See no Evil, Hear no Evil, Speak no Evil.

A voice broke into the silence of the room and Jackie started, looking towards the voice.

“Chase?” he asked, not recognizing Henrik’s accent. Silence greeted him and he was unsure if he had even heard anything. He shook his head, raising his hands to his face and let out a long breath. “Just your imagination, Jackieboy,” he muttered. “Go to sleep.”

“Oh͠ p͟le͢a͏se, ̶I wan̛t͝ ́t̡o t҉al͡k͘ to̶ yo̶u.”

There was definitely someone in the room with him. Jackie felt his heart rate speed up as he tried in vain to see, as he tried to make out where the speaker was, who the speaker was.

Although, with a sinking heart, he realised it wasn’t hard to figure out who was in the room with him.

He clutched the blankets tightly, trying not to panic. For a brief moment, he considered calling out for Henrik or Chase but stopped. There were so many ways that could go wrong - he had no idea how Anti would react if someone else walked in while he was visiting.

Besides - he was Jackieboy Man. He was a superhero. He could take the glitch.

But the memory of Anti’s grinning face haunted him, the image of the last thing he had seen refusing to ever leave.

“What are you doing here?” he asked, looking in the general direction he had last heard Anti’s voice from. A low chuckle filled the room and he flinched as a hand brushed against his cheek. He pushed himself back, feeling Anti sitting uncomfortably close to him on the bed.

“I҉ ͡wa͞nted́ to͝ ͏t̷ál̡k̵,҉ ͢litt͡le̛ ̨hero,” Anti said, his voice close to Jackie’s head. Jackie moved, shifting away from Anti, trying to heart the thumping of his heart.

“You said that,” he said, keeping his voice as steady as possible. “What about?”

“Ab̀o̸u͝t ̵yo̸u,̵ ̴p͞e͜t,” Anti crooned, a hand running down Jackie’s face. He flinched, jerking back - too quickly. With a yelp and a crash, he tumbled off the bed, landing on the ground in a slight daze. Anti’s chuckle filled the room and he curled into himself, pressing his back to the wall, looking around wildly with his blind eyes.

“My̧ my̶, ́y̧ou͡ h͡a҉ve͢ l̴et ͏y҉oursel̕f ͟go.”

He could feel Anti’s presence coming closer, shifting right in front of him.

“Ýo͟u͘ kn͟ow,̸ ҉I ̸w͢ould h̕a̴ve ͠thǫuģh̵t yo̵u'̢d b̀e͝ b̶e͟tt͝e͡r͜ ̵tha͟n͘ ͏th͘i҉s,” Anti said, his voice sickly soft. Again, a hand ran down Jackie’s cheek, and this time he pushed it aside angrily.

“Leave me alone,” he said sharply.

“Sti̢l͞l ̨g͟o̶t ͟y̧o̢ur͢ ̵bite, I͝ ́see. G͠o̷o͘d͟,̨ thiş ͝wo͘uldn͞'t ̧b̀e ̕f҉un oth҉e̕ŕw̡i̵s̡e̶” Anti chuckled, and the hand returned, gently pushing hair out of Jackie’s face. He bared his teeth, shoving it back, but Anti’s other hand darted forward, catching his wrists and pulling them down. Jackie struggled to free himself, but Anti placed a finger over his lips.

“Húsh n͟ow̧,̸ ͞w̨ou͏l͟dn't ͡w̛ant́ ̛to ̨w҉ake ͢u̧p ͢y̡o̴u̕r͘ ̀fr̡ien̸d̸s, ̛w̨óųld ͏we?”

Jackie tried to bite the finger, but Anti pulled it back, running his hand down Jackie’s arm. Jackie tried to pull away, but Anti’s grip on his hands was too tight and he couldn’t.

“Did you just come here to gloat?” he demanded. Sharp pain burst from his arm and he let out a hiss as Anti dug his nails into his skin without warning. He was suddenly hauled close, his face pressed into Anti’s chest.

Letting out a muffled yelp, he tried to pull back, but Anti let out a low ‘hush,’ wrapping one hand around the back of his head, nestling his fingers in Jackie’s hair. Despite Jackie’s struggles, Anti was too strong for him - he was trapped in an embrace he wanted no part of.

His hands now pinned in front of him, Anti used one hand to gently stroke his back, running his hand up and down, his touch raising hair and making Jackie feel all the more uncomfortable.

“Shh, ̀m͠y͝ p̵e͘t,” Anti whispered, but Jackie didn’t quit struggling, trying to pull free, trying to escape from Anti’s embrace.  “Q̛uiet ͝ņow̴.̸” This time, he growled the words, his soft strokes suddenly turning into claws. Jackie stiffened as Anti’s long nails dug into his scalp, as his claws ripped through the thin shirt on his back.

“T̛h̕aţ'̶s bet͘ter.” Anti said, slowly pushing Jackie back. This time he didn’t try to resist, sharp throbs of pain scattered across his head and back. “Y͢óu'͡r̢e an҉ in͡t͠eresti͘n͞g ǫn̕e,͡ ͡l̵ittle̵ h͘e͘ro͜. ͏Yo̸ųr͢...͠ 'frie̡nds͟' ́ţhe̷y͏ got w̸h̶at ́wa͝s͡ com͝ing.́” He continued touching, his hands not leaving Jackie’s body as he ran a finger along his cheek, up his arm, down his back. Jackie shuddered at the touch but didn’t have the energy to resist - didn’t know how to, without knowing where the next touch would come from.

