Chapter Text
Mark places the phone back where it belongs when the call ended as he starts to think highly suspicious of his best friend. The phone call is very unusual from the start when Cesar called that his mother is having serious problems with a monotone voice and that he is on his way to the hospital when he's clearly in home on the phone calling Mark.
Mark is not dumb.
He has seen the infographics and announcements about the Alternates on his television. Although he seems to be a paranoid man after watching those and taking the measures seriously, he knows how dangerous these otherworldly creatures are and how dire this situation that the county is in. He knows the police won't help anyone who has encounter the Alternates.
And now he is in this peculiar situation.
He knows he didn't talk to Cesar there. Cesar is not that monotonous, Cesar would've panicked and have stutters in his tone. He just has a feeling that wasn't Cesar, he just knows it. That and mix with his gut feeling about Cesar's home being unsettling is a chemical reaction that will end in a horrible disaster. That.. 'Cesar' is luring him into a trap.
Mark decides not to go to Cesar's house, knowing that it is unsafe. He then drags himself into his room lazily since it is getting pretty late. He throws himself into his bed, facing at his dull ceiling in the dark, the only light luminating a little bit is the moonlight peeking through his window. He blinks twice as he sighs deeply before he turns and puts his face against his pillow then he weeps.
He weeps because his best friend is now gone. He remembers from the infographics, if your house gets invaded by an Alternate, you will be replaced by them. And after deducing that isn't Cesar on the phone, he realizes. He realizes that his real best friend is gone.
Cesar is his childhood friend, they always do things together and always in sync with one other eventhough they're both opposites of each other. Mark is quiet and an introvert, Cesar is more outgoing and friendly. Maybe opposites do attract. He remembers that both of them know each other very well, they know each other's favourite food that they are craving in each occasion, they know each other's favourite niche and then listening to each other talk wholeheartedly about it and they would know what they are thinking to one another as if they are telepaths.
Cesar was always the type of friend to bring Mark to any place that he wants to go and Mark often doesn't mind it as he always likes hanging out with Cesar. The place that they always frequently hang out is in a local diner that the staff there knows them and know their usuals. The two of them often buys drinks, Mark remembers so vividly. People knew their tight-knit friendship in the town, both of the families of the two are also close to each other because of how much the boys hang out with one another. If one of them is alone, people always question, "Where's the other one?" Since they both never distance away from each other. Not one bit.
His hand grips onto his pillow tightly, his eyes producing more tears after remembering their friendship together. Now he has to avoid 'Cesar', the fake one who stole his best friend's identity. He curses out the Alternates' existence, punching his mattress out of frustration and hatred. He wishes Cesar is still alive- no. He wishes everything right now is just a nightmare.
Yeah... That's right.
This is not real. This is not real. This is not real. This is not real. This is not real. This is not real. This is not real. This is not real. This is not real. This is not real. This is not real. This is not real. This is not real. This is not real. This is not real. This is not real. This is not real. This is not real.
He wishes this to not be real.
He opens his eyes before he slightly turns on his side, staring at the cross necklace that is placed on his bedside table.
"Please God... Please wake me up from this horrible nightmare...."
He stares longingly at the cross before he shakes his head and shut his eyes completely, his fingers still gripping on his pillow. His teardrops creates a large wet spot on his pillow while dreams about seeing Cesar and hang out once again. He sleeps, dreaming while he curls up comfortably on his bed, in peace.
For a tiny bit.
Hours passed and Mark is still sleeping, now has his blanket covering his whole body. His face buries onto the pillow. Unbeknownst to him, a shadow has casted, looming his sleeping body. A figure standing in front of his bedroom window, staring directly at Mark. The figure carefully put its palm on the glass window, exhaling from its nose before it curls its hand into a fist, intending to punch the window down to get inside his room but figure instead just disappears suddenly.
