Inside // Septiplier

Chapter 12

It was his typical stance. Arms crossed, left hand cradled gently. Right hand dangled aimlessly. Tilted head. Weight supported by the faded, wooden structure. His right leg pressed against the surface, bent towards the tranquil patient. A single, raised eyebrow awaiting the next move. Not exactly opponent material. Taking aback by a sudden knock, he snarled in irritation. It was a habit of his to be careless. Although being caught off guard by the slumbering familiarity, wasn't as unexpected as one would've thought.

A creak of the bed startled his live-action film. The outsider's disturbance was extremely undesirable. A single answer alerted him; a token groan. For sure the outsider now had confirmation of Jack's whereabouts. Frustration glazed across his face. Why couldn't he have a few more minutes? It was now or never.

He hovered over the silent man gazing into his calm expression almost like that of a child's, being nurtured by its adoring mother. Warmth had been delivered as shown from the appearance he gave off whilst resting in a common, foetal position. He leaned in closer, careful not to touch his defenceless prey. Steadily he revealed his hidden pearl, daggers in eager to devour. Although ravenous, he had another task at hand, a rather important one. His white weapons were soon concealed by an obscure substance; his cavern covered crafting an endless night. Instead of residing inside his agape entrance, like a waterfall it rushed out - however as it slowly unwound itself it exposed a lack of a smooth delivery due to not being an entirely liquefied matter - aimed at the soft coils of air leaving the sleeping male. The black goo resisted allowing chunks to fall upon its new habitation, intentionally creating a perfect and uninterrupted transfer. Dripping onto the chapped lips, it slid inside him, forcing Jack's lips to part in order to enter whilst the intruder closed his own mouth. Each drop followed, leaving neither hint nor clue behind for another to discover. An involuntary gulp proceeded to ensure a completed deposit. Jack remained composed, oblivious to the events that had occurred. A subtle grin grew along his face as he concluded his project.

"Bye Jack. I'll see you soon, I can promise that."

Almost as if morphing, he melted into his usual gooey form. A bleak, emptiness blending in with the shadows slithering against the floorboards, a fading path trailing behind of leaking oil. It dissolved through the cracks of the tainted ground unaware that an abrupt entrance had caught the faint, glimpse of the spine-chilling sight beginning its escape. A tremble stopped him as he fixed his vision towards the clear surface, all traces out of sight, yet not out of mind. Mark recovered himself, however traumatised in order to protect his comrade. Still, Jack continued his slumber, serene displaying no signs of a sudden attack or beating. A sigh of relief left Mark, for now he rested on the idea of Jack being intact and safe. Not one indication drew him to even question the idea of the contaminant that now inhabited his companion.

Unfortunately Mark couldn't stop and celebrate in that moment as his crime would soon be traced back to him risking the safety of both men once again. Without hesitation Mark drew himself towards Jack, although in a hurry he still considered his wellbeing which resulted in a light pat on his damaged cheek instead of a brute slap. Such was Mark's consideration. No response. In desperation Mark gingerly swept Jack from the bed, although damaged Mark cradled Jack in his trembling grasp before moving off towards the glared window. Avoiding the sun's glare towards Jack's passive expression, Mark leant in close to the metallic frame carefully unfastening the latch. Alerted by the sound of rising footsteps drawing near, Mark leapt out struggling to hold the frail Irish man. He began to sweat profusely, still perched upon the small frame, handling Jack was certainly a challenge, and now the following crowd delivered additional pressure towards the injured rescuer. Scanning the layout of the scene before him, Mark hurried to consider a plan of escape. His time was running out, the incessant pounding on the door confirming the essential immediate exit. They were located in the second floor, maybe a jump would've sufficed? Perhaps, the railings towards the right-hand side of the building, despite Jack's weight compromising his leap. As the hinge broke off, Mark instantly reacted pushing himself and Jack off of the window's ledge. He clasped Jack closer towards his beating chest, determined to keep him safe. If anything happened...

Crunch.

Mark writhed in agony still clutching Jack between his quivering hold, gritted teeth withheld his increase of rapid tears, a normal reaction to such an extreme injury. He couldn't stop now. He had to flee. Reoccurring scenarios played throughout his head avoiding the result of his rushed decision. Mark tossed the thoughts aside fixed upon Jack's indolent appearance, although comforting the silence would've driven anyone insane. Incapacitated, Mark relinquished. He needed Jack. His disfigured leg had already begun to swell; absconding was out of the question. Mark hesitated before shaking Jack's limp body in an attempt to awaken him. A minor twinge was all Mark needed as a sign to cease his activity. A familiar cerulean followed his relieved stare, in answer the sky opened up astonished to the sight before him.

"Hey Jack."

"Fuck Merk. What'd yer do this time?!" The simple accent in his voice was all Mark needed to feel secure.

"No time to explain, we've got to leave. Now." Mark shook, unable to enhance the importance on his word. Leaping up, Jack grabbed Mark's hand and began to dash. "Wait Jack," With a fatigued response Mark's pain left his suppression through a shuddering moan. Only then did Jack realise the extent that Mark had taken for both of them. Still uncertain of the reason behind Mark's actions, Jack supported Mark's tremoring figure careful of each step he'd take in order to keep Mark at ease.

For sure the spectators would've figured out Mark's plan and at this pace both men would never leave. "Jack, leave me. I'm holding you down. Please save yourself." Realisation had hit Mark, and as long as Jack was unattainable he could live with the idea of being captive once again.

"No Mark, we can make it. C'mon you're stronger than this." Jack gripped Mark tightly, allowing his weight to be shifted completely onto his own feeble stature. The desolate wasteland was all that lied before them, soon to be trampled by charging fore comers. Complete exposure was their enemy and with Mark's state they had to hide in some way. Through a forced façade, Mark ran with Jack despite crash of pain that attempted to overtake him. His expression was unfathomable and Jack was caught in utter guilt. He was fixated on the idea of how Mark wouldn't be like this if it wasn't for him. He should've listened to Mark's request. Mark's warning. The desperation to keep the man he loved safe. Yet, here he was viewing his friend almost like a broken record emitting an indistinguishable expression of complete torture. Hadn't they been through enough?

Almost as if Jack had cast a spell, a forest had grown visibly, conjured up or summoned in their essential time of need. It was a chance he was willing to take. Eyeing Mark's incapability to pursue Jack, the only option was clear as Jack hurriedly scooped him up. Ignoring his own strain, Mark's weight held down Jack but created a faster evasion for the two. As they merged away into the grassy unknown, the footsteps receded.

Reaching an area Jack thought was safe from their attackers, he gently placed down Mark before inspecting his mutilated limb. "Oh Mark." Fear and despair befell upon Jack's profile, the damage was clear and both men assumed the worst. "C'mon we'll find somewhere to rest and I'll see if there's anything around that'll help."

"I think we'll just stay here for a bit, you look like me when I played Vanish, which I did finish." A comforting chuckle left the two, Jack placed himself beside Mark. "Will we ever go back to our normal lives after this man?" Doubt was clear in Jack's tone leaving Mark in his own concerns. "Maybe we won't, maybe we will. All I know is if we do, I'm just glad you were by my side." Jack found himself flushed. Mark's subtle hint of affection was discarded as he simply assumed it as a gesture of sympathy. Answering Mark, a short and sweet embrace followed, platonic to Jack although significant to Mark. The two continued to hold each other in one of their longest periods of solitude.