“Th̸e ҉l̴it̕tle̸ m̕a̡n̡ o̧u̶t ̀of ͠t͡ime͡ ͡-̧ ̧h͜e̸ ẃa͠s͘ s̕u̵ch̴ a͜ ta̛t̵tle tale.̨” A finger ran across Jackie’s lips, tracing the shape of his mouth. “The de͜ar ͘k̕it҉ty͏ ̵c͡at,̨ li̛s̸t̕ènin̕g ̨in ̀w͢h̷en͡ ҉h͏e͠ s͘h̡ou̴l̸dn't̵ h͢a͠v̵e.” Anti stroked his ears, cupping them each in a hand.

“But̡ y͘ou,͜ my̧ ͏pe͏t,̀ ̸you͠ ̧-͝”

“You wanted to see me suffer,” Jackie interrupted. “That’s all you want, to see us all in pain, to see us - ah!” He cried out as a sharp slap to the side of his face knocked his head to one side, stars dancing in the darkness and his cheek throbbing.

“D̀on't ͘įn̴tȩr҉r̨úp͘t͟ ͘m͡e,” Anti growled. Jackie lowered his head, fighting hard to keep his composure as Anti continued talking. “As ̵I ͘w͡às̵ ͢say̷i͠n͠g͏, yoù'̸r̨ȩ ͝dif̸fer̴e̕nt͏.” A hand was placed under Jackie’s chin, lifting it slowly. The other gently traced the scar that was left from where Anti had cut his mask from his face. “I̛ ̸śi̴mpl͢y w͠an̛te҉d ͜t͟o ͠fi͞n̢i̶s̛h̢ tḩe p̢aţt̀er̕n - a̶n͜d́ ͞t̷o͡ ͏s̴e̡e͢ h̢o̢w̵ we͜ll ͢yo͢u̷ w҉ould҉ a̴d͘apt.” The finger on the side of his face turned into a claw, digging into his skin, letting blood escape and trickle down his face.

“Y͢o͟u di͡sa̢pp͠o̷int͟ m͠e̡.”

“Well, I’m not around for your enjoyment,” Jackie snarled, his words catching in his throat as the fingers on his chin tightened, nails digging into his skin.

“Ḩush͟ ̢n͜o̸w͘, ̸p͟et. Li͏s̕t̢e͢n̛ t́o͞ ̨m͏e.̴ I͝ want ̡t̵ǫ g͏i̸v͠e ͏you͘ ̕an͢ ͠o͢ffer̷.” Arms wrapped around Jackie again, pulling him into another tight embrace. Jackie tried weakly to push away, but he knew it would be futile, so gave up, his face pressed into Anti’s shoulder.

“I̧ ̨c̢an̴ ̡g̷i͏v҉e ͠y͝o͠u yo̡ur sigh͘t ba̡ck,̵ ̛yo͝u̕ k̡n͞ow͝,” Anti whispered, running a hand up Jackie’s back, gently avoiding the fresh scratches. Jackie shifted at that, a strange fluttering in his chest. His sight - Anti could give him his sight back.

“You - you blinded me though,” he said quietly.

“I h̕av͠ȩ t̸he po͡w͢e͝r t̀o̧ t͏a͞ke̵ a̡w͡a͝y ̢and ͜t̵he p̵ow͢er̴ t͝o g̢iv͠e̡ b͡a͞c͘k,̵ ͢pet̀,” Anti said softly, his chest vibrating as he spoke. “I ̵ca͞n͢ ̸giv͠e͞ y͟ou͢ what yòu mo͡st d́e̛si͝re͘.̸”

Jackie let out a long breath, too exhausted to keep fighting. Besides, it was easier - easier to drift in the darkness, to let the rhythmic rubbing on his back lull him. He wanted to believe - he wanted to believe that Anti could do it, that Anti would do it. What he wouldn’t give to have his sight back.

“Y͘o̶ur̵ ̵fr͟ie͜n̢ds ̢mu̢s͞t͞ ͏be ͘t̸ire͜d ͝ǫf loo͟k̕in͢g af͞t̀er͘ y͏o͡u.” Anti’s voice was unusually soft, whispering as he continued rubbing Jackie’s back. It was so easy - so easy to forget, so easy to believe in what he was saying.

But something was off, something was screaming that he shouldn’t listen, he shouldn’t give up, he should still be fighting. Something was shouting at him to fight.

He shifted under Anti’s embrace and the stroking paused, the tips of Anti’s claws resting on his skin.

“What’s the twist?” Jackie asked quietly, trying once more to push away from Anti. Fight. Fight Jackieboy, fight. He may not have his vision, but he was still a hero.

“Ţw̕i͞s̸t͞?” Anti asked, cupping Jackie’s chin in a hand and gently lifting it. ͠”No̸ t́w͜ìst”

“There’s always a twist with you,” Jackie growled. He let out a yelp as a hand suddenly tightened around his neck, shoving him back, into the wall. He scrabbled at the hand pinning him to the wall, gasping for breath as he did.

Another hand ran lightly over his face and he stiffened, chest heaving, hands still clutching Anti’s wrist.

“No ͏t̨wi̷st̷ b͢eca̢use i͝t w͠i͟l̵l ͢happ̧e͡n͢.̧ ̵Yo͟u̶ ̀w̸ill̨ ͘b̛ow ̸t̢o m̕e, ̛pèt -͢ ąnd̨ ̛i̷f ͞y͢oư ͜do ̸so ̧w̡iĺlin͡g͏l̵y I ͡will͟ ̛r̷e҉w̷ard yo̢ų ͡wit͘h̴ yo̕ur ̸v͘isi̵on͞ ag͝ai͜n.” Anti’s voice was menacing, glitching and more crazied than Jackie had heard him in a long time. He tried in vain again to pull Anti’s hand from his throat, to let any kind of breath enter his screaming lungs.

