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Adam and Jonah were on a hunt. Not for another alternate, something much different. Apparently there was some creature roaming around getting rid of alternates and saving the victims of alternate attacks. No one really knew anything about this creature other then the reports from eye witnesses. The only consistent information on it being it had glowing wings and a halo in a bright silvery color. Adam had been researching this thing for the past few weeks trying to get an idea of its habits. He never found anything much of use but he did learn it looked human. Adam and Jonah had been trying to track this thing down for a couple of days now with no luck. It seems like this may be just another urban legend.Adam was pulled out of his thoughts, as he approached an abandoned fast food restaurant. He didn't know why, but something seemed off. Almost like he was being watched. He decided to approach the building, as he noticed a flash of light. Now most people would ignore it and move on, but Adam Murray was not most people. He gave chase, and was able to catch a glimpse of what appeared to be the creature Jonah and him had been looking for.He chased it, as it headed towards a nearby diner. "Hey Jonah I think we found our mystery creature." The walkie talkie crackled to life."You did, where is it?""Its heading towards a nearby diner, try to cut it off if you can." Just as he said that the creature bolted into the diner. At least it was cornered now. Jonah pulled up, exiting the car."So it's in there?" Jonah asked as he nervously figited with the car keys."Yup, and we're going in." Without waiting for a response Adam walked in, scanning the building. His eyes landed on a person in a grey hoodie, sitting at the far end of the bar. Adam didn't know what it was about the man, but something inside him told him that was their target. Adam walked over, and sat next to the hooded figure. He was drinking what appeared to be a kind of soda. He waited to see what this man would do. When the man never said anything, Adam started a conversation. Jonah sat by him just as he did so."I know what you are." The man stopped drinking his soda. He didn't look at them."Then what am I?" He responded, as he went back to sipping on his soda. "You're some kind of alternate hunting creature." The 'man' sat there for a while before saying anything else."Is that a bad thing?" The question caught adam off guard. Who was this guy? "No I guess not.""Then why are you following me?" Ah, that. His reasoning felt a little silly, but this creature could prove useful to the bps."I want you to join our group, we try to help people with alternate problems too." The man stayed quiet for a while."I'll think about it, what's your names?" Jonah flinched a little at also being mentioned."I'm Adam, and this is Jonah. What's your name?" The man took a long sip of his soda before responding."It's Mark." Mark? That's an odd name for a creature that hunts alternates, Adam thought it would be some funky ethereal name. Guess there's a first for every weird angel creature."Where can we find you Mark?" Mark shrugged."Anywhere alternates are I guess, or my house." That narrowed things down. Where would a creature like Mark even live anyway?"I'll come if you need me." He said as he stood up."I always do." And with that, the mystery that was Mark walked out of the diner, and into the night.
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He was so stupid. How could he just leave Adam like that? His best friend, most likely dead because of him. The radio continued its relentless mocking, blaming him and telling him all his insecurities. He deserved this. Jonah sat in his car, shaking from sobs. He didn't deserve to cry. He didn't deserve anything really. Not after what he'd done. He had said such hurtful things too. Those words being the last ones Adam would've ever heard from him.Just then the radio went silent. Was this some kind of sick joke? Be quiet for a minute before blaring to life again even worse? Jonah waited for what felt like an eternity, but the radio never started back up. Just then there was a knock at his window. He almost didn't want to look over, until he heard a vauigly familiar voice."Hey kid, you alright?" Jonah looked over to see the creature they'd been hunting a couple weeks ago. So the hunting alternates gig wasn't just some scam. Jonah tried to speak, but could only get out a pitiful sob. He clumsily fumbled with the unlock button on the door, and shoved the door open, collapsing into Mark's arms. Almost instinctively Mark pulled him into a hug, rubbing circles on his back in an effort to calm Jonah down. Mark must've delt with this before if this was the usual response. He felt something warm wrap around him. Looking over he could see Mark's odd wings were now wrapped around him. It was nice. It gave that comforting feeling a parent gave when you were little. The feeling that as long as you stayed in their arms nothing could hurt you. Jonah welcomed the