Chapter Text
Marc digs his nails in the fluff of his stuffed bunny as he holds her protectively against his chin, partially hiding his face behind her floppy ears, knees feeling about ready to give out on the spot. His heart pounds so hard he feels it in his throat, adding fuel to the growing lump, harboring the threat of cries. He isn't going to cry, though, because nothing is coming for him. It's just the dark, and the dark is not scary. "I'm a big boy, I'm a big boy, I'm a big boy..." He almost believes himself.
He takes a deep breath, barely ridding the tight, (not) scared feeling in his chest, hugs Miffy close, and steps forward once. Twice. Three times..four times..five times..six. Deeper, deeper, closer, closer to a swallowing abyss. His heart thumps harder, faster, louder; the hidden threats of midnight can hear it, he just knows it, and his legs shake at the idea. He presses onward, though; or so, he tries, at least. The floor creaks only feet before him on his eighth step, and he jerks back with a yelp. Miffy slips out of his grasp when he tumbles on his butt, choking on white fear.
Bright light cuts through the hall, killing the black. Jake blinks, sleepy and confused, behind his phone's flashlight. He starts to say something, but he doesn't get it out before Marc cuts him off with a relieved whimper and scrambles for his protection from the scary, scary dark. " 'M not a big boy, 'm not a big boy!" He definitely believes himself.