Disclaimer: adult subjects discussed ahead, including but not limited to self harm. Continue at you own risk
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Wiping the sweat from his brow Jessie put down his shovel to take a look at his work. He stared at the makeshift graves in front of him feeling indifferent. Staring down at his mothers grave filled him with a strange mix of emotions he didn't really understand. Sighing he bent down grabbing two tree branches he aside earlier.

He pulled his shoestring from his boots and tied them around the sticks in a lame attempt to build a cross. As he stood it up and held it, once side dropped slightly. He sighed as he leveled out the stick and tightened his knot.

You can do better than this man, it's for your mom for God's sake.

As he pulled the knot closed he held up his brand new cross feeling satisfied. As he leaned to the top of her grave he placed it firmly into the ground. He took a step back feeling proud of his work, it was short lived as that ball of emotions returned with a fervor.

He stared down at his mother, then to her victim beside her and cursed under his breathe.

Dammit, people keep dying around me. All he did was try to help a kid in trouble and he paid for it with his life. So unfair.

Shaking the thoughts loose from his head Jessie clasped his hands together and for the first time in his life he prayed.

"I wasn't raised to be a religious man so please forgive me if I don't follow the proper etiquette here." Jessie said feeling strangely embarrassed.

"I wasn't too fond of how my mother raised me, she was a...complicated woman. Not very memories I have of her are pleasant, I'm pretty sure I can count on one hand every nice memory I have of her." Jessie said feeling a lump form in his throat.

"At the end of the day she was still my mom, and as much I wish it wasn't true I will miss her. So Lord if you're there please help me find comfort in this time of need and..." Jessie stopped short feeling his emotions reach there boiling.

"Jessie?" Travis said concerned.

Jessie turned  to see him standing beside a tree behind him. He had a worried look on his face and it upset Jessie.

She's not worth this.

"I feel so stupid for doing this, I mean who am I kidding. She's not gonna care I did any of this for her, she never cared about anything I did." Jessie said as he scoffed.

Looking down at his mom he felt angry, upset at all the things she had done to him.

"The only thing she cared about was herself, and what a waste of time caring about that. She was a horrible mom and manipulative woman. She brought Seth to this nowhere town just so she can waste her life away with drugs and parties, she was never an adult."

Jessie turned to Travis feeling his blood boil.

"Did you know she left me home once without a scrap of food in the house Travis?" Jessie asked.

"I didn't." Travis replied quietly.

"I had to eat what was left in the trash, the trash Travis! I mean what mother does that to their kid?! Aren't they supposed to love and protect you?! My mom killed me Travis! If I wasn't apparently immortal I wouldn't be here to mourn her!" Jessie yelled as he pulled his new long hair.

"Jessie I don't know what you want me to say. Do you want me to agree with you? Do you want me to shit talk your dead mom, because I'm not gonna do that." Travis said confused.

"I just want you to understand why I'm not sad she's dead, why it's actually a relief." Jessie said feeling the words cut him.

"Jessie I don't believe that's true, I've known you our whole lives and the Jessie I know wouldn't say those things."

"Who's to say I'm the same Jessie? I mean come on man I just came back from having my skull caved in! Could the old Jessie do that? Huh?" Jessie said feeling his chest tighten.

"As far as I'm concerned I'm glad I kill-" The lump in Jessie's throat stopped him from continuing as a sudden wave of regret washed over him.

No, I can't let her win. Not again.

"That I killed her."

A silence washed over the two as the impact of his words stunned them both. Travis stared at Jessie and he lowered his gaze suddenly unable to meet his friends eyes. Feeling the weight of his words and the gaze of his friend a familiar chill took a firm grip on his heart.

"I killed my mom Travis...She's in that hole because of me." Jessie said as tears streamed down his face. His legs suddenly weak he felt them buckle underneath him and he fell onto his mothers grave. Hearing a snap as he fell his heart sank even further as he turned to see the cross he made in splinters.

"N-no mom I'm sorry I didn't mean to...please don't be mad." Jessie pleaded as he picked up the pieces of wood on the floor.

