Sean stared at his phone screen, fallen once again into a dazed trance.

All the nonsense that came with every scroll he made.

Every swipe of his finger. . . .

It was all just more and more of the same.

Trolling. Hate. Parasocializing. Fan-girl and fan-boying.

It was all so. . . . exhausting.

Was this just how the internet was anymore for him?

Was this all he was going to see now?

It was just so depressing.

He sighed, looking on Reddit. He had already gotten off of Twitter now X, but it was too much for him. And Fuck Tumblr, he didn't dare set over there still for a long while. Instagram was okay but he didn't really look at the comments anymore. He liked to look at Evelien's pictures she'd post, at least. They were wholesome and sweet with their cat BB and doing her puzzles and hobbies.

He hated looking at his own account, though. Anything he happened to be tagged in. It was all just so . . ..  monotonous.

People telling him how he saved them. How he was their only source of smiling or laughter. It was a LOT of pressure to be put on him. He didn't even know them or their lives.

It was a lot that he couldn't take anymore.

He hardly even posted videos on YouTube. He was trying to take time away for his own other hobbies.

He'd do puzzles with Evelien, play with BB, cook, paint his warhammer figurines, play Bloodborne . . .

Nothing lately seemed to make him feel . . ..  better.

Social Media was just. . . a virus to him.

"Hey hon, you doing okay?"

Sean blinked, looking up to see Evelien, "Oh hey" he smiled a little, "Done with your stream?"

"Yeah, it was fun" she sat next to him on the couch, "What'd you do today?"

He sighed, "Oh . . . not a lot, I guess. Tell me about your stream. What games did you play?"

Sean listened as best he could. Hearing her voice was all needed, he loved her so much.

He didn't even realize she had asked him a question, "Sean?"

He blinked "Oh . .  I'm sorry. What?"

Evelien pecked his lips with a small kiss, "Wake up, sleepy head. . . . . I asked when you think your friend will be here this weekend?"

His friend?

It took him a second to think of who she was talking about.

'Oh, right. Him.'

"Oh, Mark. . . . He said the plane will be at the airport in the afternoon. Two, I think. He's still really busy, I guess. Trying to still do stuff for his new movie AND maintaining friendships"

Evelien caught the spite in his voice, "Hey, I'm sure he's trying his best. You guys have been friends for years, right?"

"Yeah . . . . ." Sean didn't really want to think about it right now, though.

It wasn't ALL on Mark. He had been busy, too, he supposed. What with his coffee company, his comic books he had to approve and now his new video game coming out soon? It was a lot of choices and decisions to make. That was why he left Cloak, to focus more on those things.

It wasn't as if Mark had a lot of involvement in Cloak either, now.

But with that and since he had unfollowed so many people on Twitter and other social Media, it seemed people were even MORE invested in his personal life than ever.

'That's what I get for trying to keep off of it. . . . but then I can't stay away. It's like a parasite. . . and Mark isn't making things any easier. We haven't even talked in months.'

Sean sighed again, worried about this weekend.

Evelien turned on the TV but Sean wasn't really watching it.

There was something about a meteor shower supposed to happen sometime this weekend. . . .

Mark was hurrying as fast as he could with all he was trying to work on at once.

He lost track of how many all-nighters he pulled. All the projects he was working on at once. All the decisions that had to be made.

How to work his render farm, finding a distributor for his movie, trying to find locations for his NEXT movie, trying to keep up with the Distractible podcast and Go! My Favorite Sports Team. Trying to maintain his friendships with Bob, Wade, Tyler, Ethan and Sean.

He felt the worst about Sean.

Ever since he started his movie, he hadn't been doing a lot of other things. He had been so FOCUSED. The others were easier because he either had a podcast with them every week or in Ethan's case, he at least lived nearby.

But Sean was clear across the world. Mark felt bad he couldn't ever talk, especially on Sean's schedule when he was most likely awake. He even forgot all about his Thankmas stream when he was IN LA a while back.

Mark felt bad that he had to go back to Texas that day. Then after that, his mother was visiting him in LA.