A noise wakes Mark up as he groans heavily whilst rubbing his eyes. What time is it?, he ponders. He pulls the curtains, letting the moonlight shine upon his bedside clock, it's 2:27 am. What is disturbing his sleep right now? Mark hesitates but got off from his bed to investigate. Peeking his head in the dark hallway, he sees nothing but does hear the noise, which is a rattling noise after hearing it a bit clearly.
There was no one in the house except for him; he's living with his dad's house right now and his dad is away for work.. probably, he thinks, since his dad is kinda deadbeat, his return is always unpredictable in terms of timing. When he pokes his head further, he hears the rattling is from a doorknob. The teen figures that it was a robber attempting to break through the door. He grabs a pistol in the drawer before he reluctantly set his foot out from his safe zone that is his bedroom.
Mark carefully grips onto the pistol as he tip-toes towards the source of the noise which is coming from the kitchen's backdoor. He tries to steady his breathing whilst he is shuffling close to the door. It is dark and the only light he has are the moonlight and the streetlights illuminating into the kitchen. The air feels thick around him that it is hard for him to breathe and swallow his saliva. The rattling becomes more intense and loud for his ears, his breath hitches. Clearly, the person impatient to get inside. Mark prays quietly before he cocks the gun, his shaky left hand's fingertips hovering on the clattering doorknob. He breathes once more as his left hand grabs the knob and pulls it open before he aims the pistol to the person's head.
The teen's eyes widens when he sees the figure standing in front of him. A familiar figure, a person he will never forget.
At the end of the barrel, is Cesar Torres.
Or so he thinks.
Mark could not believe it. His friend, standing in front of him. Intact. His friend is standing in front of him, alive. He quickly scans Cesar up and down, he looks normal. There's no abnormalities on his appearance, although it is weird that he is wearing his last year's prom suit. Mark lowers his pistol when he manages to croak out.
"C-Cesar...?"
That is his first mistake. Not having his guard up. Cesar sports a smile before he suddenly lunges onto Mark. Mark is too slow on his reaction time as the back of his head hits the wall after Cesar gets a grip on his face. Mark emits a painful groan before Cesar slams his head again to the wall. It almost renders Mark unconscious however he still stands tall and determined. His free hand gets a hold onto Cesar's hand that is gripping harshly his face, digging his nails onto the teen's skin. Cesar seems surprised and is greeted again by the pistol barrel. Mark almost pull the trigger but he feels his feet not on the ground since Cesar kicks them off from the floor.
For the third time, Mark hurts his head again, this time hitting the floor which is more painful enough. His only defence, his pistol, is laying on the floor centimeters away from him since he accidently released his grip on it like an idiot. The teen stretches his arm out to grab it when out of the blue, Cesar pounces onto his body then takes a hold on his arm, pulling him away from the gun. Mark scrowls at Cesar that he uses his other hand and curls it into a fist then strikes Cesar's face with it. Cesar hisses in pain before he wraps his hands around Mark's neck and strangles him as he laugh maniacally with his hair that is covering his right side face, reveals darkness obscuring it as his right eye has a large and permanently dilated pupil that is staring down at the teen laying on the ground, desperate for air after Cesar squeezes his neck.
His second mistake, thinking that Cesar is not an Alternate because of his normal appearance. Mark should've remember the different types of Alternates and should've known Cesar is an Alternate after he open the door. But his grief blinded him from knowing that, he shouldn't bring his emotions when dealing an Alternate: that is his third mistake. Mark gargles involuntarily when the Alternate above him is choking him, feeling his adrenaline rushing in his system. He then kicks the Alternate's chest away which does push him off.
The teen turns as he successfully grabs the gun before he stands up, realizes Cesar also stands up before him. Mark aims his gun again at Cesar and without any hesitation, he shoots the Alternate's head multiple times until he is out of ammo. He pulls the trigger a few times and realizes the gun only just clicks that Mark looks at his pistol before looking back at Cesar. Cesar's forehead pouring out blood, bullet wounds are visible on his forehead as the Alternate stumbles a bit before he stare at Mark, sporting another mocking grin.