“I̵ w͜ill͝ g͢ìv͏e̷ ͘yo͞u͢ o͏ne̢ ͞m̸or͏e ̛c͠h͟an͏ce͝, ́p̷et.͞ A̕n̴ḑ ͢the̡n ̢y͘ou̴ w҉il͘l͝ ̶b̸e̢ f͡orev͞e͝r̴ ̀i͞n t͏h́e ̛dark.͝ ”

The hand around his neck suddenly vanished and Jackie slumped forward, catching himself on the rough carpet with one hand, the other cupped around where Anti had been gripping him. He gasped, filling his lungs with blessed air, trying to fight back the tears pricking his scarred and useless eyes.

He pressed himself against the wall, wrapping his arms around his legs and burying his face in his knees, refusing to cry. He was strong, he had survived. He could face Anti - he could survive.

The door creaked open and he snapped his head up, pressing himself further into the wall, scared Anti was back. He was breathing heavily, bleeding from the scratches Anti had inflicted on him, clutching his knees like his life depended on it.

“Jackie?”

It sounded like Chase, but Jackie wasn’t sure. He didn’t move, still hugging himself, still fighting back the tears.

Someone moved across the room towards him, stopping before him. A hand was laid on his shoulder and Jackie flinched back, Anti’s touch still fresh in his mind.

“Woah, hey, it’s me, it’s Chase. Sorry - I, I’m not used to having to -”

Jackie let out a low sob at the sound of his brother’s voice, suddenly unable to keep the tears back. He flung himself forward, wrapping his arms clumsily around Chase’s neck. Chase stiffened, clearly startled, the returned the hug, his warm arms wrapping around Jackie’s back.

“Wha - Jackie you’re bleeding?” he said, almost a question. “What happened?”

Jackie didn’t answer, shoulders shaking as he clung to Chase, clung to him as though letting go would mean being alone. He buried his face in Chase’s shoulder, feeling the smooth fabric of his shirt under his cheek. Chase’s heart was beating a steady beat, his chest softly rising and falling. The familiar scent of faint alcohol, mint and tea comforting as he cried.

“Jackie?” Chase asked quietly, shifting and pushing him back gently. Jackie dropped his face, some small part of him not wanting his brother to see him so weak. He was supposed to be strong. He was supposed to be the protector. 

“Sorry,” he muttered, trying to stop the tears that were still flowing. Chase’s finger gently wiped them away, his hands much warmer than Anti’s, his touch so much more comforting. 

“Hey, it’s okay,” he said softly. “Don’t apologise.” He let out a long, shaky breath, clearly out of his depth with comforting Jackie. 

“Y͘o̶ur̵ ̵fr͟ie͜n̢ds ̢mu̢s͞t͞ ͏be ͘t̸ire͜d ͝ǫf loo͟k̕in͢g af͞t̀er͘ y͏o͡u.” Anti’s words came back to him and the tears threatened to fall again. 

“You want to tell me what happened?” Chase asked, and Jackie shook his head. He didn’t want to talk about that. He didn’t want to remember that. Anti’s phantom touch still danced across his skin and he wasn’t sure he would ever be rid of it. “Alright,” Chase said quietly. He shifted, standing and suddenly his touch on Jackie’s shoulder vanished. 

Blind panic burst through him - he couldn’t be alone. He would have no idea if Anti came back, he would have no way of knowing where the next touch would come. He couldn’t be left alone - Anti would come back, Anti would hurt him again. 

“Don’t go!” he cried, his voice pathetically small. He reached out blindly, searching for the comfort of Chase’s presence. To his relief, Chase grabbed his hand, crouching in front of him again. 

“I’m right here,” he said, his voice even. But he still couldn’t disguise the tremor of uncertainty and grief in it. He reached out, touching Jackie’s shoulder and the former superhero fell into his embrace again, the tears flowing freely once more. 

“I’m sorry,” he muttered. “I’m sorry. I shouldn’t... I’m sorry.” 

“You don’t... oh Jackie - I”m sorry. I’m so sorry this... I love you, bro.” Chase’s chest was rising evenly, but the cheek pressed against Jackie’s head was wet and his voice caught as he spoke. “I wish I could do more.” 

“I wish you didn’t have to,” Jackie whispered, unsure if Chase would even be able to hear him. He was the oldest, he was their big brother. He was the one who was supposed to be strong, to be the protector, to look after them when they were weak. 

He burst outside into the cold evening air and began hurrying down the path, nervousness and fear curling in his stomach. What had happened? Where was JJ?

“J!” he called, straining his ears for any sound of his baby brother. “Jamie!” Where are yo-”

His calls cut off as he took in a small lump on the grass, near the park. His breath caught in his throat, fear twisting even deeper into his heart.

“J? Is that you? You alright?” he asked softly as he rushed to the limp form’s side. To his horror, he saw he was right - it was JJ, limp, still, silent. Jackie muttered a curse, forcing himself to focus. He knew what to do - it wasn’t the first time he had found someone close to death.

First time he had found a brother like this though.

He dropped to his knees, feeling for a pulse on JJ’s neck only to recoil in horror - sticky wet blood coated his brother’s throat, invisible in the darkness of the night.

“Don’t you dare,” Jackie growled, gently slipping an arm under JJ’s neck. He slowly picked his brother up, JJ’s arm hanging limp as he stood.

“Jackie!” Chase was hurrying towards him. He skidded to a stop near Jackie, a curse escaping his lips. “Oh no. No, no, no. Marvin said Anti had… Oh no, Jem, please.”

“Get back to the house and tell Henrik to get a bed ready,” Jackie said sharply, sensing that Chase was about to lose it at the sight of his younger brother like this. “Go!” he snapped when Chase hesitated, and he nodded slowly, shaky breaths escaping him before he turned and sprinted away.