But now seemed like the perfect opportunity for work AND having a fun day with a friend! He was worried but also genuinely excited.

He hadn't spoken to Sean in Months.

Amy peeked in his office, "Hey, how's it going? Have you packed yet?"

Mark's eyes widened, "Oh shit. . . no, I haven't. Just. . . I'll do it in a bit. I just need to finish this ONE thing with the movie and I'll be done for tonight"

"Okay, sure" Amy smiled, "I'll save you some dinner in the oven"

"Thanks, Ames! Love you!"

One thing about Mark . . .. . even though he was somewhat aware of how his work was affected his friendships . . . he still wasn't completely seeing HOW getting so obsessed with his work was affecting his entire LIFE.

It was the weekend.

Sean was at the airport ready to flag Mark down. He already had an Uber ready outside to take them home since he couldn't drive.

On the outside, Sean tried to pretend to be excited but really, he was extremely nervous. He wished he had Evelien there with him but she had to stay with BB.

Finally, Mark was visible and Sean waved over at him, "MARK! Over here!"

Mark heard him and grinned, "Hey!" he walked over to him.

That's when things got awkward.

Mark was ready to come up to hug him but upon seeing the look in Sean's eyes, he stopped himself, giving a smile instead, "Uh. . .hey bud!"

Sean wasn't sure why Mark was acting so weird. It looked like he was going to try and hug him. What stopped him? Did he just change his mind? He was sort of hurt by it but tried to get over it.

They were still friends.. .  right?

"Hey, man. . .. " he smiled, "Uh. . . looks like you still need to go get your luggage, huh? I got an Uber outside.. . . Come on, I'll help ya"

"Cool, thanks!" Mark still wanted to hug his friend but something between them just told him it'd be forced.

When they got in the Uber, they talked about a few things that happened on the plane but it wasn't anything much. By the time they got to Sean's house, Evelien was outside waving them down with a big smile on her face.

"Hi! Need some help, Mark? How was the flight?"

Mark grinned, "Hi Gab! Yeah, it wasn't too bad. I was just telling Sean how-" he stopped, noticing how Sean was already getting in the trunk of the car, pulling out Mark's luggage by himself.

"Oh hey, I got it!"

Sean stopped him, though, "No, man, it's fine. I got it. I already paid the Uber, too. Tell Evelien the story. It was funny"

Mark still wasn't sure. He felt like Sean was angry with him about something. He grabbed the last thing of luggage out of the car for him, "I got this one. . . So anyway-"

Once they got in the house and Mark put his luggage in their spare room, Sean realized he was slowly getting a headache.

"Ugh, god . . ." Instead of pills, though, Sean decided to try some tea first, making some chamomile.

Evelien was watching him, "You've been getting a lot of headaches lately. You okay?"

"Yeah .. .yeah, I'm fine" he sipped on some tea, "Just nerves is all."

Evelien hugged him, "I know you're not really happy he's here but maybe this could be your chance to be REALLY good friends again, yeah? I sensed the awkwardness earlier. Just relax."

Sean sighed and hugged her back, "Easier said than done. He cares more about his fucking projects than me. Wouldn't shut up about all the locations he wanted to scout out tomorrow. I'm gonna have to pay for an Uber AGAIN because he's just blowing all his money on a movie that might not even ever be in theaters."

"It'll be okay, Sean" Evelien tried to console him, "Just breathe. . . .it'll all work out. Maybe you should talk to him?"

"I don't know"

Little did Sean know, Mark had heard all of the conversation. He was getting ready to come into the kitchen with them when he heard Sean's sharp words.

'Is that. . . is that what he really thinks?'

Something in him darkened.

'Does he not realize how much pressure I'VE been under? How much work I've been doing?'

Anger was starting to bubble inside of him.

But he couldn't confront Sean. Not in front of Evelien like that.

He'd wait until later tomorrow to talk to him alone.

Evelien was right. Maybe they just needed to talk.

