Henrik wasn't actually sleeping in his room. He couldn't. 

Every time he slept, he'd dream of his little girl and it tore him apart. 

Everyone knew of what had happened and they had given him space but now after almost two years, they have seemed to move on. Even his ex-wife and son somewhat. But not him.

Never him.

The good doctor could see all the math in his head still from last night. He was so close to figuring it out and he'd never quite.

Anti was the key. He'd go to Dark but he didn't trust him as far as he could throw him. Plus what he had heard him say that one night when they were all gathered on the rooftop of the clock tower was still in his head.

Flashback

Dark just stood there but his shock had faded and he breathed a deep sigh, "You lot sent him into the void . . . . .didn't you?"

They all made it up to the roof as well and the doctor rushed over to Anti, "Anti! My friend, are you alright?! Open your eyes, lad!"

Sean covered his mouth, unsure of how to react to Anti's state. He had never seen him like this before. He felt horrible.

Dark's growl alerted Sean and he looked over at him, "Of all the things you could have done to him, sending him to the void was the LAST thing I expected from you. Even I wouldn't send anyone there alone. Congratulations, Sean McLoughlin. You made me actually pity the glitch."

With that, Dark was gone in an instant, leaving the Septic egos on their own to try and help Anti.

End of Flashback

'Even Dark would never send anyone into the void alone. Which means I can't be alone. If I have to, I will but . . . . we'll see. Anti has agreed with the experiment even though he does not know vhat it entails. We'll see'

He was hoping Anti would help. He was more compliant than ever and at the party, he seemed to like the kids somewhat. It's just that the next time there was trouble, there wasn't anything anyone could do.

There was nothing any of them could have done to save poor Olivia.

But then a certain Iplier planted a thought into his head when he was at his darkest moment in life.

Flashback

Dr. Iplier handed Henrik another cup of coffee, trying not to startle him. The Septic doctor had been going in a downward spiral for weeks but this was the icing on the cake.

Henrik and his wife's arguments grew in number about him working too much and missing so much to do with his own family. And then after the party, she wanted to move away from all the egos, fearing for her family's safety. She threatened him with divorce at the time. But now his own daughter's death. . . .  

"You know. . . ." Dr. Iplier pat his shoulder, "Uh. . .there could be a chance. We egos have a certain quality that allows us to survive most things any other human wouldn't be able to."

Henrik slowly looked over at the other doctor, his scowl apparent, "I do not vant to hear your words, Iplier. Do not give me hope. She is already dead" his voice cracked at the last sentence.

"What I mean is. . . she was your daughter. Maybe a certain part of her carried on? Dark said that the void has special properties, too, but for some reason it only applies to us egos. I'm just saying. Maybe there's a chance her soul is still out there looking over you? I'm not religious but it's a theory"

As the doctor gave him another comforting pat, he walked away to leave Henrik to his own thoughts. He was just trying to make him feel better.

Suddenly an idea popped into Henrik's head, 'The void. . . . Isn't that what created Dark? What exactly IS the void?'

So his research began

End of Flashback

Since then he has worked tirelessly every day and he was so close to finding all the answers. Then after Anti's experience, he was even closer!

He could hear the others downstairs, including Sean, talking. They were all so clueless, he felt bad for keeping this secret for so long. But he couldn't tell them! They'd think he was crazy! They'd make him stop his research and then . . . .he'd have lost everything.

He loved them all dearly and he knew that they would think they are doing what's best for him but he couldn't trust that. He knew what was best! HE was the doctor! HE was the one who has been doing all the research! Who knows what Sean would do if he found out.

'He sent Anti into that blasted void and look what happened to him. But perhaps if he wasn't alone it would be better?'

Once he had started all of his research the only person he felt he could talk to or get information from was Dr. Iplier. Thinking it was harmless curiosity, his colleague told him everything he knew. Albeit that wasn't much but it was something.

That was how Henrik knew of the void's effects on one's person. 

Why he was so angry with Sean for sending Anti there. Because he knew the terrors he most likely faced. Anti's slow mental healing was enough for Henrik to be frightened of the void but not deter him from it. If his daughter's soul was somehow there then what nightmares was she enduring if she were there at all?

Henrik couldn't take any more of his spiraling thoughts and got up out of the bed.

No sooner had he started walking to the door, did someone knock on it

With a small sigh, Henrik opened it with a smile to see Anti. He was bouncing on his feet in place and glitching slightly so Henrik could only assume the others had been teasing him about something and embarrassed him.

"Done with your little nap already, o̵l̴d̵ ̸m̸a̵n̷?̸"̷ Anti raised his brow at him childishly.

Henrik snorted softly, "As if you are one to talk. All ready like a bouncing child to assist the good doctor now are we?" he teased back.

Anti glitched again but rolled his eyes, "So what experiment did you need me for?"

"I'll tell you once we are at my office." he straightened his clothes that he still had on from the night before, "Are you ready to go now?"

Anti scoffed at him, "Are ya blind, too!? Yes, I'm ready! ̷C̸o̷m̵e̵ ̵o̴n̸!̴"

Henrik felt a chuckle bubble inside of him as he let the glitch drag him downstairs. Once he saw the others in the living room, however, his mind went blank. 

