Chase sat up quickly, moving away from Anti on the bed.

'Fuck. This is it! He's corporeal now and he's going to kill me!'

But Anti just stared up at him sort of terrified and confused as if HE were the one about to be killed.

'But how did he suddenly turn corporeal? Does he even know? Is that why. . . is that why he's not attacking me right now?'

"A-anti?" he tried again.

The glitch snapped out of his daze and was suddenly on his feet at the side of the bed. He looked around with narrowed eyes, hyperventilating in a panic.

Chase, however, averted his eyes, "Oh. Uh . .. hold on. I'll get you some clothes before you kill me, yeah?"

Anti didn't say anything, still stuck in his own thoughts barely watching Chase as he went to his closet to pull out some pants and a shirt. Anti's new senses were overwhelming him for a moment, throwing him off.

Then he was reaching for something else and Anti bolted to Chase's drawer and pulled out the knife Chase had put in there, pointing it at him, "Don't even think about it"

His new voice was hoarse but it got Chase's attention. The father turned with the gun in his hand, "Anti. . . I'm not going to let you kill me or my kids. Or my brothers for that matter."

Anti snarled at him, "So you'll kill me first? How fucked up of you, Brody. Thought you and the other Septic egos were supposed to be the good guys? Did the last week mean nothing to you?" He teased.

Chase threw the clothes at him, "I'll save you some dignity and let you put some clothes on. How's that for being the 'good guy'?"

Anti huffed but glitched and suddenly the clothes were on him. Chase flinched at it but kept his gun pointed at him. Anti didn't seem too effected, though. He wasn't afraid of a gun. If he could still glitch around and use his powers then a measly gun was nothing to him.

And unfortunately, Chase knew that.

Chase stared at him, taking in how he looked. He seemed to have longer hair like Sean had for a while and a fuller beard than his. He had the same tattoos as all of them and Sean. His eyes pierced a neon green and he sported a pink scar across his throat.

Anti ran his finger down the knife he held, looking around the room with his own eyes in a different perspective, using his own senses, "Interesting." he sighed, "I have a lot to explore before I do anything to you bastards, anyways, Brody. Congratulations, you get to live another day. Catch you later"

Before Chase could do or say anything to stop him, he just straight up vanished.

He was just GONE.

He should have felt relieved Anti was no longer in his head or trapped in any of his electronic devices. But now all he felt was dread.

What the fuck would he do now out in the corporeal realm with his own body?

"Fuck"

"This is so cool!" Sammy shouted from in the back seat.

"Yeah!" Kallie bounced up and down in her seat, "We've never been to Uncle Marvin's shop before!"

"Dad, can we get something from there?"

"You think Uncle Marvin will show us a magic trick!?"

Chase was desperately trying his best to keep a straight face. He didn't know what else to do. Who the hell else would he go to? He could go to Sean but he was still angry with him. He just couldn't, no matter if he remembered why or not.

"Yeah, sure, kids" he bit his lip, "We'll see"

They pulled up on the side of the road in front of the shop and like always, it wasn't busy. The kids ran out and bolted into the shop, Chase right behind them.

Looking around and behind him, he kept an eye out for Anti just in case. He still didn't understand why Anti didn't just kill him then and there but he wasn't going to question it too much. Right now, he just needed to tell Marvin to discuss what to do next.

When he entered, the magician was helping another customer at the cash register. Of course Marvin spotted the kids and his face lit up behind his mask.

"Kids! uH. . . Thank you, mam. You have a good day now! Come again." he grinned so charmingly. The woman just giggled and left the shop leaving it empty besides his family.

Marvin rushed to the kids and they cheered for him, giving him a big hug and laughing. Chase smiled, just now realizing how long it had been since the kids had seen ANY of their uncles.

The kids were trying to talk together to them but they were too excited, jumbling their sentences. It didn't last long, though, once Kallie spotted Marvin's cat, Basil.