Cesar's face is now fully obscured in the darkness, showing off his grin getting abnormally wider and his claws. The Alternate lunges forward to claw his face out however Mark manages to smack him using the butt of his pistol. Cesar growls and he grabs the pistol too as the two teens now struggling with the firearm.
Mark punches Cesar by the jaw as the latter makes a painful distorted noise before in revenge, he grabs Mark by the throat again and attempts to slam him to the wall yet again. The brunet counters that by kicking Cesar's foot off which the raven-head stumbles a bit before getting kick in the face. Cesar groans loudly, releasing his grip on Mark's neck but his other hand still grips tightly onto the weapon. The brunet grins a bit that he can fairly deal damage to an Alternate.
He then feels his hand that is holding the gun forcibly moved as he quickly check before getting smacked by the butt of the gun since Cesar uses that to his advantage. The Alternate grins after seeing Mark having a nosebleed and getting disorientated, Cesar's mouth leaks out some black liquid before he speaks,
"You're a real fighter, Heathcliff."
Mark's eyes widen, he can confirm that is Cesar's voice although it sounds like it has a very minor distorted filter over it. He shakes his head, he must stop thinking about his friend. He must remember that he is gone and is now replaced, eventhough it hurts him a lot but that's how the infographics taught him. He notices that Cesar is going to hit him again using the pistol but he resists his push.
Then he is shoved away from Cesar and fall backwards, hitting a plant vase that is sitting on the table. The loud crashing and shattering noise overwhelms his hearing, he can feel the shattered pieces on his back and his breathing becomes rapid. A figure looms over him with a wide smirk before he then lifts his arm slowly to show the pistol in his hold which Mark realizes he is not holding it anymore.
The brunet's breathing increased in speed and he can hear his heart beating loudly in his ears. He can't stand up, this is it. This is his end. At least he can meet Cesar in heaven. He watches the doppelgänger in front of him throws the gun away then focusing his attention to the scared brunet. Cesar smiles after noticing some tears forming on Mark's eyes. He then reaches his hand towards the teen's face which renders the said teen to close his eyes out of instinct. Cesar grins more.
"But you're too weak. You're always are."
He can see Mark shuts his eyes tighter.
"And now, you're giving up your life. How pathetic is that."
Cesar snickers in glee. Mark doesn't respond.
"But you are somehow strong. You have potential that I, myself is amused by your existence eventhough we just met since... You know I am not him right?"
Mark bites his lip, he doesn't know what the Alternate is implying. Probably something terrible like emotionally torturing him for days.
"So Mark Heathcliff..."
Mark feels his arm pulled up which he opens his eyes and greeted face-to-face by "Cesar" who is grinning widely.
"You are a very interesting individual for a mere human like yourself so I won't kill ya but instead keep you alive because of that."
Mark blinks slowly at the Alternate. Is this a dream? There's no way he's being real right? Is this some kind of sick joke? Cesar... is letting him walk free and breathe oxygen after their encounter? No. Mark should not trust him so quick, he might be planning something else with him. Alternates often lies to achieve their goal, especially Type 1 Alternates which happens to be one of them in front of him, still holding his arm in place. He snaps out from his thoughts and is startled a bit when Cesar is still staring at him with a blank yet curious look and his face still obscured by darkness. He probably is waiting for Mark's response so Mark just reluctantly pick the option to comment upon the raven-head's statement.
"Are you going to leave me alone then if you don't want to kill me?"
He asks, praying to God that Cesar will show mercy to him and leave him alone but in the corner of his mind knows that will never be the outcome. Life is not that merciful anyways. He then hears Cesar laughing in his face.
"Ahh, of course not, Heathcliff. I did told you that you are the most interesting person I ever met, you should've known that implies I want to observe you as long as I wanted. Meaning I am staying here with you!"
Mark blinks rapidly before he grits his teeth since he knew the doppelgänger pick the other option that fucks him over.