feeling.Just then he realized he couldn't stay like this. He needed to save Adam, or at least try. He tried to stand, but found his legs felt like noodles."What's wrong?" Mark asked, removing his wings from being wrapped around Jonah. He wouldn't admit it, but it made him sad the feeling had to go."I- I need to save Adam. He went down in that basement. There were alternates in there." Mark seemed to almost switch moods in an instant."Get in the passengers seat I'll drive. Where was the house?" Jonah did as he was told and moved to the shotgun. He gave Mark directions, as he did so Mark seemed to grow more distressed at the directions. When they got there Mark looked upset, horrified, and disgusted all at the same time."Wait here, I'll get Adam." Jonah wanted to argue, but he didn't want to upset the person who just saved his life, so he obeyed. What only took a few minutes felt like an eternity to Jonah. What if Mark came out with Adam's dead body? What if Adam was badly hurt. What if-Oh he's fine. Mark brought Adam out carrying him, as he attempted to squirm out of Mark's grasp. Mark looked like he was not having it. He pulled the backseat car door open, and threw Adam in without a word. Adam complained, and yelled. Mark still said nothing as he entered the drivers seat."I WAS RIGHT THERE I ALMOST HAD MY ANSWERS AND YOU RUINED IT!" Adam screamed. Mark finally seemed to hit a breaking point."Will you shut up?!" Adam fell silent momentarily, before trying to yell again. Mark cut him off."You endangered both yours and Jonah's life today because you were too prideful to realize the danger you were both in, if I hadn't stepped in when I did Jonah would be dead because of you!" The way Mark spoke was almost like a parent talking down a kid after doing something really bad. It almost scared Jonah if he was being honest. No more words were exchanged, as Mark began to drive. Jonah wanted to ask where Mark was taking them, but he was too afraid to after Mark's outburst at Adam. It wasn't a terribly long drive, as Mark pulled up to a two story house. He stepped out of the car, before gesturing for the two young men to follow.Jonah waisted no time following, as he stepped out of the car. Mark pulled out a set of keys, before unlocking the door, waiting for the two to enter. Adam walked in first, before Jonah quickly followed after him. Mark then closed the door after entering himself. He locked it, before checking it twice to make sure. Mark had them sit on the couch, before he went to sit across from them in an armchair. He had this look in his eyes that made Jonah feel like he was about to be told off."Care to explain why you were at that house?" Mark asked calmly."It was for a client who was asking us to help her cat find peace in the afterlife or whatever, turns out it was a setup but who cares, we're fine." Adam tried to play it off as a simple thing they'd delt with before. Maybe adam had delt with alternates before, but Jonah never had, that was his first ever encounter, and what he thought would've been his only encounter. Mark seemed to be able to read Jonah's thoughts with the look he was giving him. It was like a mix of sympathy and worry."You don't look fine." Mark responded, still keeping his voice level. Jonah said nothing, afraid of either of the two's wrath. Adam scoffed."Well thanks for the drive, but we'll be leaving now." Adam got up to leave, but Mark stopped him."You're not going home after all that, neither of you are well enough to be driving right now." Adam began to grow more frustrated with Mark."So you're just gonna kidnap us?! Make us sleep on the wood floor?" Adam got in Mark's face as he yelled. Mark pushed his face away as he spoke, surprisingly still calm."I was going to offer you the spare bedroom, and my bedroom, unless you want to sleep on the floor." Adam grumbled, before storming upstairs."Its the second door up there!" Mark shouted as Adam dissapered upstairs. Mark sighed, looking to Jonah who had been quiet the whole time. "I'm impressed with how well you're able to put up with him. He seems very irritable."Jonah just shrugged. Yeah Adam was a jerk, but Jonah didn't know what he'd do without him. Adam keeps him in check, even if it's harsh in the process. After this though, he wasn't sure if he even wanted to be around Adam. "I think I'm gonna go lie down.""Alright, my room is the final door in the hallway." Jonah nodded, as he headed upstairs. When Jonah entered Mark's room he went straight to the bed and flopped on it. Mark's room was a little devoid of decoration. There was a desk in the corner of his room, a wardrobe, and a trashcan by the door. There was a cross hung above the desk, and a bible flipped open on the desk itself. Guess the guy was a Christian. Made sense due to the wings and halo, plus didn't the guy wear a cross necklace? Jonah rolled onto his stomach, as he tried to get some sleep. He was so tired after everything, all he wanted was to sleep. Jonah lay there for a while, before finally finding a comfortable position, and drifting off.
