I Care {Darkiplier}

(Chapter 18)

You couldn't shake the video out of your head. Something about it stuck with you, from the mayor's kind words, or how this was all something that occurred before the poker night, or that somehow, everything led to..all this. It made it difficult to focus whilst you packed later that day. You found yourself staring blankly down at the necessities you had in a bag you planned on bringing with you. The bag was sprawled up on your bed, not zipped yet. It held the first aid kit, a blanket, flashlight, and whatever you deemed important enough to drag with you on the trip tomorrow.

When you finally arrived from your room, ready to face the day earlier that morning, your friend discussed more details of the trip, refining things. You were both going to leave the next morning, around 9:00, due to the length of the car ride that would lead to the run down-home. With the cocktail of emotions from the video, you also found yourself nervous about what was to come. Your friend was onto enough, not oblivious, and was suspicious. One wrong action and you would be screwed. No spacing out or freezing for you. You just hoped this wouldn't cause much trouble. If there was one thing that would be helpful, if you did make it to the Manor, you may be able to uncover something, find another piece in this huge puzzle. Who knows.

Your door was left ajar, in case you needed anything. A knock on the doorframe brought you back to reality. You shift your attention to the sound, finding your friend moving open the door to step a bit inside.

"What's up?" You greet, curious as to what they wanted to talk about, or what they needed.

"Just came to see if you were prepared for tomorrow. That's all you bringing?" The gesture to your still open bag.

You shrug, making a sound of being indecisive. "Not sure. Do you think it's good enough?" you nudge the carrier to them. They look down at it, as if analyzing it, before humming.

"It doesn't look that bad, we will probably be in the same clothes as we dress in tomorrow, so no need to pack anything. I think. Unless you feel like changing in the car?" They chuckle.

"Definitely not." You laugh back. "Yeah...The only good thing is that it's a lot easier to pack and carry a bag than whole luggage."

They nod in agreement, "For real."

A short silence settles over, and after a bit, your friend looks like they are about to say something. They decide against it, and just say, "Well, I'll leave you to it then."

"Alright."

The door swings back to how it was, not closing, however.

You are left once more with your own thoughts.

____________________________________________________________________

You find yourself floating...Waiting for the voids chilled claws to drag you down into it.

Nothing.

Your vision turns bright, for a moment, causing you to clamp your eyes shut, in an effort to not let the light blind you more than it has. After a few seconds, it subsides, and you slowly creep them open again.

This was not the void, nor the cabin. This was somewhere else entirely.

Your shoes leave a pitter-patter sound as you race down a string of sidewalk, flickering your gaze from left to right as you search around in a panic. It seemed like a normal dream for the first few seconds until it dawned on you...

You had no control, not only that....But Dark was nowhere in sight.

You internally began to panic, as you viewed someone's actions through your eyes. Confused would be the last word you would use.

What the absolute hell? WhA-

It took you a few seconds until you felt a bump at your hip. Your 'instincts' kick in and you adjust the strap, as you continue to search for...a building? Maybe? There were a couple 4 story buildings around the area you were in, it kind of reminded you of (H/T), but there was some difference, it kind of reminded you of your old highschool...a campus of some sort? Or maybe some of those advertisements on different colleges in an attempt to convince you to join them?

...

Was this a college campus? As you try to take in your surroundings your vision decides to have other plans, instead focusing on an old, well-worn watch, that hangs snugly on your wrist around your dominant hand. You have a difficult time reading the numbers written on the watch, mainly due to the fact the watches numbers held roman numerals instead of normal numbers you would usually see. From what you could recall about clocks...It seemed to be around 9:30? Maybe? You didn't get the chance to concentrate on the clock any longer as you glanced away from it, your arm moving to grasp your bags strap, as if preparing for something, before picking up a pace to reach the double doors of a building in front of you. You use your shoulder to open the door, as you use the other hand, one that was not keeping the strap at bay, to open your satchel, looking down every so often as you rummage through it, stopping to pull out a piece of paper with a schedule scribbled on it. 'You' mumble under your breath, repeating the words from the paper, a welcome assembly tour at...9:40?

It takes you a few seconds after eavesdropping with interest...You feel yourself freeze, not the body you were inhabiting but how you felt...

Was that your...Your voice?

What...Why? How...?

You couldn't believe it, nor understand. Unfortunately, things moved on, and 'you' continued moving forward down the nearly empty halls, only some people here and there. Almost to the meeting area. You come to a stop in front of the polished wood door, and take a deep breath, steeling yourself, as you turn the knob, and enter.

It was a wide, spacious room, bright with natural light flooding through the windows that littered the walls. There was a semi huge crowd of multiple students, some hanging out by themselves, or striking up conversations with friends. You awkwardly step in, walking over to one of the walls where there were less people.

During the break of wondering about, you were finally able to rethink and reflect everything. Many questions burned through your mind.

Was that my voice? If so why? Why is this dream like this? Where's Dark? Should I be concerned? What-

"Hey there." A voice came from in front of you, this seemingly startling you, making you jump at the sudden interaction. You felt the heat radiating off from your face, as you looked up at the person.

If you could lose your breath somehow, you totally would. It was like a punch to the gut, there standing in front of you...

Damien, the same person from that recording.