Trigger warning- self harm and gore imagery (--------------- = marks end)

Anti laid in the bathtub with his clothes on, the water surrounding him making them soaked. He just had another nightmare but was too afraid to go to Marvin or Schneep for anything. They wouldn't believe him now anyways.

He saw him again. He didn't know what to call him. He didn't want to give him a name. They say if you name it, you invite it closer. 

Anti shuddered every once in a while, getting chills. He didn't bother wiping his tears, swallowing the salty liquid from his crying earlier. In one hand he held his favorite knife. The Chef's knife that Jameson gave him.

It had a little blood on it. There was blood in the water.

There never was any water, actually.

Anti glanced over to the mirror above the sink and could just barely see it. It was watching him, smiling.

"You know it's futile to resist, little lamb" it giggled, "It doesn't matter, you know you can't die."

Anti glanced over at his other hand and saw all the horrific cuts he had made with the knife, filling the tub. His whole arm was mutilated.

"You're mine, Anti. My puppet. Stop resisting me. Remember what I told you~" he sang and Anti glanced back over to the mirror to see Chase's body, hat and all.

'Chase' grinned, fangs showing and he held a gun to his head, "You breath a word to anyone. And your precious daddy figure gets his brains blown out. And guess who will be the one I'll make do it?"

Suddenly he pulled the trigger and the loud bang ran in the room, blood splattered on the mirror, the figure in the glass now gone. Anti looked in horror, his vision starting to fade. It whispered to him, "My little puppet"

------------------------

Suddenly Anti jolted awake but stayed laying in the bed staring up at the ceiling.

He glanced over at his wrist that had been cut in the dream but he found nothing. Not a single scar. Anti sighed in relief, 'These nightmares, like continuous mazes. Is THIS a nightmare, too?!'

He closed his eyes trying to control his glitching before he fell through the bed, 'No. But maybe I should ask Marvin for a potion. These are getting too much'.

After careful consideration and sleep paralysis dissipated, Anti finally made his way to his feet. He looked over at his alarm clock.

'Only 3am' he thought, 'He won't be too happy'

It had been about a week after the first nightmare with the demon. He still didn't know how he had missed his pills that night. He was extra careful to make sure he took them now but it made no difference. It was still there watching. Observing and taunting him.

Every night Anti would have a new nightmare but the more he went through, the more he was getting used to it, sadly. The more he was getting used to its presence.

And that terrified him.

He got to Marvin's door and was about to knock but something stopped him, 'Maybe I should check on Chase'

Changing motives, he went to Chase's room and slowly opened the door. There in the dark, he could barely make out his body. At first, Anti couldn't tell if he was breathing or not, scaring him. But then he saw the rise and fall and he breathed a small sigh of relief. He was about to close the door when he thought he saw something in the corner of the room. 

A dark shadow. Threatening.

Coming more into the room, Anti came up to Chase's bed and shook him awake.

"Mhm. . . .Anti?" he blinked open his eyes, "Hey kid, whas happnin?"

Anti kept glancing at the shadow but it was clear Chase couldn't see it, "C-can I sleep in here with you the rest of the night?"

Chase's face softened and he moved over, lifting the blanket, "Come on in, kid. Nightmare?"

Anti nodded and shuffled in the bed by his side. Chase knew something was wrong. Anti had never done this before. But his kids had, and he knew exactly what to do, "It's alright. I got you"

He brought Anti into his arms and hugged him to him, letting Anti bury his face into his chest. Chase moved his face into Anti's fluffy hair and fell asleep again immediately.

Anti, meanwhile just laid in his arms, thinking. The shadow. Was it real? Or was he just seeing things?

Chase couldn't see it so perhaps . . . but then again. . . .

Being reminded of the monster's threat, Anti clung to Chase. He wasn't sure what the monster wanted yet but he wasn't going to let him hurt his family. Not again.

The next morning, Chase woke up first. For a moment, he was confused as to why he was cuddling somebody in his bed but then he remembered it was Anti and that he had had a nightmare. Another one. He wondered if it was anything like the one he had a week ago. Or like any of the others that week. Yeah, he wasn't deaf. During the night sometimes, he could barely hear Anti in his room tossing and turning mumbling pleas in his sleep.