"I promise I'll fix it so don't be mad. Don't leave again please."

"Jessie it's ok." Travis said as he took a step closer.

"Mom please don't leave me alone!" Jessie screamed as he slammed his fists into the ground.

Feeling an overwhelming wave of grief wash over him Jessie was soon consumed by the chill in his body. Feeling ice cold he wrapped his arms around his chest and rubbed his upper arms.

"Please don't leave me again...I promise I'll be good." Jessie whimpered as he dug his nails into his arms. Swiping his hands upwards he felt a sudden warmth in his arms as a small stream of blood and smoke poured from his wounds. His nails tearing into his skin sent a comforting warmth through his body.

I feel so alone. Someone please save me.

Feeling the warmth push back the chill Jessie swiped his arms again as they chill tried to return. He winced as he cut deeper into his arms as he desperately tried to push back the cold. The faster he clawed at himself the faster the smoke responded healing him.

"Just let me die!" Jessie screamed as he tore his sleeves staining g what was left with his blood.

"Jessie stop!" Travis screamed as he pulled his hands away snapping Jessie back to reality. He winced as if really feeling the pain for the first time and looked up to see Travis with tears streaming down his face.

"What are you doing to yourself!" Travis said as he looked at the blood pour from Jessie's arms. Suddenly embarrassed Jessie pulled back covering his cuts.

Feeling the chill set back into place Jessie looked down to see the wounds already closing as the smoked pulled his flesh back together leaving nothing behind to suggest he ever hurt himself. Feeling awful Jessie stood up pushing past Travis

"Hey where are you going?!" Screamed behind him.

Jessie didn't reply.

"I asked you where you're going Jessie, we're not done here not until you tell me what that was." Travis said as he grabbed Jessie's hand.

Jessie turned to see Travis wincing, looking down he could see him shaking from the cold. Taking his arm back Jessie looked down at Travis.

"Travis I fought a death match with my mom and died, but here I am standing in front of you. Don't you think that's a little strange?" Jessie asked confused.

"I think everything that's happened to us is bananas Jessie but that's no excuse to shred your arms apart!" Travis said annoyed.

"Why does it even matter if I do Travis, I'll just come back every time. I'm a freak." Jessie said feeling hollow.

"You are not a freak Jessie, how dare you go around telling my best friend he's a freak." Travis said jabbing his finger in Jessie chest. Surprised Jessie took a step back only to have Travis advance.

"He is the single most selfless person I know he takes the blame for all the stupid shit I do, happily." Travis said pushing Jessie back.

"I've never heard him complain about anything in his life, I've never met a more warm person. So if that's the kind of person you call a freak Jessie, then yeah your the biggest freak out there." Travis said angrily.

Jessie looked down at his friend stunned, as he backed into a tree he could feel his foot knock into his shovel.

"I wouldn't chose just anyone Jessie, I chose you because you are more virtuous than any other." A voice said from above Jessie. He looked up to see a black bird staring down at him. He had a shiny coat of black feathers that almost seemed to shine in the light.

"So listen to your friend." The bird said as it glided down landing on his shoulder.

"Oh yeah you haven't met the talking bird, Mr. bird say hi to Jessie." Travis said sighing.

"Hello there Jessie." The bird said coyly.

A moment of stunned silence washed over the three of them.

"H-hello Mr.bird." Jessie said confused.

"When did this happen?" Jessie asked pointing to the black bird on his shoulder.

"When you were on autopilot trying to kill us all-"

"I did what!"

"I'm telling a story here man, jeez. As I was saying when you almost killed us all this bird appeared and saved us. Barely." Travis said eyeing down the bird.

"No need to feel ashamed Travis, everyone needs help sometimes." The bird said smugly.

"You were screaming and pecking me the whole time, I was being nice." Travis said annoyed.

"That's beside the point, right now I'd like for Jessie to do me a favor." The bird asked turning to Jessie.

"I guess I can do one for you considering you helped my friends." Jessie said confused.

"Id like for you to say my name." The bird asked.

