Deep in the woods, surrounded by a bog. Rain poured outside but that was a normal occurrence. In Ireland, it rained just about every other day.

A log cabin set in these woods not far from another house that was long ago abandoned. He couldn't go in. It wasn't his old home. He lived in the cabin now.

Alone. Devoid of human contact. The only thing to ever keep him company was the internet.

Since Sean had left the cabin, the man that took it over installed better internet and phone service so he would never have to leave. He'd have everything delivered to him as needed.

It was so quiet there. Only the faint pitter of rain on the roof made any noise.

The man sat in a couch, a bottle in his hand. Once in a while, he'd take a swing of the contents.

Other times he'd glance over at some pictures he had in a shoe box that he never got to opening. But that was okay. In his wallet was the most precious picture of all.

He felt so . . . wrong. He had everything he needed. Food, water, toiletries, heat, internet, phone service, TV, games, alcohol. . . but it wasn't enough. It was never enough.

He took another swig. 

He was sure his brothers had searched for him at first. He guessed that Jackie probably almost went insane trying to find him. Sean knew he was alright though. He'd feel it if he was in trouble. He just wanted to be alone.

The only one he knew would understand was JJ and it wasn't hard for him to keep his silence.

He knew none of them would really understand why he left though. And it wasn't just one thing. It was multiple things crashing down on him all at once. His heart hurt so much from all the drama, the hatred and depression. First his wife left him taking the kids with her, then his job tanked and THEN he was evicted from his apartment. He moved in with the other egos again but that was clearly a mistake with Anti being the drama attention-seeker he was.

He didn't hate Anti but the glitch needed to learn to be responsible and good-mannered sometimes. 

He remembered the night they shared when they were plastered in the living room and he smiled slightly. Anti, although drunk off his ass, completely unveiled himself to Chase heart and soul. He showed his true emotions. They laughed together, hugged and cried and fell asleep together on the couch snuggled up against one another. But apparently Anti hadn't expected that waking up and went completely unhinged in his own embarrassment. It took both Marvin AND Jackie to take him down and even then Henrik had to sedate him.

He couldn't continue thinking about that day. It hurt too much.

The man took another swig.

He was about to turn on the TV and stare blankly at it when his phone buzzed.

It surprised him and he even flinched. No one had called him in so long. The only person now who even had his number was. . . . 

"JJ?"

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Jameson looked everywhere. It had to be here somewhere! He couldn't have lost it!

He was in his room searching for a piece of paper but even though his room was normally spotless, it was still a heavy task.

He clambered through his drawers and books. He had hidden the number for a reason. For him.

He hadn't wanted anyone to know where he was and only gave his new number to Jameson for emergencies. Even though he left the family, he still cared for them all.

'Found it!' he had hidden it in a picture frame.

Jameson swallowed thickly, a little nervous. He hadn't been in contact with the man since he left. But this WAS an emergency. Wasn't it? Anti needed help and it was obvious none of the others really knew what they were doing. They couldn't help him in the way he needed and although him and Anti never quite were on great terms, he knew he cared about him. His love is what Anti needed.

Finding his courage for Anti, Jameson put the number in his phone and texted him.

'Chase, I know it's been a while. But this is an emergency. We need your help.'

He sent the message and waited. It seemed like forever. Probably around a half hour until he finally got a message back. Jameson snatched the phone and read the message.

'What's wrong?'

He replied, 'It's Anti. Something bad happened and he needs you. Just please come home. You'll see for yourself'

'What makes u think I can help? Won't want my help anyways. What happened?'

Jameson sighed at Chase's words but still replied, 'We'll let you know when you get here. But Anti really needs YOUR help. You're the only one that Anti really needs right now, no matter if he'll admit it or not.'

There was a few minutes of nothing until Jameson typed again, 'Please, Chase. It's really bad. I worry for him. Even Schneep does.'

A few more minutes passed by and Jameson was worried Chase wasn't going to text back when his phone suddenly went off again.

'I'm comin. B there in a couple days'

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Anti locked himself in his room again. He wouldn't let ANYONE in, not even Jameson and it was starting to get a bit worrisome. He wouldn't sleep, he wouldn't eat, hell he wouldn't even  get out of bed most of the time. He'd just lay there under the light with the TV on or something on his computer to produce ANY kind of noise. 

