Chained Puppet

In Need of a Break

They turned to see Marvin at the entrance of the kitchen. He still looked sad and tired but that didn't seem to bother him, "Anti's never been out. Even before he lost his memory. The puppeteer kept him in that apartment like a dog, only ever letting him out to attack us. I say he needs some fresh air. Some fun"

Chase still looked worried but agreed slowly with a nod, "I guess you guys are right. Anti deserves that, at least."

'We all need a break, maybe' Jameson signed, 'Perhaps the mall?'

Jackie hummed, "Actually. That's not a bad idea. Not that I approve completely. With so many other people around, it'd be harder for puppeteer to do anything around us."

"Count me out" Dark grumbled, "I can slink around in the shadows but don't expect me to join in your little fun"

"Fair enough" Sean smiled wide, "As soon as Anti wakes up, we'll head out to the mall! It's still early morning after all. Let him rest a little more"

"But what about Henrik?"

Henrik crossed his arms, "Not that I do not vant to join you all. But I do have to stop by the hospital at some point today. The doctor covering for me when I'm gone vould like rest as well, I presume"

"That's fine, Hen. But you're coming with us still. No getting out of it, dude" Chase snickered at him, knowing that being in crowds wasn't exactly his thing.

"Puppeteer vill also know where all of us are. Do we really want that?"

Sean huffed, "Let him watch. Let him burn himself in his own hatred and anger. Seeing us happy will only piss him off more and that's exactly what we want"

"We do?" Marvin hummed, "I don't know. It seems making him more angry might be a bad idea"

"Let him snap and try to attack us out in the open." Sean looked at Henrik right in the eyes but they all knew who he was truly staring down, "He'll only fail"

Anti stretched on the couch and tried to cuddle the warmth that was there before but only barely realized it wasn't there anymore.

He felt the need to whine about it but found a pillow instead, falling back asleep quickly.

Before, it was a pretty nice nap  with friendly auras around him and happy voices. 

But now that was gone.

A nightmare started to brew.

Voices in the dark whispering. Cold air striking him and sending goosebumps up his limbs and at the back of his neck.

His heart felt heavy and his throat hurt, burning his chest and belly. Anti felt the need to cry but he didn't know why. He imagined everyone yelling at him, calling him names. 

Jackie and Chase calling him a monster. Marvin looking down at him with disdain. Jameson shaking his head in disappointment, refusing to look at him. Henrik calling him a killer. A beast with no remorse.

He tried pleading. Begging them to listen. 

But they all just watched.

They let it all happen.

All their fault.

An anger rose inside of him and he just didn't know why. Why was this all happening? Why did he feel this way!?

But a thought crossed his mind and it frightened him.

'Fine. They see me as a monster. . . . . I'll be their devil. I'm coming back home, master.'

Anti shot up on the couch and quickly went to wipe his tears. He shivered and only then realized he was alone in the living room. 

He could hear voices in the kitchen and his heart hurt for some reason. 

Were they talking about him? What was with that dream? Did puppeteer send that to him or . . . was it maybe a memory?

He didn't want to think about it. Taking a few breathes, he tried calming himself. Tried to think clearly.

It was only a nightmare.

He was fine. 

He was okay.

They weren't actually talking about him.

He wasn't actually a monster. Puppeteer can't control him or his feelings. Not anymore. . . . . . 

Right?