Jackie moved more slowly - as quickly as he could without putting JJ in danger but still far too slow. He didn’t even know if JJ was still alive.

Marvin was waiting at the door, his eyes wide and filled with guilt. He hurried alongside Jackie as the superhero carried the limp form of their younger brother towards Henrik.

“I - I thought he was behind me,” Marvin said, his eyes fixed on the red still seeping from JJ’s neck. “I’m sorry. I… this was my fault.”

“Don’t worry about that now,” Jackie growled as he arrived at the door Chase was holding open, his face ashen and worried.

Henrik was busy, hurrying around his clinic, gathering items, preparing tools, getting ready. He waved sharply in the direction of the operating table in the centre of the room and Jackie gently lowered JJ onto it.

“Now get out. I need to work and I cannot with you… ah… drängen den platz. Gehen. Raus!” He waved his hands frantically, leaning over JJ. Jackie let out a long breath, loath to leave while JJ’s fate was unsure. Henrik turned to glare at him, repeated Raus! again, and Jackie reluctantly left the room, ushering Marvin and Chase out the door as well.

“Give him space,” he said as he closed the door. “If anyone can save JJ, it’s Henrik.”

They didn’t go far. Chase slumped down the wall, leaning his head back and closing his eyes, one knee lifted. Marvin leaned against the wall beside the door, his arms crossed. Jackie began pacing, stepping up and down the hall.

They sat in silence for a long time, waiting. The scene kept repeating in Jackie’s head, JJ lying limp, the blood on his neck. He didn’t stop pacing, more thoughts beginning to invade.

You should have been better.

You should have protected him.

You let him down.

This is your fault.

Some hero you are.

“This is my fault,” Marvin muttered, breaking the horrible silence. Jackie stopped, turning to face him and shook his head.

“Please don’t blame yourself,” he said quietly. Chase didn’t move, pulling his hat further down over his eyes. Marvin shrugged, turning to Jackie.

“Don’t deny it, Jackieboy,” he said shortly. “I left him behind when Anti was chasing us. This is my fault. I should have made sure he was ahead of me. I should have stayed with him. I should have done something.”

He grabbed the ears of his mask in his hands and sank down the wall, burying his head in his knees, long hair falling over his face.

“M’sorry,” he muttered. “If he dies - it’s my fault.”

“He’s not going to die,” Chase said firmly from where he sat, not moving. “Henrik’ll save him.”

Jackie didn’t answer, hoping that what Chase said would come true. He cast a long look at the door, wishing he knew what was happening, wishing he could do something more than this endless waiting.

He was sitting against the wall, staring at the door a few hours later. Chase had dozed off, snoring softly beside him and Marvin hadn’t moved in an hour or so, giving Jackie reason to believe he had fallen asleep as well.

The door finally opened, and Jackie’s head snapped up. Chase shifted beside him, rubbing his eyes and looking up as well.

Henrik stood in the doorway, one hand resting on the frame. His face was haggard and tired, blood splattered on his clothes and hands. But there was a hint of satisfaction in his eyes, half hidden by the exhaustion.

He stepped forward and swayed slightly, so Jackie quickly pushed himself to his feet and rushed to his side, catching him before he had a chance to fall. Henrik leaned heavily on him, a small smile dancing on his face.

“JJ’s okay,” he said, his voice hoarse. “I - He’ll live.”

Chase let out a long breath, resting his head against the wall. Jackie felt like a weight had been lifted from him and he smiled slightly as Henrik laid his head on Jackie’s shoulder, exhaustion seeping from him

“You should clean up and get some sleep,” Jackie said. Henrik nodded, blinking.

“Ja,” he muttered. “Ja, I should.”

“Thank you, Henrik,” Chase said quietly. “Can - can I see him?”

Henrik nodded, and Chase vanished into the room. Jackie helped Henrik to the bathroom before ducking into his bedroom to grab some pyjamas.

Once Henrik was in the shower, Jackie headed back down the hall, intending to see how JJ was doing. But as he reached the door, he frowned, eyes landing on the stop where Marvin had been seated.

The magician was gone, nowhere to be seen. Jackie paused, hesitating. Should he go after his brother?

But the need to make sure JJ was alright was too much. He sighed, running a hand through his hair and pushed open the door.

Chase was asleep, one hand clutching JJ’s limp one, his head resting on the bed beside his younger brother. Jackie paused in the door before moving to JJ’s side. The youngest ego’s chest was slowly rising and falling, his breath scratchy as it scrapped past the bandages on his throat.

Jackie dropped into the seat opposite Chase, letting out a long sigh.

“I’m sorry, J,” he said quietly. “I - I shouldn’t have…” His words caught in his throat and he lowered his head, tears pricking his eyes. “This is all my fault.”

Everything was his fault. He was supposed to be the hero, the protector, the strong one. But he hadn’t been able to protect Jack, and now JJ was lying, limp like Jack was before Anti had stolen his body.

”I should have been stronger. I should have been better,” Jackie muttered. “I am so sorry.”

He wasn’t sure how long it was until Henrik returned, pulling him awake. Chase was still sleeping, but Jackie was used to sleeping lightly and the soft sound of the door opening caused him to look up, blinking sleep out of his eyes.

Henrik looked a little better after a shower and short sleep, but he still looked worn and tired. Worry was etched on his face and he motioned Jackie forward.

Jackie stood quietly, moving to his side.

“What’s happened?” he asked softly.

“I cannot find Marvin,” Henrik muttered. “He - he has gone.”

A sinking pit opened in Jackie’s stomach. Marvin had blamed himself - Marvin would be angry. Marvin may have gone after Anti.

“I’ll find him,” Jackie said. A flight would be good - he needed some air.

