STRANGULATE | Markicest

17 | HUMAN ERROR

Starting this week, I'll also be posting every Wednesday! (I'll be experimenting with the best times to post then, but I'll post an announcement a few minutes to an hour before each update).

This is the first time that I'm doing twice a week updates, so please bare with me!

I will ALWAYS post on Sunday, though :)

Hope you enjoy!

Mark numbly entered his newly-cleaned room and lingered in its center, staring through the single window in the darkness. Behind him, the Tear Stealer lingered, black robes fluttering at his feet.

    "So, I..." Mark's brows furrowed, his fists clenching as he swallowed harshly. "So I have no say in this?" He swallowed, hating the sound of his voice in the tiny room. His body trembled. "This is what you meant by keeping me, wasn't it... you don't want to kill me because you— you want to use me."

    He turned around, meeting red eyes, and Dark sighed, closing the door behind them with a faint click. The room became a few degrees dimmer without the lights in the hallways, casting shadows across their faces.

    "There's no point arguing," said Dark firmly.

    He stared evenly at Mark, red eyes gleaming in the darkness, and the human searched for words, hands flailing and mouth bobbing for an answer.

    "Y-you want me to kill Antinstine," said Mark, staring heatedly at the Tear Stealer, ignoring him. "One of the most feared Evolveds in America." His chest tightened, and he threw his hands in the air, desperation in his eyes. "I—I can't even fight you guys, so how am I supposed to kill the strongest Evolved—"

    Dark stepped forward, and Mark drew back, swallowing thickly. A domineering aura bled through the Tear Stealer, his robes practically bristling with him.

    "When it comes to my family," said Dark, voice low and growling, "I will do anything—anything—to keep them safe." He rose to his full height, towering over Mark. "And if it means sending you to the Other Side, I will not hesitate to go through with it."

    Mark shuddered, breaths shallow. "Just because I'm a human doesn't mean you can throw me out like trash," he spat, voice shaking. "Y-you can't just—use me to your own benefit! If you made a deal, then you have to go through with it—!"

    "Bullshit," yelled Dark, and Mark flinched, breaths uneven. "You know nothing—"

    "How am I supposed to know anything?" he shouted, throwing his arms in the air. Dark leaned away from the outburst. "I'm a goddamn human—not an Evolved like you! How am I supposed to learn how you guys work, o-or know what abilities you have, or what sides you're on—when there's been nothing out there for me to learn from? You give us nothing—absolutely nothing! You hide in the shadows, prey on us, kill us—"

    "That's not us—"

    "Then clarify it!" cried Mark. "How the hell are we supposed to know a thing when you don't tell us anything?! You can't just assume that humans know all about Evolveds!" He huffed, scoffing and glancing aside with a fiery gaze. "For all I know," he hissed, "Antinstine could be the good g—"

    "Don't even start—"

    "Then explain," Mark ordered. His shoulders heaved, breaths heavy. The Tear Stealer drew back, jaw set tight, and Mark's lip quivered, voice faltering. "Explain everything." He thickly swallowed, shaking his head and forcing back the tears. "To me." He shakily exhaled. "Please."