Arisen

Chapter 3

Dark's POV

I called up Felix asking to speak with his fallen. We talked for a short time. But being his usual self, Willard said little to nothing. Speaking half truths and half answers. Beating around the bush. Overall it was a frustrating situation, and conversation.

I set Mark's phone down in frustration raking my fingers through my ebony black hair. I sighed, Anti had to still be alive. He couldn't have returned. Not with what he did. He would be sent back, and Sean was still alive so he would still be his host. Now it was only a matter of where he was.

Soft footsteps descended the stairs. Jack walked behind me and into the kitchen. I ignored him as he wandered about behind me. Instead focusing on the task at hand. Mumbling a few thoughts aloud without paying much attention to what was actually being said, I quickly caught his attention.

"What do you mean he's still got to be alive?" an inquisitive voice asked from behind me. Drawing me from my thoughts.

"Look you wouldn't understand anyways. Just-. . . don't worry about it OK? It'll be easier for the both of us if you know less." 

"If I know less? This involves me too." he grew agitated but still wary of my reaction. 

I sighed deeply, "This isn't involving you right now. Just let it drop please."

"Not involving me?!" he exploded walking around the couch to face me, "A man, no a father, is dead because of Anti. I am wanted under arrest, I might as well be insane for all I know. AND this doesn't involve me?"

I closed my eyes and composed myself so as to remain calm, "Sean, look I understand your distress. I really do. But for once don't try and help. It'll be easier on everyone if you just follow along and cooperate."

He glared angrily, "so basically I have to be treated like a dog now?"

Rolling my eyes, I responded, "not exactly. Just please? If not for me do it for Mark and Felix."

He huffed, but slumped his shoulders and trudged back upstairs slowly. I could still feel the anger radiating off his form, but I simply pushed that aside. There was more urgent matters here. 

Setting the phone down on the coffee table and hung my head in my hands. I sat there for several minutes silent. After the complete silence I withdrew. Leaving Mark in control. Receding back into his mind. And the blanket of calm that remained there

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Mark's POV 

As he came back to conscientiousness,   he was within his living room. He couldn't remember much past having talked with an angry Dark sitting on his bed. Glancing at the clock it was now 2:50 pm. Two hours had past since he last remembered. As he looked around himself he was sitting on the couch phone buzzing on the coffee table a few inches away. The contact information showed it was Amy. 

He answered softly still trying to compose himself, "Hello?"

"MARK!!" a happy and worried female voice greeted him, "I've been trying to get a hold of you for the last hour! however for whatever reason you were either already on the phone with someone. Or maybe you were busy. But I have been so worried! I want to see you as soon as possible."

"He tried to gather his thoughts as she spoke to him, "how soon? I mean I guess today would be alright."

"That makes me really glad. I've been worried sick about you for several weeks. I'll be over in half an hour to an hour. Maybe longer depending traffic. See you then!" and with a click she hung up. Getting ready to visit. 

Hesitant feet trailed down the stairs, "Mark?"

He turned to face Jack half way down the stairs near the bottom, "Hey, Amy is coming over."

"Amy?" he looked slightly worried, "is she aware of . . . y'know?"

"She does know Dark. But as far as I know she has knows nothing of Anti or any other Fallen for that matter."

Jack frowned, "And if Anti makes a return?"

Mark shook his head, "I doubt it. It's been almost three weeks and neither of us nor Dark knows if he's even 'here' anymore. At least that's how Dark puts it."

He sighed, "I just hope not. That could get problematic."

Nodding Mark sighed as well, before standing up to begin cleaning in preparation for Amy's arrival. Jack went upstairs to help clean things up a bit. 

Once the house was picked up and cleaned they relaxed and waited. Amy would arrive at any point now. Jack was on the ground playing with Chica. The golden lab happy and excited to have a friend to play with. 

The doorbell rang along with several gentle knocks. Startling them both. Mark stood up and greeted a smiling Amy with a hug. She returned the hug before stepping into the house. Mark spoke with her for a few minutes just out of earshot of Jack.

"Amy,"  he paused trying to think of how to word what he wanted, "Dark has caused a lot of issues recently. He's not been bad, but just a heads up if the atmosphere seems tense right now." 

She nodded setting her purse down near the doorway and walked to living room. She gave a small wave to Jack as Mark went to the kitchen to begin some dinner for later. Keeping an ear out for the other two's conversation. 

"Hey, Jack. How are you doing?" She asked in a small tone as she sat on the couch.

He shrugged still stroking the dog, "better. But there is a lot weighing on my shoulders right now. Just tense I suppose."

She nodded, "Mark told me Dark has been causing a few issues. . . .  I'm sorry you might not even know him."

Jack shook his head, "no no. i actually know him. A lot more than you might think," he chuckled slightly, "it's other things. I'm stuck here in the US for a while. And other things. . . " he trailed off not really want to explain. 

Of course he had already caught her attention, "oh. . . I'm sorry about that. Anything I can do to help out?"

Jack shook his head again. Standing up, he walked upstairs leaving a blanket of silence behind him