Two weeks later, Error's POV

My vision finally clears up, and I sit up in bed, looking around. My head no longer hurts, and I no longer have the urge to puke.

"Did that work? Are you feeling better?"Science asks

I nod. 

"It seems that Ink gave you some sort of chemical that caused paralysis and a hallucinogen mixed with his pink and yellow vials. Both chemicals or drugs are very strong beyond any sort of legal limits in regards to amounts and just the amount of his vials in this would've made any soul sick, which would explain your symptoms and ill behavior. Luckily his vials run out by now and the chemicals were easy to drain from your system. You should be feeling better by tomorrow. Yet you may deal with some withdrawal symptoms. Now, can I go home?"He says 

I nod, opening a portal for him. He goes through and I glance around, putting my glasses on. I find the room empty. I frown.

It took so much valuable time to recover...His birthday is in a week, which doesn't give me much time...Hmm, well I guess it's time for a spree. I just have to jump right into it...

My phone buzzes and I see a text from Palette.

Starboy: Hi, Mr. Error! We're on our way now to visit with Mr. Reaper!

Can't waste time...

Me:Okay, don't forget some snacks and to lock the kitchen down. Your uncle is on a mission, right?

Starboy: Ooo! Good point! Killer was the only one kept home from the mission! I have to secure everything and Killer-proof it before we go!

Me:Yes, secure it better than your uncle or we'll all hear his complaints.

Starboy: "How'd he get in? I locked it!"-Unclemare 24/7

I chuckle reading that and tuck my phone away. I fix my scarves and open a portal, tossing the blankets into the anti-void. Then I hop through another portal into an AU, certain that I bought myself some time before they realize that I left the hospital they put me in. I don't have time to waste and can't have them hunting me down. I send one last text on my phone, just in case.

Me: Hey, Killer. Goth's birthday is next Thursday. Could you plan something special for him?

ChaosDefined: HELL YEAH!

I smile, then quickly get to work. I destroy countless AUs, killing numerous souls and eliminating miles-length of code. I use a code screen to search for any abandoned or empty AUs that require deletion, finding dozens. I quickly work to eliminate those. Each AU feels rewarding once gone, feeling one step closer to the quota. To Goth's safety. They purposefully set it at an amount they thought that I couldn't reach without ruining the balance just so they could take Goth away, but I don't care. I'm not holding back with his soul on the line. That balance can go to hell.

After hours of work and only pausing to steal some snacks before erasing the AU and turning my phone off, I decided to check the quota. I grin, seeing the large percentage flash in my face: 97%

Just a little further and he will be safe. It will all be worth it...

I turn my phone back on and it starts dinging with texts from Killer ranting about his plans for Goth's birthday from days ago. As expected of course after giving him that question. I see numerous calls from Goth and Palette missed with voicemails and sigh, shaking my head.

Then I see a new text from Killer.

ChaosDefined: Okay! The entire castle is prepared for tomorrow! The plans and decorations are set! I'll call him over with Horror and Palette! What do you think?

He sends a few pictures showing the castle decorated for Goth's birthday and grin.

Me: Looks good, Killer. Thank you for doing this.

ChaosDefined: It was fun to do! Now, what do you plan to give him tomorrow? I'll make space for the box on a table in pic 3!

Me: Freedom.

ChaosDefined: Uuh, is that a toy or something? How big is it to fit on a table?

I chuckle, putting my phone away, and grin as I return to work. What nobody knows is that despite Nightmare's horrible understanding of locks and security, the castle is the safest place to be. Well, except for Horror, since it was one of the only reasons to convince him to stay at first. I reinforced its code with a barrier to keep Fate and Fate's helpers and any other troublemaking higher beings. Yet it wasn't long before Fate's Helpers came. I check my code screen, seeing that they're four hours early.

"WhAt d0 y0u wAnT?"I ask

"You are meddling with Fate's plans, and you're ordered to stop. Hand over the conflict-of-interest soul."

"HeLl n0! We hAd a dEaL! I stiLl hAv3 aNoThEr f0ur h0uRs!"I snap

"You were never supposed to reach the quota. The deal was never going to work. Fate just wanted to be entertained by your vain attempts. Fate didn't expect such progress. Now, where is the soul? He should be nearly 13 and good use for Fate...away from you."One says

"Or that one-eyed freak. Have you seen that axe-swinging soul? Seems like another son to him and another conflict of interest. We should try to take him again."The other says

"Agreed. 2 souls to collect for Fate to correct. We must eliminate any possible conflict of interests that may get in the way of playing the role that Fate has assigned."

I grin, clenching my fists. I have prepared for this.

"WeLl, i aM s0rRy buT I d0n't kNoW wh3Re tH3y ar3. Th3Y w3nT 0n a b1rtHdAy tr1P t0g3tHeR."I say

They frown and snap their fingers to empty my pockets. Luckily, I decided to dump my phone at the castle after texting with Killer. So, they didn't find anything. They glare at me and then grin. 

"Then you'll pay in their place. Unless of course, you have any objections."They say

I shake my head so they quickly grab me, pulling me away. I only felt Shino's scarf slip off before I lost my vision completely from being touched.

I crashed moments later.

TBC