'I can't fall asleep. I won't. They can't make me! I can't go in there again. Too dark'

He thought of Dark himself and his heart hurt. But why would THAT hurt him? He wasn't his friend anymore! Dark threw him aside like worthless trash and has done nothing but manipulate and push him around since! If he hated him then fine! He didn't need him anyways.

He couldn't push away the memories, though. Of when they actually got along and were friends. Before Anti decided to move in with the other egos. Before Dark had asked him to do something unforgivable.

Anti felt his eyes drifting closed but suddenly moved to slap himself sharply, yelping and glitching as he did so. He sat up and shivered as his body convulsed out of his control. 

Honestly, he looked like an animal, crazed, hungry and dirty. But he wouldn't leave the room no matter what and he couldn't trust the food that Marvin had spelled in there for him. 

'He could have drugged it like Henrik did. I won't fall for it again!'

He couldn't even tell if it was night or day at the moment, he had his curtains closed. At first he knew he was being childish but now with the lack of sleep the past couple days, he thought it was all rational.

Now he REALLY believed he was still in the void. How couldn't he be? Nothing made sense here anymore!

The other egos actually cared about him? Sean APOLOGIZED to him? Henrik came back? It was all fucking madness! They would have never treated him with the kindness they were now. And Dark's reaction to him. There's no way that was actually Dark. That asshole would never look at him that way. With such pity.

Anti was convinced.

But as long as he couldn't see the darkness or hear that ringing then everything was fine.

'Everything will be fine if I just stay awake. . .'

Suddenly the doorbell rang, making Anti flinch but he pushed himself up against the headboard, hugging himself, ignoring how loudly his stomach growled and how droopy his eyes were.

Meanwhile downstairs, Jameson ran to the door before anyone could stop him or answer it first.

"Geez" Marvin chuckled, "Who do you think Jameson's been waiting for? Never seen him run like that"

"I don't know." Jackie sighed, "Any luck with Anti yet? You tried to get in again, right?"

The magician nodded, "Yeah but he's still as stubborn as always. I tried to get in his room but he tried attacking me immediately. I don't know what to do and I don't want to just knock him out. It'd just freak him out even more."

"Yes, yes" Henrik groaned, "But zhere isn't much else we can do. He needs sleep and food but he is not touching it! He'll starve before he finally shuts his eyes. We need to do something"

"Hear from Sean today?" Marvin asked.

Jackie shook his head, "No. I think he still blames himself. Maybe he thinks that if he stays away from Anti, it'll make him better. I don't know."

There was a deafening sigh that suddenly filled the room.

They all turned to look towards the kitchen entrance and gaped at the newcomer.

"So. . . . " Chase broke the silence with JJ by his side beaming, "I hear you guys broke Anti. Mind telling what the fuck happened?"

"What the fu-" Jackie shook off and ran to him, "CHASE!? What the fuck!?" 

The father was unprepared for a bear hug but couldn't help the small smile that crawled onto his face, "Hey Jackie. How've you guys been? I heard Sean's name mentioned. He here?"

Jackie let go of him and shook his head, "No. And uh . . . Things haven't been easy since you left, Chase. Especially recently."

Marvin and Henrik quickly came forward as well to give the man a hug, "We missed you, bro" Marvin clapped his shoulder lightly.

Henrik nodded, "Tis been strange without you, Brody. Things have been a been more . . . .dramatic since your absence."

"I figured that when JJ texted me a few days ago." he said, wanting to cut through the chit-chat, "So about Anti. JJ told me something bad happened but he wouldn't elaborate. . .  Tell me everything. Now"

.

.

.

.

"Jesus Fucking Christ" Chase rolled his eyes at them, "Are you FUCKING kidding me!? Marvin, you fucking LET it happen?! How could you!?"

Marvin shrunk a little under the father's tone, "I didn't know! None of us did except for Henrik and he hasn't been here!"

"Hasn't been here? What do you mean?"

Henrik grunted, "I uh . . . I actually moved out not long after you left, Brody. I only returned because Jackie told me of Anti's condition out of the void. And it's worse than I thought."

Chase bit his lip, "So drugging him and trying to hypnotize him isn't working" he glared at them, "Have any of you actually tried TALKING to him?"

