Inside // Septiplier

Chapter 8

A.N UPDATE!: Hey guys so I felt that I owed you a bit more :3 so I wrote a bit more for this chapter! Yeyyyy! Thank you guys for being so patient! I shall write chapter 9 shortly :3 Currently in London and oh ma gawd, it's taking up all my writing time ;_; But anyways enough about that aha, hopefully I didn't change the plot too much and annoy you guys. Enjoy!! xx

Mark peered anxiously into the intruding shadows. He didn't trust Dark. Jack was twitching constantly, apparent from the bolts of pain. Even though he was unconscious. The sight petrified the worried man, helpless due to being incarcerated by the rusty shackles. Frustration would wipe over his forlorn gaze, he smashed his knuckles harshly onto the concrete floor. Drops of crimson would fall out of the small indentations present from the blow. Echoes filled the silent room. Mark listened intently to the gradual drops of his blood, as they formed a shallow puddle. The spluttering coughs would follow, as Mark's tolerance began to tumble.

"FUCK!"

The streams of tears fought against his bitter anguish, Mark wouldn't display any signs of weakness. A slight chuckle filled his ringing ears, a familiar presence revealing itself. His lime eyes glimmered brightly, the entertainment fulfilling his boredom. Mark swayed slowly, unable to comprehend the situation. "No, no, no, no..." Bloodshot eyes struck deeply into the surroundings that began to collapse around him. He rocked back and forth, still locking his gaze with the Irish man. The same giggle, consumed him.

"Hey, Markimoo." Through his blurred vision, he could still spy on him. Obviously, Anti wouldn't show himself, he wasn't as proud as Dark was. The mocking nickname lingered in his mind, Jack had used that very same nickname almost as if it were Mark's real name.

His trembling hands were locked, cupping his muscular build, legs pressed tightly against his vibrating chest. His appearance mirroring a child hiding from a monster. The grip he held firmed up slowly, traces of prickling goosebumps forming along his flesh. Mark had almost snapped, the remaining traces of his sanity were like a speck from a dandelion. His eyes were shut tightly, ignoring the protruding voice. Mockery was present in his eager tone.
Aware from the small groan, Dark too, made his appearance. Mark gripped his head between his shaking hands, digging in his blunt nails deeply through his scalp. "Go away. Get out. Leave me alone. Please." The bitter cries from Mark only filled the two. Devouring at his fear. A small wave of relief washed over Mark. The realization of Jack being free had reached him.

"Oho, on the contrary Mark, Jack won't ever be safe again." Dark's taunting voice wrapped around Mark, slipping through the cracks of his ignorance. Mark recollected his thoughts. He couldn't give away his ideas. The thought of Dark and Anti lurking in the deepest corners of his mind disgusted him. The bitter laughter that followed presenting their utter malice due to Mark's reaction. Mark could now only rely on Jack, no longer free to think of an escape route. There had to be a way. Somehow. The muttering sounds of the duo began to distract Mark, he'd have to get used to it. Although he may have been in the clutches of both men, he was still the one in charge. Mark would overpower them. He had to.

"The almighty Markiplier, come to save the day."

"As well as save his boyfriend."

"Noted."

Mark groaned, groggily he slid down the pole. The mockery would only grow, and Mark would have to endure every second of it.

Mark stared silently, entranced by his appearance. Pity wiped across his blatant expression. Jack was coming to. His subtle movements gave away his gradual awakening. A sigh left his pursed lips as the lingering thought began to play throughout his mind like a broken record. Mentally Jack was free, but physically here he lied in the clutches of those jingling shackles.

Brisk gusts would push throughout the splinters of the wooden doors. The cool temperature matching the atmosphere of the current situation both men were stuck in. The small twitching movement from his softened expression furthered with the action of his flaring nostrils. Eyelids began to flutter, revealing the innocent gaze that Mark had grown to love. Jack blinked, reluctant to allow his eyes to open. Seeing the familiar figure, he allowed his resistance to lessen.

"Hey." Mark whispered softly, ignorance still gripped towards the background voices. His eyes darted back and forth apparent to his current state of fear.

"A-are they g-gone?" Jack's voice quavered matching his expression of terror. Mark bit his lip wondering how to respond.

"Yes." An apathetic statement followed silencing the room. In the back of his mind, he could hear the tiny wavers of laughter, reminding him of his lie.

Mark gazed as Jack began to sigh in relief, his expression softened. Calmness washed over him.

"Good." The lingering response stabbed Mark. Jack's voice flowed with easement, contrasting towards Mark's own thoughts. The mockery would start. He didn't know whether he could cope with it. Even if Jack was here.

"You feeling alright?" Jack's question alarmed Mark, distracting him from his state of worry. Rushing for an answer, Mark responded with a confused – "Uh yeah."

Jack gazed at Mark, his expression clearly displaying that Mark had not convinced him. "What about you?" Mark allowed his eyes to falter at the gruesome sight befallen on Jack. The gash was in need of treatment; the tiny shred of fabric was clearly for decoration. "I'm alright, I guess." Mark's eyebrows knotted together, furrowing slightly creating a sympathetic expression. Jack attempted to reassure Mark. Mark would not be moved from the slight twitching that followed Jack due to his discomfort from the pain.

"Mark? It's fine, a little painful but it'll heal. Don't worry 'bout me. 'Kay?" Jack gazed longingly into Mark's disturbed gaze, looking for the tiniest bit of relief from his own reassuring statement. Instead Mark only returned his glare towards the wound.

