Chapter 11: Charlie and Charlotte

I woke up to Charlie's voice calling to me. As I sat up he asked me, "How are you feeling?"

"A little better." I said, "Hey Charlie?"

"Yeah?"

He slide me my breakfast and three letters. I said, "Who is the little girl who spoke to me yesterday."

"Little girl? Wait does she has black hair, blue eyes, and also wears black and blue?"

"Yeah."

"No way. They assigned you to a General? That is so cool!"

"Wait that girl is a General?"

"Not just a General. A legendary! Hacker General Necro is one of our strongest fighters we've got."

"Strongest fighters? But she's just a little girl."

"Wellll. It's actually kind of complicated. I didn't understand it the first time they explained it to me until she spoke so maturely."

"What do you mean?"

"Ummm, if I explain it you're not going to understand much. I'm still trying to figure out how it even happened, but that's something that she should explain to you."

"Huh, so Necro is her name?"

"Code name but yeah. By the way, Aaron is doing fine he's just resting."

"Is he mad at me?"

"After I had to explain a few things he now understands. Don't worry the friendship between you two is still intact."

"Thanks Charlie. Hey, um... Where exactly were you from?"

"Ah, so you finally want to get to know me huh? I was born in Hawaii but I grew up in Cincinnati."

"Ah! Really?! I was born in Hawaii and grew up in Cincinnati."

"Seriously? Well that's a huge coincidence. While I was in Cincinnati my father owned a tea shop. My love for games started with my mother but they both supported the shop. When people come in for tea they would play games. with strangers, friends, and family. We created a community of people that cared for each other."

"So have you continued the tea shop with your family?"

"Sadly it's hard for us Hackers to live a social life once we join. We endanger the people we love and it's all because of Dr. Money."

"Why is Dr. Money so hell bent to find you all?"

"From what they told me he used to be a part of the Hacker society. I guess something didn't went his way and he decided to turn on us. It's strange though that they refuse to tell me his original code name."

"How can you be so sure to trust the Hackers then?"

"Because I have faith. You should too."

"Hey was there anything strange about Charlotte?"

"Charlotte? Like what do you mean?"

"Necro was freaking out that I've told her what she sent me. She gave me an IPod to listen to music when I get bored, but there's something weird about it."

"...An IPod huh? Can I see it?"

"Sure."

I took it out from underneath the pillow and gave it to him. When he held it disappeared and reappear in my hand.

"Glitch," he said.

"What?"

"Nothing, I better get going but I'll report this to Salvadore. I'll come back by lunch."

He left just like that. I could've sworn I've heard him say Glitch. What does that mean? I find it more weird that word is also in the IPod. Does it mean something besides what the definition explains?

I sat down to open Aaron's letter. I hope he's not angry, but I wouldn't blame him if he is. I've seen his back, it nearly looked as bad as Freddy Krueger's skin. Dammit Necro, you could've eased up on him. He didn't deserve it.

Hey Mark

Charlie told me what really happened to you. I didn't think Dr. Carroll would use you to punish me. What you said didn't sound like you either. This person who controlled you doesn't sound like a nice Hacker. Now that I know Dr. Carroll doesn't like bad patients, I need to be careful if I don't want this to happen again. Mark please be careful too. I'm not too sure if the Hackers really mean well.

- Aaron

Yeah my faith in the Hackers is slipping too. They're too vague and don't even explain everything. I don't like being kept in the dark. It annoys me to the core that I don't have any idea what's really going on. I open the next letter from Salvadore.

Dear Mark

I must apologize on the behalf of General Necro. We never meant to have anyone hurt. But for not having a choice in the matter. We're trying our best to keep Dr. Carroll not have any ideas what to do to you. We've finally gotten results from your blood sample. We can use it to create a stable formula to reverse the virus that spread others. This is great news, and now we can focus more on saving you, and the other prisoners of Blue Rose. Don't worry Mark, rescue is coming soon.

-Salvadore

Well that's good news I guess. Oh, I got a letter from Mr. Smiley. When I opened it though there was something red and sticky all over the letter. As I read it fear took over me.

I'm sorry, Mark

He lied to me. My daughters aren't alive anymore. They were taken by the Virus. They were the only reason I had hope. The only reason to talk to you. I have no reason to live anymore. But you still have to. You're important because you have something within to cure the people who were infected by the virus. There's so few left of the prisoners, hope is slowly disappearing. You will be the last person I will ever talk to. I'm sorry, Mark. If only I was stronger.

- Richard Smiley

My whole body was shaking. I'm crying and-, "CHARLIE!" I shouted at the top of my lungs, "CHARLIE! ANYONE! PLEASE SOMEBODY HELP!"

...

Everything went so fast that I've became sick to my stomach. Someone did hear me while I was shouting, it was a guard who was just walking around. When I told him he immediately run to find Richard. After a long while till lunch Charlie did came back looking grim.

"I've heard what happened." he said as he slided me the tray of food.

"Is he okay?!" I asked.

"Barely." he said, "He lost a lot of blood but he's breathing. Dr. Money has gone too far with this. Even the Happy Buddies are starting to commit suicide."

"Is there anyway I can see him?"

"You have to ask Dr. Carroll to allow it. I would have let you see him without thinking twice, but I can't risk blowing my cover."

