#mesolonely

Mesolonely: It's so dark in here, I can't see anything!

Host: The Host can't help being sarcastic as he replies to Mesolonely: Oh no, it must be a nightmare!

@intplier

Amy sat on the edge of the bed, head in hands. She couldn’t sleep. It had been hours. Her body was weak and desperate for rest and her eyelids were heavy. Yet every time they slid shut, the feeling of his lips on hers made her seize up, eyes wide open once more. It was like he was always there. Like he was slithering in the shadows, out of sight, mocking her. She shivered. Amy had no idea how she was getting out of this mess. She doubted she would find a way out before Mark arrived, and that would give Dark exactly what he wanted. So, she was stuck, wearing the same clothes, eating the same food, waiting for something to happen. She had only one plan. Talk to another alter.

At the dinner, it seemed clear most of the other characters didn’t know Dark’s plan, not even Wilford. She could try to convince one of the more ‘gullible’ ones to let her out, or one of the ones that doesn’t agree with Darks methods - maybe Dr. Iplier? She’d have to be careful not to leave any evidence that the alter had aided her escape, she didn’t want Dark to hurt any of them.

Amy had sat there pulling at her hair, her mind going in tired loops of thought, when someone knocked on the door. Immediately she leapt to her feet, bracing for whatever Dark had planned for now. Her movements were sluggish, and Amy attempted to shake off her exhaustion. She paused. Why had they knocked? Normally they just let themselves in. Amy froze in place, staring down the doorway, waiting for some noise or movement to identify her visitor. There was a second knock, followed by significant silence. Was Dr. Iplier checking up on her?

“Am I allowed in? I mean, if you’re getting changed or something…” They trailed off, “Though, you have no clothes to change into. Unless you’re in the bathroom! Maybe having a shower? Or maybe you’re still asleep, I wouldn’t know…” The voice babbled. It wasn’t the doctor, he was more concise. Was it some form of trick? Some ploy by Dark to break her further? “I can come back later if you’re busy! Well, busy isn’t the right term since you’re locked in a bedroom, but…” Amy tried to let her body relax, sucking in a deep breath. What she was about to do was idiotic, but she couldn’t pass up talking to an alter beside the Googles, or Dark. She walked up to the doorway.

“Come in.” Her voiced wavered slightly, and her head throbbed with fatigue. Instantly the door was unlocked and swung inward, narrowly missing her face.

“Amy!” There stood Bim Trimmer, wearing his signature suit and glasses, “You look…” He squinted sightly, raising his eyebrows, before pulling up a smile. “I mean you always look wonderful! But, well, did you sleep? Like, at all, last night?” Amy let her shoulders slump.

“No.”

“Well, that isn’t good at all! What happened to beauty sleep!” He gestured wildly, concern clear on his face. Amy didn’t get a chance to answer when his gaze flicked to his watch and his eyes widened. “Well, we don’t have time to delay unfortunately! We’ve got a busy day ahead of us!” Amy looked him over cautiously.

“What are we doing?” She hated how tired she sounded, and how it made it hard to think, especially compared to ball of energy in front of her.

“Well…” He paused for effect, his voice taking on its announcer nature, “We’re going clothes shopping!” Amy was taken aback, unable to answer. “You’ve been staying here with only the clothes you’ve arrived in and that gorgeous dress from last night! But I’ve been informed you should have more clothes, and I’m happy to have been assigned take you!” Amy decided in her drained state of mind to try and get Bim’s help.

“Bim, I’m not staying here, I’ve been kidnapped.” She said it carefully, gauging his reaction. The game show host winced.

“Yes, well, I feared that might’ve been the case.” He wringed his hands together, furrowing his brows and biting his lip. “I c-can’t help you Amy.” He cringed. “S-sorry for t-the s-stutter.” He flinched at his voice, trying and failing to compose himself with increasing desperation. His eyes glanced at hers, almost fearfully. He cursed, his eyes watering. She reached an arm out, concerned.

“Bim, it’s alright-“He recoiled, shaking his head.

“No. It’s not! I’m supposed to be confident! If I’m not…” He shuddered, taking a few moments to compose himself, and Amy let him in silence. The character she knew was confident, if not self-centred. What had changed that? Bim continued like nothing had occurred. “You still need new clothes! Come on, we’re going for a trip!” He dragged her out of the room, closing the door behind her. He pulled her down the hall and towards the main entrance, before heading for the right wing. It was different from when Google had escorted her, he seemed ignorant to how forceful he was being. Though more excitable than anything more threatening.

The first-floor right wing opened into a large garage. It was massive, there had to be at least six different cars. She goggled at it, and Bim noticed her sudden pause, spinning to face her. “What is it?”

“Are we driving? As in, leaving?” He looked confused.