He didn't know exactly what he was doing or what would happen. If they did go into the void, who knows what could happen? This could be the last time they ever see the others again and Henrik was just hiding it all to himself.

'It's for the greater good. For Olivia' he kept chanting to himself in his mind.

As they drove to Henrik's office, it was quite but Anti was alright with that. It left time for himself in his own mind to think about what Henrik could possibly need him for.

He knew it was something about the void but he wasn't for sure why.

Anti almost tried to make small talk for the car ride, he was so bored until a car swerved in front of them out of no where.

Henrik slammed on the brakes, gripping the steering wheel hard, his eyes wide. Luckily, there was no one behind them but the man drove off before Anti could go after him.

"What a m̸o̶t̴h̵e̵r̷f̸o̸o̸k̷i̸n̴g̷ ̷a̶r̴s̵e̴h̷o̷l̸e̴!̴ Should have brought my fooking knife, that f̷u̷c̶k̶e̵r̴!̶"

Anti turned to Henrik, though and stopped talking. The doctor was shuddering, his eyes still wide from the encounter. He looked like he was lost in a nightmare.

Anti swallowed and realized what got the doctor so worked up. Carefully, he lifted his hand and softly touched his shoulder. Henrik blinked, coming out of it and his breathing calmed. He wouldn't look at Anti, though. And Anti wouldn't look at him. The was so dense with the uncomfortable feeling. Grief and pain hung in the air like a fog.

After a couple moments, Henrik kept driving, ignoring what had just happened and shook off Anti's hand.

Anti pulled away a bit hurt but understood the doctor's actions. He still felt some pain after that day, too, even if no one realized it.

Once they pulled on the side of the road in front of the office, Henrik wordlessly got out of the car. Anti got out and noticed that something felt off, "Uh, Hen. . . where is everyone? Normally you have patients even if you're not here. Some would be here for Dr. Edwards, right?"

"I shut down the office for today" 

Anti blinked, a little stunned, "Y-you shut down. . . .your office? ̵W̸h̴y̷?̴"̴

"You'll see, Anti. Come, come. We have vork to do. Follow me"

Henrik unlocked the office front door and led Anti side. The building looked so depressing and strange without any patients in it or Sandra. He assumed Henrik told Dr. Edwards not to come in either. Perhaps he told him he'd take over to today. But why lie?

Henrik then led Anti to a door at the end of the hall that had several locks placed on it so no one could enter. 

"What's in there? Did you commit or crime or something?" Anti tried to joke but Henrik did not look amused and glared at his ego brethren. 

"Uh. . .Henrik?" Anti was starting to get worried now.

Henrik started to unlock everything and had one to go when he took a deep breathe, "Anti, vhat I am about to show you is very secret. It's very important to me and you would be a big help to me if you cooperated. You promised you would help. I am keeping you to that promise, Anti, you understand?"

The glitch flickered a little but nodded, curiosity killing him on the inside, "Alright. Alright, Henrik. Show me then"

The doctor undid the last lock and opened the door, moving away so Anti could step down first. The room down the stairs had a light on still from last night, making the area glow slightly so Anti wouldn't fall down the steps. As he stepped down further, he saw all the papers. All the writing on the walls, the filled trash bins and messy desks. 

However the most concerning thing he saw was a strange large square metal frame in the middle of the room.

"Uh. . .. .̷d̵o̶c̴?̸ What is all of this?"

Anti picked up one of the papers but it was all foreign to him. He could read his handwriting or math.

Henrik walked over to his desk and turned on his computer, "I've been studying the void. But you knew that already. The only thing you really don't know, Anti, is why"

 "Okaaaayy" Anti swallowed as he stared around at everything. He was worried now. All this work. All this . . . . insanity Henrik has been trying to calculate. It was utter madness!

Henrik dug around on his desk again until he found a picture frame and held it up for Anti to see, "You remember little Olivia, right?"

Anti didn't like where this was going, "Henrik . . . of course I do. What's this all about, doc? Talk to me" in truth, Anti was getting scared. The doctor's eyes were hardened as if prepared to do anything and everything.

Henrik set the picture down, "It was too soon for her, Anti. She vas only six years old. . . ."

Anti stayed quiet and at a moderate distance from him as he continued.

"I. . . I wanted so hard for it to have been me." his eyes started to tear, "That car came out of nowhere. . .like today. We were lucky we didn't get hit, you know? We probably would have been fine though. . . .unlike Olivia."

Anti shook his head, biting his lip, "H̵e̵n̸.̷ . .. what are you getting at? What's the void have to do with this?"

"Dr. Iplier told me something very interesting around two years ago. That's when my research began. The void is only 'tangible' to us, egos. We can see it, go into it and be a part of it but only us. No other living being. Olivia, however, was a part of me. So I did some thinking. . .. so much thinking, Anti. Vhat if Olivia's soul is actually still IN zhe void!?"

