Running From a Shadow

Meeting #2

Mark's P.O.V.

Ohio was such a beautiful place at night. I walked home every night, staring at the stars while wondering what Jack was up to. No sooner had the thought come to mind when the sight of bright green hair caught my eye. Jack? No...he was at home by now. But who else had that hair style? I followed the green-haired figure, a good distance away mind you, into a closed liquor store only one block from my house. Why did he want to go to a liquor store, especially when it was closed?

Taking deep, heavy breathes I made my way into the alcohol scented building undetected. I skimmed along the outer edge of the store as to not let Jack see me. I didn't want him to think I didn't trust him, but it felt odd.

I was snapped out of my thoughts by an annoyed voice in the center of the room.

"You can come out now, Mark."

Jack stared dead into my eyes. Only...it wasn't him. Jack's eyes were baby blue, shimmering like the ocean in the early morning, just as the sun was kissing the edge of the water. This "Jack" had green eyes. Like the disgusting toxic substance in old cartoons. They glowed with enough light to cover my face.

I stepped out from wine rack I was hidden well behind to come face to face with the Jack imposter. I could barely speak. Luckily for me, I didn't have to, seeing how this man spoke before I could breathe in.

"You're so cute when you're nervous." He stated, practically giggling at the word cute.

"W-who are-" Jack stepped closer, nearly blinding me with his glowing eyes. "J-Jack, what's wrong with your eyes?"

He smiled an evil smile. One that I never thought could be glued on someone as beautiful and innocent as Jack.

"Oh, Mark. You're so naive. Jack is in his little hideout awaiting a hero. He's awaiting you."

He let that sink in. Jack needed me? For what? I always thought he could handle himself, for we each got ourselves out of trouble, rarely needing the assistance of each other.

"Hideout? Where?" I said these words a little too fast. Jack's double put his hands on my shoulders, pressing me against the row of freezers lining the back of the store. He breathed in my face for a while, staring through my eyes and into my soul. A wicked smile erupted on his face as I saw a plan sprout in his eyes.

"You love him, don't you?"

"I-I-"

"You do! Oh this is going to be so much fun! I have to tell-" he stopped for a moment, forgetting I didn't know his name, or the name of whoever his comrade was.

"How rude of me!" He slapped the side of his face playfully as he chuckled. "My name is Antisepticeye. You, being my victim, can just call me Anti."

"Victim...?" I started to tremble under the power of his force on my shoulders.

"You'll see. Just call Jack. Don't mention a word of our meeting. He'll find out soon enough. I'll be watching you." He backed away slowly, as if testing if I'd run. Then, giving me one last wicked grin, disappeared in a cloud of green and black smoke. I fell to the floor, taking my phone out of my pocket. The only things that were on my mind were protecting Jack and the last words of the Jack look-a-like.

I'll be watching you...