The next day, Mark and Sean were in an Uber again, scouting locations for Mark's next big project.

"I was thinking maybe we could check out this building and then this field? It's public, right? Ooo, and then what about this park?"

They were driving by a forest currently and Mark suddenly got an idea, "Maybe on the way back to your place we could check out that forest, too"

Sean was tired already of hearing about Mark's new project but tried to think about what Evelien said.

"Uh . ..  yeah. I hear there's supposed to be meteor shower tonight. Might be cool to see it from that clearing down there"

Mark lit up, "Oh cool! Really? Yeah, that sounds neat. Speaking of shower, is that vanilla and lavender, I smell? Did you use your girlfriend's soap or is that actually yours?" he teased.

Sean sensed he was joking and snorted, "Hey, man, fuck off" he laughed a little, "Say what you want, I smell GREAT"

"Hey, I'm not complaining! You almost smell like Amy!" Mark joked again.

Sean shoved him lightly, "I fucking hate you" but he smiled as he said it.

Mark . . . . still wasn't too sure if he meant it or not. His heart felt a little bitter still about what he overheard Sean say last night.

But they were trying.

Right?

Maybe things could be better between them after all and they could be friends again?

By the time evening was approaching, though, Sean was so fucking done with the day.

Mark just wouldn't shut up.

Sean knew that seemed rude of him to think that way but he just wanted Mark to leave already.

It was always the same topics.

His podcasts, his movie, his NEW movie project, a new sponsor he had, his newest weird hyper fixation that was apparently buying rendering farms off of ebay.

It was always the same shit over and over again.

So fucking boring and all about HIM.

Sean wasn't sure he even got a full sentence in the entire day.

Sean knew that Mark was trying to just talk with him but it was just so annoying! Did he even realize that he was just talking all about himself? He hadn't even asked Sean anything or let him talk really all day.

"We should probably get another Uber" Sean stopped him mid 'conversation'

Mark looked surprised, "O. . .oh. Really? Oh, I guess, it IS starting to get dark outside. Maybe we could stop by the forest tomorrow night? We probably won't be able to see anything of value from the forest by the time we get there, it'll be too dark. Plus, I don't wanna run into anything creepy. You know video games, right? That's how a horror game starts! Anyway, what'd you think of the locations today? I think the park was probably a little too crowded but that warehouse seemed pretty alright. Maybe then again, that other place looked better with more room. There was plenty of light, too and-"

"Oh my god will you just SHUT THE FUCK UP ALREADY?!"

Mark fell silent.

Sean covered his mouth, realizing he shouted that outloud.

"Uh. . . ." Mark seemed a little dejected, "Sean? What'd I say?"

But Sean just couldn't keep it in anymore. He sighed and uncovered his mouth, " . . It's just. . . FUCK, you've just gone on and on and ON about the same shit all fucking day. And all day YESTERDAY, too. You talk about all the same shit on your podcasts, too and it's just so fucking annoying." he took a breathe, "You have nothing to say about anything else about our friends, or other hobbies, video games or movies you're NOT directing . . . it's like. . . do you even KNOW how to be a friend, anymore? You just keep talking about YOURSELF.  ..  ALL THE FUCKING TIME"

Mark and Sean were currently in an empty warehouse. They didn't have the Uber with them anymore since they got back into town. Everything in Brighton was in walking distance. They were completely alone.

They could let it all out in the open.

"Yeah?" Mark snorted, "Well maybe I'd have something else to talk about if you'd actually SAY something back to me. You've just been so fucking quiet today, what else new would I have to talk about? I can't help it that nothing else new has happened in my life"

"Actually, you fucking can" Sean snapped back at him, "You haven't even fucking TEXTED in half a fucking year, Mark!"

"You know I'm not good with texting!" Mark yelled back, "I'm bad at remembering to text back!"

"Or you're just bad at being a FRIEND!" Sean yelled at him just as loud, "For fucks sake, Mark! You don't even know anything about me anymore!"

"Well maybe I would if you just TALKED to me instead of giving me an evil fucking eye!"

