Markiplier x Reader | The Promised Land

Chapter 3: Stranger Danger

You woke up the next morning feeling the opposite of refreshed. All through the night you had nightmares about someone crawling through the walls or reaching out and strangling you in the night, or people wandering around outside your room, trying to find a way in. You shook your head in frustration, knowing this was probably the first and last time you'll be sleeping in a nice bed for a while. You got up and got dressed, gearing up.

Another irritated sigh escaped your lips when you realized you left the lantern on all night and the battery died. So much for being responsible. You'll have to break the news to Sean about it.

Checking the time on your wind up pocket watch, you felt a little less irritated finding it was only five in the morning. Considering you weren't about to head out until closer to ten or so, you decided to make an entry in your journal.

Clambering back on the bed after carefully dusting off your jacket and pants, you opened up your [f/c] journal and stared at the empty page for a long moment. You didn't know what to write about, but you felt the need to write something. You looked around for a moment for inspiration, and saw [P/n] sprawled across the bed looking at you with wondering, wide eyes. So you wrote:

"Hello again, it's me [Y/n]. The date is... what is it again? The seventh of March, 2045 I think.

I've made it to a nice little neighborhood called Castaic Village on the outskirts of LA. It's not too shabby, all things considered. It's kinda shitty though, it has no power, just like all the other towns and cities I've passed through."

You sighed, tapping the page repeatedly with your mechanical pencil's eraser end. You bit your bottom lip ever so slightly, trying to think of what else to write,

"The road wasn't too bad. I've been following Route 5 for who knows how long now, and it looks like I'm going to be continuing my journey on it for the time being. I just hope it reaches LA's center, where what I'm looking for is supposedly at.

"[P/n] has been doing okay. Her paws are really scratched up though from the strenuous amounts of walking. I see some small, dried patches of blood on the bed from them. I've been making sure she's fed and watered but... I think a good rest would do her some good. But we are so close we can't stop now.

"I'm getting ready right now to go visit one of the friendly people here named Sean for breakfast. If I don't write anymore it's because he poisoned my food and killed me. And who knows, maybe he'll cook [P/n] for supper tonight.

Talk to you later, [Y/n]."

You quickly tossed your journal and pencil back into your backpack, slung it on your shoulder, checked your pistol, and grabbed the lantern to head out the bedroom door. As you approached the door, you stopped suddenly and strained your ears to listen. There were quiet whispers, right outside your door. How come [P/n] hadn't picked up on it? You looked back at her with a questioning look, and she just tilted her head.

Heart suddenly racing, you quietly pulled your pistol out. Footsteps started approaching the door slowly, and you moved to stand behind where the door would open. Holding your breath, there was a click and the door opened slowly. Your stomach dropped when you remembered you locked the door last night... How did they have a key? [P/n] didn't move from her spot on the bed and watched silently as two people walked into the room, guns in hand.

You held your pistol up, pointing it at the two, one woman, one man and spoke in a low and raspy voice, "Better tell me you're here for a 'friendly' wake up call, or I'm gonna blow your brains out."

The two jumped in the air and swiveled around sharply, their guns getting ready to aim at you. You jerked your pistol forward, showing it to them, and they lowered their guns. The man sighed, but the aggression in his voice was apparent.

"We don't trust nobody who comes here," he said staring daggers at you, "Can't be too careful you might kill us in our sleep."

"Hm, never thought of that myself," you said sarcastically, "So why didn't you have a guard or something watching me then? I don't want to kill either of you if I don't have to." You watched both of them closely.

"It was Sean!" the woman blurted, thoroughly pissed off, "He trusts you for some reason. Didn't want to scare you away."

You raised an eyebrow slightly. He trusts me? you thought, Wow, that's a first.

"Well, doesn't matter if he trusts me or not," you said aloud, "I'm heading out in a few hours anyways."

The man took a step towards you and you pointed the pistol downwards and shot at his feet, sending wood splinters everywhere. He jumped backwards and [P/n] growled, sitting up on the bed.

"Next time it won't be just the floor." you growled, "Now get out of here and maybe I'll forget this interaction yeah?" When they didn't move, you shouted, "OUT!"

The two left quickly, looking disappointed and slightly ashamed. You stepped out from behind the door and watched them leave, a look of disgust on your face. Deep down, you couldn't blame them. How would you have reacted if a dusty stranger walked into town with weapons and a wiry pet? You clicked your tongue for your pet to follow, and you both headed downstairs.

As you headed outside, you saw the two people heading around the corner of what you assumed to be Sean's house across the street. You grunted to yourself and crossed the road.

Long story short, breakfast was nice. Sean was super sweet the whole time, and his girlfriend Gabby was even nicer... if that was possible. After you were finished, and [P/n] was fat and lazy, you handed Sean the lantern and told him the news, apologizing. He told you it was no problem and changed out the batteries. He held the lantern back for you to take it.

You stared at it for a moment, then looked up to him, "I'm leaving today."

Sean nodded, "I know." He hesitated for a moment, then added, "I saw my neighbors enter the house earlier and-"

Gabby interrupted and added excitedly, "Sean went after them but stopped when he heard the gunshot, he didn't want to enter a potential firefight without a proper weapon, so he waited. When the neighbors came out, we thought they... well... killed you, but when you walked out..."

"We were impressed honestly." Sean finished, "They approached and told us what happened before leaving when you came outside."

"I don't think you understand," you said after they were done talking, "I'm not staying here. Why are you trying to give the lantern back to me?"

Sean smiled, a knowing expression on his face... but what did he know? "You'll need it. Trust me." he paused, then, "Besides, the batteries I just put in are solar powered and can recharge if you take them out and... well, I'm sure you know how solar power works."

You nodded appreciatively, "Very well. Thank you I owe you one." You take the lantern and stash it in your backpack, then look back up at Sean and Gabby, "I must head out soon. Before noon anyways."

Sean winked, "You can repay me later." He turned to look at Gabby and then back to you, "I'll walk you to Sulphur Springs."