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After Jonah fell asleep Mark decided it would be a good idea to do a check around the house for alternates. They tended to stalk survivors of attacks. Weaker minds made for easier kills. As soon as Mark stepped outside he felt the presence of at least two alternates. They must be desspret to get a kill. Mark cautiously searched around the house before spotting it at his window. It was trying to peek inside the room, problably looking for Adam. Mark took a deep breath, focusing on summoning his gun. It's appearance had changed since his first encounter. It was white and gold now, and had a faint glow to it. Mark aimed, and fired with little hesitation.The alternate screeched in pain, as it charged at him. Mark summoned his wings and flew upwards, dodging its attack. He shot it again, liquid static pouring out of it. It grabbed his leg, only for Mark to touch it's face with his purified magic. The spot where his hand was began to smoke, as it let go of Mark's legs and retreated to the forest. Mark sighed, exhausted. Fighting what was essentially demons was tiring work after all. Mark heard footsteps approching calmly. He looked up to see the one alternate he didn't hate.For some reason he was different from the other alternates. Less feral, more understanding of humans and their lives. Mark had given him the name Jr, mainly because he found it funny to name one of the tallest alternates he'd ever seen something like that. Jr didn't seem to mind the name though."What are you doing out here so late?" He asked. Jr had always worried about Mark after his encounter. Mark hadn't noticed when he was growing up, but Jr had watched over him for a very long time."Just clearing the area. I've got some fragile minded teens in my house right now and I'd rather not have their lives cut short because of an alternate." Jr nodded in understanding."I'll help you if you need it." Mark shook his head."I can't ask you to do that, others already suspect you aren't loyal to your maker.""I suppose you're right. Keep me updated with the kids, if there's anything you need help with don't hesitate to ask." Jr offered a hug, which Mark accepted."Alright, I will." Jr then left to let Mark get back to his patrol. He was about to head back inside until he noticed someone... Very familiar walking towards him. Mark summoned his wings and gun again. He stopped, but didn't seem consurned. His too wide grin and wings of his own mocked him."What do you want Gabriel." Mark asked sternly, more so a statement then a question."Relax Heathcliff, I am mearly here to converse." Mark didn't buy that for a second. He guestered with his gun for Gabriel to continue. Gabriel grinned."I know you are well aware one of the boys in your home is... Not exactly human." Mark hated everything about this, it was obvious the kid didn't know, or wasn't fully aware he was an alternate. While he was a jerk, he was still young. Mark knew what Gabriel wanted from him."You're not getting anywhere near them." Gabriel sighed."I'm not here for the boys Markus, I'm here for you." Mark stopped."Me? What do you mean?" Gabriel laughed before continuing."I just wanted to offer you a chance to see your dear late friend after so long." Did he mean... Mark wouldn't be fooled that easily."I highly doubt you know where Cesar is. Is this some kind of trick? I bet it is." Gabriel shook his head."No tricks here Markus, just an offer. You may take it or leave it." Mark paused. There was a high chance Gabriel was lying, but was it worth risking the small chance he wasn't? Mark had been searching for Cesar's soul for so long. If there was even a small chance he could see him again... It might just be worth the risk."What's the catch?" There had to be something Gabriel wanted in return."I do not wish for anything other then for you to not cause a scene." Mark took a long pause to think about his options. It was risky, it was foolish, but a part of him knew he couldn't let this chance slip away."Alright. Take me to him." Gabriel gave a motion to follow him, as he lead Mark into the alternates home base. Mark stayed alert the whole trip, keeping his eyes on all threats. After a while of walking the were lead to a large cage that resembled a bird cage. Mark walked a little closer past Gabriel to see the inside. It wasn't very big, but he could see it was big enough to hold his childhood friend, with some extra space. Mark gripped the bars, and spoke."Cesar? Cesar can you hear me? It's me, Mark." Mark couldn't believe it, he was here, he finally found him after all these years. Cesar seemed to be asleep. Mark was so distracted by his joy that he didn't notice the metal object being swung at his head until it was too late. The metal made impact with his head, as his consciousness came to a sudden halt.