He was woken up a couple of times last night by Anti's shivering and whimpering. He came to the conclusion that Anti must have been having yet another nightmare then, too. Seeing Anti so scared tugged on his heart so much. Anti reminded Chase of his kids when they were scared or anxious. Although Chase hated seeing his family like that, he knew what to do to make them feel somewhat better. Same with Anti. Cuddles and kisses.

Chase looked down at Anti who clung to him like a baby sloth to its mother, finally sleeping more peacefully. With a smile, Chase pecked Anti's forehead and snuck out of his grasp. Getting dressed, he went downstairs to grab himself something to eat and drink. Munching on an apple, Chase decided to pay Schneep a visit. It was early but he knew the doctor would be up at this time in his office.

Walking right in, Chase grunted, "Knock, knock, doc"

Schneep looked up from his microscope, "Aw Chase. Vhat is going on yer up so early? Veeling alright my friend?"

Chase nodded," Yeah I'm alright. I'm actually wondering about Anti."

"Vhy? Is he doing alright?"

He shook his head, leaning against Schneep's desk, "He came to my room late last night and asked to sleep in my bed with me. He had another nightmare, man"

Henrik sighed, "Oh. Vell he knows he can get some potions from Marvin"

"It's been happening every night, Doc. I don't think some potions are going to be the best fix for him."

"Vhat do you propose we do then? Take him to therapy?" he laughed, "Not much we can do. How do you know he's been having nightmares EVERY night. He tell you zis?"

Chase shook his head in exasperation," No man, I'm just not deaf. My room is right next to his, Schneep. I can hear him tossing and turning. I can hear him crying and begging someone."

Henrik coughed, "Are you sure he isn't having a different kind of dream?"

Chase swat him up side the head, "Really man!? Schneep! This is Anti we're talking about here!"

"I know. But you and I both know he had a bit of a thing for a certain Iplier not too long ago"

"Okay. One- they were just friends. Two- those weren't those kind of dreams! He was literally crying. I can't take it anymore, man. It hurts. There's got to be something we can do for him"

Henrik thought for a moment, "You said he was talking to someone?"

Chase nodded, "Might have been the monster he told us about last week. . . . do you think that . . ." Chase bit his lip, "Do you think that maybe Anti wasn't imagining things? What if the monster he saw was real?"

The doctor shook his head, "It can't be. The pills veren't taken that night. And Marvin said he couldn't sense anything."

"He's been taking the pills every night since, though."

Now Schneep was stumped, "I don't know Chase. I really don't know."

Chase hummed, "Do you think that maybe the thing knew Marvin would search for him? Maybe it disguised itself or something? Maybe we just need someone stronger to sense the thing?"

Henrik swallowed, "No. Chase, I know you vant to help Anti but you're blowing things WAY out of proportion here. Vhat if it's just side effects from the withdrawal of ze pill? Just give it some more time."

Chase glared at him for a moment before groaning, "Fine. Just a few more days. But just think about this, Henrik. What would you do if it was your kid?"

Henrik was silent but Chase knew he hit a nerve and walked out without another word.

Going back into the kitchen, he was surprised to see Anti up, blearily looking around for some breakfast. Chase smiled at the state of his fluffy hair in all directions, "Hey there Anti. Thought you'd sleep for a bit longer?"

Anti shrugged, grabbing some poptarts, "Nope."

Chase sat at the table with Anti, grabbing a cup of coffee from the batch Henrik had started, "So do you want to talk about it?"

Anti looked up from biting into his breakfast treat, "Talk about what?"

"You know. . ." Chase sighed, "Your nightmare. I know they're bothering you. You can talk to me, bro. You know that, right?"

Anti nodded, but looked uncomfortable, "What's the point? You guys won't believe me anyways. Marvin couldn't sense anything. It's . . . just all in my head"

"Anti-"

He was going to say more until Jackie walked in, "What's up, guys? Early for you two, isn't it?"

Chase nodded but took note of how Anti rolled his eyes all of a sudden. Chase hummed, "Yeah. It was a pretty long night. Anti had a bit of a nightmare, I think about the monster-"

Anti suddenly glared at him and snapped, "Geez, are you going to tell everybody!? S̴͙̔h̷̙̭̿̈u̵͇͖̾t̷̘͕̊̈́ ̵̣͝ȗ̶̫̍ͅp̴̟͒̕!̶͓̐" he glitched out. They were both quiet and Anti realized what happened, "Oh. I. . .I'm sorry. Sorry, Chase. I didn't mean to. . .snap like that. I'm sorry" he looked away.