It was surprisingly light outside - for some reason Jackie had been expecting it still to be night. He took to the air, flying through the early afternoon in search of his brother.

He found Marvin, sitting in the park only a few minutes away from the house. Gently landing beside him, Jackie approached, settling onto the bench beside him. They sat in silence for a few moments, listening to the quiet sounds of the park.

“I shouldn’t have left him,” Marvin said quietly, staring at his hands. “I…” He didn’t say any more, clearly holding back tears.

Jackie didn’t move, thinking long about what to say. Finally, he let out a long breath.

“He’s going to be alright,” he said quietly.

“Yeah. I heard. But is he? I mean… who knows what damage was done. Who…” he paused for a long moment. “Who knows if it’s going to be him who wakes up.”

Jackie shuddered at the suggestion, remembering that horrible moment when Jack’s eyes had snapped open, when he had finally woken up - only to crack his face with that terrible smile, to latch his hand around Jackie’s neck. Remembering that horrible moment when Jackie knew it wasn’t Jack in charge of that body but someone - something - else.

“It’ll be him,” he said quietly. “Marv, you couldn’t have done anything.”

“But I could have!” he cried. “I - I shouldn’t have left him behind. And… And I’m going to find Anti. I’m going to find him and I’m going to make him pay.”

“Marv… don’t - don’t do anything stupid, please,” Jackie said quietly.

“No promises,” Marvin muttered. He stood, his cloak swinging behind him. “I’m going to get some breakfast,” he muttered, stalking back in the direction of home. Jackie watch him go, his heart breaking for his brothers.

His heart broke all the more when JJ woke up. They crowded around his bed, Henrik growling at them to go him space, helping him to a sitting position.

“How’re you feeling, Jem?” Chase asked. JJ smiled weakly and opened his mouth to answer.

No sound came out.

No matter how much he tried, JJ couldn’t speak, tears filling his eyes as he realised he was unable to speak. Jackie didn’t say anything either, clenching his fists and fighting down his anger.

His heart split more when he found JJ, elbows bleeding, silently crying late one night and he could do nothing but hold his baby brother, could do nothing to take away the pain he was feeling.

His heart cracked further a week later when Chase came rushing into the house, screaming for Henrik. Marvin, draped over his shoulder, hanging limp, blood trickling slowly out of each ear.

His heart shattered into a million pieces when he visited Marvin after his brother woke up, staring at him blankly as Jackie spoke to his brother.

His heart shattered into a million pieces and was replaced with a burning ball of rage when he saw what Anti had done to his brothers.

His heart shattered and he vowed revenge, no matter the cost to himself.

Yellow Submarine was playing from somewhere in the open landscape when JJ fell into a canyon that had suddenly appeared under his feet. Feeling weightless, it took JJ a few seconds to realize that his fall wasn’t going to end with him simply landing on his feet.

His mind went blank in terror, his arms and legs uselessly flailing. Somewhere in the back of his mind, JJ registered that the music was still playing, still in the middle of Yellow Submarine.

There was the bottom of the canyon, racing up to meet JJ and help him stop his fall. JJ knew there was nothing he could do to avoid the end. He knew that, but still he struggled to the last moment, desperately trying to stay alive. The last second before JJ hit the bottom, piercing giggles rang out, distorted and shrill.

Gasping, JJ bolted up in bed, mouth open in a silent scream. He grasped around wildly for something, anything that would keep him safe on the ground. As his heartbeat slowed, JJ remembered the first part of his dream.

He knew what had caused it. He had fallen asleep right after his brothers had watched the Beatles Yellow Submarine. The sound of the songs from the movie must have filtered into JJ’s subconscious while he slept.

A deep pit opened in his chest when he realized that he wouldn’t be able to sing anymore. Despair flooded into that pit, nearly drowning JJ. He had sung to make himself feel better, he had sung to Chase’s children when they visited, he had sung to cheer up his brothers, he had sung for enjoyment. Now, with what had happened, he would never be able to sing again.

He’d never be able to sing when his emotions were getting too much to handle. He’d never be able to sing and entertain the children again. He’d never be able to use his voice to help cheer his brothers up.

He’d never be able to sing again.

Tears streamed down JJ’s face as all those realizations hit him at once. He brought his knees up to his chest, sobbing even harder because he heard nothing. He couldn’t make any noise louder than his heavy breathing.

Frustrated by everything, JJ threw his head back into the wall. It hurts. Everything hurts.

He bowed his head again only to slam his elbows into the wall instead. Over, and over, and over he slammed his elbows into the wall, not caring if he hurt himself even more or if he broke the wall.

Eventually Jackie came running in, a panicked look on his face. By then JJ had stopped pounding the wall, but there were small reddish smears on the wall and JJ was slumped down, staring vacantly at nothing. Jackie left for a moment and came back with a bowl of gently steaming water and some bandages.

“Òh, is t̡h͜at ͢what ̵you͟'rȩ ups͞ȩt ̧a̕bou҉ţ?” he said with a chuckle. He seemed completely at ease, and usually, that would bother Jackie. But today he was too angry, too worked up, too full of rage to settle down and realise the amount of danger he was in. “Honestl͜y,̛ ̷I t̕ho̴uģht͏ ́you w̷oưl̸d b҉e͠ bet͡te͏r̀ ́t̸han ̀tha͠t̴.͢”

He couldn’t think straight, the anger clouding his thoughts, burning through his chest. The anger and his burning recklessness was simply a cover, of course. A comforting blanket to hide his guilt. He was supposed to be their protector, their big brother. The one they turned to when they needed help, the one who kept them safe.

And he had failed them.

“I’m not leaving until you’re on the ground in a pile of your own blood,” he said, focusing on Anti. On the burning ball of rage that swallowed him whole.