“Of course? Where else would we get clothes? We’re going out!” he blushed. “Not like, a date of course! Shopping! Going out…shopping.” He offered a nervous smile. Maybe this was her chance to escape. But what would happen to Bim if she did? She decided to go along with it, nodding. “Excellent! Come one, this blue car here!” He waved to it eagerly, and Amy slipped into the passenger seat. She couldn’t believe it, this could be it. She was leaving the mansion. Her heart sunk slightly. If she left on Bim’s watch, how badly would Dark punish him? She shook her head slightly. It didn’t matter, it was her safety over a theoretically fictional character. Guilt seeped through her. She didn’t believe that. A hand waved in front of her face. She turned to see Bim frowning and felt a pang in her heart.

“What?” She tried. He held up his hands in surrender

“Just wondering if you’re okay? I know you’re tired, but you look sad?” He froze, before slapping himself lightly on the head. “Of course you look sad! You’ve been kidnapped! Stupid…” He sighed, but started up the car and opened the garage. Amy marvelled at the mansion from the outside. It was more of a castle, with tall pointed towers and parapets along the balcony walls. A large fountain stood in the centre of the entrance. The land was surround by dense forest, and a small road winded into it. Bim didn’t make any comments about the mansion, clearly having enough social awareness to decide it wasn’t a good idea to comment on the building you’ve been trapped in.

As they drove off into the woods, Amy started to question exactly how long it would take to get to a mall from wherever the hell they were. That is, until the woods suddenly opened out into twisting side streets. She gawked at the revision mirror. The woods were gone, she was back in LA.

“How?” Bim grinned.

“Our dimension leaks into yours! It was opened out into the streets so we could get through to the mall! Anyone who’s invited or knows it exists can enter at any time, if they keep walking and no one can see them! Unfortunately, same goes for leaving the dimension, had to dump us out on a street where no one would see us leave. Might take a bit of manoeuvring to get us to the shops.” He looked pleased at Amy’s awed expression. She wondered what he meant by it had been ‘opened out’ for them. “Us alters have many tricks up our sleeves! Why do you think I was asked to take you?” he asked, pride clear in his voice. She glanced over at him. His eyes were on the road, turning out onto the main road towards the shopping centre. People bustled along the streets and cars honked loudly at the traffic.

“Why were you asked to take me?” She questioned, hoping to get answers out of the enthusiastic gameshow host.

“Well, a lot of us have special ‘gifts’. I just so happen to specialize in illusions! How do you think I get my gameshows so interesting? The power of deception!”

“Does that mean you’ve never killed a contestant?” Bim looked taken aback.

“What? No! That’s Wilford’s thing.” He glanced at her, before returning his eyes to the road, where he was parking, “You thought I was a murderer this whole time? I’m surprised you got into this car next to me!” he chuckled awkwardly as he stopped the car. “Only a little way to the shops from here. But, illusions! That’s why I’m accompanying you, it means no one will be able to see you! I can do all sorts of things! I could make you invisible, or just simple draw attention away from you…sorry about that.” Amy’s heart sank. Bim felt through his pants pockets, before swearing.

“What is it?”

“Forgot my wallet, we’re going to have to go back!” He smiled sheepishly, “Sorry.”

“Can’t you just illusion the money?” Bim looked mortified.

“I’m not a criminal! I thought I just explained that! Again, we’re going to have to go back for the wallet, and I’m sorry.” He apologizes too much. Amy shook her head, smiling.

“It’s fine Bim, it’s not going to take long!” She said sweetly, internally realising this could be a chance at escape. The worst part was that Bim lapped it up like a puppy looking for affirmation.

“Right! Of course! Just a quick trip back. No one else needs to know.” The car turned back down into the twisting side streets, turning into the woods and back out front the mansion, not bothering with the garage. The trip was in silence, as Bim made hasty turns, several times being on the brink of an accident. “Okay Amy! Just stay in the car, I’ll grab the wallet.” He slipped out of the car, before dashing down towards the mansion, frequently tripping over himself due to his tight suit. A sly grin made its way across Amy’s lips. Bim didn’t think that he couldn’t lock the car behind him. She could open it from the inside.

Amy waited till Bim had disappeared through the mansion doors before sliding out the car door. She paused for a second to check she couldn’t be seen before sprinting into the woods. The adrenaline cleared out the weariness in her bones like some sort of drug. She turned away from the road – it would be the obvious place to check. Amy dodged and weaved through the tightly packed trees, shoes crunching against the underbrush. She ducked under a particularly low branch, quickly gaining her balance and continuing her mad dash. She ducked under a branch, and over a rock. Under a branch, over a rock. That rock looked suspiciously like the last one. So did the branch she was coming up to now.

“I don’t think all that sprinting’s going to get you anywhere…” A loud, almost nasally voice piped up, causing Amy to flinch and fall onto the undergrowth. She flipped herself over, staring at two figures behind her. Alters. One sat up in the branches, looking down at her quizzically. A substance dripped from his clean-shaven face, which Amy identified as peanut butter. The King of the Squirrels, he wore his cape and crown –  a squirrel laying happily atop of it. The other alter, the one whom had spoken, she didn’t recognize. He stood at the base of the tree, rocking back and forward on his heels. He still had Mark’s scruffy beard and hair, and wore a uniform that read – Amy squinted – ‘Sterbox Coffee’. She wondered if the two characters had been there the whole time or if they’d snuck up on her purposely.

