Release - Septiplier

Chapter Thirty One

I managed to make it back and close the door behind me, putting the mattress back where it belongs. I still haven't checked out the rest of the tunnel, so I didn't want Dark and Eli to know about it. Chica was waiting for me and wagged her tail once she saw me, trying to jump up on me to greet me, but I had to shove her off and catch my breath before Eli comes back. I wondered how he was planning on convincing Jack I was at the vet with Chica. It seemed to take a while for Eli to get here and I wondered if he went back to the cabin to pick up the car.

Eventually, the door opened and Eli/Dark climbed down the ladder as I caught my breath and made myself act as normal as I possibly could. It took everything in me not to try and hurt Eli for hitting Jack again. I knew this would happen, but nobody seemed to have listened to me. 

"Come on, we're going to the vet," Eli barked and I frowned.

"Why? Chica doesn't need to go," I argued and he headed towards her, grabbing her by the scruff of her neck, grabbing her leg with the other hand, making her yelp. 

"She's going to need to," He threatened, seeming much different than he had just earlier today. It was as though he faked being a nice guy. Maybe that's how I seemed when I had Dark in me. 

"Don't hurt her! Just- Just wrap something around her leg or something," I begged and he sighed, letting her go.

"It needs to be more severe or else you would've been home already."

"We'll find some adhesive or something and stick twine on her that looks like stitches- I don't know!" I sighed and rubbed harshly at my face, not wanting to get Chica hurt. She didn't deserve it, she didn't even deserve to be stuck in this situation. 

"As long as he falls for it," Eli said and bit his bottom lip. "I hit him."

"What?!" I snapped, wanting to seem as though I didn't already know that. 

"I-I genuinely don't know why I did it. I just got so angry about him talking about you and acting like he knew I had you captive here. He was so gullible before," He shook his head and though his words made me angry, I was surprised he was telling me any of this.

"He learned from before, he's not an idiot," I rolled my eyes. "He has a soft spot for you, but I think you killed that."

"Whatever. Let's just go," He sighed and pulled Chica's leash out from his pocket. He must've grabbed it from the cabin before going on the walk with Jack. Maybe he was planning on doing this anyway. He climbed up the ladder first and then gestured for me to pick up Chica and hand her to him. I did, then went up the ladder myself. I was thankful to be back in the familiar forest and took the opportunity to look around, see where I'm located. I was glad Jack and I had taken so many walks, it let me pick up on little details.

It seemed we were about a mile away from the cabin and I wondered how we were meant to get to town. A car was parked not far away, answering my question. It seems he did to back to get it before coming to get Chica and I. He opened the passenger's side and pushed me in, Chica jumping on my lap, then he slammed the door behind me. He went in the driver's side and started up the car.

"I didn't mean to hit him. I still can't believe I did that. It was just in the moment," He shook his head, beginning to drive though the woods. "I just wasn't expecting him to have his wits about him."

"You're such an idiot," I sighed, not caring what happens to me for insulting me.

"Says you, you dumb fuck," Dark came through and I figured I must've upset him quite a bit. 

"This has already happened once before, of course Jack is going to be suspicious," I rolled my eyes. "I can't believe you're dumb enough to try and make him fall for this again."

"Well, I'm already invested in it. So either I kill you or you humor me and play along," Dark threatened and I figured it was best if I went along with it. I didn't want Jack to get hurt because of me or find out that I could've helped him if I just listened. 

"Fine," I looked out the window, petting Chica a bit. "We better pick up some stuff from the store to fake Chica's wounds. We can just take a picture anywhere that could somewhat look like the vet to make it easier. I doubt they'd just let us come in and fake some shit like that."

"That's true. Alright, whatever," Eli came back and it felt as though I was dealing with someone who had two personalities. It was weird. It's more strange when they speak at the same time, although, that's way worse. "Maybe I'll tell Jack you headed to Ida's to ask questions about me... Maybe you should call him and tell him that, but any funny business and you're dead, you understand?"

"Yes," I nodded and he handed me my phone. I saw I had a ton of missed calls from Jack, texts asking me if Chica was okay. I started calling him and he picked up right away.

"Mark?" 

"The one and only," I chuckled a bit. "Um, Chica's staying the night at the vet, I'll send you a picture of her when she's done getting stitched up. They said she should be okay, but they wanted to be sure. Afterwards, I'm thinking about going to Ida's and asking her questions about Dark and Eli. They seem... weird. You know?"

"I... I guess," He stuttered a bit, probably unsure what to say now that it seems Eli had told the truth, though he really hadn't. "When will you be back?"

"No idea, honestly. I'm not sure how much information Ida can give me. I want to know everything I can."

"Oh, okay. Well, Eli is on his way to the vet now... to check in on you. I'll be waiting for you, Mark," He reminded me and I smiled a bit. "Kisses?"

"Kisses, sweetheart. I'll be back before you know it," I promised and hung up the phone, handing it back to Eli, feeling defeated.