Ethan jumped from his bed. After what seemed like hours of sitting in complete silence and darkness, he was so glad to be released from the room. Ethan thought he was going to go insane.

He ran to the bathroom, trying not to wake anyone. Ethan took a warm shower and let the water run down his body and over his arm. Even though it stung, he knew he had to take care of the injuries. After 30 minutes of standing in the shower, he got out and dried off.

"Hey Ethan," Mark said opening Ethan's door.

"Hey." Ethan responded, his eyes looking at the floor. He had on a hoodie to cover the scars.

"Are you okay? Is it Dark?"

"No, everything is fine. I am just a little tired. I- uh- I have been staying up late a lot to get videos ready."

"Ethan, if you need help you know you can ask me." Mark pulled Ethan into a hug. As he was hugging him, he noticed a little dried blood on the bed sheets. "Is that- blood?" Mark asked, pointing at the sheets.

"Oh- yeah. I had a nose bleed last night. Its fine. I am going to wash them."

"You know if something is happening you can tell me. You don't have to hide it." Mark gave Ethan a smile.

"Yeah. I know," he smiled back. Even though it was fake, it made him a little happier.

"I am going to get some more dog food for Chica. Do you need anything?" Mark asked.

"No, but thank you," Ethan responded.

Mark walked out of the room and closed the door. Ethan took off his hoodie and sat down at his computer. Is was as good of time as any to make some videos, and the camera couldn't see his arm. Ethan knew he could just put his hoodie back on if he heard footsteps.

In the middle of recording, Ethan heard Dark speak, "You know Mark was lying. He hates you. Everyone hates you."

Ethan tried to focus on the video, but Dark was too powerful in his mind. He paused the game he was playing and turned off the camera. All he wanted to do was sit. Ethan didn't want to listen to anyone anymore. He just wanted to exist and let it all go. He wanted to be able to relax without the world leaving him behind. For so long, Ethan felt like he has been trying to catch up with everyone, but kept being left behind. As Ethan sat thinking, he slowly slipped into sleep.