"DAMMIT!" I punched the wall even though it did no good for me. Especially since it's still healing from the first test. "Please Charlie I'm begging you. Let me see him!"

"What are you getting worked up for? I told you he's alive. Is my word not good enough?"

"You don't understand!"

Tears began running down my face again. "I can't stand not being there for someone in need anymore. I've been through this pain too many times I can't afford to lose another!"

"...What are you saying?"

"... People who watch me on YouTube. Some of them got in contact with me. They would tell me that some of the people that were close to them would watch me because it brings them a smile. A little hope that their days can get better. They're gone now. They're not around anymore because... they either get sick or... or..."

" I understand... Tell you what. Write a letter to him. I'll come back in 20 minutes."

"What are you going to do?"

"You'll see. I'll be right back."

When he left I grabbed a piece of paper of and a pen to start writing a letter to Richard. I thought of every word very carefully. Pouring my heart out and thoughts into the paper. I'm trying not to get my tears onto the paper. I've never cried this much before for someone. For Someone who I've haven't even met.

I have to be there for him. I can't stand by anymore. I can't lose a friend. After 20 minutes Charlie did came back. With a cup of warm tea?

"You went away to make me tea?" I said.

"Don't like tea?"

"No, it's just that. Well I'm surprised that's all."

"Did you write your letter?"

"Yeah."

I handed it to him. "What kind of tea is it?"

"Blood orange. Don't worry it's quite sweet and it'll calm your nerves."

We gave me the cup and I took a sip. It was quite welcoming. Sweet indeed, I can taste the blood orange. "This is pretty good."

"I'm glad you like it. Maybe once we get you out of here. We could go back home and I'll show you the tea shop my parents run."

"Home?"

"Cincinnati remember?"

"... Sorry it's just that. I've moved to LA to be something bigger. Thinking about Cincinnati... Right now it doesn't sound so bad. Yeah, home. I would love to see that tea shop of yours."

"I would love to stay a bit longer but-,"

"Yeah, I know. Just make sure that letter get's to him alright?"

"Of course. I'll see you at dinner."

I sat back to drink my tea while watching the television. As I relax I was slowly drifting to sleep. I've cried so much that I've gotten tired. Hopefully my letter to Richard can bring up his spirit.

"You look cute in person." I heard a woman's voice outside my cell's door.

When I look I couldn't believe my eyes! It was Charlotte! "Charlotte?! How did you get in?!"

"Shh! Don't let everyone know I'm here. Did you play the Virus and Glitch?"

"The Virus yeah but not the Glitch. Darkiplier nearly killed me because of it."

"Darkiplier? So that's what you named your darkness?"

"Actually it's what the fans gave me. When I show my dark side through my videos they called me Darkiplier."

"Oh I get it. It's quite cute."

"Why Charlotte? What are you trying to do to me?"

Before she answered she appeared inside the cell with me! I backed away because I was startled. "How did you do that?" I said.

"Power of a Glitch. There are 3 societies Mark. The Virus, The Hackers, and The Glitches. All 3 of us want you, but we know you have no interest joining any of us."

"Why me?"

"Why not?"

"No you don't get it. There are other skilled gamers out there who are probably ten times better than me. Jacksepticeye, CinnamonToastKen, IHasCupcake, Cryaotic, AngryJoe, hell LordMinion777 or Muyskerm! I can list so many gamers who are just as good as me, or better!"

She laughed but lightly, "You just list only a portion of gamers who are prisoners here."

"...What?"

"They're all here. They either have Hacker or Glitch Blood running through their veins. But you got something they don't. You have the Virus, Hacker, and Glitch blood within your veins. Two have been awakened, you just need to play the Glitch to get you all set."

"How? How can I have all three?"

"Now that's something none of use know yet."

She sat down next to me. "All we know, is that you have them. Which makes you a powerful gamer."

"What do you want with me then?"

"I want you to help us. To stop Dr. Money and his plan. He killed too many innocent people trying to find us."

"If you want me to help you then tell me everything. Tell me what's going on, tell me why is Dr. Money looking for all of you?"

"Dr. Money use to be a part of the Hacker Society. One of the strongest gamers they ever had. Until a Virus we don't know what caused corrupted him. Turned him to kill all of us. He's keeping you and the other prisoners alive because he's going to inject the same virus that corrupted him into you."

"... Dr. Money is the leader of the Virus?"

"Yes."

"The Glitch playlist. Is it going to try to kill me like the Virus?" I just had to ask because for one I want to be prepared.

"No. Being a Glitch is something more different."

"How so?"

"You'll understand once you play it."

She all of a sudden kissed me. When she pulled back she said, "I'll see you again." She disappeared just like that. I take a look at the IPod and search for the Glitch playlist. I was hesitant to play it but I remember what new information was given to me. It feels like I don't have a choice in this, but they need my help. More of all... I can't let anyone else get hurt. Richard tried killing himself because he lost hope. I can't let that happen again.

I press play on the Glitch button and find myself in... my old room? This is the house I lived in Cincinnati. There's me! Sitting at my desk in front of my computer... Wait... This is the first video I've done for YouTube.

"Alright, hello everybody! This is Markiplier here, with my brand new let's play of Amnesia: The Dark Descent."

No way!