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Everything hurt. Chains wrapped tightly around his body burned into his skin. He would've been screaming, had he not lost his voice doing so already. He knew they wanted him to scream. Wanted him to suffer. He would not let them win, he knew help had to come for him soon. It wouldn't end like before... Right?...Nobody came for him.That's what Mark realized as he awoke in his bed. He thought the devil would take him, but his faith saved him. He looked down at the cross around his neck. It faintly glowed, giving a comforting feeling. His prayers were answered. He was saved. Mark allowed himself to cry, as the last three days settled in. Cesar, the police leaving him for dead, his sister.His sister.He needed to call his sister. He had told her to stay with her friend when the alternate showed up, and since the alternate never left he never told her to come home. Then he had another realization.The alternate could still be in his home.Mark took a shaky breath, trying to keep himself from spiraling. He carefully went to his bedroom door, and slowly opened his door he'd kept closed for three days. Peering out into the darkness; he saw no signs of the demon. He didn't know if that was supposed to comfort him. He took a few steps out into the hallway, surveying the area. He noticed how damaged his door was, long claw marks running along the wood. How did it never manage to break in? Mark looked into his sister's room, then the bathroom. No sign of it. Maybe it had left. Mark made his way downstairs, and made his way to the phone. He called his sister, who as he had worried, was very worried about him. She was glad to know he was alright though. He told her he'd come to pick her up soon, then hung up. He let out a heavy sigh. There were too many thoughts running around in his head. He went to change out of his bloody tee shirt, before heading back downstairs. Gosh he was glad he took off his hoodie before using the gun.Mark flinched at the thought of it. He wouldn't be surprised if he stopped using it all together at this point. Just as he grabbed his keys there was a knock at the door. Mark froze. Who could that be?"Police, open the door." Mark didn't believe that for a second. He called them more then one hundred times only to be ignored. Why would they come now? Mark moved towards the door, looking through the peephole. The thing on the other side looked human, but was it really? The officer knocked again, before trying to open the door. Mark's breath hitched. He gave in, and slowly opened the door, keeping the chain hooked to the door. The officer met his eyes, before speaking."Mr Heathcliff?" Mark hesitantly nodded. The officer had longish blong hair, black roots showing through the dye."Your schooled asked for a wellness check. Apparently you've been missing school for a while." It felt like he was judging him. As if he could judge Mark after leaving him to die."Well I'm just fine officer, now if you'll excuse me I need to pick up my sister." Mark did not want to spend another minute with this man. Before he could reach his car however, he was stopped."Before you go take this." He handed Mark a piece of paper."In case you need someone to talk to." Mark didn't know whether to feel offended or not. He simply nodded before getting into his car, and driving off.
