Antis And Dark Nights-Mark Of The Egos Volume III

Mission Failed

Marvin looked back at Ollie. They were both bound by rope, their hands duct taped by the wrists. He knew that screaming wouldn't help them. He closed his eyes and waited for the broadcaster to start speaking.
"Thanks Jim. Listen, the egos have been running rampant through our society since the birth of YouTube. The Order of The Purgers was created to successfully eradicate the spread of egos, so that we can thrive to be the society we wish to be. With me here behind Jimmy's bar is Jayden Ridley, a man who has been giving back to our community since he was only a child. Jayden, thank you for allowing us to broadcast the purge."
Jayden's smile looked sincere, but the context of his smile was dissonant. "The pleasure is all mine, Stacey. I am giving back in a way that may bring up controversy, but it will save us all."
Ollie had tears in his eyes, streaming down his face, and into his trembling mouth. Marvin looked over at Ollie and tried so hard to keep him calm. But inside, he was screaming to use his gift. It was there for a reason.
No matter what happens, nothing can happen to Oliver Patrick.
Jayden turned back to the cult. "My pure ones! I present the sinner boy, and his masked guardian."
They cheered loudly and without remorse. Ollie cried more as Jayden strutted toward him, hands clasped behind his back. Ollie looked up.
"Please..." he whimpered. "Please, I wanna live. I wanna go home." Ollie averted his eyes and bawled. "Please, just take me home."
Jayden leaned in and whispered softly in Ollie's ear. "And home you shall go." He looked over at 'Murica and nodded.
They're going to kill him.
"Wait! Wait, wait, wait," Marvin intervened. Ollie looked up at him, but he continued. "Don't do this. He's just a kid. Take me."
Ollie's eyes widened as Jayden eyed the magician.
"I won't even put up a fight. I accept my fate, Mr. Ridley." Marvin locked eyes with Jayden, forcing his tears to be still. "Please."
Jayden broke into a grin and turned to his followers. "The demon has accepted his fate! Shall we send him home?"
The group cheered. 'Murica untied Ollie as a female purger uncut the rope. Head held high, Marvin walked forward, getting down on his knees. He looked up at Jayden, trying not to show weakness. Not in front of the kid.
Jayden turned around to address the crowd. "Before us is a demon. He has hidden amongst us, and while he wishes to return where he came, he hides still." Jayden looked back at Marvin but turned to the purgers once more. "Before we can continue, he must show his true self."
"Unmask the demon!" 'Murica cried out. Jayden knelt down in front of Marvin, who closed his eyes as his mask was ripped away and thrown to the side. Marvin tried his hardest not to cry, but he no longer felt safe without his mask. But he had to stay strong. He could hear Ollie struggle to save him, but he put his hands behind his head.
"No! No, don't hurt him!" Ollie cried out. "MARVIN!"
Marvin closed his eyes, knowing full well that would be the first and last time the kid referred to him as a friend and not a mentor.
That is, until he heard an engine idle. He looked over and saw that several cars were parking at Jimmy's. One stepped out of the car, and Marvin laughed as he identified Chase Broderick.
"Hey, Manson!" He called out. "Let them go."
The car doors opened and from afar Marvin could recognize Phantom, Blank, Roman Sanders and his brother, Remus; DadPat, Melanie, Stephanie, Sean, Jack, Mark, Dark, and Schneeplestein.
Everyone's attention was on the gathering egos and ids, giving Marvin leverage. He channeled the energy from the fire and the engines, and used it to blow the purgers away. 'Murica took Ollie down with him as he fell to the ground. Marvin gasped, feeling better. He lifted his wrists to his leg and broke free. He turned to Ollie and went to check on him. But as Marvin drew closer, Ollie drew back. Marvin finally realized the expression on his face wasn't shock: it was fear.
"Ollie, are you okay?" Marvin asked.
"Stay away from me," Ollie mewled, turning away.
Marvin trembled as he drew his hand back. He looked back at the cult. A majority of them didn't look like they were breathing, but Jayden was. Marvin fell to his knees.
"Marv!"
Marvin didn't acknowledge Schneeplestein until he was next to him.
"Marvin, are you okay?"
Marvin looked up at him before nodding. Schneep helped him up. Marvin could hear the reunion of the Patrick's, but he felt empty.
"Hey, look at me."
Marvin looked back at Schneeplestein.
"You did good, liebchen." Schneeplestein wrapped his arms around Marvin. Marvin, confused and surprised, returned it. He remembered the karaoke and wondered how drunk Schneeplestein actually was. He closed his eyes to stop the crying, or at least postpone it. When they released, Marvin looked back, but Ollie, his mother and his egos were gone.
"Kid?" He called out.
No response.
Marvin walked farther, cupping his mouth with his hands. "KID!"
Schneeplestein walked up to him. "Marvin. Marvin, we have to go."
Marvin was ushered away from the pyre, from the place he was almost killed. He walked to the car, but he looked back and tried one more time, in a quiet and broken voice. "Kid?"
It was to no avail. And with a heavy heart, Marvin buckled in and closed his eyes. For some reason, creating terror in the kid made him feel like a terrible person.
He felt a bit like he failed his mission.