Release - Septiplier

Chapter Thirty Two

A/N: I updated the cover to this and Don't Ever Leave, I hope you like them!:)

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We took the pictures and Eli stuck me back in that retched hole with Chica, who looked as though she was wearing the worst Halloween costume ever. I knew Jack wouldn't believe any of this, he's not an idiot. While it seemed he was going along with what was happening, I don't think he'd trust any of this so easily. He's been through this once before, he won't be easy to fool, even though Eli forced me to talk with him on the phone and lie through my teeth. 

"What happened to you?" I asked Eli as he was starting to leave, sitting on the mattress. He smiled and put a hand on his chest. 

"I welcomed the dark within me," He purred and I wondered if he meant to make a stupid pun. Either way, his creepy smile sent a shiver down my spine. 

"I meant before all this. What happened? You seemed like a nice guy, Jack thought highly of you," I elucidated, hoping he understood what I was asking, as I was curious for the answer. He sighed deeply. 

"I... Life wasn't good growing up. My parents were alcoholics, we were living off of welfare in the ghettos of Nevada. My mother abused heroine until it eventually killed her. She was always so out of it, she couldn't even comprehend the fact that my father would beat me every night," He frowned, shaking his head. "He was a gambler and he'd steal from the wrong people, which is why he received a bullet to the back of his head when I was sixteen. I lived with a nice foster family afterwards who helped me cope, but the violence never completely faded away within me and Dark... He amplifies the emotions you feel."

"I-I'm sorry you lived such a rough life, but that doesn't excuse the pain you've inflicted onto Jack."

"I know, I know. The first time I hit him, I was terrified that I was turning into my father, I never even think about alcohol. I never told Jack about my past, he didn't need to know, but I wish I had and maybe he'd understand why I act the way I do... I love him with everything I have and if I can love Jack even though I've hit him, it makes me think maybe my dad actually did love me - my mother certainly didn't," Eli chuckled sadly and my heart ached for him and I think this might be why Jack liked him so much. He's a sucker for making people happy and with Eli's fucked up life, it must've just radiated off of him, making Jack cling to him, even though he had been hit. You don't have to know about someone's past to tell they're suffering.

"What got you into traveling and becoming a journalist?" I asked, remembering what his life was before all this happened.

"I wanted to get away, journalism just seemed to call to me."

"What happened with you and your ex husband? I don't think you ever said what happened," I questioned, figuring I could ask every question I had while he's being so open. 

"He was insanely jealous of Jack since I never got over him and everything reminded me of him. I'd watch his videos all the time, sometimes I'd dream about him and talk in my sleep, he hated it. I tried to mold him into Sean after we married, he was the only one I wanted. I'd pressure him to bake cakes with me and decorate them like Jack and I used to do, but he'd always catch on and it'd end with a screaming match," A tear fell out of his eye and he smiled sadly. "I was awful to him, I wish I changed."

"What happened?" I pressed for more, knowing that can't be all.

"I caught him cheating on me with our neighbor - some blonde twink," He spat as he recalled the past. "I just left after that. I stayed at a hotel until the papers were signed and then heard Jack was in California, so I decided to go there."

"And here we are now," I sighed, regret flowing through me. 

"It wasn't your fault and I know that," He added, seeming to sense what I was thinking. "After I died, I could feel Dark within you. I knew it wasn't you, you were being played with - your emotions were being abused and amplified every which way."

"Do you feel that way?" 

"Of course. That's why you're in here and Jack's alone in the cabin," Eli chuckled and smiled a bit evilly. "I hate Dark, but I'm learning to love him. If I ever lashed out violently, I'd hate myself, but now, there's a little voice in my head praising me, giving me pointers on how to accept who I've always been meant to be."

"You don't have to be this way, Eli."

"Yes, I do. I've been resisting the violence I've always felt for too long and fuck!" He grinned happily. "It feels so good to finally be open and free. I suppose I have to thank you for that, so thank you, Mark."

"I didn't do anything to help this!" I defended myself, knowing I needed to get out of here soon before he could hurt Jack again. 

"Bullshit!" He snapped and got up in my face, grabbing the collar of my shirt. "You were the one who killed me. You were the one who owned Dark for so long. You were the one who kept Jack here. You were the one who wanted to bring me back to life. You were the one who participated in my resurrection and helped bind Dark to me. This is all on you, Mark." 

"If it's all on me, then I'm going to be the one to stop you, you fucking lunatic," I sneered and he laughed whole-heatedly, letting me go and preparing to leave. 

"Good luck to you then. Let's see how well you fare against both me and Dark. Every day, he's getting closer to reaching his full potential as a demon. You don't stand a chance," He laughed and climbed up the ladder, slamming the door behind him as he exited, beginning to lock it back up again. "Good luck, Mark. You're going to need it."