"Nah it's okay, man" Chase tried calming him, "I'm sorry. You're right. I shouldn't have said anything. It's your business. You'll talk about it if you want when you're ready."

There was a small silence as Jackie awkwardly poured himself some cereal. Chase continued, "You had a rough night last night, Anti. Your insomnia's making you irritated. It's okay. Everybody gets like that."

Anti started munching on his poptarts again. Jackie stood by the counter eating his cereal, "Anyways. I'll be out today. Don't expect me for dinner. Got crime to stop as per usual."

Chase nodded but Anti said nothing.

There was some more awkward silence until Jackie finished eating and ruffled Anti's hair before walking out, "Get some sleep, spaz-boy. See ya later" Anti's face was a look of anger and Chase thought he's snap again.

A few seconds later, Anti got up after finishing his breakfast, walking out but Chase could just barely hear him mumbling, "Fucking annoying assholes."

'Weird' Chase thought, 'Sometimes he's grumpy but he's never acted out like this before since. . . . . Is it really a lack of sleep making him so irritated?'

Anti felt bad again after he left the kitchen. He didn't know why those words, no matter how hushed, came out of his mouth. It was like he was being made to say them.

When he got back to his room, he grumbled to himself, feeling an unwarranted anger pulse through him again. He thought of Chase, 'Why the hell is he so annoying, though!? Digging into my business like that and just telling fucking everybody! I bet he told Schneep, too'

But then the rational side of him argued, 'He's only looking out for you. He cares about you and only wants to help'

'Yeah well he should mind his own fucking business. He's got his own damn kids to think about. He shouldn't be wasting his time with me!'

'But he loves you like you are his own kid. And he can't see his own kids anyway anymore with Stacy keeping him away. He needs you just as much as you need him right now.'

'Fuck off you weak little glitch bitch! You're just so fucking weak and stupid, you can't see the bigger picture! He's using you!'

Anti stopped thinking all of sudden and just stared up at the ceiling, 'I knew it.' he thought.

Anti sat up on his bed and kept his mind quiet but he could feel something in the back of his mind, 'You're in my head.'

There was absolute silence in his mind before a deep rumbling caught him off guard and he started shaking.

'Who do you really think is in charge, here, g̶l̵i̶t̷c̷h̴?̶'

Anti felt his body crumble and he fell to the floor, 'Every passing moment I grow stronger. Your weakness is my strength.'

Anti ran to his bathroom as fast as he could and was about to dry heave in the toilet when he saw him in the mirror. Staring straight back at him. Anti trembled and hesitantly moved closer but the reflection didn't move. He just grinned darkly, "Poor Anti." he chuckled, "It won't be long until I take control again, you realize this? You'll be all mine completely, sweetheart."

Anti growled in retaliation, "What the fuck do you want from me!? Just what do you want? What do I have to do that you won't hurt my family and friends!? Just tell me!"

The monster smiled, "I want . . . my own body"

Anti faltered, "But. . .but I can't give you that"

It shrugged, "Then I guess yours will just have to do. And you'll watch from behind. . .. just like before. Oh don't worry. Don't cry, my dear little puppet" it leaned on the glass on the other side and trailed a finger down it sensually, "I'll be sure to make their deaths painless just for you hahhahhehehehehe-HAHAHAHAHAHAHAH!!"

He started laughing, insane with the power he had over the ego and suddenly Anti just lost it and smashed the glass, shattering it to pieces. 

But with his hands bleeding and shards piercing his knuckles, he could still hear its laughter ringing in his ears.

Meanwhile Marvin was exiting his room just about to walk downstairs for breakfast and a coffee when he stopped abruptly. 

A sound like tires screeching and a deep rumbling of a large animal. He could smell sulfur and something rotting and a scream in the distance. But just as quickly as the sound appeared in his mind, it stopped. 

Then it was like he had never heard it in the first place. Like an auditory illusion. Shaking it off, Marvin continued his way downstairs.