Do you think you're clever?

You didn't know. You weren't sure if whatever Mark intended had worked, but since Dark had shown up, clearly not. But what was going to happen now?

I asked you a question.

I don't care.

Your manners are still atrocious.

What are you gonna do, punish me again? Fuck you!

Dark began to laugh. You didn't like that sound, he seemed more than just a little amused. He was... happy. And a happy demon never meant anything good.

•●♡●•

Much to your surprise nothing actually happened that night. Yet Dark's creepy laughter rang in your ears, long after you woke up. You couldn't help but wonder if whatever Mark had tried had worked. Or failed.

Considering how happy Dark had been, it must have failed.

A few hours passed uneventfully before your cell phone rang. The ID said Tyler; what could he want? Did Dark go after him again? "Please tell me you're okay," you answered with. Not even a "hello".

"I'm fine, why? He didn't show up to torment me, if that's what you're wondering," Tyler replied. He sounded like he was grinning. "So, um... I had a question for you." Your heart began to race for reasons unknown. "Did you want to go out with me tonight? If you're free, I mean."

Heart still pounding, you sighed shakily. Dark wouldn't like you going out on a date with someone that wasn't him, and yet you found no reason to give a fuck. "Absolutely," you answered.

To hell with Darkiplier.

•●♡●•

Tyler came to pick you up that night, all dressed up in a tie and everything. You sort of felt underdressed, even with wearing a nice skirt, but the way his eyes scanned over you made you feel a little better. "Shall we?" he asked, offering his hand, which you gladly accepted.

He drove to a nearby restaurant, a cute little hole in the wall that was way too expensive for your blood. You raised an eyebrow at the male, and he merely grinned. "I did say this was a date. I'll take care of everything."

Honestly, the place couldn't have been more perfect for a first date, but you had the worst feeling of being watched, somehow. Tyler must have noticed your discomfort at some point; after your meal, he leaned over and spoke gently. "You look so worried. What's wrong? Did I do something wrong?"

"N-no, no! Not at all." You tried to smile, succeeding only partially. "I just... Tyler, I feel watched. I've felt like that since we arrived."

He sat back in thought. "Is it Dark, maybe? You feel like he's watching us in the back of your mind?"

It was a possibility. Actually, you hadn't even considered that until it was brought up. "No, I mean, I feel like someone is physically watching us."

Tyler looked around the restaurant, taking no precaution not to look so suspicious. "I'm not seeing anything. Do you want to just get out of here?" You nodded, and so he paid for the meal, walking you out with a hand at your lower back. "Now what?"

"Let's just go for a walk, I want fresh air," you murmured, hoping that doing so would relieve you of the feeling.

It did not. You and Tyler walked slowly up and down the streets; it was dark, but not terribly so, and just warm enough not to really need a coat, though he removed his and wrapped it around your shoulders anyways. You couldn't help but smile; the gesture was sweet.

But you couldn't take the silence. You needed to air out your thoughts. "What exactly did Dark do to you?" Tyler had gotten a number of looks due to his fading black eye, and you hoped that it was the worst of it.

"Mostly beat me around a little. He had me tied down, the fucking coward. Even so, I don't think I could have fought back." His voice dropped lower. "I'd be too scared of hurting Mark."

You nodded, understand completely. That had been your fear, as well; you slapping Dark had been the extent of the damage. Sitting down on a nearby empty bench, you patted the space beside you so Tyler would sit down, as well. When he did, you went on. "What do we do now? He's not going to be happy about this. I don't know what he's going to do, either." You were paler than normal, hands shaking.

He took your hands into his, trying to calm them. "I know. But I can't just not see you, do you see that? Even just that one day sucked balls. It actually hurt to ignore your phone calls. It really did." His tone seemed saddened, so you squeezed his hands in reassurance.

"Well, I'd say that ignoring me for a day worked, but..." You fell quiet, unable to finish the thought. "I don't know what to do, Tyler. I really, really like you. I don't think Dark would kill me, but--"

"I don't want to take that chance. But i don't know what to do either. We've got to figure out if there's a way to stop him somehow."

"Not if Mark has no control over him."

"Maybe he does." Tyler eyed you for a few moments, and your heart jumped up into your throat. "You and I both know he sucks at keeping secrets, but what if that's what he's counting on?"

"Are you trying to tell me that Mark might be knowingly letting this happen to us?" you asked incredulously.

He grinned. "Us?" You turned pink, and the male waved it off. "I'm saying he might be dreaming of a different situation that translates into your nightmares. Do you get that?" You didn't, and shook your head. "I'm saying, like... what if he's dreaming of a different situation, and he acts accordingly? But in your mind, Dark is punishing you because that's how Mark is reacting to his own dream."

Still shaking, you stood up. You didn't want to start accusing Mark of doing things that he might not have been aware of, but Tyler had a point. "I don't feel well," you murmured, unsteady on your feet.

Arms wrapped around you as Tyler pulled you into a hug. "I don't like it either but it's the only thing I can think of. He might not be good at keeping secrets, but he might not be telling the truth, too." He began to walk, still with his arm around you, pulling you closer. "Let's get you home."

"I'm sorry, this isn't how I wanted the date to end up," you spoke after reaching his car again. "It really wasn't."

He shrugged. "This is a big deal for the both of us. I'm not surprised. I'm just happy you said yes," he added, sliding behind the wheel.

Your phone chimed with a text, and you only checked it after Tyler began to drive. God, how you wished you hadn't.

The text was from Mark. How terrible that a few simple words could send your stomach into knots, your heart pounding so hard that your vision was blurry.

How could he say such things?