The Marionette of Madness

14

(I feel like I should note that I have not read the Marble Hornets comics so nothing in those effects this story)

Toby was about to respond to Mari when the room seemed to get darker. Mari backed away, his body shaking even more, though that could have been because the room had suddenly become way colder and Mari's shirt lacked sleeves.
"She's here."

A figure formed, and Toby vaguely recognized her from last night. He found another pair of green eyes staring at him, though these had slitted pupils.
"Hello Dear."
She turned to Mari, who was trying to make himself look as small as possible.
"You were talking to him while I wasn't here Mari. I didn't say you could do that."

"You didn't say I couldn't, specify next time. Besides, he's still here, isn't he?"

She growled a little.
"Drop the attitude Dear."
She turned back to Toby.
"Now, what shall we do with this little dear? So many options, so little time."

"You c-could- you could let me go?"
Toby didn't have much hope for this suggestion.

Mari rolled his eyes and leaned against the wall.
"Yeah, not happening."

He seemed to realize his mistake in speaking as the demon turned towards him.
"Why don't I let you play with him for a bit? I think you need to earn back some of my trust after your little incident."

Mari turned his head away.
"I don't think thats necessary Mistress."

She scowled and stood tall over him.
"I wasn't asking. Now, are you going to cooperate, or do you need your medicine?"

Mari flinched at the mention of his "medicine". Sighing, he pulled a machete from the holster on his back.
"Fine, what do you want me to do with him?"

She mused for a few seconds.
"Why don't we start with some light torture and see how we feel after that?"

(Back with our other boys)

"Should we follow it?"

Tim threw the "map" aside.
"Hell no! I'm done doing that thing's dirty work! I just want to go back to my own life!"

Brian nodded and slumped on the floor.
"So what, we just leave Toby to die?"

Tim didn't respond, when Brian looked over, he was holding the mask. 
"I thought I was done with this. I'm not going down that road again."

Brian laid a hand on his shoulder.
"Doesn't look like you have a choice. We have to go save Toby."

Tim was silent for several minutes, just staring straight ahead.
"Fine, we'll play this thing's game."
He stood up and brushed himself off.
"But I'm not wearing the mask."