His name? Why would I know his name?

"I'm sorry little guy I don't know your name."

"Oh but you do, just search deep in that head of yours and pull it out." The bird said.

Jessie looked at Travis only to seem him just as confused as him.

Ok just think hard on this one I guess.

It's there just take a grip and pulled it out.

"Hey man I'm trying quiet down while I think." Jessie said annoyed.

"Uh no one said anything man, are you ok?" Travis asked.

"The bird keeps talking while I'm thinking and it's making it more difficult for me." Jessie replied.

"He hasn't said a word for a while now man." Travis said confused.

What?

He's right you know, I haven't said a single word.

That voice...I know that voice!

Jessie turned to face the bird and a strong sense of dread filled him entirely.

"Ah I see you've remembered the wrong thing, I'll wait for a more opportune time then. This is for the best, I was starting to feel tired anyways." The bird said almost disappointed.

"What do you mean?" Travis asked.

"Questions for later, for now I nap." The bird said as it opened its wings so wide it nearly slapped Jessie in the face.

Jessie watched as the bird's body slowed billowed into a small cloud of smoke and forced itself onto his chest. Feeling a searing burn Jessie fell to his knees clutching his chest where the bird forced itself into his body.

"Jessie!" Travis screamed as he grabbed his shoulders.

The pain intensified as Jessie lifted up his ruined shirt to reveal a mark on his chest. He watched in horror as it slowly formed into a small bird on his chest, burning its shape into his body. As it's wings became more defined the pain subsided and Jessie was left with a strange mark on his chest.

"That bird just gave you a tattoo man! It looks sick as hell but holy shit that looked like it hurt." Travis said as he helped him to his feet.

"No shit man! What the hell was that?!" Jessie asked rubbing his chest.

"Everything all good over here? We heard screaming and came to check it out." Lucas said as he brushed a branch out of his face. Seeing the two boys staring at Jessie's chest stopped him in his tracks.

"Didn't realize what was happening, sorry for interrupting." Lucas said his face red.

The two looked at each other as Lucas walked away. Jessie pulled apart and pulled down his shirt. Travis shoved his hands in his pockets and refused to make eye contact.

"So women are cool right. Kissing girls is fun." Travis said nervously.

"Travis we both know you've never kissed a girl, let's just go before you make it weirder." Jessie said stifling laughter.

"I have so kissed a girl! So many girls! Hey don't walk away from me!"

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"I have more questions now than I had before." Lily said as she took a bite from her breakfast burrito. "Having this laptop doesn't help us at all, it's just a bunch of science nonsense and videos of Jessie's brother. There's no clues."

Jessie stared out of the hole in the side of the van wondering what to do next. He sighed as he came up empty with ideas and took a bite of his chorizo burrito.

Sweet chorizo you can never disappoint me.

Is that as good as you make it seem?

Yeah it's the single best breakfast item I'd say.

Then I'd like a taste.

"Jessie!" Rose yelled snapping Jessie back to the conversation.

"Yeah what's up?" Jessie asked.

"We've been talking to you for awhile now what gives?" Rose asked annoyed.

"I've been talking to the bird." Jessie said.

"Has he told you any new info about what he is or why you hear his voice in your head?"

"N-no."

"Them was it about what he meant when he said he chose you?"

"No."

"Then what was it?" She asked confused.

"He wanted to try my food." Jessie said embarrassed.

"You were right Jessie this is really good." The bird said as a small cloud of smoke slowly formed his body. A small amount of chorizo fell from its beak onto the floor of the van as everyone stared at him.

"Ok we can deal with this thing later right now we need to get serious about how we're going to find Mia." Lucas said. Jessie noticed the bags under his eyes and felt bad for getting him involved.

"We have a keycard from our fight with Michael and that's the only help we've gotten so far." Lily said frustrated.

"We could always force this guy over here to take us to where she's being held. He's been really quiet since he woke up." Sarah said as she nudged venom.

He glared at her as she continued to nudge him. As she poked and prodded him he continued to get more agitated, until eventually he broke down crying shocking everyone in the van.

