I Care {Darkiplier}

(Chapter 12)

Your brow raised in surprise, making your eyes widen with it. Your breath caught in the back of your throat as well in the process, making it difficult to respond to what he said. Your brain short-circuited to top it off, if only a moment, before returning with questions spewing out at such a speed that you could not find the courage to say any of it aloud.

Mark? Like the Mark, I know? Why Mark? Did he do something wrong? What do you mean? How? What are you-

During this, Dark did not interrupt you, letting you take it in. You forced yourself to break from your whirlwind of thoughts, and could only reply by repeating his words.

¨Watch over...Mark?" You slowly remarked, as if it would make more sense by doing so. He did not interrupt your flurry of thoughts, letting you take it in.

"Correct. I need you to simply keep an eye on him, keep note of any...odd behavior."

"What? Why?" You were able to speak more clearly, somewhat more confident, now that you have your bearings.

He thought for a short second and exhaled a puff of air before answering, "As of now, I want to simply know what he's up to nowadays."

"You know him?"

"I have the misfortune. We have...a history to say the least." His voice held a bitter edge to it. His shell flicked and reacted much more to mentioning that. He clenched his jaw if only momentarily, before changing his demeanor in a split second, like a switch. His aura was now much less disturbed.

Not a very good one it seems

You thought before turning your eyesight to the stygian ground below. Doing so you did not notice his minimal reaction to your words. He scowled before shaking it off. More pressing matters currently. As you contemplated, you found yourself leaning towards agreeing...but you had to ask one thing before making a possible life-changing choice. You had to be rational about this.

"This won't...hurt anyone? Just gather information?" You found the strength to look in his direction, making eye contact with his inky gaze. By that point, he looked to be studying you, trying to read you.

"I can assure you this, there will be no harm to anyone. He won't get hurt. I just need you to keep a watch over him, and report your findings back to me." He calmly spoke, adjusting his suit while maneuvering his head to the side, cracking his neck.

After his answer, you weighed your options before coming to your conclusion. You never knew what compelled you to agree, but it felt...okay to do so (despite the slight weight you held in your body) ...maybe you were meant to.

"Okay...I'll do it."

His lips tugged upwards, pleased by your agreement. "Good choice."

After a beat, you both returned to walking through the empty void. You could not stop rethinking what just freshly took place. You knew you had a purpose, use for him. That was the whole point of it, yet it still bothered you. He said you were an important piece of a puzzle. You had a small feeling this would be more than just keeping tabs on a recent new found friend. Speaking of friend, Mark. How would you even pry into his life like that? You only knew so much, hell what you only knew was scratching the surface with Dark too. You know of his origins, even if not the whole picture. You were on vacation with your friend too...How will you balance any of this? Were you in over your head? Why-

"(Y/N)."

His echoed voice screeched your racing mind to a halt, by his tone, it was serious. You turn to the side to him and see him not there, and quickly see that you are a bit behind him. Seeing as you got sidetracked which slowed your speed, you run to catch up, your face warming up with embarrassment all the while. He probably knew you were wrapped up in your mind, lost with stress.

"Everything will be alright." His voice softened a bit. He was aware, judging by his words.

"I...hope so." Was all you could lamely come up with.

He cleared his throat before speaking again, taking no further auditory projection from you as a sign to change the subject. Perhaps a lighter topic would be more suitable. "Anywhere you'd like to go?" His voice returned to its usual tone.

You contemplate, choosing a somewhat similar layout as of last time. A field with a lake. You weren't ever too creative or exciting about where you wanted to go. By request, the world began to slowly morph and take on the appearance you desired. Grass moved from the blank ground, seemingly poofing into existence. As last time, a blanket lay spread out atop of the fake grass, this time near a lake, however. The lake was a medium-size, not infinite as the field, as you could see an end to it. When peering into the rippled waters, calmly sloshing around, you notice how it looks. Unlike the surrounding ground, the water was a deep murky grey, contrasting from the lighter colored grass. The depth of the lake seemed to go on forever, endless. A sudden rush of consternation swept through you, the image of falling into the mysterious lake taking a hold of you. You try to push off the fear expanding in your gut, shoving the thoughts aside as well, before moving to the blanket to sit down next to Dark, who was watching you with curiosity. Being away from the water eased you some, being on land grounded you. You stared into the distance, trying to keep yourself together. You were going to be fine. This was nothing.

For the rest of your time spent together, you both kept to yourselves. Dark did not talk to you much, which you were okay with. You shifted your focus to another topic to keep your mind busy, what were you going to do in the waking world? Would you get a reply from the account? Will you venture to the Manor at some point during your trip? What were you going to do? As you slowly pieced everything together, you noticed the wave of sleepiness wash over you. Your mind was losing steam. When stifling a yawn, Dark looked over at you.

"I see it's time for you to go. Remember what we discussed. Be aware, alert." He warned lowly, seeing how you would need to sleep to wake up. You gave a half nod, finding yourself more exhausted by the minute. When you fell asleep on the blanket, as before Dark stands and makes the world dissipate with a wave of his hand. As he does so he murmurs, to himself.

"Be careful."