Memories (Who Killed Markiplier-Detective)

The Sea is Wine Red

   You were sitting at your desk back at Abe's apartment, rubbing your forehead with the phone pressed between your shoulder and ear. Your free hand flipped through address books as you searched for Mark. The man, who you had begun simply referring to as D, was also trying to pull some strings, considering he still held the position of Mayor. Abe was in the other room with Benjamin, rummaging through files and calling other detectives for a lead. Wilford took to field work, combing the city methodically. You heaved a sigh and hung up the phone. You looked at D.
"That's another no go. It's like Mark has completely disappeared off the face of the earth." You sat back in your chair. He gave you a small frown.
"My apologies, (Y/N). This is getting quite troublesome. I can't believe no one knows where he is." He closed his address book and rubbed his face. You rubbed your face.
"I've tried everyone I know." You laid your head on the desk in defeat.
"Oh, come now. Chin up. You've never been one to shy away from a daunting task." D rested his hand on your shoulder. You have a sigh and stood up.
"Thanks...I have to talk to Abe." You said distractedly as you left the office. Abe was sitting on the couch, intently staring at a file.
"Oh. (Y/N)." Benjamin gave a smile as he perked up. Abe's attention was immediately turned upon you, the file seeming like the most uninteresting thing.
"Hey, Ben. Mind if I talk to Abe?" You asked, your hands disappearing into your suit skirt's pockets.
"Oh, of course not." He smiled, looking between you and Abe. You stood there for a moment.
"Alone, Ben." You continued. His eyes widened as he hurried to stand up.
"Oh! Right! Sorry! Sorry!" He apologizes and scurried to the office. He closed the door and you took a seat next to Abe.
"How's your search?" He asked, reaching out and holding your hand. You sighed as you watched your fingers interlace with his.
"Nothing. No one knows anything. Or if they do, they won't tell me. What about you?" You asked, looking back up at him. He sighed and tossed the file on the coffee table.
"I've got nothing, either. No recent cases. No calls. No one has seen him. Maybe he's skipped town." He frowned a little. You sighed and pulled you hand away from his only to wrap your arms around his arm. You scooted closer to him and laid your head on his shoulder. His free arm reached across to smooth back your hair.
"Abe...what if we never find him...what if we have to live with this curse forever...?" You asked, staring out the window.
"We'll find him, (Y/N). Don't worry." He assured you quietly. You sighed.
"I want this to be over...I want my friends back...I want Wilford to have some sort of closure...I want Mark to pay for the hurt he's caused." You managed softly. He was quiet for a long moment.
"He will...I promise you. I'll make sure he pays for it. For every bit of it." He vowed to you, his hand dropping to cradle your cheek. You have a sigh.
"God...everything is so crazy..." you turned your head to bury your face in his shoulder.
"We'll fix it. Everything will be okay. I promise." He patted your hand.
"(Y/N)!" A voice yelled as the office door was flung open. You say up quickly, pulling away from Abe.
"Ben? What's wrong?" You asked quickly as you stood up.
"We just got a call from Wilford. He saw Mark." He stumbled out with D behind him.
"What? Where? When? Now?" You rushed forward with questions.
"Yes. Now. He's at Central Park trailing him." D interjected.
"We have to go. We have to go, now. Abe, let's go." You grabbed your blazer and rushed for the door.
   Abe grabbed his car keys and jumped the couch to follow you. Ben and D went jogging after you. You barely realized what was happening. Your legs just moved on their own. Soon, you were in Abe's car. D and Ben were in the back seat while Abe drove and you sat in the passenger seat. You chewed on your thumb as Abe did his best to drive. Your eyes darted around as if expecting to see Mark in the faces of the strangers in the sidewalk. You froze when your phone buzzed.
"Wilford?" You asked. You heard him groan and you felt worry grip your chest.
"(Y/N)...I'm sorry...I lost him. He was waiting for me after turning a corner. He clocked me in the head. I don't know where he went." He quickly explained, panic in his voice.
"It's fine, Wilford. Calm down. We'll be there in just a minute. Stay where you are." You commanded him, a headache forming.
"I'm sorry..." his voice was softer. Your jaw tightened.
"It's okay, Wil." You spoke softly before hanging up.
"What's happened?" Abe was quick to ask.
"Mark attacked Wilford and ran off." You heaved a frustrated sigh. Abe hit the steering wheel.
"Damn! We had him!" He cursed with a shake of his head.