"Doc" Anti sighed, "That's not-"

"Iplier said that it was plausible! He vould know best given he is brethren to Dark! And then Sean sent YOU into zhe void. I vas worried for you, at first, of course, but also admittedly I couldn't help but to feel excited, you know!? You told me vhat it was like in zhere and it only got more clearer for me!"

"Henrik, I told you, the void brings out your worst nightmares. I'm sorry, but that's all it does. Olivia isn't in there"

"HOW DO YOU KNOW!?" He suddenly shouted at him and growled low causing Anti to flinch slightly, "Do not speak of things you may not know of Anti. She's in there, I know it" his voice cracked, "My little girl. . . . ."

Henrik wiped his tears and cleared his throat, "Things could seem so real in zhe void, you said. The void is vast and strange. Filled with unknown. Dark said that even he would not send anyone in the void alone. . . .alone. Zhat is what hurt you and caused the void to feed off of your fears and nightmares. You vere alone and without your powers. ZHIS time, though . . ." he clicked a button and the metal frame sparked to life, suddenly.

Anti was startled back as the machinery came to life with colorful lights only to create a pitch black doorway. 

"̴Y̶o̶u̵ ̸.̶ ̸.̶ ̵.̷ ̴.̶"̵ Anti nearly tripped over a stair step, "Henrik, ̴n̷o̴"̶

The doctor grinned at him, looking proud of himself, "Zhis time you have your powers. And I vill come with you"

Anti shivered at the pure resolve in Henrik's tone, "But Hen. . ̶.̷ ̴.̴ ̴ ̵I̶ ̷c̸a̸n̵'̴t̴ ̸. . .. no, I'm sorry but I can't. I'm not going in there. I̸'̸m̵ ̸s̵o̷r̴r̶y̴"̵

Henrik's eye twitch and he almost looked exasperated, "Anti, you said you'd help me with zhis experiment"

"I didn't know that this was what you were planning! Henrik, this isn't right! I'm sorry but you're wrong! Olivia's not in there! I've been in there before with my powers. If I had seen her, I would have ̶t̸o̸l̷d̵ ̵y̷o̴u̷!̴"̸

"The void is large, though, Anti. But I . . .I have created a way to contain it. I just can't go in alone. You realize where we even are, Anti!?"

Henrik grew angry again and rushed over to Anti to grab him and pick him up by his arm, "This very road by my office, Anti! This very fooking road was where it happened! If it's anywhere I could reach her it's here!"

"But Henrik, the void isn't-"

"Anti please" tears ran down the doctor's face, "I am begging you, my friend. Help me. I. . . .I just want. . .. I just want my little girl back, Anti" he cried, "Please"

Anti gulped and shivered again, his lip quivering. He slowly looked over at the void portal. He could feel its pull. Hear the ringing oh so faint. Memories tried to swim their way into his brain but he kept them buried. 

"I saw it happen, Anti" Henrik's words brought him out of his head for a moment, "I saw it happen as we walked along the crosswalk. She ran ahead of us and. . . . " he breathed out raggedly, "Even if it's only a memory. . .I just want. . . .I just want to see her again"

Anti felt tears drag down his own face at the memory of that little girl. His niece. He wanted to see her again, too but the memory of the void haunted him too much. The anxiety burned him as he realized Henrik was slowly taking him closer and closer to the portal.

Anti stopped in his tracks, not letting the doctor drag him any further, "Henrik . . . I . . . .̶I̵ ̶c̴a̶n̴'̶t̷.̵ ̴I'm sorry, Hen. But she's not going to be there. That's not what the void is. I know what the void is."

"You don't know-"

"I've been in the void twice, Henrik!" Anti broke out of his grasp, "Once for over eight hours! Felt like weeks! Y̷o̴u̶'̴v̵e̴ ̷N̵E̵V̶E̶R̷ ̵b̶e̸e̴n̸ ̴i̷n̷ ̵t̶h̷e̵r̷e̶!̶ You've only been T̶O̸L̸D̴ ̸about it! You've never felt the pain! The pressure and the fear swallowing you whole like you're in hell. Without my powers, I was helpless"

"You have your powers now when we go in, Anti" he tried to grab him again but Anti glitched away from his hand.

"No, Schneep! ̴I̵ ̷w̸o̷n̴'̶t̶ ̴d̶o̷ ̶i̶t̸!̴"̶ Anti shouted at him, 'You may think you know everything about the void and what you'll be encountering in there but you don't! You're wrong, Hen! Just admit it! She's gone! Olivia is dead and she's n̴e̴v̵e̶r̷ ̸c̷o̵m̷i̷n̷g̴ ̴b̸a̷c̵k̸!̶"̶

Henrik suddenly launched at Anti and punched him across the face, "She's not gone! I can find her, bastard! I can! I'll show you! I do not need you! Stupid Glitch!"

In his anger, Henrik darted for the portal, running through it.

Anti let out a breathe as he just watched, his mouth gaping. 

"Hen. . . . H̴e̵n̷r̸i̵k̸?̸"̵

He didn't think about it. He couldn't just leave his brother in there like that. He didn't know what he was facing.

Anti ran in after him, "̵H̶E̴N̶R̸I̶K̵!̵"̷