Sean rolled his eyes, "Fuck this, I'm getting us an Uber back NOW"

Mark fell silent. Sean wanted to end the conversation so abruptly. Like that was that.

"Maybe I should just leave tomorrow" Mark huffed, "It's clear you don't really want me here"

Sean ignored him. He couldn't even look at him, choosing to distract himself on his phone. Not that being on his phone helped any, either.

To Mark, Sean's silence was enough of an answer.

By the time the Uber got there, Mark and Sean were just. . . .done.

Sean felt bad but also. . . . why should Mark get a pass for not even trying to do better?

Mark felt bad too but also . . . he was TRYING his BEST. He knew it wasn't good enough but at least he was trying, right? Did it even matter?

Looking out the window, Mark noticed the forest in range. The sun was starting to set but he didn't care.

Out of spite, Mark cleared his throat, "Go down over by the forest, will you? We have one last place to look at"

Sean glared at him but Mark didn't care.

"If I'm not gonna be here tomorrow, I'd want to check it out tonight and get it over with."

Fair enough.

The Uber dropped them off by a hiking trail, telling them he'd wait for an hour and then he'd leave.

That was alright. They wouldn't be long anyway.

Mark and Sean left the Uber and started walking down the trail.

In the back of his head, Sean got the feeling that this would be a perfect place for him to get attacked and die. Mark could just bury him somewhere and it'd take weeks for anyone to find his corpse.

Sean shook his head. Mark wouldn't kill him.

Things were quiet, though, in the forest.

Too quiet.

The sun set almost too fast and it very quickly turned dark.

Sean used his phone as a flashlight to light their way on the path.

Mark followed another path out to a small clearing, looking around.

He didn't say anything, though. Sean didn't want to hear him talk, then so be it.

However. . . Sean was still pissed, "So what, now you're just gonna give me the silent treatment? I couldn't shut you up earlier"

Mark refused to say anything, looking up at the night sky.

Sean crossed his arms, "You have no fucking idea. . . .you're so fucking dumb. Ethan called me the other day . . you don't even really talk to HIM anymore and he LIVES near you. You're so stuck up your own ass, you can't even see what's right in front of you. You're fucking up your own life and you can't even acknowledge it"

Mark whirled around, "Are you fucking kidding me!? You have NO idea how hard I've been working! All the hoops I've had to jump through! All the sleepless nights and STUPID people I've had to talk to trying to work through this stupid fucking movie! You don't UNDERSTAND what I'm GOING THROUGH, SEAN!"

The meteors started flying by in the sky above them.

Sean spat back at him, "OH, I DON'T!? That's fucking rich! You're just SO fucking busy all the time, you can't even make time for your friends!? You're just being selfish, Mark! Admit it!"

"I'M DOING THIS FOR MY FRIENDS!" Mark lost control over his anger, "You think I don't care about them!? I DO! I know Bob and Wade need the money, that's why they had a spot in my last movie! Ethan and Tyler are in it, too! I tried to ask you before if you wanted in it but you said you were too busy, yourself! I've been trying hard to get this movie in theaters for THEM! So don't you fucking DARE tell me I'm selfish, you son of a bitch! If anyone here is selfish, it's YOU!"

"HOW THE FUCK AM I SELFISH!? YOU HAVEN'T EVEN REALLY SPOKEN TO ME TODAY!"

"Someone has to fill the fucking silence since it's clear you weren't gonna!"

More meteors were racing by above them but none of them even notice a stray breaking off.

"YOU HAVE NO IDEA WHAT I'VE BEEN GOING THROUGH LATELY, MARK AND THAT'S ON YOU FOR NOT PICKING UP THE FUCKING PHONE!"

"PHONES WORK BOTH WAYS, SEAN!"

"NOT IF YOU DON'T PICK THE FUCK UP!"

"When I call you, you never fucking ANSWER!" Mark shouted, "I KNOW YOU HAVE DEPRESSION AND YOU'RE PANICKING ALL THE FUCKING TIME BUT YOU'RE NOT THE ONLY ONE!"

