MIX-UP (JossGawin)

Chapter 22

Tong rubbed his eyes, the haze of sleep clinging to him as he shuffled toward the looming presence of Mark's coffin. He still wasn't used to sharing a room with a vampire. 

Every morning, it was a silent reminder that his life had taken a bizarre turn. 

Today, though, curiosity got the better of him. He tiptoed closer, fingers hesitating over the lid before pushing it open, expecting the usual emptiness.

Instead, Mark lay inside, his piercing eyes gleaming with amusement.

"Close the coffin, Tong. I'm trying to sleep," Mark said, voice smooth, lazy, and utterly unbothered.

Tong stumbled back, his heart racing. "Since when do you actually use this thing? You usually hog the sofa with those stupid books of yours."

Mark's lips curved into a smug smile, his eyes half-lidded. "I felt like a change of scenery."

Tong rolled his eyes, muttering curses under his breath as he slid the lid shut. 

"Dramatic bloodsucker," he grumbled, heading for the kitchen.

Hours later, Tong returned from a quick errand, expecting to find Mark draped across the couch or lurking by the window. Instead, the apartment was disturbingly silent. The faint hum of the fridge was the only sound. 

Tong's gaze darted to the coffin—it was open. 

Empty.

"Mark?" His voice cut through the still air, each syllable trembling slightly. 

He checked the bedroom, the bathroom, even the shadows under the bed. Nothing.

"Mark, where the hell are you?" he called again, anxiety rising like bile.

No answer.

Tong's pacing grew frantic, his stomach tightening with dread. Mark might be unpredictable, but he never disappeared without a word.

Hearing the commotion, Joe appeared in the doorway, a coffee mug in hand, brow furrowed. 

"What's going on?"

"Mark's gone," Tong said, his voice clipped. "He's not here. Not even in his coffin."

Joe glanced at the empty coffin, his frown deepening. "Maybe he's out... hunting?"

Tong shook his head, jaw clenched. "Without telling me? That's not like him." He ran a hand through his hair. "Something feels wrong, Joe."

Joe set his mug down, his tone softening. "Look, he's probably fine. Vampires aren't exactly the most considerate roommates, right?" He offered a small smile, hoping to ease Tong's nerves. "Let's not panic yet."

Still, Tong uneasy feeling gnawing at him. "If he's out causing trouble... I swear..."

Joe chuckled, though his eyes betrayed his own unease. "You're starting to sound like a worried parent."

They settled on the couch, attempting to lose themselves in a movie. The screen flickered with cheerful scenes, but the tension in the room remained thick. Tong's mind wandered, replaying every detail of the morning. He glanced at Joe, who was fidgeting with his mug.

"You're worried too," Tong muttered.

Joe sighed, setting the mug aside. "Yeah. I am. But freaking out won't help." He glanced at the coffin again. "Maybe he needed space. Or... maybe someone else needed him."

Tong stiffened, dread pooling in his stomach. "What do you mean by that?"

Joe's eyes darkened, a flicker of concern breaking through his calm exterior. "You said it felt off. Maybe it's not just Mark acting weird. Maybe someone—or something—took him."

Silence settled over the room, heavy and suffocating.

Tong exhaled sharply, standing up. "I'm not waiting around to find out."