“Be ҉my g͝ues̛t̷. K̶n҉òck ̛you͏r̀self ҉ou͞t.” Anti spread his arms wide and Jackie snarled, lunging forward as quickly as he could. They engaged again, tussling back and forth, Anti glitching and flickering, Jackie swinging wildly, frantically trying to land a blow.

Anti shoved him back and he slammed into a wall, throwing his hands up to cover his face as Anti walked slowly towards him. He slid down the wall, pushing himself to one knee and supporting himself with his hand on his leg, breathing heavily and snarling up at Anti.

“I’m not about to let you get away with what you did,” he managed to gasp out. He was tiring - the energy and adrenaline beginning to run out. It was at this stage that he would usually make a rapid retreat, but he wasn’t about to leave. Not this time. Not after what Anti had done.

Not after his brothers had been hurt on his watch.

“O͟h͢,͠ ͡com̸e͘ ̨n͡ow͜, litt́l͠e͡ h͘er͢o. ́D̨o y͞ou͘ r҉e̸aļly̸ ̴b̸ȩl͘ie̷ve yo͠u were wi̢n҉n̕in͏g̢?͝” Anti asked, crouching in front of him. He reached out with one hand but Jackie jerked away, scrambling to his feet, chest rising and falling quickly as he breathed. Anti stood as well, slowly, glitching slightly, and ran a finger along the knife.

“Y͝ou̷ kn̨o̶w, ̛I҉ ͏migh̵t ̨h̶a͜v͞e҉ ań i͘dea͢ ̶f͟or you, ́l̷i̡t͘t̛l̶e̛ ̕he̵r̀o̧,” he said slowly, a wicked smile dancing on his face.

“And what might that be?” Jackie demanded.

“Y͡o̵u'll͜ s͜ęe ̕śóon ͘en̢oúg͢h. Ơr̛ n͟ot.́” Anti grinned, as though that was a joke and sped forward. Jackie gasped, leaping back and throwing up his arms to catch his opponent’s blow. But Anti moved too quickly, glitching around him and suddenly pain burst through Jackie’s body as the knife was embedded in his shoulder.

He let out a cry, stumbled back, then to his knees as Anti shoved him down. He grabbed at Anti’s arm as he pushed the knife further into his shoulder. Anti pulled free the knife and Jackie collapsed to his hands and knees, gritting his teeth against the pain. He took a shaky breath and raised his head, eyes flashing.

Slowly, he began to push himself to his feet, one hand pressed to his wounded shoulder. Anti watched him, almost pityingly.

“H͞av̛e͠ ̕ỳo͘u h̷e̴ar͜d ̢o̵f ͞th͟e o͘ld ̴s̢ay͝ing?” he asked. Jackie didn’t answer - he needed this fight to be over. Now. He lunged forward with a shout. Anti stopped him almost effortlessly, throwing him back.

He hit the ground with a solid thump, dazed for a second. Anti crouched on top of him, one knee pressed firmly to Jackie’s chest.

“It goe͞s̷ lik̀e̵ thìs̡,” Anti said, pressing on hand to Jackie’s wounded shoulder. He cried out, trying to fight back his noises of pain as he tried to push Anti off him.  “S̡pe͢ak̢ ̛n҉o ́e҉v̕i̢l.” Anti slowly tracked Jackie’s throat with his knife, a wicked smile covering his own mouth. Jackie’s chest was heaving, his fight slowly dying as he realised what was happening.  “Heąr҉ ͜n̵o͠ ȩvi̡l̡.” The knife danced around his ear, nipping the corner. “And̸ ̧se̛e ̷n̶o̡ e̢v͡i̷l̵.” The knife tapped the edge of his mask, then was removed from his face.

“Piss off,” Jackie snarled, grabbing at the hand clasping the knife. Anti tisked softly, grabbing both his hands in a grip that was surprisingly strong and pulling his hands down roughly. Jackie’s chest was rising quickly as he tried to push Anti off, but nothing he could do worked.

“Y͘ou̵r̕ litt̷le͘ ̧f͜riend̢s ha̢v͜e̸ ͠al͠r̴e̷ad͏y̨ ̵m͝e͢t͜ ͘the͜ ͢f̸irst̕ ͘t̛wo s̵ce͝n̛ar̵i͏o͏s̢ of͠ t̴his ̷l̷i̛t̢t̶l͢e s͠a͠y͏i͏n̴g,” Anti said, baring his teeth in a gruesome smile. “Śh͞al͟l w͟e ͠c̵ļo҉s̸e͠ ̧the cìr̴cl̵e?͟”

Jackie’s eyes grew wide as he realised what Anti was going to do, trying in vain to free his hands, to throw Anti off - to do anything. His anger had been replaced with burning fear, panic coursing through him as he struggled, helpless, pinned under the strength of his enemy.  

Carefully, Anti reached forward with his knife, digging it under his mask and cutting the cord with a swift flick of his wrist. A thin trickle of blood rolled down his cheek from where the knife broke the skin.  Jackie bared his teeth, trying to pull his hands free, trying to toss Anti off, trying to do anything. But nothing worked.

Almost casually, Anti flicked the mask out of the way and smiled down at Jackie, at his unprotected eyes.

“Don’t,” Jackie cried, fear making his heart beat fast, unable to think of anything he could do but beg. “Please!” Anti didn’t answer, just smiled - a large, terrifying smile that was the last thing Jackie saw.

The knife slashed across his eyes and he screamed.

Anti’s weight on him suddenly vanished and he curled into a ball, covering his bleeding eyes with both hands. Pain, pain, pain and blackness and he couldn’t think of anything and he lay there.