Sean fell silent.

Was Mark . . ..

Was he trying to say that. . . .

Mark started to cry which really started to freak Sean out.

Mark didn't ever cry unless he was REALLY upset or emotional.

"I. . ..  you're not the only one. . . ..  I wish . . .. I just wish. . . .. I was better. . . stronger. I wish that things could be easier, you know? Maybe then, we could be friends ag-"

BOOM!

A suddenly crash to the ground near their clearing halted everything.

Dust and dirt rolled up and Sean and Mark fell to the ground coughing.

Sean didn't feel injured but whatever just crash landed by them was close.

Too close.

Mark coughed but stood up as best he could, "S-Sean?! Sean, are you okay?!"

Sean tried to talk but he couldn't stop coughing.

He took out his phone again and tried to use the flashlight to see where Mark was.

Mark saw the light  . .. but he also saw another light.

As did Sean.

They both stood up and slowly walked over to it, meeting next to each other.

Mark turned to him, "What is it?"

Sean finally got over his coughing fit and cleared his throat, "I don't know. . . . looks irradiated, though"

"I don't think so" Mark shook his head, "Wouldn't it be glowing green, then? It's blue"

"Isn't it a meteor? Who's to say the space rock can't be irradiating BLUE radiation?" Sean argued.

Mark rolled his eyes, still angry with him, ". . . .It looks like a crystal. I'm gonna touch it"

"Don't do that!" Sean swat him, "You don't even know what it is!"

But something was telling Mark he really WANTED to touch it.

It was like . . ..

It was calling to him.

Mark tilted his head. . . as if listening, " . . . .I need to touch it" he reached down.

Sean tried to stop him, "MARK, NO!"

He grabbed his shoulder to pull him back but it wasn't enough.

Mark made contact with the crystal . . . and Sean made contact with Mark.

It was like a ripple ran through them.

They froze in place.

Pain shot through their bodies but they couldn't move.

In an instant, they were gone.

The clearing was empty.

Mark opened his eyes holding the crystal still. He. . . no. . . Sean and him were in some kind of. . . wormhole?

Light and power rippled and pulsed all around them like shockwaves.

Mark felt something cold inside of him, still gripping onto the crystal. Something seeded its way through into his head and burrowed deep inside. He felt . . . stronger but also . . ..

'Who . .. what. . . am I?'

It was as if his brain was erased and everything just reset.

Sean wasn't faring any better.

Shockwaves crashed through him. He still held his phone in his other hand and it snapped and popped against his skin but he couldn't let it go.

He felt like he was being electrocuted. He felt. . .

Connected?

He couldn't explain it but also . . ..

'What. . ..  who . . am I?'

Everything felt weird. Like a wire had been cut in his head that he couldn't replace.

His phone was long gone, turned to ash and lightning crackled around him.

He knew he wasn't alone, though.

'Who is that?'

Before he could see the person in front of him, he blacked out.

When he opened his eyes again, he felt. . exhausted.

What happened?

Who was he?

WHAT was he?

He was laying on the cold ground in an. . . alley?

Someone else was in front of him on the ground, too.

'Who is that?'

Whoever it was. . . he had something in his hand.

It was glowing.

It was pretty.

He wanted to touch it.

It CALLED to him.

Crawling forward slowly, he reached out toward the crystal in the other man's hand.

As soon as he touched the man's hand, though, he woke up, anger in his eyes.

He clenched his hand around the crystal. Suddenly he felt very protective over it, whatever it was.

His eyes turned black and growled almost demonically at 'Sean', "Get away from me"

In an instant, he was gone.

Something inside 'Sean' knew though. . . . .. whoever he was. . .he had to get that crystal back from that guy.  . whoever he was.

Eventually, after a while, he DID find him again and they fought but this entity . . this Dark entity had somehow trapped him inside of the void.

Left there to be discovered by none other than Henrik himself some time later. . . . . . . . .

Named as the Anti-matter entity of Iris.

Or how he called himself . . . .  Anti.