A scream sounds through the house, Marks feet can't seem to move fast enough up the stairs. There Max sat in the middle of the bed shaking, her face was flushed with sweat present on her forehead, with tears running her cheeks. "Maxine?" he said quietly moving to her slowly not to scare her. "Did you have a nightmare?" She shook her head.
"Are you sick? Little doe" He said tilting his head.
"Could you please just hold me till I fall asleep again, I know you are meant to be big scary… But please" Max begged her voice shaking
"Darling…" He softly mumbled
"Please" she begged tears in her eyes, Mark moved over to the bed getting under the covers. He pulled her closer to his form stroking her lose fawn hair. "I would hold you whenever you need me to my muse, please don't think otherwise," he said in a soft tone that sounded so soothing. After a few moments, Max drifted back into a light sleep. Mark waited then pulled out his phone 'There is something wrong with, her she was fine when I saw her in class and then… Something changed this afternoon.'.
After Mark knew she was fast asleep and that she wouldn't be up again for another hour or so. He went downstairs to continue marking grades for his classes. As he moved the paper from one pile to the next his hand lightly brushed the mouse. It turned the large screen Mac that sat in front of him, notifications from early popped up onto the top of the screen. One was a security alert. 'Nathan must have tripped something while they were in the bunker, Fucking idiot' He thought to himself. Logging onto the computer and clicking the notice, the security page opened and it showed a message 'Door was open from 4pm-6pm' Mark clicked it and it showed the footage from the said time. It started with Nathan fumbling around and preparing needles. 'what the… we don't have a shoot planned' Mark questioned. He continued watching, then Max arrived and was jumped by Nathan 'That little fucker…' then his eyes widened as time passed, he saw what he tried to do right before he arrived. Marks' hands were shaking, he took off his glasses and threw them against the wall.
Max heard the crash and then another bang from Marks office she sat up, she walked down the stairs in her panties and tee shirt. She stood in the door of his office rubbing her eyes "whats going on…"
Mark stood up hearing her voice and practically ran over to her wrapped his arms around her "I'm so sorry I wasn't there" He mumbled,
Max's eyes widened at hearing his words "...What?" she asked quietly "what are you...:"
"There are cameras in the Darkroom I just saw everything" Mark interrupted.
Max choked on a sob, "his hands just…" She sobbed interrupting herself.
"Shh shhh shhh, it's okay. He was using you to get to me. I'm sorry Max… He won't bother you again… I promise" Mark said trying to comfort her. Mark picked Max up and carefully walked them both upstairs being cautious as he didn't have his glasses. Gently he placed max on the bed and pulled the covers over them as she snuggled into him.
The morning rolled around and Max hugged Mark goodbye as he left the house first so that it didn't look like they arrived together. She finished packing her bag when her phone buzzed 'Hey max a million wondering if you want me and Racheal to come to your graduation?' she smiled 'Oh Chloe,' she answered quickly 'Of course I do!'. After a few moments, Max left she headed to her first class which was theatre studies. Kate had convinced her to take the class and it wasn't as bad as she had thought it would be "Okay class for our end of year showcase we will be performing the second half of the second act of bare auditions will be at the end of week", Nathan wasnt in class which was odd Max felt a feeling of relief that he wasn't there. Kate looked overjoyed at the news of the end of year showcase. "Oh my Max bare is amazing, it's based in a Catholic school with two boys who fall in love and I know I shouldn't like it cause it shows a bad side of the church. But it also shows how religion is open for your interpretation. You should go for Ivy you have an amazing singing voice Max please promise me that you'll do it. Please please!"
"Okay kate." max laughed
At lunch, Max sat on the grass going over her notes from Marks class as they had an exam the next session. When suddenly she felt a cold, thick liquid pour over her she gasped and then looked her notes which were covered in black ink. She saw Victoria "stay away from Mark you whore… Or some rumors may start that won't get him in trouble but you"