The were silent but Jameson bounced a little to get attention and signed, 'I tried signing to him the other day before I texted you. He seemed better at first until Henrik drugged him. He woke up screaming.'

"He's terrified of zhe dark" Henrik stated, "I think he still thinks he's in the void. According to others I've known who've been there, the void can cause illusions if there for a long enough period of time."

"So he thinks you all aren't real?" Chase sighed, "And you haven't talked to him to prove otherwise? Man, you guys are dolts"

Jackie scoffed, "Like talking would help anything! He won't listen to us!"

"It's not you that has to do the talking." Chase huffed, "Forget it, I'll go up to his room and do it myself. Teach you brats how it's done"

"Wait, what?" Marvin gaped at him, "Ch-Chase, wait! He's dangerous right now! You can't!"

Chase just walked up the stairs, ignoring his ego brothers behind him.

As he made it to the door, Chase stopped and looked at the door in front of him. He smirked, remembering how much he used to mess with Anti by knocking on his door and running away before he could open it.

He softly knocked on the door.

Nothing.

So he knocked harder and kept knocking until he knew it would be annoying enough.

"̶G̸O̷ ̴A̷W̸A̵Y̷!̸" the yell almost startled Chase but he refused to stop so he kept knocking.

He heard the glitch on the other side growl like an animal and it almost bothered him.

Until the door opened and Chase saw him.

Anti was skinnier than the last time he saw him. Paler besides the red tear streaks down his face. Anti's first reaction was a snarl and his eyes glowed green, glitching intimidatingly. 

But then he realized who it was and the glitching ceased, his eyes going back to normal. He looked stunned, albeit confused and Chase suddenly saw just how much like a child Anti now looked. He looked. . . . so afraid.

"Ch-Chase?"

The father wanted to hug him so badly. He could see in Anti's eyes the pain he's gone through in such a short amount of time. It hurt him so much. It was like looking in a mirror, really.

"Anti. . . I came home, brat. Heard you've been stirring trouble"

Anti still looked confused as all hell but it was now crossed with an indignant expression. Offended.

He tried slamming the door in front of Chase but he wouldn't be thwarted and shoved his foot in the crack, "Now, now. Just let me in. I only want to talk, brat"

"̷N̴o̵"̴ he hissed, "You're not real, anyways so why should I listen to you!?"

'Shit, Henrik was right.' Chase thought, 'He really does think he's still in there'

"I'm not an illusion, Anti. I'm real. You can trust me. I mean, not that you ever have, but"

"Why?"

He knew what he was asking and shrugged, "Why not?" the classic turnabout question of a dad to ask.

Usually Anti wouldn't be swayed so easily but Chase saw the bags under his eyes and knew the lack of sleep clouded his judgement a bit. Anti slowly stepped out of the way and let him in, not seeing the surprised looks on the others' faces as Chase got to just walk right in his room.

Anti shut the door behind him and locked the door. Unfazed, Chase looked around with his hands in his pockets and smiled, "It's been a while, Anti. How've ya been?"

"C̶l̷a̵m̶ ̷i̵t̵.̷ ̸What's this about?"

"Well which is it? Be quiet or talk? You're not making a lot of sense, Anti"

Chase went over to the bed and sat down. He pat the space beside him, "Come have a seat, bro. I just wanna talk"

Cautiously, Anti started to walk over but stopped himself and remained standing, "No. S̴p̶e̵a̵k̴"

Chase rolled his eyes, "Still as stubborn as always, I see. So the others tell me they wrongfully shut you into the void? That couldn't have been fun? You happy to finally be out I bet, right? They said Marvin took away your power so you couldn't escape yourself"

"Cut the shit" Anti growled at him, "Illusions trying to move me. I won't g̶o̶ ̶t̵o̴ ̴s̸l̶e̴e̸p̴!̵ I won't go back to the dark!"

"Easy there, easy" Chase remained cool and calm and this seemed to help as Anti relaxed a little.

"How long were you in there, dude?"

"I never left" Anti looked around a bit in paranoia, "I know it."

"Why do you think that?"