“Di̶sa͡pp̧oi͢ńti͡ng.̴ ͝Í ͠t͏hǫug̛ht you̢ ͟were͞ ͘more̴ ̶o̶f a͡ h̢e͠r͏o ̨t͞h̀a͜n t̶h̀a̡t̀.͘” Anti’s voice came from nowhere and he flinched, unable to see where his opponent was. “No ̕matt͞er̨. ̧I͡'̕l͡l͘ ͞s̕ee yo͠u͢ s̷óo͡n̶ ͟e͠n͞o̶ưgh.”

Jackie didn’t respond, letting out a shallow sob. Anti had gone, something told him that - a lack of a presence - but he still didn’t move.

It took him a long time to come back to himself. Taking a slow, shaking breath, he tried to open his eyes again. Nothing - blackness. Muted panic took over for a moment and took in a shaky breath, slowly pushing himself to a sitting position. He couldn’t see.

Blood was still dripping down his face - he could feel it, warm, sticky, running down his cheeks. What was he going to do? He had no clue where in the city he was - that usually didn’t bother him, a quick flight above the buildings and he could find a landmark easily enough - but now?

He fumbled in his pouch until he found his phone. Trying to remember the layout, he opened the emergency call and dialled Henrik’s number - he wasn’t able to do this alone.

Hoping he had pressed all the right buttons, he felt a flash of relief as he heard the phone begin to ring. Clutching it tightly, knowing he was getting blood all over it, he waited in the darkness.

“Jackie?” Henrik answered with, and Jackie couldn’t stop a low sob of relief escaped him. Henrik clearly immediately picked up on it, worry in his voice. “What has happened?”

“I - It was…” everything hurt, he felt like he was floating, ungrounded as he drifted in darkness.

“Are you alright?” Henrik’s voice brought him back to where he was, to the solid pavement underneath him, to the sounds of wind and the smell of freshly mowed grass.

“N-no, not really,” he said, taking a shaky breath. “I - I can’t see. Anti, he… I can’t see.”

A muted curse came through the received and Jackie gripped the phone, scared he was going to drop it and lose his line back home.

“Where are you?” Henrik asked quietly. “I will come and find you.”

“Thank you,” Jackie said, letting out a breath of relief. “I - I’m sorry, I shouldn’t have… I…” He took another shaky breath, trying to stay calm. Henrik would be here soon - Henrik would be here and everything would be alright. “I - I don’t know where I am, I just…”

“Alright, I will come as soon as I can. I can track your phone.”

“Thank you,” Jackie repeated. Henrik didn’t hang up and continued talking to him, nonsense coming through the phone as he made his way to Jackie’s position. Jackie was grateful for that - Henrik’s voice was comforting and he moved away from the quiet road, pressing himself against a fence and gripping the phone as though it was a lifeline. He was still bleeding, blood seeping slowly from his shoulder, blood dripping down his face.

It didn’t take long before he heard a car pull up beside him. Jerking out of a half-unconscious state, he looked in the direction of the sound, as though he could suddenly see the car.

“I found you.” Henrik’s voice came from both the phone and in front of him and Jackie let out a small noise of relief. The phone clicked and suddenly warm arms were wrapped around him and Jackie fell into Henrik’s warm embrace.

Henrik rubbed his back as Jackie clung to him, scared he was going to suddenly vanish. Tears began merging with the blood covering his face as he dug his fingers into Henrik’s coat. He felt safe - secure, comfortable in his brother’s embrace.

But Henrik shifted, gently pushing him back and holding his shoulders, clearly taking in the damage that Anti had done. He cursed softly.

“What has he done to you,” he muttered. He let go of Jackie’s shoulder with one hand, gently running a finger under Jackie’s eye.

“I’m sorry,” Jackie said quietly, gripping Henrik’s arms. He didn’t want to let go, didn’t want to float into the darkness. Henrik gently squeezed his shoulder.

“Nein, do not blame yourself.”

“But I - I shouldn’t have gone after him on my own. I should have waiting for you or Chase, or something. It was my fault, I was just… I was just so angry.” He dropped his head, more tears running down his cheek.

“Hey.” Henrik gently lifted his chin, then pulled him back into a hug. Jackie let out a small sniff, clinging to him again. “We are all angry. If I had the ability to go after that monster he would not live.”

“I shouldn’t have. Shouldn't have let them get hurt to begin with,” Jackie whispered, burying his face in Henrik’s shoulder. He couldn’t almost imagine he could still see, sitting like this. Almost, but for the throbbing pain that broke across his face. “‘m sorry,” he muttered.

He was so tired. His head was aching, both from wounds and his crying. His shoulder was throbbing, other bruises and cuts from his fight sending pangs of pain throughout his body. Henrik seemed to pick up on that, slowly shifting, standing, one hand still gripping Jackie’s.

“Let’s get you home,” he said, and Jackie nodded, allowing Henrik to help him to his feet. He followed blindly, trusting his brother would lead him safely. “Jackie, we will get through this,” Henrik said quietly. “Together, ja? I am here to help you - your brothers are all here for you.”

Jackie just nodded as Henrik helped him into the car, curling into himself as he sat, numb, exhausted, floating in the darkness of nothing.

“Jackie?”

Henrik’s voice sounded far away and he slowly turned his head towards his voice, to where Henrik was sitting in the driver’s seat. It took too much energy to even do that, so he sighed quietly, resting his head against the seat.

“NO! Let me go!” JJ thrashed wildly, tangling himself in his blankets.

He fell out of bed and landed on the floor with a loud thump. The door flew open, slamming into the wall and scaring JJ even more.

“J! What’s wrong?” Chase was there by JJ’s side in an instant, hugging and comforting his younger brother. Slowly, JJ calmed down enough to talk some.

“It was a nightmare,” JJ’s voice trembled and he refused to look anyone in the eye, “There- there was a knife, and a monster, I-I couldn’t get away.”