"You got a kitty!" she sprinted for the calm feline with Sam right behind her also gawking around the store at all the cool and colorful things.

Marvin smiled at them fondly for a moment before standing back up and turning to Chase.

His smile died though, when he saw the scared look in his eyes, "What happened?"

"We need to talk. We have a problem"

Sensing the trouble, Marvin locked the shop down and flipped the sign in front to show it was closed. He softly led the kids to a different room to play with Basil and led Chase into his 'office'.

"The kids will be safe in the other room. What's wrong, Chase? Is it Anti stirring up trouble again in your head?"

"He's gone, Marv"

". .. . . what?"

Chase cleared his throat and swallowed, "He's gone. This morning, he somehow turned corporeal on his own and ran"

"Shit. You know where he went?"

"No clue. Honestly, I expected him to kill me on the spot"

Marvin looked away from him at the wall with a strange glint in his eyes.

Chase gaped at him in disbelief.

"You knew this would happen"

Marvin snapped his gaze back at him, "Not like this. . . I mean. . . . I knew eventually he'd. . . . escape out of you but . . ."

Chase's mind was completely blank but in a split second, he slammed Marvin up against the wall holding up him off the ground a little, "YOU FUCKING KNEW!? AGAIN, Marvin?!"

"Easy there, Chase! Please put me down or I'll-"

"You'll what!? Shove me off by force!? Where was that man when that bastard was in MY HEAD!? You let Anti torture me and inhabit my damn mind and house, Marvin! Do you know how fucking insane I've gone the past couple weeks!?"

Marvin did feel guilty but he knew it had been the only safe way for Chase to be rid of him, "I'm sorry, Chase. I shouldn't have kept that from you"

Chase let him fall off the wall and stepped back shaking his head, "If he kills any of the others, it's on you, Marv. How did you know he wouldn't kill me?"

"I didn't. But I hoped. As long as he was trapped in your head, he was forced to feel human emotions. Feeling those things would allow him to become. . . human"

". . . He could have killed me but. . .You're saying he . . . what? He's different now?" he refused to believe that.

"He didn't kill you, though, right? Didn't even scratch you, it seems."

"That doesn't prove anything. . . but that's not the only reason I'm here. Before we warn the others of Anti's return, I need to know, Marvin. Now that's he's out, I can't let him use my past against me. I need to know now more than ever what else happened."

The magician held his breathe, "I don't think that's a good idea, Chase. Especially with the kids here."

Chase just glared at him, sending a shiver down Marvin's spine and he sighed, "But. . . the kids go back with Stacey tomorrow, right? Come back in the morning and I'll let you remember."

He nodded, "Alright. . . thanks, Marvin. I'll take a sick day from work tomorrow. I know it's not going to be good but after what my kids told me yesterday, it's more imperative than ever. You should have erased their memories, too."

"They're just kids. Plus no harm was done to them so I didn't see the point. They didn't understand and still don't."

"He. . . Anti, apparently, had been around them. He. . . he COULD have hurt them. He had all the opportunities to do so."

"But he didn't. Even then. You're wondering why?"

He nodded but Marvin just sighed again, "Honestly I have no clue. Back then Anti had NO emotions whatsoever. No humanity in him. It's indeed strange that he didn't just kill them to hurt you."

Chase flinched at his words but agreed. It was definitely weird.

"How about I come over with you and set up some wards around your house just in case he tries to come back? It'll give you some peace of mind at least, right?"

Finally calming back down, Chase nodded, "Yeah. Thanks Marv. Yeah, that'd be great. . . you think . . you think that maybe we should hold off on telling the others?"

"Why do you say that?"

Chase crossed his arms, "Well. . . if it's as you say and he-"

"He's not human, Chase. He hasn't changed from being a murderer, remember?"

The father flinched a little.

