Arisen

Chapter 4

sorry guys for the information dump of this chapter. But it's really important, also quick note, this chapter deals with some serious topics. READER DISCRETION IS ADVISED

Jack's POV

I stepped upstairs, leaving a silence behind myself. Amy wouldn't understand anyways. Even if I did explain. She's didn't need the stress on her shoulders. Neither did Signe. Sitting down on the chair in the spare bedroom. I sighed reaching for that presence again. For anything familiar in this upside-down situation.

I was surprised to find him. It was faint, but there. It was almost calming. Almost. When he seemed to draw closer in a sense. I wasn't afraid. Here didn't feel like the powerful being he felt like before.

No one in particular POV

Jack felt calm as he sensed the familiar being against his skull. He gave a small sigh of relief, Anti was real, and Matthew's death was real. . .

He paused frowning again, he spoke aloud. Not caring whether or not he was heard.

"Why'd you leave?"

I can't tell you. Was his only answer.

Jack sighed, letting out a long breath, "I'm not asking much. Just some explanation. Please?"

There was a long pause before Anti spoke again, Fine, ask and ye shall receive. Mostly. 

It was an odd answer, however, it was answer. Jack thought for a few minutes. Trying to come up with a few questions, maybe to make himself safer, or to learn more about Anti. After thinking for a few minutes he spoke aloud, not caring if he was heard.

"What are you?"

Anti was quiet for a minute before speaking, "I am as you humans call. . . a 'fallen'. However I - we are often referred to as a Simulacrum. Or a mimicker. However most people including our own just say Fallen. And no I am not a demon."

Jack paused rolling the answer over in his head for a minute or two. "A Simulacra? Like the game?"

There was a heavy sigh from him, "sure if that helps you understand. But no. I mean good heavens I wish that game had never come out in the first place."

"How old are you?"

"I am roughly 215. give or take a few months."

Jack was stunned. "Holy balls, that's old."

Anti let out a meh sound, "not really. That's like a young adult equivalent. Dark is roughly the same age. A little older though. Since he.... never mind."

"No no tell me. Please?" He pleaded with the Simulacrum a little desperately. 

"No, that's none of your business. He only told me about it after we were really close." 

Jack's curiosity was now peaked, "Close? What was your relationship with him?"

Several pained emotions hit Jack, although they were not his own. They came from Anti. After a long drawn out silence he spoke. Voice trembling, "He was my..." He paused voice almost cracking, "He was my lover. He and I were together for years. I cared about," Anti's voice broke and soft sniffles sounded in Jack's mind as he listened, "I... failed. . . . and the council split us. He was upset, both with me and them. . . It" another long pause as he tried to compose himself, "It breaks my heart every single damn time I see him. And I am not suppose to even be this close." 

Jack felt guilty. Anti was fairly upset, and there was no way he could be faking those emotions. Even for a Fallen, "Anti, I am sorry, anything I could do to help?"

A weak chuckle escaped from the Simulacra, "Look at this. I'm just as pathetic as they say. Losing it in front of my host. Caring about a forbidden lover. What would they say." He let out a growl, "Look at ol' Clover! Flailing around like the pathetic worm he is. What assignment is this three? four? who knows anymore since he never seems to keep one for long! ha ha ha. I'm Maynard and I am so high and mighty because I've never felt emotions. Clover why can't you be more like your lover? Are you out on another mission? Wow, they still let you do that?" Anger flowed in waves off the man, along with pain, and sadness, "Things like him should be illegal. What a vile little creature! Pathetic! Can't keep even his own host alive! Another death Clover? Really?" Anti took several long deep breaths. Having forgotten Jack was still listening, "sorry. forget that."

As soon as Anti finished speaking he calmed down, although he was still angry. And Jack could feel it, "Your name isn't Anti. . .is it?"

He sighed, "No, not technically. My birth name is. . . Clover Ashton. Its been so long since anyone has ever called me that other than Dark though. I'm sorry you had to hear that outburst Sean."

"No, no it's OK. Is... Can I still ask anything?" 

Anti thought for a moment, "one more. Then I'm leaving for a bit."

Jack nodded, and thought for a moment, "what happened on your other missions?"

He could almost see Anti stiffen up, he spoke with a harsh tone, "My first was William Shanes. Only seventeen, slaughtered Christmas day in 1893." He thought for a moment, "the second, Richard McCellan. Committed suicide to prevent himself from being taken to the encampments. To say the least. . . the suicide was his choice. But not his own actions. He was nineteen. My next assignment was Luke Ater. twenty one, died only a few years ago. Put the barrel of a CZ 75 between his eyes. Lights out. Unable to cope with the death of his parents and, well, me. You are my last chance. And fourth assignment." As he finished speaking, Anti's presence receded. Leaving Jack alone with his thoughts.

After a while there was a soft knock on the door, and Amy's voice traveled through, "Hey Jack, um. . . dinner's ready if you're hungry. It's tacos."

Jack smiled slightly, standing up, and opening the door slowly. He gave a warm smile to Amy as she stood there in the doorway, "sounds great, let's head down." 

They walked down the stairs, the mood lighter in the house, the tension almost forgotten as they all sat around the dinner table enjoying Mark's tacos. Afterwards they watched a movie together. Amy went upstairs to head to bed. At that point, Jack pulled Mark aside.

He looked at the slightly taller, worried man, "Anti and I spoke," Mark looked bewildered, "He promised to do no harm. If he can have a peaceful conversation with Dark."