"Mark, get up."

Mark groaned sleepily as Dark's voice rang in his head once again, his tone urgent.

"What?" Mark grumbled as he rubbed his eyes.

"I need you to let me talk to Anti, I can't deal with him anymore." Dark insisted.

"No way!" Mark answered instantly as he rolled over to go back to sleep, ignoring the demon.

"I was only asking as a mere formality." Dark replied as he took control of Mark's body, which was easy since Mark wasn't fully awake yet.

Mark, or rather Dark, strode through the house looking for Jack, his black eyes thoroughly scanning each room.

Chica was asleep in the living room, oblivious to what was happening.

"Hello again Darki."

Dark froze with a growl as Anti pressed the point of his knife against the back of the demon's neck with enough force to draw blood, a single drop of crimson slowly trailing down Dark's back.

Mark tried to fight back for control, but found that he couldn't do anything while Dark was locking him in the back of his own mind, leaving him in the dark.

"Don't call me that." Dark warned coldly, seeming indifferent about the threat of death at hand.

"Aw, someone still sore about the good ol' times?" Anti taunted in a pouty tone, causing Dark's blood to boil with rage.

"Don't you see that you can't take over this world while I'm in it?!" Dark snapped as he whirled around, grabbing Anti's arm and twisting it until he released the knife.

The weapon fell to the floor with a metallic clang while Anti laughed in response, his grin only irritating Dark further.

"You really care about these pathetic humans? They're just our vessels!" Anti exclaimed as he gestured at himself with his free arm.

"No, I..." Dark trailed off with an exasperated sigh, the demon scowling as he let go of Anti's arm.

"They're weak." Anti stated as he picked up the knife, Dark tackling him to the ground in response.

"Trying to save Mark are ya? How sweet." Anti remarked as the knife skidded out of his grasp down the hall. 

"You see, I don't need this vessel to survive. I can very easily find another one, and you'd never have to see me again." Anti continued as Dark got off of him, allowing Anti to stand up and brush himself off.

"You don't have to kill him." Dark countered with a frown.

"The choice is yours Darki. Kill Mark's best friend and never have to see me again, or spare him and be constantly reminded of how you fucked up." Anti stated with a shrug as he picked up the knife, pressing the blade against his own neck.

Mark screamed for Dark to say no, his voice hoarse with the effort as he cried for freedom, praying that Dark would listen.

Dark glared at Anti before taking a step back, slowly raising his hands in surrender.

Anti smirked in victory as he lowered the knife, satisfied with Dark's answer.

Just as Dark started to relinquish control back to Mark, Anti charged towards him with his knife pointed directly at his heart.

Before Mark could comprehend what was happening, he felt Dark leave his body and quickly shift into shadow form, the knife plunging into Dark's chest instead of Mark's.

The dark haired demon made no sound as he fell to his knees to the floor, the shadow dripping wisps of black as he faded away, returning to Mark's body.

"What just happened? Are you okay?!" Jack shouted frantically as he ran over to Mark, shaking Mark from his stunned stupor.

"He saved my life." Mark murmured in surprise.

"He? You mean Dark? How? Why?" Jack pressed urgently, his eyes shining with confusion and fear.

Mark didn't answer as he closed his eyes, listening for Dark.

For once, the demon didn't reply.

"I think he's gone." Mark told Jack as he leaned against the wall of the hallway.

Jack was silent as he leaned against the wall opposite to Anti.

"I wish Anti had just killed me." Jack admitted quietly, his gaze fixated on the floor.

"Jack-"

"I nearly killed you several times, the only decent demon in this hell-scape is dead because of me, and Felix is gone!" Jack interrupted, his eyes welling with tears.

"It's not safe for us to stay together, not with Anti and Dark trying to kill each other and us in the process." Jack whispered as he finally looked Mark in the eyes.

"I...as much as I hate it, you're right." Mark nodded, swallowing hard.

"I-I guess I'll go." Jack stammered as he shuffled over to the door.

"Wait, I'm not making you leave without extra clothes and stuff." Mark cut in, dashing off to fill a couple of bags with supplies.

"Why do you have two bags?" Jack questioned as he took the one Mark offered him.

"If I stay here, Anti knows where my house is and will just find me again. I have to go somewhere where he won't find me." Mark explained as he shouldered his backpack, another bag in hand filled with things for Chica.

"I can't believe that any of this is happening." Jack muttered in disbelief as he looked out the window at the eerily silent neighborhood, the sun shining on as if nothing was different about the world.

Chica whimpered as she laid down next to Mark, her fur brushing against his leg.

"We'll make it through this, we just have to figure something out." Mark assured the Irishman, hoping he could convince himself as well.

Jack didn't reply as he swung the door open, hesitating before he whirled back around and hugged Mark tightly, the male burying his face into Mark's shoulder.

Mark hugged Jack back and finally let his tears fall freely, both afraid of what was awaiting them outside.

"Once everything is fixed, I'll see you again." Mark promised Jack, sniffing as he wiped his own tears away.

"I'd like that." Jack hiccuped, smiling weakly as he dried off his face with the back of his hand.

"Stay safe out there." Mark told him before walking off, Chica padding alongside.

Mark forced himself to not look back by looking at Chica, the dark haired male knowing that if he did, he'd never be able to go on.