Markiplier x Reader | The Promised Land

Chapter 13: The Plan

Author's Note: I hope mostly everything is going at an okay speed for you guys! I know they've only just now hugged but I did warn you this is a slow burn story! I just hope these next chapters don't disappoint, because things are about to take a heavy turn ;)
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Mark had walked you back to the building after several hours of just talking. You let Mark go onto the floor you both had hunkered down in alone to get anything useful from the bodies. Once he finished, you both went back down to the bottom floor and had dinner.

Mark had packaged foods and you had canned foods to keep you both satisfied for the time being, but you knew you'd both need resources soon. Mark was running out of first aid supplies, but your shoulder was doing much better. The bleeding had stopped with no signs of infection. Granted you had lost a lot of blood from the run from Atwater, you were both relieved when he announced that your wound was finally starting to heal.

You both stayed a few more nights in Glendale, enjoying the quiet. You moved locations, and stayed in another tall building about a block away, where you could keep an eye on the road and see if any "visitors" decided to check in where the bodies were.

Mark told you a little about the Skull Breakers, but it wasn't entirely new information, since Sean was kind enough to explain some things prior to this. Mark told you a little about his previous run-in with them when you inquired about the limp in his right leg, since it was more noticeable now that the soreness from their run had subsided.

What you did learn about the Skull Breakers was they worked like a wasp's nest. Kill a few of them, and they'll hunt you down once they know you're responsible, and not only kill you, but make it as slow and as painful as possible. Mark also briefly mentioned how there was a rumor with decent evidence that the clan was planning on taking over the entirety of LA, but when you inquired about it, Mark didn't elaborate. He just claimed that was all he knew.

When you both settled into your new location, Mark offered to watch the first night, but you refused. He had stayed up for days on end until just last night and you wanted to make up for something. Besides, when he offered to watch, Mark was already on the verge of passing out again. Despite his insistence, you forcefully but passionately told him to shut up and go to bed.

It was when he finally fell asleep did you understand why he had insisted on keeping watch, and why he was so exhausted. You watched in concern as he tossed and turned, mumbling incoherently, and waking throughout the night either gasping loudly or being drenched in sweat, shaking like a madman.

He woke up in the morning paler than a ghost. You asked him about the nightmares, but he merely answered with a tense shake of his head. After a little while of silence, you both decided it would be best to split watch shifts during the night so that you both got some sleep. During this time, the last bits of tension between you two dissipated.

*     *     *

It was the fourth morning you had remained in Glendale, when you began to notice Mark becoming increasingly restless. You were sitting on the floor against the wall, writing everything down that had happened in the past few days in your journal. You looked up to see him pacing back and force across the small office room you both chose to stay in.

You snapped your journal shut when you finished and stared at him as he paced, "Alright, what's up Mark?"

He stopped in his steps, one leg still in the air in mid walk, and looked at you. The look on his face made him look almost relieved that you had asked him the question. He slowly walked over and sat down next to you, staring at the opposite wall, "If we stay here any longer, our chances of getting out of reach of the Skull Breakers will become close to none. No doubt they've already noticed the absence of the ones we... took care of in our neighboring building, and they'll come looking soon."

He took a deep breath, trying to steady his tense, almost-clammy hands, "I have... contacts in Pasadena. There is a sort of 'haven' there that could keep you hidden and safe. It's about a six mile walk east from where we are currently. If we follow highway 134 we should be able to make it there this afternoon."

"This afternoon? Like, as in today?" you asked in a surprised tone. When he nodded grimly, you crossed your arms, "You didn't even give me any sort of heads up or-"

"I know I know," Mark said hurriedly, "It had only occurred to me this morning. I fear the longer we stay here the more dangerous it will be for you- ...us." He stood up after a moment and shook his head, "We've already stayed here too long, and the sooner we go the better."

"Okay, alright I get the idea," you said with the tiniest hint of irritation in your voice. You put your journal in your backpack and stood up with him, "Do we need to watch out for their patrols at all along the way?"

"That's what I'm worried about," he said, "I only know some of their patterns and based on what I've seen, they check in with each neighborhood and city about once per week. Those within their territory at least. And we are well within their territory. We've already pushed our luck with risking a patrol coming through here and-"

"Have you ever thought that the ones we erm... took care of were supposed to patrol through here?" you asked.

Mark nodded, "And they haven't reported back... have they?"

"Ohh..." you frowned, "I hadn't thought of that."

Mark briefly checked your shoulder for the millionth time and looked relieved that you were healing so well. It had almost begun to become natural for him to check your shoulder at random times. You had learned to just stand still and let him do his thing until he finished, otherwise he'd fuss like a big baby.

You learn a lot about a person when you practically live with them, and you were learning all of Mark's little quirks, and he was learning yours as well. Despite not knowing a lot about each other's pasts, you understood each other, and that's what counted.

Mark constantly checked [P/n] every now and then too, putting ointments on her paws to soothe them and help them heal. By the time you were all ready to leave for Pasadena, [P/n] had never looked better. Her paws were looking better than they had been in weeks, her fur was starting to look slick again, and her eyes were beaming.

You couldn't thank Mark enough for all his efforts and sacrifices. However you had the darndest time trying to express it. He seemed to catch on here and there, and whenever he did, his chocolate eyes seemed to sparkle. Sometimes he would even give you a little, silly smile. He must've really loved what he did to be able to give as much as he has already.

You both quietly headed down the stairs of the building, feeling only the slightest of soreness in your legs. Once you went down, you both briefly stretched your legs and arms to get ready for the walk ahead, hoping to make good time by early afternoon, uninterrupted.

Mark checked to make sure the coast was clear outside and silently waved for you to follow. Your senses began to kick in just like before you had met him. You felt like a bit of your old self had returned. Your guard was up, your awareness was on high alert, and you were ready to beat the hell out of anyone that stood in your and Mark's way.