His Dark Mind

Chapter 1: "What's wrong?"

Jace hadn't heard from Mark in a few months. Their relationship was like that. Sometimes they would talk everyday for a week and sometimes Mark needed to focus so Jace wouldn't message until he was ready. When they did talk, it was usually so fun.

But the call Jace got was so panicked and full of fear. It was a side of Mark Jace had never seen. Right after the call, Jace went to Youtube to see what was going on, but the stream was deleted. Yet, everyone knows some people on the internet had ways of posting things that were already gone.

Jace took to Twitter and that's where they saw it. Fans all over were tweeting that "Markiplier had been acting weird". That he absent mindedly played 3 hours of a game and never once looked at chat or even know where he was. Someone uploaded a clip of the last minute of stream where Mark snapped out of it, looked at chat confused, then looked around with an unsettling fear before rushing to end stream.

Jace figured this is when he called them. Just the look on his face alone made it known that something wasn't right. But how were they supposed to help?

Jace thought about it all the way to Marks house. The only thing they were good at was energy healing, but Mark didn't believe in any of it. On several occasions, Mark has explained why he didn't believe, even after Jace healed and calmed a nervous Mark. Still, just in case, Jace brought their tool kit and got an uber. While in the uber, Amy messaged Jace, warning them about Marks erratic mood swings. Jace assured Amy there was nothing to worry about, But just in case, she should go somewhere else for the night.

This was getting stranger and stranger. Mark usually held himself together quite well. So to show an emotion that wasn't meant for a livestream meant he was losing a battle. Jace had to mentally prepare. Trying to heal someone's energies was one thing, but this called for something stronger. Something Jace wasn't sure they were powerful enough to do. Someone's mind is fragile. The smallest of things can break a person. Entering a persons mind was considered trespassing even if that person gave you permission. Protectors will try to attack and can hurt the person in the process. Jace did not want to hurt Mark. They needed to think about how this was going to work.

As the uber pulled up, Jace pushed out all the negativities and breathed. Only breathing in the happy, loving energies. They really hoped maybe Mark could feel the happy energy. Jace got out and walked to the door. They walked in slowly, being careful not to startle anyone. As soon as they crossed the threshold, they were greeted by a very happy Chica and Henry. Animals always gravitated toward Jace better than people, which made for a lonely childhood.

After giving the necessary pets, Jace looked around. It was dark, despite it being just after noon. It was also quiet. Everything felt off. Despite having permission to enter, it felt like the house wanted them out. Jace got up and looked at the dogs.

"Where's daddy?"

Chica wagged as she ran into the living room, showing Jace a very dead looking Mark just staring at a staticky T.V. Jace walked in front of the T.V.

"Mark?"

Mark jumped a bit at the sound of another humans voice. He looked up at them and sat up. Jace took in his messy hair, the bags under his eyes, and how mentally weak he looked. It almost felt like he got worse within the past few hours. 

"You look like hell."

"I feel like I'm going insane."

Mark sounded dehydrated. Jace moved to get closer but mark put a hand up.

"I don't feel stable."

Jace nodded. "Do you want water?"

Mark shook his head, so Jace sat down. The dogs, getting excited, tried piling into their lap, but Jace made them lay down to the side. Jace looked at Mark who was staring at the floor. Jace tried to get a reading but Marks energies were either hiding or all over the place. No in-between.

"What's wrong?"

Mark's eyes shot up to Jace, sending shivers down their spine. This was a first. Amy was right about his mood swings. Jace stood up, almost ready to fight in case Mark decided to jump. Mark then started to cry.

"I DON'T KNOW! I haven't slept in days! I keep yelling at Amy for no reason and sometimes I don't recognize the person in the mirror. I need help, Jace!"

Jace didn't care if he didn't want to be touched, they needed to hug him. But as soon as they touched his shoulders, a shot of blinding light overwhelmed their senses. Jace was blinded for a split second. Silently, they hurt someone say "Don't" before buckling to the floor. They fell to one knee in front of Mark but with his hands in his face, he didn't even notice. Jace caught their breathe and focused. This just confirmed that something else was at play. That voice was familiar. Jace wasn't sure how to proceed.

"Mark," Jace was as gentle as possible. "Do you feel out of control?"

Mark looked up, face streaked with tears, as he nodded. Jace nodded back then grabbed their bag. Mark watched as Jace set up crystals, incense, and smudged the living room.

"You know I don't believe in that."

"You wouldn't have called me if you didn't believe even the tiniest bit."

Mark sighed. That much he knew was true. When he broke and called Jace, somehow he knew he needed whatever it was they could do. Jace then sat next to Mark, put a pillow on their lap, and looked at him.

"This might be weird, but I promise the closer I can get to your third eye, the easier it will be for me."

Mark hesitated but was curious. He didn't want to feel like this anymore. He wanted his life back. So, putting all his faith in his friend, he got on his back and laid back. He looked up at Jace with sad (maybe scared?) eyes.

Jace put a hand over Marks eyes and another cradling his head.

"Breathe..."

Mark did as he was told. He took in all the scents Jace flooded into the living room and focused on the idea of breathing and possibly a calm sleep. As Mark breathed to Jace's instructions, Jace closed their eyes. They both worked to synchronize their breaths, then Jace focused on their heart beats. Jace envisioned both of their hearts synching and soon, when they opened their eyes again, it was dark, and Mark was gone.