I Care {Darkiplier}

(Chapter 17)

The rest of your time spent with Dark was nice, and eventually Dark shifted his position, causing you to lean over more into his torso, and into his chest. The energy around him continued to fizzle and move, not alarmingly so however. His aura was more warm, helping you keep your temperature in good condition along with the fire. Dark was the polar opposite. He was always chilled to the bone, not that that bothered him of course.

You close your eyes as you breath, smelling charred wood, before exhaling, finding peace.

Soon, your eyelids grew heavy, causing you to try to fight against it. You never won those battles. Dark noticed and a short chuckle rumbled from him, making you feel a slight vibration due to it. You were enjoying yourself, maybe finding his actions a bit odd at first, (Being near him in such a way) but they seem well intentioned. You rubbed your eyes with both your forefinger and thumb, somewhat irked. You knew the implications. As you try to resist the urge to yawn, you ask a quick question.

"Will...I ever see you in the real world?" You yawn near the end of your sentence, sadly.

Damnit

"One day, most likely later rather than sooner, I have...business to attend to, unfortunately."

You nodded sleepily in understanding, nearly dozing off entirely.

"You should...get some sleep, you look tired." He's glancing down out your head, taking in your movements.

You murmured incoherently in disagreement, but had to accept your fate. You fell asleep against him.

____________________________________________________________________________

The 29th, you are met with a pleasant surprise. You awoke that morning, checking your notifications, slightly happy from the new message. It was from the archive channel. You tap the DM button, leading to your list of contacts. You read the text, practically holding your breath in anticipation.

ArchiveofEras - Great news, I was able to finish everything. Let me know about anything else, if needed.

Below their text, is a link that leads to the video. Before clicking on the video, you sent a quick text back thanking them for their response, and taking the time to even do anything in the first place. You lean against the wall behind the back of the bed, where the provided pillows laid, and mentally prepare yourself. Who knows what could happen. With one last exhale of air, you tap the link, which queued up your Youtube app. The video was listed as private, not shared to the public yet. The video starts with some static, before the footage takes place, the aged film is fixed up some, to make things more easier to see. The same text is pasted in the corner, along with a headline, an interview taking place. The camera is pointed to a man, wearing a dark grey suit, nearly black. His undershirt is a bright white, and holds a bowtie. The man seems to keep his cane close to him as he waits, holding it as he awaits the person behind the camera's inquiry. His hair is slicked back, no hair out of place, a kind shine in his eye. What really caught your eye, was the pin he wore, a lovely scribe of cursive of the word, 'Mayor', with two dark teal ribbons peering out from underneath the ruffles of fabric surrounding the plastic circle that held the word in it.

"What would you say, would be the reason for your campaigning for the election?" The voice from beyond speaks, that must be Jim, however sounding more professional than what was seen on the last tape.

The mayor's voice held an accent to it, his voice reminding you, in a way, of Mark. "Well, there were multiple reasons, but I suppose one that stands out the most...Well, we need to fix things. We need to make a change for the better, not just for you or I, but for everyone else out there." The video freezes for a moment before resuming to what you would assume, is a later portion of the interview.

"Who would you say, has been the one who inspired you to pursue this? Do this even?"

"Of course, my family had a helping hand in it, I suppose. With my upbringing and experiences, but if I truly had to choose one person in particular...It would be my friend, the upcoming district attorney." He paused for a beat, as if pondering something before continuing, "To be honest, I don't know what I would do without them. They helped me get this far, after all. I'm honored to have them around."

That must be Damien...

As you listen to his responses to the questions, your heart feels heavy, sad. The mayor seemed like a good person, from what you have seen, and it doesn't seem fair what happened. You fail to notice something falling down your face...it slinks down, dripping onto your phone screen. You quickly pause the video, looking curiously at the liquid.

...

Tears?

You bring a hand to your face, gingerly wiping away the salty drops. You move your hand afterward, glancing at it, puzzled. You were sad yes, but enough to result in this? With that, a sudden knock breaks your thoughts, making you scramble to wipe away and excess tears you missed, and turning your phone off.

"Come in."

Your friend opens the door, sharing a smile to you. They didn't seem upset at you, which is good? Hopefully? They walk in carrying some bags. You avert your attention from them to the items. "What's with the bags?"

They plop the plastic grocery bags on your bed, before pulling out a couple things. "I thought it would be helpful if I went out and got some supplies for our trip?" The manor...

Your mouth forms into the shape of an o, in understanding. The materials they laid out were perfect for the outing you two would be going on. There were flashlights, sleeping bags, first aid, a lantern, fake candles, and even...An ouija board?

"An ouija board?" You voiced, kind of startled by the prospect of bringing one to such a place.

"Yep! We don't have to use it if you don't want to, but I thought it would be a nice addition to the spooky ambiance!" They responded excitedly.

You grin wearily, aware of some odd things in the world, supernatural included, though not much, just it's existence...Dark probably proved that? You'd have to ask him sometime.

"Alright then. Though...isn't this the start to a horror movie?" You joke, trying to ease the tension you held. 

"Not if we do it right. Don't worry when we get there, I'll explain the rules." You nod in reply, a silence settling over the two of you.

You are eventually the one that sparks up a new convo, "When will we be leaving?"

"Probably tomorrow, it takes a fair bit to drive over there, it is secluded after all." They inform. You nod, mentally noting it. "Alright. Thank you, for all of this, you didn't have to, but you did, so...Thank you." You grin appreciatively at them. It was nice of them to get all this stuff, do any of this at all.

They dismiss it, but you don't fail to acknowledge their glee brightening. After some more talking, your friend finally leaves, and you are left with more of the interview left. Once you feel the coast is clear, you press the continue button, only a bit of it was left.

"If you don't mind me asking, what is with the cane and ribbon? Even if it's not confirmed, you're going to be helping with running this town?"

A fond look crosses his features, a small chuckle leaving him as he begins, "Well, they were gifted to me by my friend, the DA. Both in celebration for the beginnings of my entrance into all this. The cane was from our graduation, they gifted it to me, to help me 'stand out from the other candidates', they're words not mine. The pin was given to me when I was given this opportunity to run for office. Something to where if I ever was fortunate enough to win this."

With that, the clip cuts out, and you're left with a black screen. The video has come to an end.

Author note:

Sorry if any grammar is off, I did not proofread-