Chase rubbed small circles on JJ’s back, “It’s okay J. You’re awake now, there are no monsters.”

JJ took comfort from his brother’s words and looked around his room. His eyes landed on the clock by his bed, according to that, it was 4:37. Going by the lack of light coming through his window, it was 4:37 in the morning.

“I didn’t wake you up did I?” JJ asked softly, “I’m sorry if I did.”

“Don’t be sorry, we were all still awake,” Marv leaned against the door frame with a steaming mug in his hand.

“There’s some more tea made if you want me to bring you some,” Marv pushed himself off the door frame, waiting for JJ’s answer.

JJ smiled and got to his feet, “Thank you Marvin, but I think I’ll get it on my own. I want to try and walk the nightmare off as well.”

They made their way out of JJ’s room and Marv offered to keep JJ company on the walk. He stopped stirring his tea, thinking about it for a moment.

“If you don’t mind, I would enjoy the company. There’s also something I want to tell you.”

Marvin raised an eyebrow, wondering what his brother would want to tell him right after a nightmare.

JJ and Marv walked to the park near the house, circling a few times before stopping by the duck pond. JJ tapped his fingers on his leg, trying to think of a way to bring up the thing he wanted to tell Marv. Glancing up at Marv, JJ decided to just blurt it out, shocking bluntness be damned.

“I saw A- I saw Anti during a weak moment.”

Marv stared down at JJ in disbelief, “But He doesn’t have weak moments.”

JJ turned away from Marv, ashamed it had taken him this long to tell anyone about what he had seen.

“It only seems that way because He makes sure to convince us of that. I saw it when I first came to this time.”

Marv moved to sit next to JJ on the bench, his gaze burning holes in the side of JJ’s face, “Then why did you wait so long to tell anyone?”

The younger brother bowed his head, “He said He’d make me regret it if I told anyone. And I-I didn’t fully trust any of you back then. I was new to this time and so I was scared that if He made me regret it by taking you all away I would be lost and unable to speak and then I had that nightmare which reminded me of that time and I knew I had to tell someone and-”

Marv grabbed JJ’s shoulders and forced his brother to look at him. “Relax J, it’s okay. Just tell me what his weakness is and I’ll be sure to keep you safe and talking, all right?”

JJ took a deep breath and told Marv what he had seen that night.

It was dark out, there was a new moon and the clouds were covering what little light the stars provided. JJ stumbled away from the monster, terrified of what might happen to him.

But the monster didn’t follow. It stayed where it was, swaying like it might lose its balance at any moment. There was a soft sound coming from the monster. Nervously stepping closer, JJ heard words come from the monster.

“Too dark….. I need….. light, people…. power”

The night was lit by two streams of light and a roaring sound filled the air. The monster straightened up and dashed towards the source of the light. Screams rang out quickly followed by a bone rattling crash. The monster emerged from the wreckage standing tall. It glitched back to standing in front of JJ, the stink of blood filling his nose.

JJ held himself perfectly still while the monster considered him. The monster brought a hand up to JJ’s face, gently running its fingers through his hair.

“If you tell anyone about what you just saw, I will make sure you will live to regret the day by taking away everything you hold dear.”

The monster’s hand moved from his hair to grip his chin, digging its nails in and drawing blood, “However it was you told, I will take it away from you and make it so you stay awake for the whole thing. Am I understood?”

JJ whimpered, trembling. “I understand!” He sobbed when the monster’s grip on him tightened, “I won’t tell anyone, I promise!”

The world went black and the last thing JJ heard before he slipped in unconsciousness was the monster, “Good pet.”

JJ kept his eyes on the ground between his feet, afraid to look at Marv. “That’s why I didn’t tell anyone, I was too scared.”

Marv startled JJ by pulling him into a hug. “I’m sorry you had to go through that on your first night here, but I’m glad you told me.”

JJ relaxed into the hug, happy to have finally gotten that secret off his chest. His sense of peace was shattered when the smell of blood hit his nose. JJ pushed out of the hug and pulled Marv to his feet, “He’s here, we need to run.”

Without another word, Marv took off down the path, racing for home. JJ tried to keep up with his brother, but there was a part of him that was telling him to simply stay behind and accept his punishment.

“Come on J! We’re almost home!” Marv ran too far ahead of JJ for the younger one to catch up, and he was too busy running to yell for Marv to slow down. But then a hand grabbed the back of JJ’s shirt and pulled him off balance, pulled him off the path.

The monster slammed JJ against a tree, knocking the breath out of him. “What did I tell you about keeping that mouth of yours closed?” it growled, the stench of blood and burnt flesh clogging JJ’s nose.

“Y-you said I’d regret it if I didn’t,” JJ whimpered, trembling as he felt the monster’s finger slide across his throat.

“And do you remember how I said you’d regret it, pet?”

JJ was hyper focused on the the feeling of cool, sharp metal and the equally cold finger caress his neck and face. He turned away from the monster, but it’s fingers gripped his chin with bruising force and forced JJ to look at it.

“Well?”

“Y-you said if I- if I told someone you’d t-take away my voice.”

The fingers went back to caressing JJ’s face, occasionally running through his hair as well. “So you do remember. I wonder where that lovely memory went when you chose to disobey me.”

The hand in JJ’s hair suddenly grabbed a fist full and yanked his head back, exposing his throat. JJ cried out, knowing and dreading what was coming next.

“Please, please don’t. I promise I won’t tell, I swear it!” Tears fell down JJ’s face as he felt the first sting of a cut on his neck.

“Interesting,” the monster remarked, pausing with the tip of the knife still in JJ’s throat, “you said the same thing last time, and yet you broke your promise. Why should I believe you now?”