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24

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Sunday 26th November ~ 7:26pm

Mark's POV:

Our movie marathon lasted deep into the evening, Jack's sarcasm and giggling dying down as sleep overtook him. His head rested on my arm, the only noise as I muted the TV being the occasional mumble.

"Sleep is for the weak apparently." I whispered to myself as I shifted.

With a gentle movement I nudged Jack's head onto the couch so that I could stand. With how motionless he was I'd have sworn Jack wasn't breathing, yet his chest rising and falling kept me assured that I could relax.

"You really could've died on me ya asshole."

My sentence was left unheard and unanswered. I knew I should've headed upstairs, but I found myself drawn back to the armchair opposite. As I collapsed into the seat my eyes were drawn to Anti's book - left on the chair's arm beside me - and the paranoia worsened.

"I'm such a dumbass for lying."

Once again silence was my reply, and I scoffed to myself.

Running my hand over the leather cover wasn't helping the guilt. My gaze moved from the book to Jack's sleeping form.

"I should have left it alone." I said. When I spoke next I tried to calm my tone down. "I should have just told you that-"

Smash.

My vision was engulfed in black and all at once the world became terrifying.

My eyes darted around the blackness. Quick footsteps ensued. One thought stood out in the panic.

"Jack?!"

Something locked around my throat.

I stumbled as I was yanked forwards. Inhuman strength squeezed my neck. My hands clawed for freedom and a deep chuckle brushed my ear.

"G-GET OFF-!"

His arm tightened, closing up my throat. Every breath was a struggle. Not now. Not when we'd gotten this far.

It couldn't end here.

"MARK!"

His voice made my heart stop dead.

"JACK!"

I stomped, hoping my heel would crush my attacker's foot, yet I only found carpet. Shouting was a strain and air wasn't filling my lungs but I would not be silenced.

"JACK! GET THE FRICK-!"

The arm around my neck cut off all my oxygen. All that escaped me was a small gasp.

My hands pried at his arm to no avail.

Jack was silent now.

"Did you know that the human brain can start to die after less than a single minute without oxygen?"

As if to prove his point he squeezed tighter still, my lungs on fire. My heart wasn't slowing down. Brain a jumbled mess.

I couldn't breathe. Jack could've been dead for all I'd known.

And the voice behind me echoed when I heard it next.

"It's fascinating how fragile the human body can be."

I tripped over my own feet as I was met with a harsh shove, the chokehold keeping my upright as he moved my body through the darkness.

I was seeing stars. Images of Jack and impending death and a million other things sent my mind into a panic crazed frenzy. Whether it lasted for two minutes or two years didn't register.