"Tch" he rubbed his eyes of the tiredness he felt and clenched his fists, "It's all wrong here. A̸l̴l̴ ̵w̴r̶o̴n̴g̸.̵"̷

"What's wrong, Anti? Tell me"

"̷̖͍̻̭̏̋͘É̷̞̣̒͝V̷̧̼̆̅̂͝Ę̴͇͙̈́͘͜R̷̭̝̩̈́́Y̷̩͔̋̒̌ͅT̷̤̣͙͌H̸̡̗͝͝Į̸̪͙̣̾N̴̨͇̠͕̐͑͌̍G̴̬͋͝ͅ!̸̮̿̏͘"̶̬͎̓͊̈́ He glitched and the light overhead and TV started flickering and static pulsed from him. In a few seconds, it was over but Chase didn't seem bothered. It was almost . . . . reassuring to Anti. He relaxed again.

"No one cared about me before. So why are they pretending to now? Henrik was gone before. Sean apologized to me. Y̷O̸U̷'̶R̸E̷ here! Wh-what. . .tell me this is real! What part of it seems real!? ̸I̸t̵ ̴d̸o̷e̷s̸n̶'̸t̵!̷ It's all a lie! A farce! And I won't be fooled by it!"

Chase was saddened by Anti's words but it made sense to him. Of course Anti would feel that way. He's never known anything more than pretend care. . . right?

"So you think you're still in the void because people suddenly care about you now? What else, Anti?"

"There doesn't N̶E̵E̶D̷ ̷to be anything else"

"Hm. I disagree. Come now, Anti, you've always been smart. Conniving." he snorted a little with a smirk, "Look me in the eyes and tell me I'm not me. Tell me I'm not Chase fucking Brody"

It was silent between them for a moment. Anti glared at him, distrusting until he finally stepped a little closer, inspecting him more.

Anti swallowed thickly, throat sore from lack of water and food but came so close that he finally saw the look in Chase's eyes.

All that emotion. So much feeling that no illusion could just mimic. So full of sorrow, anger and care. Anti narrowed his eyes but relaxed a bit more. Finally the glitch slowly came beside Chase and sat next to him on the bed.

The silence was almost unnerving but it calmed the both of them. Anti could hear Chase's breathing and finally he let his shoulders droop, completely leaving himself unguarded before him.

About a half hour went by like that until finally Anti broke the silence, stifling a yawn, "I'm tired"

"Then go to sleep."

"I don't want to."

"Why not?"

"I'll wake up in the-"

"You won't wake up in the void, Anti." Chase interrupted him, "I promise. I'll still be here when you wake up. And when you do, I'll get you your favorite meal. I bet you're hungry, aren't you?"

As if on cue, Anti's stomach rumbled and Chase chuckled, "Unless you want food now?"

He shook his head, "̸D̴r̸u̴g̵g̷e̷d̵"̴

"I won't let anyone drug your food."

Anti glared at the wall in front of him for a bit before finally giving in, "Stay?"

Chase lightly pat his back and helped him lay down onto the bed. Chase then saw just how much like a kid he really looked.

'He looks just like-' he stopped himself and pulled a cover over his brother, "I'll be right here the entire time, Anti. No matter what. I won't leave. I swear it"

Anti stared at Chase for what seemed like forever but the father didn't mind. He just laid a hand Anti's leg over the covers, letting him know he was there as he finally drifted off, although shakily.

'Fucking hell' Chase let his own shoulders drop, 'What the fuck kind of pain did you go through, Anti? You're unrecognizable'

He covered his mouth and forced himself not to cry. Seeing Anti so scared was heart-wrenching enough but for him to trust him so easily!? Never in a million years would Anti trust him but here he was, trusting him to stay by his side so that he could sleep without worry. Perhaps that was the father in Chase, always so relaxed and knowing how to deal with kids what with having a couple of his own? Anti was so scared right now, he'd fall into anything that resembled parental, he figured. Protective.

'But we're like peas in a pod, aren't we, Anti?' Chase huffed to himself, 'And yet the others paint you as the only bad guy when we all know what I did. If anyone deserves what you went through, it's me. To be broken. Smashed to pieces. I honestly don't know if you'll ever be the same again, Anti. But then again, is that a good or a bad thing?'

He stayed there with his thoughts the entire night, his hand never leaving Anti. His body never even moving an inch.

'Can I even do anything to help you at this point?'