Ignoring the two men inside his head proved to be a chore. "Jack. You need to get away from here. From m-me." Mark stared silently towards the Irishman, scanning his transformed expression. "Mark, I'm not leaving yo-" Jack was cut short from Mark's desperate outburst.

Jack scampered to the side of his pole, terror wiped across his face; a reaction to the sudden cry. "M-Mark, they're gone now. We can leave t-together." A fake grin was plastered on his pale face, an act to try and regain his friend's hope. "Look Jack, they could come back any minute."

"Or second." Anti's giggle startled Mark, Dark's statement only bringing utter torment. Mark's expression was washed over by fear, Jack had noticed this. "Mark, are you oka-"

"I'm fine." Mark stuttered with numbness. "Jack, we aren't getting anywhere, if you leave, you can get help. Come back for me when you do." Jack stared helplessly at the tightened bands around his worn wrists. Mark sighed, an obstacle was just what he needed.

"Now what are you going to do, Mark?" Dark stood firmly with both arms crossed, whilst Anti leant against the walls of his rotting mind. The snickers escaping both malicious grins, furthering Mark's disturbance. Scraping noises could be heard, as Anti's claws dug against the remnants of his barrier. Little security, preventing them from entering the depths of his mind.

"He's a lost little lamb, Dark." The squelching flesh that echoed against his thought process, increased his intolerance. His slick tongue, wavered in the darkness mirroring his slimy words. Despite his attempts to control his thoughts, Anti and Dark remained to break through. Mark began to fall under one idea. Allowance of possession.

"Now we're talking." A scoff followed, confirming Mark's failure. "The thing is Mark, we don't need your permission,we can do as we like. I've got to thank you though, telling Jack we're gone. He'll never expect us." The threats would only pursue, aimed directly towards Mark. Even through his grasp of control, he knew Dark would always get his way. He couldn't stop him. Dark snickered whilst Anti licked his devious grin, the thought lingered in his mind.

"That's right Mark, I always get my way."

A grumble echoed across the room, breaking Mark's concentration. "Heh, guess I'm a lil hungry." Mark chuckled slightly, Jack was probably yearning for cake or cookies. "I'll take you out when we get outta here." A blush slowly befell onto Jack, Mark was too distracted by the constant yammering that continued in his mind. The thought of inescapability lingering in his tortured mind.

"I'd like that." A small murmur left Jack, his quivering lip showing clear bashfulness. When Dark and Anti appeared in physical form, they would feed Mark and Jack. Little to no food, but enough for their survival. After all, they wanted their punishment to last. Dark would usually toss a small canister, filled with sloppish substance. Forcefully they would be fed, unable to fight against the protruding chunks. Dark and Anti tended to possess passerbys. Unable to withhold their own physical forms without their hosts.

"I'm sick of that green shit they feed us anyways." Jack expressed through a disgusted grimace. Mark laughed softly, an agreement to his friend's reaction. Mark felt at ease. Just him and Jack sitting here, even in utter peril, laughing and sharing playful conversation. This was exactly what he wanted. What he needed. In this moment, Dark and Anti were erased from the depths of his soul. Jack was all that remained, all that existed.

"Listen Jack, I need to tell you something,"

"What is it Mark?" Jack looked up, a blatant grin pressed against his chipped lip. Mark stared in awe, he looked like an injured puppy. Stumbling against words, Mark pressed on deciding to let his confession slide. Jack pursed his lips together, but continued to converse without further curiousity.

Disturbance grew inside Mark, Dark and Anti hadn't said a word. They were quiet. Too quiet. Mark followed Jack's gaze towards his arm. The familiar green slime was now mixed in surrounded by an aura of black. "You said they were gone!" Jack shouted at Mark, hurt by his lie. "Jack, I-I"

"You're just like them." Mark snapped. Everything became a blur, he was losing control. It seemed to Jack that if Mark truly tried, he would break free from his imprisonment. "M-Mark what's w-wrong?" Jack's voice faltered, attempting to grasp the bits of confidence that presided in his voice. In an instance, the rusted chains broke free. Mark froze, awaiting a response from the ceased mockery. "Well you fuck, got anything to say?" Dark and Anti stood still for a while, their eyes glinting with intriguement.

"Thanks." Mark's expression fell into a state of disarray, staring down at his freed position, realization hit him. Jack scanned his friend, absorbing the fear drenched on his face. Clambering back closer towards the pole, Mark could feel the familiar entity overtaking him. Mark would become a lifeless puppet, a slave to his masters.

Dark and Anti would pull against his strings willing him to do their handiwork. Jack stared in disbelief, cowering at the sight before him. "Astonishing wouldn't you say?" A reluctant chuckle escaping from his trembling lips. Mark knew what he was doing, but he could do nothing about it. "Little Markimoo lied to poor Jackaboy."

"And now Mark's gonna hurt him." The engulfing darkness didn't follow, the familiar imprisonment in his own mind hadn't occurred. Mark was going to witness his own hands being drenched in the blood of his friend. His hope. His sanity. It would break him.

Jack trembled at the shadow drawing nearer to his helpless self. The growing idea of experiencing this torment before continued to pick at his frozen mind. The only difference being – Mark. Incomprehensible to Jack, he gazed in horror as his friend began to move closer towards his damaged figure. Stiff in place, he observed the terror ridden inside Mark's own tear – filled eyes. His delicious chocolate delights piercing down upon Jack's frail body. The slight glowering of mixed crimson and lime appeared in his eyes, confirming the demons that were planted inside him.

Jack couldn't bear what would follow. Closing his eyes, he prayed that it would be over fast. Tugging at the deepest corners of his mind, Jack reluctantly accepted that even Mark knew that was impossible.