Who Killed Markiplier? (Mayor X OC SubPlot)

Chapter 3-Pt 2

Following behind Damien, we finally reached the room where the others were waiting. Everyone except the Colonel was sitting exactly as I left them, all be it in a little more awkward atmosphere. The Colonel was too busy pacing the room to sit down, lost in his thoughts and nerves, no doubt. He was the first one to hear our footsteps and jerked his head in our direction. "Damien. Izzy!" He exclaimed when he saw us, catching the attention of the others. He rushed over to me and grabbed my hands. "Are you all right? You haven't been crying have you? I can-" I grip his hands and nod my head, amused by his frantic mother like state. ""I'm fine Colonel," I reassure him, "Thank you." He gives a sigh of relief and smiles at me. I smile back. The Colonel glances at Damien and gives him a smug smirk. I look to Damien and he seems a bit nervous, like he's been caught in the act. He notices me looking and quickly avoids my eyes, looking a bit pink in the face. The Colonel, content with...whatever was happening, winked at his friend before returning to his chair at the table. Damien and I followed suite and sat down in our original seats.

I clenched my pride and looked Celine directly in the eyes. "I'll help you, but it won't change my opinion on the matter." Celine smiled in victory. It sent chills up and down my spine. "Perfect," she said, "Come with me." "Alright, that's enough," Abe objected. "I'm not gonna just sit around and let you drag my partner off to their very likely death. I won't stand for it!" He slammed his hands on the table and stood up from his seat. The Colonel didn't quite agree with the detective as he responded with, "Well, I trust Celine with all my heart! I see no reason why an-any-" he also shot up from his chair to face Abe, "any one should doubt her!" "Well, I have to agree with our intrepid detective here," the butler said, a bit unnerved. "It just doesn't seem natural." Turns out the Chef had had something to say too. "I never liked this uptight a**hole. He walks around with a stick up his a**," he said, gesturing to the butler. "But I think he's right, something's weird." His usual scowl turned dead serious quickly and it didn't help to calm my nerves. Damien reached over and squeezed my hand to comfort me. It helped only a little bit. "If it makes you feel any better, you guys can stand watch outside the door," Celine offered, "but my work CANNOT be interrupted." "Oh, believe you me," Abe said, "I'll be keeping a close eye on every single one of you." He pointed at everyone as he spoke. "Even myself," he pointed at himself. "Especially myself." I rolled my eyes at him as I noticed Celine standing up.

I followed her as she started to walk away but I paused to look at Damien. He stares at his sister, obviously wanting to say something. I poked his shoulder so he'd look at me and nodded. He got my message and quickly stood up and followed Celine, me hovering behind them. "Celine? Celine, wait. Wait!" He blocked the way up the stairs with his arm, stopping Celine in her tracks. "Yes Damien?" She obviously didn't want to speak to her brother. "I...are you alright?" Damien asked. Celine sighs, not answering his question. "I know this news can't be settling well with you," he said. "I'm fine for now," she insisted, sharply heading up the stairs. "I...er..." Damien looked at me for help, unsure of how to talk to his sister. Not quite sure myself, I simply give him a push up the stairs and silent encouragement. Damien hurried up the steps to catch up to Celine with me at the tow. "But all this talk of the occult! And-and Mark is dead, wait! Wait." He finally reached her at the top of the stairs and grabbed her arm to stop her, giving her no choice but to listen. "I just didn't think you were the type to become mixed up with all this," he said softly. Celine looked quite upset, but her face hardened as she answered. "There is more to this world than you could ever hope to imagine. I just had my eyes open to a small portion of it." She hurried off again, leaving a speechless Damien behind. "I..." Seeing that she wouldn't listen, he ran his hand over hair, giving a heavy sigh. "Just be careful!" He called out. I slowly make my way past him, wanting to stay with him but knowing I had to follow Celine. "You too," Damien said softly, reaching for my hand. I tighten my fingers around his warm hand. "I'll be fine. Nothing serious will happen," I assured him. Truth be told, I have no idea what will happen to me. I have no trust for any so-called mystic women who believe in foolish things like dark magic and monsters, but Damien needed to be sure that I'd be fine, so that's what I'm going to say. He seemed to relax at least a little bit at my words. He lifted my hand and placed a small kiss on my knuckles. We smile at each other, even though both feel forced. Not wanting to leave but knowing I have to, I leave Damien behind and follow the waiting Celine to our destination.