Mark awoke with a start, eyes flew open and he sat up immediately, his back groaning in protest to the sudden movement. He couldn’t focus his eyes, as everything swam in and out of focus around him. He heard movement to his right, and snapped his head over in time to see a rat scurrying along the floor stopping in its tracks to stare at Mark. He stared at the rodent in wonder as his eyes were able to pick up every detail of the animal. It was probably a good 20 feet from him yet he could make out every strand of hair, every whisker on its snout. He could even see reflections in its beady eyes. It flicked its nose, before running off into a hole in the wall. He could hear the pitter patter of its feet on the ground, hell he could smell the damn thing. His head swung around at another noise and locked onto the window outside. He could hear something rolling around. He stood to walk over there and was disoriented when he immediately found himself across the room instantly. He wobbled a bit, getting his balance as he leaned his body out the window to take a look. He was stunned to see the sound had been made by a stray dog probably 50 yards away.

With his head out the window his senses were immediately over taken. Bombarded with different smells, sounds and sights. He hadn’t even realized it was the middle of the night because he could see everything so clearly. He heard animals barking, howling, and squeaking. Snoring from bedrooms and voices from bars. He could see the slightest movement made by insects and small animals across the way, and could smell food left over from finished dinners. He grabbed his head in pain as he was continually hit with all these new senses. It was overloading him, his head feeling like it was going to explode, when he felt a hand on his shoulder yanking him back. He was thrown to the ground as Lukas shut the window and bolted it closed. He looked back at Mark will an apologetic smile.

“Sorry about that, didn’t think you’d be awake so soon otherwise I would have warned you.” He spoke while he offered his hand to him. Mark just looked at the outstretched hand, still stunned from what just happened, senses still all over the place. He heard the small sigh from Lukas and watched as he retracted his hand and knelt down in front of Mark.

“I’m sure you are very overwhelmed right now,” Understatement. “With all your senses in place and at their most potent since you just fed. Give it a few more hours and they will die down a bit okay? Once that happens you’ll have more control over them.” he waited for Mark to indicate he understood before standing back up, arm once again offering. Mark took it this time, and was brought to his feet.

“How long was I out?” He asked, and winced as his voice seemed loud to his own ears.

“Only a few hours. I’m impressed. Usually after your first blood and final changing process you’d be out for a good 10 hours or more.” He walked over to his bag and pulled some bread wrapped in cloth, handing it to Mark. “At that point the blood has made it through your system and you don’t wake up with a sensory overload like you have just now. Once it’s calmed down, your senses will still be heightened to a degree, but it will only be like it is now if you focus and only one at a time. After feeding, and especially on human blood, all our abilities are at their most potent. Once you’ve adjusted more, you’ll be able to control it better after a feeding.”

Mark took a bite out of the somewhat stale bread, and was momentarily unsettled at how much more he could taste. Was literally everything amplified? A thought occurred to him.

“Do we still need to eat? I mean, can we live without food and water?”

“We still need the basic necessities; food, water and sleep, but at a far smaller quantity. A full meal will last you a few days, and a full night’s sleep will last you about a week. Providing you aren’t wounded or hurt in some way. I usually grab a couple hours of sleep every couple nights. Don’t like the idea of being vulnerable for a full 8 hours.” Mark nodded, following up with “Where’s Arnold?” And taking another bite of his bread.

“I walked him back into the bar he came out of, told the bartender he passed out right in front of me and being the kind soul I am, carried him back so he wouldn’t be lying in the street.” Mark snorted at his comment. “He’ll wake up sometime in the morning with a nasty headache and a bad dream. No worries.”

Mark nodded, processing everything again. He thought back to when Lukas had cut into Arnolds wrists, and found he couldn’t remember exactly what happened. He remembered being hit with a force, an extreme force that he had never felt before, and then the most satisfying feeling after that. He remember feeling pain and sorrow too. He focused what little brain power he had on trying to clear the memory but it just slipped away from him more.

“Why can’t I remember what happened?” He questioned.

“No one remembers there first feeding. We don’t really know why, some speculate it’s our minds way of safe guarding us since it’s such an intense moment, and based on the reaction you had, it would make sense.” Lukas finished as he sat on the ground, leaning up against the wall. Mark hesitated before moved to join him. He didn’t like the idea of not remembering, having a time in his life essentially gone, no matter how bad it may be.

