Chained Puppet

Can You Feel My Pain?

Once Sean finished talking to Mark on the phone, he rubbed his face with a groan, "He said he'd get a hold of Host and have someone come get him. He can't help us like this. He's done enough, anyways for us"

Henrik nodded, "Yeah. I really thought he'd stand a chance, though. Thought he vas supposed to be the strongest ego there was." he glanced over at Marvin, "Guess ve all underestimated your power, Marv"

Jackie was furious but stayed still so Henrik could treat him, "This really is all your fault. You CREATED him. . . . . .Why did you do it? Who is he?"

Marvin looked ashamed, "I still can't remember. All I know is . . .I just wanted to help . . . him, I guess. I didn't know . . . I didn't know what would happen. I'm sorry" his voice cracked, "I'm so sorry. I deserve to be erased."

Everyone was quiet but Jameson sat next to Anti on the couch, 'This is ALL our fault. We should have given Anti the benefit of the doubt that day and you all know it.'

Jackie seemed ashamed, "It all makes so much more sense. Once we found out about Puppeteer . . . . I didn't want to say anything, though. Couldn't tell Anti"

"Tell him what?" Sean didn't know.

"Um" Jackie started, taken a bit off guard, "Well -"

"Gasp!" Chase suddenly shot up sitting up on the floor, "Guh-Fook. . ." he held his head and everyone stared at him wearily.

"Ch-chase?" Jackie asked. He was still sitting down but he'd brush the pain off if he had to, "Are you . . . you?"

Chase covered his mouth with his hand, tears falling down his cheeks, "Wh-what . . . ." he whimpered, running a hand through his hair as his eyes fell on Anti on the couch, "Oh god"

"Thought the tranquilizer vould last longer" Henrik mumbled to himself.

"Anti!" Chase stumbled up and tried running for him but Sean bounced in front of Anti to prevent him from getting closer.

"Stop it, Chase! Stay right there!"

Chase whined pitifully as he cried, "I'm sorry. I'm sorry, Sean. Guys, I'm so sorry. I didn't. . . I didn't mean-" he stopped himself.

He remembered everything Puppeteer had said while he took control. What he made them all remember and how they treated Anti when he tried coming to them for help.

All that weight came crashing down, "Oh god . . . . I didn't mean to. . ."

Jackie felt his pain. He knew this was Chase now and ignoring the pain he felt, he limped over to him, "I know, Chase . . . . we know" he brought him into a hug, trying to stay strong as he cried in his chest.

The others relaxed but understood the irony far too well.

"I'm sorry, Jackie" Chase mumbled quietly, "I-"

"It's okay" he stopped him, "I got you."

"I shouldn't have gotten drunk" Chase argued, "He got in my head and-"

"It's okay" Jackie repeated.

Finally Henrik sighed, "Puppeteer was stronger than we thought. Didn't think he could still have so much power"

"No telling how much he STILL has" Marvin agreed, "With all he's done and was still able to do . . . He must be still reserving."

Chase broke away from Jackie and turned back to Anti, "He gonna be okay?"

"He'll be fine" Henrik sighed, "Hit his head but he's got a thick skull so. . . "

He tried to make it seem like a joke but it wasn't all that well received.