“Why not?” She breathed out shakily, looking between the two alters.

“I’m King of the Squirrels!” they chirped happily, causing the other one to sigh. From her distance and position, she still couldn’t read their nametag.

“Mr. Edge-lord locked the place up!” he exclaimed, his voice much louder than what would be considered acceptable. “Not that that’s anything new!” His voice cracked slightly. Amy looked him over cautiously. She went to ask his name, but he was one step ahead of her. He bounded over and, despite the fact she was one the floor, took her hand and shook it wildly. “The name’s Mr. Mesolonley! It rhymes with baloney! That also works as a nickname, or you can call me Mesolonely! Baloney Mesolonely! It rhymes! Think I already mentioned that but it’s good to reiterate!” She nodded frantically, he was still shaking her hand vigorously. When he let go, she sat up, wiping down her jeans. She vaguely remembered this character from a let’s play. Never expected they’d be real too.

“What do you mean ‘locked the place up’?” They furrowed their brow

“Don’t you know? The forest is on loop! No one leaves without permission!” he shouted. “You wanna date me?” Amy took a few steps back.

“What? No, sorry, I’m taken.” She stuttered out. Mesolonely shrugged.

“Alright, if you insist! I know I’m pretty irresistible so if you reconsider!” he yelled. Amy cleared her throat.

“Why are you out here then? I understand King,” she glanced up, watching the alter play with his squirrels. “But why you? Aren’t you a barista? Isn’t there a place for you in the mansion?” They bellowed out a laugh, before looking over Amy’s expression.

“You’re serious? Why would I be out there with all those bigshots? No one remembers me! It’s a miracle King here spends time with me! I was a one off! An accidental! Plus, I don’t wanna deal with Mr. Edgy.” Amy was horrified.

“So you live in the woods?” Mesolonely rolled his eyes.

“You really don’t know anything do you? I work at Sterbox! I’m on leave at the moment! Of course, I can only repeat the same three days on loop but it gives me something to do!” Amy considered the connotations of that. Was every character Mark ever made living out their entire existence on loop in some forgotten dimension? She didn’t get a chance to quiz further when the sound of footsteps crushing through underbrush startled her. A very disgruntled Bim stood in the clearing. His suit was untucked and his tie was loose. His glasses sat askew and his hair stuck in clumps to the sweat on his forehead. The wallet was held firmly in hand. His face exploded with relief.

“Oh t-thank god! Oh g-god. I th-thought I was g-going to be m-murdered.” He was shaking and stuttering, his eyes watering. “Th-they already think I’m use-useless without m-me stuffing up e-everything.” Amy officially felt like the worst person on earth. Mesolonely stood in a confused and unusual silence.

“I’m king of the squirrels.” Informed King, seriously. Bim stared at the barista with pure gratitude in his eyes.

“Y-you found h-her. Thank y-you! D-Dear god thank you!” He ran up to them, pulling them into a hug before spinning to face Amy. “I don’t b-blame you. I r-really don’t! It was m-my fault! Oh g-god If I’d lost y-you.” Amy sighed. There was no use running, she couldn’t get Bim caught now.

“It’s fine Bim. Take a deep breath. No one needs to know this happened. You can take me back to the mansion, forget the clothes…” His eyes widened.

“N-no! We’re still getting the clothes!” His stutter died down. “I have my wallet, I won’t stuff up this time, we can still do it!” He pocketed the wallet and started fixing himself up, tucking in his shirt and running a hand through his hair. He pointed off into the distance. “The car is that way!”

They wandered back in silence, leaving a startled Mr. Mesolonely alone once more. The irony wasn’t lost on Amy. Bim had calmed his breathing a returned his smile. He took her to a variety of shops with great enthusiasm. His act seemed real, yet at this point, Amy was sure it was forced. She bought as little clothing as possible, mostly out of disbelief she was going to trapped much longer.

When they got back to the mansion, it seemed like no one was any wiser to their adventures. Amy was sure, however, that Dark knew. He always knew. It was probably fitting into whatever plan he’d designed. Amy didn’t like being negative, but it was getting harder and harder to be positive. Bim led her back to her room, sadly locking the door behind him. She had a quick shower, changing out of her dirtied clothes into a fresh jumper and jeans. She’d picked longer clothes, feeling uncomfortable in anything else. She flopped down onto the bed and at last her exhaustion pulled her into a restless sleep.

Mesolonely: Depressed.

Warfstache: Blessed.

Dark: Possessed.

Yan: Obsessed.

Dr. Iplier: Impressed.

Jim: Chicken breast.

Everyone: …What?