Well, you have forever to make up for it.

The sudden thought hit Mark like a ton of bricks, the whole situation once again settling into him. It was done. He was a full vampire. He was going to live forever. Still overwhelmed by his senses and what was happening, Mark felt his eyes burn, the desire to curl in a ball and drown in his sorrow hit him with force. They sat there for what felt like hours, as Mark struggled to reign in his emotions. He wasn’t about to lose it in front of Lukas, he needed to be stronger. He made a joke to Lukas about his emotions being heightened now too.

“Actually, they are.” He replied surprising Mark. “Along with physical attributes, your mental ones are enhanced as well. Once you’ve adjusted more, you’ll find your mind is sharper, quicker. You’ll be able to process things quicker, make faster decisions on less information, and strategize. And along with that, your emotional range has increased. You will feel things stronger than before; anger, sadness, happiness, love, hate. Again, all things you will learn to control in time.” Mark let that sink in. He was a fairly sensitive person to begin with, so this will be fun to learn to live with. He leaned his head against the wall, eyes closed. His head was starting to clear a bit as his senses started to die off a bit. He and Lukas sat in silence, and he felt himself starting to drift off.

I have a lot to learn.

Mark watched from his spot behind the wall as Daniel and his men walked out of the bar and into the night. Waiting for them to get a safe distance away, he moved from his position and followed them in the shadows. Daniel and his friends were loud and rough, pushing each other as they stumbled along the road towards an alley way. Two other men were waiting, standing tall and ridged, eyes darting all around them, mouth set in a grim line. They flanked Daniel as he walked past them into the alley way like guard dogs. Which is basically what they are. Vampires conditioned into obedient pets.

Lukas had explained to him that Daniel was a clan leader. He was head of a nest, and a powerful one at that, with one of the largest clans of this century. He had absolute control over his followers, due to him essentially brainwashing them. According to Lukas, that when a new vampire is turned for the clan, they stave off the final feeding until they go completely mad. Like he had explained before, at this point the desire for blood takes over all reaches of the mind. The hunger burns so fiercely inside of them it’s all they crave. With the mind being so focused on one thing, and one thing only, it’s easy to use that desire as a form of control. Daniel essentially trains them like a dog, gifting them blood in exchange for obedience. Eventually they are conditioned to believe that the only way they will continue to receive what they want, is if they obey him. They become completely dependent and obedient to him.

Mark moved quickly and quietly up to the alley way, peeking from the wall in time to see the group enter through a doorway a little ways down from him. Moving forwards again, he slid along the wall right up to the door. As he got closer he heard the pleas from inside. Two humans, a man and woman, were in there with them. Two meals. Mark stopped, closed his eyes and focused his hearing. He let his other senses fade to the background as he listened to the movement inside. He heard the scraping of wood on wood; the victims struggling against the chairs they had been bound to. He heard there cries of desperation to be let go. He heard the laughter of the monsters inside. He tuned those sounds out. He focused on the heart beats. Seven. The two victims and five vamps. The victim’s hearts were beating fast, in the middle of the room. Behind them, two, and in front the other three.

Mark opened his eyes, his senses returning to normal. He turned to the door just as the screaming started, and kicked it in. All heads turned towards Mark, and he met Daniels eyes as he pulled back from the man. Not breaking eye contact, Mark pulled a steel stake from his pocket, reaching for the closest man to him and thrusting it into his chest. He screamed and Mark pulled back as another ran at him. Mark dodged as he threw himself at him, and grabbed his arm as he went by, twisting it, bringing the man to his knees, and pushing the stake through his back into his heart. Before he was able to pull it out he felt two sets of arms grab at him, and threw him across the room into the wall. He felt pain blossom in his back before landing on the ground, but quickly got back on his feet. The two vamps, the guard dogs, snarled at him and dove for Mark. He ducked out of the way, grabbing one as they went by and threw him into the same wall, satisfied with the sickening crack he heard. The ‘dog’ fell to the ground in a heap as the other connected his shoulder with Marks stomach, knocking him to the ground. He held Mark down as his partner got back up and joined him in helping bring Mark to a standing position, both grasping Marks arms tightly as they brought him over to Daniel. The man himself had his hands on the back of the two chairs that held the two humans, a smirk on his face but rage in his eyes.