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After a while of walking Cesar finally made it to the Heathcliff household. He wasn't quite sure how to go about this. Sarah knew he was dead, so if she saw him she'd problably know he wasn't human. At least... not anymore. He could waste time like this though, Mark needed help. Cesar would not leave him there with Gabriel.Before Cesar could make up his mind, someone opened the door. It wasn't anyone he was expecting however. There standing in the doorway was his cousin, Jonah Marshall. The two stared at each other, before Jonah went to close the door. Cesar put his foot in the doorway to stop him from closing it."Jonah pl-" Cesar started, only to be cut off by Jonah slamming the door on his foot, and calling for Sarah. This wasn't how Cesar wanted this to go. He had to think if something, fast. Cesar tried to speak again."Jonah please, I'm not here to hurt you!" Jonah didn't listen, still struggling to close the door. Sarah finally came down, noticing the struggle. She ran over, pulling a gun out and pointing it at Cesar's head. Cesar froze, letting go of the door."What do you want?" Sarah demanded. Cesar paused, trying to collect his bearings."I- I need help, it's about Mark." He stated, afraid to pull his foot out from the doorway. He wanted them to listen."What about him?" Sarah didn't move the gun, still distrustful of him. Jonah made his way to hide behind Sarah. Cesar also noticed a second boy come downstairs, watching the interaction."He's been captured. I need help freeing him. I know you don't want to trust me, but please. Mark is in danger and he needs help." There was a long, tense pause before Sarah sighed."Where is he?" She asked, as Cesar thought about how to tell her where he was. How do you tell someone their brother was in hell? And still alive at that."He's in an alternate den." Cesar settled for that. It was mostly the truth anyway. Sarah's eyes widened at the thought. Her brother, trapped with hundreds, maybe even thousands of alternates. That was, if this alternate was telling the truth."How do I know you aren't lying?" She asked, still not fully believing it. Cesar thought for a moment, how could he prove he ment no harm?"When we were little, Mark and I would play hide and seek, and you joined us a lot. You always hid in the shed outside, and I'd pretend I didn't know where you were. You were always shocked that I was able to find you." Sarah stared at Cesar for a long moment, before lowering the gun. That thing was really him."How do we save him?" She eventually asked. Cesar hadn't really thought that far yet. He wasn't sure how to honestly. The boy who had been watching the ordeal finally spoke up."Why don't we just break in and bust him out?" Everyone turned to look at him."That's stupid Adam." Sarah stated bluntly. Sarah paused, then sighed."No, but I don't think-" Adam cut Sarah off before she could finish."He's in danger with a bunch of alternates right? Then let's get him out of there as fast as possible." Sarah raised an eyebrow."And how do you intend to do that?" Adam walked over, and grabbed some car keys. Sarah laughed."You're going to drive into an alternate den?" Her voice showed that she didn't think something like that would work."It is reckless but," Cesar started, hating that he was about to agree with this idea."We really don't have time to wait. We need to get him out of there before they kill him." Sarah was surprised to hear Cesar agree with such a plan."Alright then, everyone into the car." Adam walked towards the door, before Sarah took the keys from him."Not so fast, you are not driving my car." Sarah made her way to the drivers seat before Adam could protest. Everyone followed, getting in the car. Sarah started the car, and they were off....It took about an hour of driving before the made it to the alternate den. Sarah stopped the car in a hidden area, before everyone made their way out of the car."Alright, I say two of us go in, and two stay out here to watch the car. Sound good?" No one argued with her."I can show you where Mark is." Cesar spoke up. It would be best for him to go help since he was familiar with the area Mark was trapped."I'll go with him." Adam spoke up before anyone else could. Sarah didn't seem to like the idea."You just want to question the alternates in there." Sarah accused. Adam smerked."Why would I? There's one right here I can talk to." Adam pointed to Cesar. Cesar felt awkward in this conversation. He didn't like feeling so out of place. That was just one of the many 'perks' of being an alternate now. Sarah sighed angrily."Fine, just don't cause more if a scene then needed." And with that, Cesar and Adam were off. The rooms