"I'm sorry ok! I didn't want to do any of what was asked of me but that Kazimir guy scares the living shit out of me!" Venom said in between sobs.

Jessie shuffled in his seat as he watched a grown man bawl his eyes out in front of strangers.

"You guys have no clue what that guy can do! His eyes they make you see things that will make any serial killers skin crawl and his face it op-"

"His face opens up and it sends a massive shock to your brain making you feel like your heads getting cleaved in half. Am I right?" Travis said interrupting him.

Venom stopped his sobbing as he stared stunned at Travis.

"Y-you've met him?" Venom asked as a small stream of snot hung from his nose.

"Yeah we've met the guy before, Jessie here has seen him twice." Lily said as she wiped away the mucus from his face with a napkin.

"You've fought him twice and your not affected by his gaze?!" Venom said astounded.

"No I've seen him once and fought him the second time. I've only been hit by his gaze once so far." Jessie said as the bird picked his food clean.

"We've heard something pretty bad happens to you once you get hit three times though so we aren't super excited to see him again." Rose said as she shivered.

"What happens a third time is a mercy compared to what the second time does to you." Venom said as all the color drained from his face.

"What happens when you get hit a second time?" Toby asked food spilling from his mouth.

"He takes hold of your mind, almost as if your just a puppet and he's the man with his hand up your ass. Any and everything he wants you to do gets done even if it's against your will. The worst part of it all is your totally conscious while doing it." Venom said his voice shaky.

"The things he made me do, the people he made me eat...those poor kids. I was vegetarian before I met him." Venom said as he lowered his gaze in shame.

Rose placed her hand on his shoulder and he raised his eyes to meet hers. She nodded and he sighed continuing his story.

"He's not even the worst one out of the lot of them, there are some members of our team who don't need to be under his control to do what he says. Those are the real killers and the worst one of them all is that monster Plague."

A shiver ran down Jessie's spine and he turned to see the others have the same problem. They were terrified as they heard Venom speak.

"Somehow every body that drops by him makes him stronger almost as if death gives him life. A man like that deserves to be at the top. So no I won't help you find out base, I can't send more people to the flame." Venom said shaking his head.

Lucas sighed and climbed out of the driver's seat working his way through people's legs as he made his way to Venom. As he reached him he bent down to eye level and smiled. He then reared back his hand and cracked it across Venom's face.

"Listen here scaly, I don't care how terrifying your making these guys out to be they have my niece and we aren't gonna stop until we have her back." Lucas said pulling Venom by his collar.

"Look I'm sorry about that but I just don't think I can face any of those people again, the very thought leaves me scared to my core." Venom said as Lucas slammed him against the van wall.

"Then why not just take us to it, we'll let you go and we get to save Mia." Akita said through gritted teeth.

"I've actually been free this whole time." Venom said as he pulled his arm free from the ropes. Jessie grabbed the end of one to see the rope ends burned.

"Then why stay here?" Rose asked.

"The moment I leave your guy's care I am just a sitting duck waiting for Kazimir to cook my brain on Plagues orders. It's smarter for me to stay with other chosen." Venom reasoned.

"If you don't want us to leave you on the side of the road as a free meal for Kazimir you're gonna take us straight to Plague!" Lucas said staring down Venom from above.

"Ok ok! I'll lead you guys to the base but once we get there I'm staying behind. You guys can get yourselves killed but I've done enough time there to know what'll happen." Venom said.

"Great so we got ourselves a guide, so lizard boy where are we headed." Sarah asked amused.

"Mt. Lime." Venom said.

A stunned silence fell over the group. Jessie stared at his friends to see them reach the same conclusion.

"Thats a thirty minute drive from here, you're telling they've been that close to us the whole time?" Rose asked.

"Well not that close if we're talking downtown it's like an hour and a half but yeah they've been there this whole time." Venom said rubbing his shoulder.

"Shit we're gonna need to get coats." Toby said.

"We must stop for more chorizo first." The bird said as it picked apart what was left of Jessie's food.