“And just who the hell are you, coming in here, during my meal time,” he emphasized this by grabbing the woman by the neck, causing her to gasp and choke as the man whimpered, “and kill my men?”

Mark smiled.

“I’m here to kill you.”

Daniel threw his head back and laughed. He settled down after a few moments, looking at Mark with a smile.

“Is that so?” He released the woman and shot forward, grabbing Mark by the hair and yanking his head back bringing his mouth to his ear.

“Because to me, it looks like you’re a little stuck.” He whispered, dragging his mouth along Marks neck, letting his teeth extend and pierce the skin. He pulled back and let go of Mark. “Do you even know who I am? You think you can just waltz in here by yourself, and kill me?” He laughed again, head thrown back in genuine humour. Suddenly he darted forward and swung his arm, fist connecting with Marks face. The force of it swung his body to the side, almost taking his captors down with him. He felt blood well up in his mouth.

“What do you have to say for yourself huh?” Daniel yelled at Mark. He turned his head towards Daniel, spiting at the ground, saliva mixed with blood. Standing back up he looked Daniel in the eyes, those same eyes he looked into five years ago as he killed his parents, but this time instead of fear, he felt triumph.

“Who said I was alone?”

Daniel stuttered for a second before a voice came from behind him.

“Hello Daniel.”

Daniel spun as Lukas took a swing at his head, sending him sprawling to the ground. Mark dropped his weight, taking his captors to the ground, before shooting back up, breaking from their grip. Lukas called to him, tossing the stake. Mark grabbed it, swung around and impaled one of the men in the chest. He spun around, taking the stake out with him as the other was back on his feet, standing by his master. Lukas walked over to Mark, his own stake out, and they stood facing Daniel and the other. Daniel wiped the blood off his mouth as he stood.

“Lukas. Finally caught up with me again. And this time you brought a pet. How nice.”

Lukas smiled, malice in his gaze. “I’ve been waiting a long time for this Daniel, for the chance to take you down.”

“You think you’ll be able to kill me this time? I’ve gotten away every time before, and I’ll get away tonight.” Daniel spoke with confidence but in his eyes you could see the touches of fear.

“Not this time. This time I’m not alone.” Turning to Mark he placed a hand on his shoulder before addressing Daniel again. “This time I have someone who wants you dead more than I ever could.”

“And what exactly warranted such aggressive hate?”

“You killed my parents.” Mark spoke with barely contained rage. “You came into our home, and you killed them while they slept. Then you tried to kill me.” He griped the stake in his hands tightly. “I died that day, I became the monster I am today because of you. And tonight, I’m finally getting my revenge.” With that Mark and Lukas both lunged, Mark for Daniel and Lukas for the other. Daniel met Mark with equal force, both with teeth bared. The grappled with each other, snarling and groaning. Both focused on the other. Mark ducked under a swing from Daniel and he dove, arms securing around his waist and shoving him into the wall behind him. Lukas appeared, and put Daniel into a secure hold that he couldn’t break from no matter how he struggled. Mark stood, and once confiming that Lukas had a hold on Daniel, moved to the man and women still tied to the chairs. The cowered as Mark approached, but he kept a warm smile on his face as he cut them loose of their bonds.

“Go, but don’t tell anyone about this.” They quickly fled from the room, without so much as a thank you, but Mark didn’t hold it against them. He turned back to Daniel and Lukas, firmly grasping his stake.

“I’ve waited five years for this. I’ve dreamt of having you here, before me as I drive this stake into your fucking chest.” Mark snarled.

“Do you even know what will happen if you do this? I have hundreds of followers, everywhere. If you kill me they will hunt you down and destroy you, destroy you both!” They could hear the hysteria in Daniels voice as he pleaded.

“They’ll come and they will die. Just like you.” Mark met Lukas’s eyes. Lukas nodded to him, tightening his grip and brought Daniel to his knees with him. Daniel continued to struggle making threats, but they fell on deaf ears. Mark brought his arm up, stake raised and grabbed Daniels face in his hand, forcing him to look into his eyes. Eyes that have haunted his nights for years, that brought him so much pain and sorrow and anger, now reduced to fear filled orbs, begging for his life.

“Please, I can give you power, so much power. You can lead armies of vampires, all under your control.”

Mark looked at him, feeling nothing but disgust and pity.

