"And that's why Schneep speaks with a German accent and the latest Anti video was posted on the 10th," Jack said clutching his phone.
"Ok, I see your reasoning," Robin replied. "But what about that other video that hasn't been published yet."
"Ugh, that's what doesn't make sense. Schneep and Marvin came from Power Hour videos, but Jackieboy is just a simple add-in to a series... and then there's Chase."
"Weren't you just spoofing Dude Perfect?"
"I guess he's playing off that stereotype, but the video's ending changes the tone completely."
Robin responded indifferent, "That's true."
"I mean... What does a doctor, magician, superhero, and an obnoxious bro have in common?" Jack asked.
"They're the top four answers when asking a child 'What do you want to be when you grow up?'?"
"Ha... if only it were that easy."
"So if the addition of Chase changes your current theory, what's your next move?" Robin questioned.
Jack squinted curiously, "What do you mean 'my next move'?"
"You're planning on doing more ego stuff, right?"
"Oh, no I'm just trying to figure out how all of this connects."
"You mean you're working on the cannon?"
"Uh," Jack stumbled. "Yea, sure."
"Well, what's Anti's end goal then? Where do you want to take that story?"
"I think he wants the channel."
Robin paused, "Wouldn't that be a little... I don't know, expected? Kinda underwhelming?"
"But what else could it be?" Jack contested. "Why else would he be taking my role and posting these videos?"
"He's posting the videos?" Robin questioned. "I thought he was a demon."
"No... well, kinda," Jack replied in an agitated tone. "Haven't you been listening?"
"I've listened to you rant about this four times this week. Sean, are you sure you don't need to take a step back from this? You've been kind of... obsessive."
"My God, for the last time – I'm fine," he barked. "I don't need another person worrying about my health. I can take care of myself."
"Ok fine, I won't ask again. So Anti wants the channel..." Robin trailed off, giving Jack's ramblings a little more thought. "You know, it might be cool to let him actually take over the channel for awhile. The fans would freak!"
"No!" Jack interjected. "He can't – he would destroy everything."
"Why? You don't think he could be a great 'let's player'? He would rage and threaten every obstacle in his way. He'd make Mark look like a saint."
"He's not worthy"
"Oh, so you're like Thor?"
"No, it's not-"
Robin lowered his voice an octave and mimicked a British accent, "Whosoever holds this channel, if he be worthy, shall possess the power of JackSepti-"
"Robin, I'm serious..." Jack interrupted.
"Why have you been so serious lately? That's the real mystery here."
"What are you talking about?" Jack asked in defense. "I'm the same as I always am – loud, full of energy, charming as hell."
"I'm not a viewer, Sean. I don't watch the polished version of every recording... I watch all of it – the silences, the odd remarks, the mess-ups..."
"And?"
Robin sighed, "I don't know, I'm just saying this as a friend: you just seem... different. And I don't have a good feeling about what's been going on lately."
"Well 'what's been going on lately' isn't your problem."
"Fine – whatever. I-" Robin abruptly paused. "Oh no..." he muttered as the phone began to crackle with static.
Jack scrunched his brow, picking up the phone to listen closer. He heard a chilling voice whisper through the noise.
"Y̷ou̶ ̵ca̵n̷'t̷ -̧̀͟҉͘-̸̶͢-̢͟͡͡-̷͠͏̢̡-̛͡͠͏-͢-̷̸̡̡͜-҉̶́̕͢-̢́ a̴c̶t̸ -̷͠͏̢̡-̛͡͠͏-͢-̷̸̡̡͜-҉̶́̕͢-̢́, R̸o̸b̸i̶n̶."
Robin's uneasy voice returned, "Sean, I-". White noise scrambled his words.
"Robin," Jack called out. "Robin!"
The call ended. Jack's stomach sank.
"Fuck, fuck, fuck..." he muttered as he hurriedly redialed the number. Never did he imagine that his own demons could affect those around him.
"Pickup, dammit," he said as his heart raced, trying not to fear the worst.
The phone rang... and rang.
"Hey, what's up?" Robin answered, somewhat flustered.
Jack was clearly agitated, "Hey are you ok? What happened?"
Robin restored the calmness in his voice, "Uh... the phone just got staticky and the call dropped off. That's all."
"You mean..." Jack slowed down. "There wasn't anyone there?"
"...What do you mean?"
The conversation only felt more and more awkward.
Jack clumsily attempted to rebound, "...Nothing. I... uh... just wanted to make sure there wasn't anything else you needed to talk about."
"...No, not that I can think of," Robin replied in a tone of confusion.
"Ok, I'll chat with you later then," Jack quickly hang up.
He buried his face in his hands... this couldn't be happening again. In fact, the hallucinations were only growing worse. To question reality is to question every moment of one's life... and day-by day, Jack became wearier of the spectral's tricks.
It needed to end... and now, he was ready to take matters into his own hands.
============
Author's Note: Thanks for reading! If you enjoyed this section, please hit the star button and feel free to leave a comment or suggestion before reading the next installment.
YOU ARE READING
The Threads That Bind Us: An AntiSepticEye Origin Story
Fanfiction*COMPLETED* Jack recognized him immediately, "Son of a bitch..." his perturbed voice echoed through the large room. The man remained silent, never breaking his focused gaze. "Now I have to deal with you? 'Jameson', right?" Jack continued, approachin...