in the den seemed to twist and turn, sometime even change as they walked. There were a few times where the two seemed to get lost in the endless maze. Cesar worried about Mark, the longer they took being lost ment the longer Mark was in Gabriel's grasp.After a while of searching they were able to find him. He was chained to the cage still."Mark?" Cesar asked quietly, trying to keep an eye out for other alternates. Mark let out a quiet groan, glancing over to see the two. Mark's eyes widened seeing them."Cesar? You're here- and Adam-?" Cesar moved to try and unlock the cage door."We're gonna get you out of here Mark, don't worry." After some trial and error Cesar managed to break the lock to get inside. Adam entered, while Cesar stayed back to be the lookout. Adam pulled out a lockpick, and began to try and unlock the cuffs on Mark."Those guys did a number on you, huh?" Adam asked. Noticing burns left from where the cuffs had been on Mark's skin."It'll heal." Mark assured, mostly trying to assure himself more then anything. The two exited the cage, when there was a loud screech. Something had noticed them. Cesar grabbed Adam and Mark, and made a run for it. They needed to get to safety and tend to Mark's burns. Cesar weaved through the halls in an attempt to loose whatever was following them. It felt like they were running in circles. Something scratched Cesar, but he kept running. He wouldn't let any of his friends be hurt anymore.After what felt like hours Cesar finally found the exit. He ran out, quickly running into the forest. He snuck back over to the car. Thankfully, Sarah and Jonah had hopped back in after seeing Cesar exit the den. Cesar threw Mark and Adam into the car, before getting in himself. Sarah quickly sped off, heading to the only place she knew might keep them safe, as the old church came into view.
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Once they made it to the church, the group made their way inside, hoping it would give them some protection from the Alternates lurking. Mark thankfully wasn't terribly injured, as he was still talking and aware of his surroundings. Just as Sarah was finishing tending to Mark's wounds, a loud slam was heard from the front doors. Cesar stood in front of the group, attempting to sheld them from any oncoming threat. Eventually the doors were flung off their hinges, as Gabriel stepped inside. He had the usual uncanny wide smile, looking angry."Well what do we have here?" He asked, voice echoing in the old church. Cesar stood his ground, claws sharp and ready to defend at a moment's notice. Gabriel moved foward, as his fingers turned to claws. Cesar made his move, rushing towards him. He attempted to claw at Gabriel, only for his arm to be grabbed mid slash. He was thrown to the side, as he began walking towards the group. Mark summoned his gun, but before he could do anything Adam threw a piece of broken door at Gabriel. It unsurprisingly didn't hit him, as he moved out of the way easily. He was about to attack Adam, until Mark shot him using his gun. Gabriel's attention turned to Mark, as he went to claw at him. Mark dodged it, moving to protect the three teens.Cesar came up from behind, clawing Gabriel in the back. He hissed, clawing Cesar back in return. He fell to the ground, deep claw marks now embedded in his face."Cesar!" Mark shouted, as he shot at Gabriel once more. Gabriel was getting tired of these games, as he grabbed Mark, and dragged him out of the church. Gabriel tried to stab Maek in the chest, but Mark quickly defended himself by shooting Gabriel's hand. Gabriel threw Mark hard onto the ground, now much more angry that a boy could put up this much of a fight. Mark got up, just barely avoiding Gabriel's claws once again. Mark pressed the nozzle of his gun to Gabriel's forehead, and fired. Gabriel dissapered with one last hiss. He would be gone. Mark wasn't sure for how long, but he was gone. Any alternates nearby began to flee now that their master was gone. Something told Mark that Gabriel wasn't coming back for a while.Sarah ran out, pulling her brother in a hug. Thankfully Cesar had been treated whilst Mark was fighting, as he stumbled over to the two Heathcliff siblings. After a moment of them all catching their breaths, Sarah drove everyone home, dropping Adam and Jonah off at their apartment.Mark flopped onto the couch once he was home, happy to finally be safely back in his house. Sarah joined Mark on the couch soon after, as Cesar went to make something to eat. While he may not need to eat anymore, he missed the taste of food. When he came back out he found that the Heathcliff siblings had falken asleep on the couch. Cesar made sure to be quiet as he finished his food.