“The only thing I want is your head on a stick.” And with that he drove the stake into his chest, directly into the heart. Daniel gasped, the sputtered, blood starting to drip out of his mouth, eyes wide with disbelief. Lukas released his grip as Daniel fell backwards, clutching his chest as Mark removed the stake. Lukas moved to stand beside Mark, looking down at Daniel.

“It’s over. You did it.” He told Mark, placing a comforting hand on his shoulder. Mark glanced at Lukas and gave a tired smiled. The man that had turned him, trained him, and became someone he cared for deeply, and now stood by him as he finally got his revenge. He heard a laugh come from in front of him, and they turned to Daniel who had a smile on his face. “And what exactly are you smiling about?”

Daniel met Marks eyes, a sinister smile on his face. “I remember you now. I remember you watching as I ripped your mothers throat out. The fear on your face. And I’ll remember right now, in my last moments, seeing that look on your face one more time.” Daniel’s eyes shifted to over Marks shoulder, and noticed the other vampire behind him to late as a stake was shoved through Lukas chest.

“NO!” Mark screamed as Lukas clutched at his chest, and the vampire ran out the door. He heard Daniel’s laugh as Mark dropped to his knees, hands pressed over Lukas.

“Ah, there’s that look.” Daniel choked out as he fell back, unmoving.

Mark looked back at Lukas, tears in his eyes as he laid him back on the ground.

“Well, this was unexpected. Damn bastard. Should have guessed he’d having someone else lingering around.” He choked out a weak laugh, blood spilling out of his mouth. He looked back at Mark, putting his blood soaked hand on his shoulder, immediately covered by Marks own bloody hand. “I’m sorry.” He spoke softly.

Mark shook his head, tears falling from his eyes. His voiced hitched in a barely kept sob as he held Lukas.

“Don’t cry for me Mark. I’ve had a good life. I’m just glad I was able to help you get your revenge.” He brought his other hand to Marks face. “And I’m honored to have worked with you Mark.” Mark felt Lukas grip slacken, as his eyes lost focus and he let out a final breath.

Mark hated rain. It was wet and cold and made his shoes very uncomfortable. He tended to avoid it as much as possible but when you’re hunting vampires, you don’t get much of a choice.

He was walking through a forest, looking for the hide out. He had been tracking this particular clan for a while. They move from country to country, preying on towns and cities, leaving a trail of bodies as they go. Currently, he had tracked them to Ireland, where they had just claimed a third victim. It changed every time how many people they would kill. Mark believed they stayed until they were bored, but every time it was the same how they went about it. At night fall, they would take a victim from their home, back to wherever they were hiding out, and feed on them until they were dry. They did this with every victim and every time Mark got there too late, a nest full of dead and dried out corpses. He had been in this forest, rain pouring down for three hours and was still no closer to finding the hide out. He let out a frustrated groan, once again wishing Lukas was here, since he was always better at tracking than the two of them. Thoughts of Lukas still sent spikes of pain through him. It had been five years since his death and Mark still grieved. After losing him Mark had burned his body along with Daniel’s and spent the next few days holed up in an abandon house wallowing in his sorrow before he kicked his ass into gear. Daniel may be dead now, but there were many more monsters out there that hunted and killed humans for fun, destroying families the same way Marks had been. That what Lukas did, he hunted his own kind in order to protect humans. Many see themselves as above humans after the change, and deem themselves gods, able to take what they desire. Very few keep their humanity after changing, and even fewer take on the role that Lukas has to protect. Mark decided back then that he was going to dedicate his life to that as Lukas did, so he trained him, taught him how to track, follow a scent, how to fight and how to kill. Mark learned fast, faster than most. He learned to control his abilities, and how to use them. Lukas called him a natural. Now with him gone, he wasn’t going to give up the fight. If anything it gave him more drive to rid the world of a many monsters as he could.