   You rubbed your face and looked out the window. Abe pulled up to Central Park and you immediately left the vehicle. The men were close on your heels, doing awkward run-walks to keep up with your fast and purposeful pace. Each click of your heels seemed to show an increase in purpose and anger. The men gave each other nervous glances. You weren't one to anger easy, but they could all sense that your fuse was burning low. You rounded the corner to see Wilford sitting on a park bench, his head in his hands. You beelined for him, your pace picking up to a slight jog. His head picked up at the sound of your heels and he went to stand.
"No. You sit. What did he hit you with? Was it in the head?" You ordered swiftly as you stopped to kneel before him.
"I'm not entirely sure. But yes...my head." He nodded. You checked his eyes and had him follow your fingers.
"I don't think you have a concussion, so that's something." You sighed and stood up. He kept his eyes down and you frowned sadly.
"Do you have any idea where he would have gone?" Ben questioned, stepping forward. Wilford shrugged in defeat.
"I have no idea. I didn't hear any conversations." Wilford admitted with a sigh. You perked up, As did Abe.
"Conversations? He talked to people?" Abe quickly questioned. Wilford nodded and glanced around.
"Yes. Two people. Men. One was tall with blonde hair. The other was about the same height as Mark but with long, brown hair." He turned around, hoping to see them.
"What were they wearing, Wilford?" You asked firmly.
"The blonde was wearing a black suit. The other looked like perhaps he was homeless." He explained, face scrunching as he thought.
"Good. Ben. Abe. Split up. See if you can find them. D, go on ahead that way. If we're lucky, maybe Mark hasn't gone far." You quickly dishes out your orders to your group. They nodded and jumped to follow them. You sat with Wilford on the bench.
"I'm sorry, (Y/N). I know how important this is to you and I-" Wilford launched into apologies.
"Wilford, you've no reason to apologize. You didn't know what he would do. I'm just worried about if you're okay or not. How do you feel? Dizzy at all?" Your worried tone relaxed him a little.
"No. No, I feel fine." He nodded, patting your hand as if to comfort you. You have a small smile.
"Good. Now...where on earth would he have gone...?" You sat back. You had experience putting yourself in the mind of a criminal. Mark was certainly that. Your phone buzzed right as your mind came up with a possible solution.
"Abe? Did you find them?" You questioned hopefully.
"Yeah. That rich bastard in a suit. Said Mark had gone on about how he knew we were onto him. That he'd go to the place where he couldn't die. Whatever that means." Abe explained, his voice obviously annoyed. You slowly stood, giving the space ahead of you a thousand yard stare.
"Death doesn't mean the same thing here..." your voice was quiet, nearly inaudible.
"(Y/N)?" Abe questioned.
"I have a good idea of where he went." You hissed in annoyance.
"What? Where?"
"You know what they say, Abe. Criminals always go to the place the crime was committed." You growled, motioning to Wilford. The two of you set off for the car.
"Son of a bitch. Okay...I'll meet you at the car?" You could hear Abe start to run.
"On our way now." You hung up and managed to contact Ben and D to tell them about the meet up at the car. When you arrived, it was only Abe, panting as he leaned against the car. When he saw you, he stood up straight to greet you with an outstretched arm. You took his hand and stepped into him.
"So what's the plan?" Ben's voice questioned, making you turn your head. Ben and D were arriving, and you swore you saw D give you and Abe an envious look. You thought nothing of it as you launched into an explanation.
"One thing that seems to be a theme in crime is that criminals will return to the place they committed a crime. D, after my death in that house Damien told me in that weird place that death didn't mean the same thing in that house. You can't die there. Or, well...you can. But...not really. If Mark dies in that house, he can come back. Abe told me the man in the suit he caught said that Mark had told him he would go to the place he couldn't die. Mark is hold up in the manor. Which poses a problem..." you launched into your explanation of the information.
"If Mark is in that house we can't kill him properly. Which means we can't destroy that house." Abe crossed his arms angrily.
"No. We can't. But...I have a plan..." you managed.
"Plan? What plan?" Ben's face scrunched up in confusion. It took you a second. You couldn't tell them your real plan.
"We convince him to give it up. To reverse whatever curse he did. We bring our friend back." You looked between Wilford and D. The two glanced at each other but nodded at you.
"We trust you, (Y/N). If anyone can do it...it's you." D gave you a reassuring nod. You gave him a faint smile.
"Now...it's getting late already. I don't like being there at night. Let's all get some rest and we'll head up in the morning. Alright?" You looked at your group. They all nodded in agreement and you silently climbed into the car.