mark and fell backward in my scramble to get away from him. The sound of him coughing and gasping for air was miserable for me. Knowing that it was by my hands he almost died.

"Bri? Is it you?" Mark's voice was hoarse and held such hope that I felt horrid for what was going to happen.

Without looking at him I spoke, "Run. Take Matt and run as far as you can. I can only hold him off for so long before he comes back. I'm not strong like you guys. I…. can never take back what I did but I want you to know that I'm sorry. I tried to not let them break me. I..." A strong tug almost pulled me out but I managed to hold on. Looking at Mark, I screamed, "Run! Run and never look back!"

I could feel my eyes start to turn black as I held on for dear life. Mark looked at me with such sadness that I nearly lost my hold before he turned and ran for Matt. I curled up on myself as I struggled to give them time. My breathing coming as gasps as it became harder and harder to hold onto myself. My focus completely set on staying in control.

I knew the exact moment the balance shifted in his favor. My fingers started to twitch and the corners of my mouth shifted into a smile. I was growing weak and it would be a matter of seconds before I was locked back up in my mind and Dark was in control.

My eyes closed and when I opened them, I found myself not only chained but in a large cage. Slow clapping draws my attention to Dark as he walks closer to me. "I must say that you are rather annoying in your persistent loyalty. We beat and broke you until you were near death and yet when you see the slightest bit of trouble headed towards those you love; you fight like a cornered animal and somehow manage to break free. I've taken precautions to prevent you from interfering again. It would be so much more pleasant if you would just stop resisting but I see now that will never happen. Perhaps, when you see your friend's dead by your own hands, you will truly lose your hope and will to fight back."

"Or maybe I'll break free yet again and yeet myself out a window so fucking high that you'll never be able to fix me." I hissed at Dark as I tried to lunge at him. The chains made a lot of noise but never moved.

It was unsettling to hear him talk in front of me and then hear the echo of his words come out of my mouth. That high ringing noise only added to the strangeness making it hard to focus. "Your courage and bravery is certainly something to be commended but I'm afraid that you won't be breaking out of here anytime soon. Now be a good girl and stay. I have things to do and people to hurt." He vanished before I could say anything else.

I fought against my chains but this time there was no give. No amount of struggling broke these new chains. I screamed in anguish and fell to my knees as hopelessness crushed me. I could only hope that I had given Mark and Matt enough of a head start.

I watched from my prison as Dark started wandering around the house. Matt had figured out part of my warning and had started the process of unplugging everything electrical. Dark chuckled as he took in the various cords strewn haphazardly around the floor. He walked to the tv and started plugging in the cords. The tv turned on with a crackle, white noise blaring from the screen.

Dark brought my hand up and shadows erupted from my palm. He caressed the side of the tv and shadows crawled over the screen. "Anti, it's time to come out. Some interference was had and now He is on the run."

Nothing flashy happened like the last time Anti showed up. The screen flickered green and then Anti was glitching out of the tv. He looked me up and down with licked his lips. Pain was promised in his eyes and it made me shiver and tremble in fear even though I was "safe" in my own mind.

Dark frowned, "Don't even think about it or I will trap you in that body with no limbs."

"Oh, it's ye, Dark. I was hopin fer some more time with our lovely Bri. This is a good look fer ye, ye don't look like ye have a stick up yer ass anymore."

Anti stood up a little taller as he realized the size difference and gave such a mischievous smirk that it was obvious he was thinking up something dangerous.

He took a step closer and then I could feel his hand ruffling my hair. Dark slapped his hand away and looked up at him. "I don't have time for this you insufferable twit. Due to Bri's interference, I now have to amend my plans."

"Don't think that just because ye are in her body doesn't mean I'm afraid ta fuck ye up. Ye aren't the boss of me so get off yer high horse and quit acting like it. I'm only helping ye out because of yer promise." Anti snarls at Dark but takes a step back.

An exasperated sigh escapes my lips as I watch these two fight. "Can you just get it over with and kill me already? You two sound like toddlers fighting over who is going down the slide first." If this is what happens when these two are in the same room together then I think I'd rather just be killed.

Dark cocks my head for a moment. "Bri is correct. We have much more pressing matters at hand. HE has recruited Matt for help and now, because of Bri, they are on the run and I don't know exactly where they are. I need you to find them and observe where they run to. Do not make your presence known. Just report back what you find out. I need to make some final preparations before I'm ready."

A pout appears on Anti's face and then he gives a dramatic sigh before disappearing back into the tv in a shower of green sparks. "Always with the theatrics." Dark sighs turns and walks over to a shadow-ridden portion of my living room wall.

I gasp as we step inside the inky darkness. Nothing should surprise me at this point but Dark seems to always have a few tricks up his sleeve. We continue to walk further and further into the vast and never ending darkness although it feels as though we never mood. Finally, we come across what looks like a science lab.

Standing at one of the tables is a man about my height with short brown hair and wearing a long, white lab coat. He seemed to have a slim build and was very focused on some sort of chemical experiment. He only acknowledged us when we were standing across from him and that's when I got a good look at his face. I had stared into this face just hours ago except the person in front of me had one red and one green eye.

"You better have a good reason for pulling me away from my work, Dark. I was on the verge of a breakthrough and now the experiment is most likely ruined due to this delay!" The scientist started pacing back and forth, glaring at us.

Dark smiled and leaned against the metal table, not bothered by the glare. "Thank you for showing up on such short notice. I promise that this will all be worth it and the rewards will be great. I have need of your intellect and your toys and once I'm finished you can resume your work."

The man stopped, his eyebrow raised and a sneer curling one side of his smile, making him look nothing like the person I had come to know. "I see from the body you are currently wearing, that your plan is finally coming into play. If that is the case then the predetermined deal has now been sealed and I am at your services. I am still working out some of the kinks but I think I've found a solution to your problem." He seemed to think for a moment, as though organizing his thoughts before continuing.

"I need the original hosts relatively unharmed. The more damaged they are, the harder it will be to see the effects. I also need you to gather a few items for me. If you can do that then I should be able to work everything out and you'll get what you want."

Dark gave a slight bow to the scientist, "Thank you, Madpat. Hopefully, it won't take long."

Without a further glance, we turn and walk back into the darkness that we had come from.