A sound broke Marks train of thought, a twig snapping to his right. He kept walking, but focused his hearing, not wanting the person to think he was spotted. He listened for the heartbeat and heard it beating wildly behind him. If it were a vampire stalking him, it would have a steady beat, not one pounding so loudly a human could hear it. Mark stopped casually and stretched, bending down to pretend to fix his shoes. He peered back behind him as he bent down, focusing his sight on his surroundings. He saw movement behind a large tree, someone using it for cover and stupidly but conveniently breaking his line of sight from Mark. Mark stood and moved quickly to his right, using the trees as cover as well. He watched as the person, a man, leaned back around the trunk to look for Mark and saw the confusion written on his face that he was gone. He moved carefully form his position and walked to the place Mark had been. Mark took his time, quietly sneaking up behind the man. He had a lanky frame, and pale skin, not uncommon for the country they were in, and cropped brown hair that was dripping wet from the rain. As Mark walked behind him his heartbeat picked up. Why he had no idea. Stopping right behind the unsuspecting man that was scratching his head in confusion, he leaned down to behind his left ear and spoke.

“What are you looking for there?”

The man let out a very high pitched yelp, stumbling forwards and turning around to face Mark.

“Jesus Christ man! Are ya tryin’ ta kill me by way of heart attack?” The man yelled, Irish accent heavy and thick, his breathing erratic and eyes wide. Mark wasn’t really listening though. All he could focus on were the man’s eyes. They were the bluest eyes he had ever seen, like the ocean on a bright sunny day the way the reflected the smallest amount of light peeking through the clouded skies. Marks heart was beating even harder now, as the man seemed to be staring at him as well, almost awe struck. Mark shook his thoughts, choosing to deal with them later as usual and questioned the man as to why he was following him, making sure to imitate the Irish accent. Lukas had taught him how to prefect different accents as to avoid any problematic situations in the future.

The man seemed to snap out of his stupor at his voice, and his face became suspicious.

“Well with all the disappearances goin’ on, a strange man wanderin’ around the forest on a day like this is just a little suspicious don’tchya think there laddie?” Ah, so this was just someone from the town thinking he’s gonna be a hero. Mark stifled the urge to both laugh and groan. He’s come across these people before on his hunts, thinking they can be the one to figure out what’s happening, save the day, get the glory, and always end up a vampire’s meal. He really didn’t want to deal with these people today.

“What, you think I ‘ave something to do with the kidnappings?” Mark answered back with a smile.

“Well do you?” The man responded. Mark shook his head, this time letting out a puff of laughter. This angered the man in front of him. “What? It’s not exactly an out there thought. I’ve never seen you around here before, not ‘til this started happenin’. After the first one, I saw ya sniffin’ around Mary’s house at night, pokin’ around. Oh you thought you were being sneaky didn’tchya? Not sneaky enough for little ol’ Jack here ta see ya. Been following you since that night I ‘ave, seenin’ ya at all the victims’ houses.” Jack walked up to Mark, finger pointing at him accusingly, and Mark’s first thought was that he’s cute when he’s angry.

What the hell? Where did that thought come from?

“So you tell me,” The man, Jack, continued, “what you’ve been up to then if you’re not part of it?” Jack seemed pleased with himself, and Mark had to be honest, he was a little impressed. He’s usually very good at keeping hidden, he’s not sure how this man could have seen him.

“If ya must know, I’m investigating the kidnappings. Was sent here by order of the government to find out what’s happenin-” He was cut off by Jacks loud laughter, a sound he tried not to admit he wanted to hear again.

“Now I know your lyin’. Goddamn government don’t give a shite about what happens to us lowly Irish folk. Not since the English took over and took away our rights. They aren’t gonna send someone to an all Irish town over some disappearances.” Jack's voice was bitter. Mark hesitated, having to rethink his explanation.

"Fine, I wasn't sent from the government, but I am investigating the disappearances. Been followin’ them all over Ireland." Couldn't exactly tell him the whole truth, with the way people distrusted anyone not of their own background.

Jack didn't look convinced though. He opened his mouth to say more when Mark shushed him, dropping down, and signalling Jack to follow. Surprisingly he did, but not without comments.

"What? What's going on?" He loudly whispered. Did this man have only one volume?

"Someone's out there." Mark responded quietly. He had heard footsteps, maybe fifty yards or so away. Focusing, he could make out about three sets, moving fast and steady heart beats. They were covered in the scent of fresh blood.

Vampires.

"You need to go. Now." He commanded Jack. He couldn't afford to worry about him when he was going to have to deal with three vampires. Not because the idea of this man, this stranger, getting hurt worried him greatly.

Not at all.

