Chapter 9: Face-to-face

The next day Jax couldn't even focus on anything, his head hurt so bad…he really wanted Caine to stop it…but he also didn't want anyone to know he was in a bad condition.

Jax didn't realize he was understating his headache, he almost couldn't even see straight, but if anyone was to know, they'd probably hurt him even more than he was hurting right now. He actually slammed into a wall or two, this was not helping his image at all…

And he accidentally broke Gangle's comedi mask again…he wondered if this was his first time not intentionally trying to break it unlike other times. Yeah, he kinda felt bad about that now…even if he was trying to make it seem he was the most stable one of the others, he was overdoing quite a lot of it…and the worst thing about it was that Jax was actually having fun because there was nothing that funny in the digital circus and being bored was one of his least favorites.

He wished he wasn't all like that, but he couldn't help it. Even at one time when he tried to stop, it just came as instinct and he had to fake it like he meant to do it…but he felt really horrible inside. If he couldn't even control his actions, how easily could someone else control him as well?! Jax couldn't imagine what they'd do to him…making him look so powerless and pathetic…

Jax shook his head to get rid of those thoughts. He didn't need to be thinking about that right now, Gangle's mask had just been repaired, he didn't want to break it again.

Suddenly, all at once the pain in his head seethed and he could almost hear a small voice talking to him… "Do it. Why should you care about her feelings? She's just a crybaby, afterall." Jax instantly recognized the voice.

"What is wrong with you?! I thought I told you not to-"

"Gah! Oh no…my comedy mask…"

Jax froze. Gangle's tragedy mask was showing once more, plastic tears and all. "Uhh…" Jax couldn't think of any response for the heartbroken Gangle who probably hated him the most. "Jax! How many times have we told you not to break Gangle's comedy mask?!" Ragatha said, clearly upset at him.

"I'm sorry! I really didn't mean it!" Jax wanted to say, but really, would they believe him anyway? "Heh heh. Oopsie. Sorry about that, Gangle." Jax could at least say the apology and still be smiling so the others couldn't really tell how he was feeling.

It was getting way too easy for him to fake it and pretend, he'd been doing it for way too long, and it was starting to take control over him. "Why are you worrying about that, though? Your mask has always been a part of you, that's why it's so easy to be like that. But why care? I definitely wouldn't. Just accept it Jax, it'll always be a part of you."

Ok. This guy was really starting to get Jax mad now. "Shut up, will you?! Do you have an off switch?! Cause it'd be very nice if I could find one on you right now!"

"Heh. I'll pretend I didn't hear that. You've got such a fiery spirit, y'know? I like it. Feisty. You're definitely strong willed, it won't be easy to convince you to let me out…but my power is getting stronger." Jax thought he heard a noise behind him, and when he looked back he saw the evil version of him, waving back creepily. Jax's eyes widened with fear and he swung his head back forward, only to freeze in his tracks as the evil version stood face-to-face with him, smiling.

"You can't lock me away forever. And when I get out, I'll wreak havoc and make this digital world my own." He said.

Jax, completely horrified, ran right through him, then stopped. Boy, he never hated creepy smiles and headaches as much as he did now…

But he was sure of one thing. Evil Jax was coming. And there was nothing Jax could do to stop him.