"I know after spending so much time with him, you may feel somewhat attached now but you have to remember what he's done. You'll see the rest tomorrow and you'll agree with me. I wouldn't tell the others today but tomorrow we'll have to. For now, you should spend the rest of the day with your kids."

Chase shrugged, "You're right. I guess the others haven't seen them, though in a while, too. Maybe I'll visit Henrik and Jameson later today."

"Not Jackie?"

Chase rolled his eyes, "I guess."

"I know you and Jackie aren't on good terms right now but it's not his fault, you know. You kept pushing us away. Him, the most"

Chase nodded, but refused to admit to anything, "Alright, I'm gonna take the kids around town to visit the others and then you can come over during lunch to set up the wards?"

Marvin nodded, "Yeah. Sure thing. Maybe a little sooner. And if you run into Anti, don't engage or talk to him. Just walk away in a crowd or something and call me immediately, alright?"

He nodded, "Yeah" he felt like the child, now.

Meanwhile, Anti was having the time of his life.

He pulled up his hair with a hair-tie he found on the sidewalk and walked around on the outskirts of town, breathing in the scents of the fresh air and feeling the light breeze on his skin and ruffle his clothes Chase gave him.

It felt weird not being a part of him now and hearing his every thought. It had only been about a week but he felt connected to him somewhat. He couldn't explain it himself but he couldn't kill Chase this morning. He felt as if he should have but decided against it. If he were to go to Sean, he would have done so by now. Or if he and Marvin wanted him dead, Marvin would have found him. Perhaps Chase didn't tell anyone just yet?

And why not?

A couple of girls walked on up to him on the sidewalk, giving him interested looks. As they walked past him giggling, Anti found his eyes following them as they walked away. He smirked and thanked whatever higher power, at least, for having good looks.

Anti found that he still had his powers within his new human body and could glitch. He could teleport, possess electronic devices, generate static or small amounts of lightening around himself.

But he was weak at the moment and he told himself that was why he didn't seek out the other egos yet.

Then something pulled him out of his thoughts suddenly. Smelling something robust and deep in the air, he identified the scent as some sort of meat and his mouth watered. Licking his lips, he followed the scent to a nearby bar.

Stepping in, Anti cringed at how loud it was but quickly adjusted to it. A woman walked up to him at the front, "Hello and welcome! Can I get you a seat, darling?"

Anti smirked at her, "Yes please, lass." his voice dripped with charm making her bite her lip.

"Ah hey, Brody!" Anti's gaze traveled to a man at the front of the bar. Apparently the bartender recognized his look.

Anti just waved slightly and let the woman get him a seat and a menu, "Will you want to put this on your tab, Mr. Brody?"

Thank god Chase was a regular here.

"Yes and if you could . . . what would you recommend on the menu, love? I'm in the mood for something. . . . meaty. . . juicy" he grinned, showing his canines. He resembled a hungry wolf.

The waitress nearly fainted right there but took his order calmly before taking it to the chef. She returned briefly to give him a drink. Whiskey.

Anti eyed the drink wearily. He knew what it did to Chase but unfortunately, Anti couldn't feel the effects before.

He smirked. NOW he could.

"This was the bestest day ever, daddy!" Kallie hugged his leg tightly and Chase chuckled as Sam hugged the other, making it harder to walk.

"I'm glad you two had fun" Chase ruffled their heads as they walked into the house. Marvin had called him during lunch and had placed the wards but he was still worried. What if Anti could bypass them?

He tried not to think about it.

They had all had a lot of fun today despite the inconvenience. Henrik, Jackie and Jameson were all delighted to see the kids and Kallie and Sammy were just as happy, telling them all about their lives, catching up. He hated to admit it, but he felt safest around Jackie. Despite their differences, the ex-vigilante was the strongest of them next to Marvin and had been the one to help take down Anti before.

Chase was in a bit of a daze as he tucked his kids in but happily did so. It had been a long day and they had spent more time out and about than he thought they would.