"You don't get ta tell me what ta do here laddie." Jack countered. Mark looked over at Jack and grabbed his arm, and almost let go as he was hit with a force like an electric current running through his entire being the moment he laid his hand on Jack's arm. They both drew in a breath, locking eyes. Mark didn't understand what that feeling was, but as he watched Jack's eyes stare at him through the dripping hair that hung in his face, he knew he wasn't alone in it.

Dropping his hand from Jack's arm, he broke the moment and watched as Jack physically shook himself free of the feeling.

"Jack, if ya don't leave now, I can't promise you'll live through this. Please, leave." Mark was basically pleading for him to listen. The others were closing in on their position and Mark couldn't let them get away. Jack looked like he was going to protest again but quickly snapped his mouth closed, nodded, and ran back towards the town. Mark sighed a breath of relief and surprise at him listening to him, ignoring the small twinge of despair as he watched Jack's retreating figure.

Shaking himself of these thoughts, he stood and made his way over to meet the three as they got within sight, taking out his stake.

"This will be fun."

That has most certainly not been fun.

Mark was hobbling back to town, nursing his right wrist against his chest, along with trying to keep his weight off his left leg. Both were broken and going to hurt like hell as the bones re knit together. While having the ability to heal abnormally fast was great and handy, it was an extremely painful process when it kicked in. Mark was just trying to get to shelter and out of this God forsaken rain before it started. At least the sun was setting so it would be easier to sneak back into town undetected, seeing as he was covered in blood. Might frighten a few people.

As he was coming to the end of the forest he saw someone pacing near the edge, continuously looking into the forest then back to the ground, muttering. He realized with a jolt and pleasant flutter in his chest that it was Jack.

Mark forced himself to keep his pace, even if just to keep from aggravating his injuries further as he exited the trees. Jack's head snapped up at the sound of him stepping out, and he ran over to Mark, concern written on his face.

"Oh my Lord! Are you okay? What the hell happened?!" He screeched loudly, causing Mark to wince.

"It's not my blood before you ask, and I'm fine. The others? Not as much." He responded with a smirk.

“Jesus Christ.” Jack mumbled through the hand he placed over his mouth, the other running through his hair. His eyes searched Mark's body, probably looking for injuries and lingered on his wrist and leg. "You obviously are not fine. God, you look like ya were in a blood bath."

You'd be surprised how much blood comes out of a person chest. "The rain is making it look worse than it is."

"You still didn't tell me what the hell happened. Why did ya tell me ta leave?"

Mark had the sudden urge to tell Jack everything, and had to force himself to bite his to tongue.

"It was some of the people taking part in the kidnappings. I needed you to leave so I could deal with them without worrying about your safety." That had been the wrong thing to say, as he watched Jack's defences go up immediately.

"Excuse me? No one needs ta worry about my safety but me so you can shove it. I could 'ave handled me own." He crossed his arms, chest puffed out. Mark was very amused by Jack's drastic shifts in mood.

"Have ya ever been in a fight before Jack? And I don't mean a scrap yard scuffle or drunken disagreement. A real fight." Jack's mouth flopped open and closed for and few seconds before it shut and set into and scowl.

"I thought so." The rain had finally stopped and the clouds were parting, allowing the few strands of sunlight left to break through. Mark started to leave when Jack grabbed his arm. The same electric feeling he felt before surged up, stopping him in his tracks. He looked back at Jack and was captivated by his eyes once again. The sunlight illuminated his blue eyes, making them shine like gems, and Mark could have started into those orbs forever and never tire of them.

"What?" He spoke when he realized Jack had been speaking to him.

Jack let out an amused huff, a small smile forming on his lips. "I said, where do ya think you’re going?"

"I'm going to rest, so I can go back and continue my hunt." Jack's smile faltered and then he frowned.

"I want to help." Mark had been expecting this.

"No. It's too dangerous. You'll get yourself killed. Besides," Mark titled his head, a grim smile on his face. "I work alone."

Jack was going to argue when he noticed he still had a firm grip on Mark's arm. He drew back quickly, a slight blush dusting his face that made Mark's stomach do flips.

Mark turned to go, calling over his shoulder to Jack, "I'll see ya around, Jack."

"Wait!" Mark stopped again, looking back. Jack faltered for a moment, then smiled. "I don't think it's fair that ya know my name but I don't know yours." Mark let out a laugh, and returned Jack's smile before responding, "It's Mark." He continued on his way