The Threads That Bind Us: An AntiSepticEye Origin Story

Chapter Three

Faint bird chirps lilted through the kitchen as Jack and Signe ate breakfast. It was too quiet, Signe thought, as Jack typically enthused about a variety of topics while taking small bites of the meal. 

But today, he was almost finished – eyes drifted away from the table with a fervent apprehension. Within weeks, his relentless energy had turned into subtle, but persistent anxiety. He carried the aura wherever he went.

She tried to look past it as a symptom of a stressful period of life, but concern slowly grasped her thoughts.

"I found a neat hobby shop in Brighton yesterday," she said, attempting to restore their normal small-talk. "They have vintage comic books and a bunch of cool niche stuff."

Silence persisted. Jack slowly twirled his fork around the empty plate without much thought. His nervous energy searched for an outlet while he read his blue notebook.

"Maybe we could visit sometime this weekend," Signe continued, hoping for an eventual response. "It's been awhile since we took a day to spend around town."

Jack's eyes slowly drifted up to her face – the image that broke his consuming thoughts.

"Yea! Yea – that sounds nice," his voice drifted.

The quiet returned for a moment before Jack abruptly changed subjects.

"Can I ask a weird, hypothetical question?"

She paused, "Okay."

"Do you think I'm being haunted by a ghost?"

She looked puzzled, "Are you talking about writing that into an Anti video or-"

"No, I mean in real life," he clarified, setting his fork down and crossing his arms. "Do you think ghosts and their abilities to interact with reality are true?"

Her confusion turned to disbelief, "...Are you serious?"

"Just answer the question," he persisted.

"I... I don't know, but why are you even entertaining this idea of being haunted?"

"I know this sounds crazy, but I feel like some... force is altering things."

"Is this why you've been obsessing over Anti and the other characters you've created?"

"No – that's the point: I didn't create them."

Concern grew in her voice, "Sean..."

"Don't look at me like that," he contested firmly. "I swear, I'm fine."

"If you need to see someone about this-"

"I don't."

"I can call and schedule an appointment. You don't have to worry about-"

"There's nothing wrong with me - I swear!" his voice raised in defense.

"You're scaring me!" she yelled back. "The way you've been acting lately isn't normal. Something's bothering you – it's affecting your sleep, your work, everything."

Jack paused, knowing her observations were true. 

"A therapist isn't going to help with this," he stated calmly. "I just feel like there is – something – working against me."

"That's exactly why you see a therapist," she replied.

He sighed in frustration, "It's just a thought – it's not like I believe it wholeheartedly. I shouldn't have even mentioned it. I didn't mean to-"

Suddenly, Jack's phone rang – its vibrations slowly moving it around the table. He paused as he read the caller ID. He looked back at Signe.

"Just forget I even mentioned it," he trailed off - his voice low with disappointment as he picked up the phone and walked away from the table.