'I guess I lost track of time with Anti out of my mind now. I felt so. . .  calm the whole day. Happy'.

But even so, there was still that lingering feeling of dread deep within. What the hell was Anti up to? Where was he and what was he doing? Did he find somewhere to sleep for the night? Was he able to eat on his own and drink? Take care of himself?

Chase shook his head. No. He couldn't worry about him like that. Like Marvin said, he'd see the real monster tomorrow. He'd remember it soon enough and, really, Chase imagined he wouldn't feel a swell of pity for the glitch then.

Going back to bed, himself, he laid back, still in thought.

Closing his eyes, he dreamed of something  happy for the first time in a long while. With having spent time with his kids and hanging out with his brothers today, he felt more at peace than he had in a long while. Was it because Anti was no longer around him?

Anti smashed a glass on the floor after drinking its contents and bellowed loudly. Some of the people around him in the club cheered as well and he was handed another drink by someone.

All the lights, music and alcohol filled his senses and he was loving every second of it. He was sure someone gave him some sort of drug, too, with how he was feeling but he shoved it off. Dancing perversely against other bodies, Anti downed the other shot, letting someone rut against him and touch him just barely.

It was definitely not somewhere Chase would be but he kept his name for another tab so he wouldn't need to pay.

Somewhere along the way, he had lost Chase's shirt and the hair-tie, his hair a sweaty mess just like his mind.

He ran a hand through his longer hair, starting to lose his footing. Giggling distortedly, he stumbled away, starting to glitch. He wasn't worried with the sheer amount of alcohol he consumed as well as others had.

Falling out of the club, Anti grinned like a mad-man. His vision was blurry but he felt SO good! So light and airy. So sleepy. He needed to find somewhere to sleep but he didn't really care where.

Stumbling along an alley way, he heard someone whistle and his gaze crawled over to a figure standing in the darkness in the alley. A few figures, actually.

"Hey there, lad! Having a good night?"

Anti's eye's glowed green dangerously but the men didn't seem to see it, coming a bit closer.

"Why don't you come join us? We got some good vodka over here to share, man"

"Unless you're a light-weight!" one of them laughed.

Anti grimaced at that. Chase at bet him he couldn't handle alcohol but he was bound and determined in this moment and took a few steps in the alley, his rational thoughts nonexistent.

Anti walked up to the men, still shirtless only to realize too slow that they didn't have any booze with them. Only a few guns and knives.

Oh.

But he just grinned, knowing where this would go. He relished the moment that would come.

"I don't have any money. . . if that's what you're after, boys"

One of them smirked, "That's alright. Maybe you could pay us in a different way, sweetheart?"

The glitched chuckled darkly, "You're mmmmessing with the wrong man. I'll eviscerate you in . . .in a blink of an eye"

"Don't worry, you won't remember anything in the morning with how drunk you are, bud"

Anti licked his lips hungrily and took out the knife he still had with him, "Mmmm. Been a while since I've bathed in blood. I may be a bit rusty, fellas."

Anti was quick with them, taking them all out before they could scream but spewed enough blood and guts to get a bit on himself.

"Never mind. I'm just as good as ever".

Leaning down by one of the men, Anti eyed their knife. It was specially-made for slicing and had a decorated handle and the glitch found himself fond of it quite quickly, taking it instead of the kitchen knife he still kept in his pants.

Standing up, Anti yawned and stretched a little, shaking as he slowly was becoming sober. With a light groan, he walked out of the alley in search of a spot to sleep, leaving the corpses behind.

Glitching up to a roof-top, he flopped on the ground, shivering a little in the cold. He hadn't taken in account of temperature and how it could affect him but he chose to worry about it later.

He could survive this night, at least.

Today had been a day full of experiencing new things. Tasting, feeling and even smelling. It was all so new and weird to him. The food and alcohol had been especially grand.

.

.

.

Then why did he feel so empty still even after killing those men?