"Fuck you. I don't fucking trust you one bit. I know you are planning something for me. You are going to do something to me, isn't it? You're going to fucking kill me sooner or later..
Mark spat accusingly, pulling his arm away from the Alternate's grasp but it seems like it doesn't do much since Cesar is still keeping his arm in place, staring at the human with a smile before he pulls the teen to stand up.
The Alternate tries to pull him somewhere but Mark resists and stay in place, his scrowl makes Cesar chuckle fondly before he suddenly uses his other hand to grip onto the human's hoodie and forcefully pull him to the table in the kitchen. Mark is shock by his inhuman strength since he felt like he didn't weight anything although he knows he's more heavy than Cesar.
He doesn't notice that Cesar is pulling tissues from the tissue roll on the table then he feels his face cupped by the doppelgänger's hand and it forces Mark to look at the said creature.
"Does this look like I want to kill you so bad?"
The darkness obscuring the Alternate's face vanish as the familiar face is revealed once again whilst he wipes the blood from Mark's nose carefully with the tissue. Mark stays still, his breathing hitches slightly. Cesar has his signature grin as he slowly let Mark's face go after the blood is not pouring out from his nose then the Alternate circles him around with curiosity.
"What are you doing?"
"Just checking if there are shards on your back."
"And why is that important for a monster like you?"
"Ouch, Heathcliff. I am concern for you well-being, duh. Why be so negative when I'm trying to make sure you're alright?"
A vein pops out from Mark's face as he grits his teeth before he grips onto Cesar's suit collar before he yells,
"YOU FUCKING KILLED MY FRIEND AND REPLACE HIM. DON'T BE SPOUTING THAT "WHY BE SO NEGATIVE" BULLSHIT TO ME. I LOST MY FRIEND, I LOST SOMEONE WHO I CARE AND YOU.... YOU ARE THE REASON WHY HE IS NOW GONE!"
Tears starts to form in the brunet's eyes, his frustration and anger is too much when he is face -to-face with the cause of Cesar's death. The Alternate seems to be in a surprise but yet has that slither of pure fascination in his eyes.
"AND YOU'RE ASKING ME WHY I'M BEING UNGRATEFUL ABOUT YOU WORRYING FOR MY HEALTH? YOU ARE A FUCKING BASTARD."
Mark then pushes Cesar away as he releases his grip on him and sighs while he wipe his tears away.
"...Why am I saying those things when you could not even understand why I'm being like this.. You Alternates don't understand emotions anyway... You all don't think about your consequences so why... Why should I fucking trust a horrible, good for nothing and a lying monster like you..?"
The teen doesn't even look Cesar in the eye, he grips onto his own sleeve and fiddle with it out of anxiousness.
"Apologies, Heathcliff. Although I may not understand it but sorry for your loss. I'm sorry for killing your friend and wearing his face. I did intend to kill you here but when I see you defend and not that scared of me, I applaud you."
Cesar pats the taller's shoulder which renders Mark to begrudgingly look at him.
"Which is why I am sparing you from my duties. And I promise to protect you."
Mark scrowls at the raven-head, grabbing Cesar's arm tightly.
"Why should I trust my friend's murderer and a lying piece of shit then?"
Cesar manages to pull his arm away before patting the taller's head like he is some sort of child then he grabs Mark's arm, pulling him towards Mark's bedroom.
"The numbers of Alternates invading Mandela county are increasing fast. Which means there will be a lot of Alternates hunting down humans and your life will be in danger."
"But don't worry, you have me! I can protect your life. You see, when Alternates target their victims and those humans are gonna be left alone by other Alternates. So be grateful that I arrived here to protect ya!"
Upon hearing it, Mark is in awe and disbelief. It seems like the information from the doppelgänger sounds useful but then again, he is also an Alternate so why should he trust him? Mark is conflicted, he doesn't know what to do and now the Alternate is in his bedroom now, his only safe haven is now intruded. He just has a scrowl now when seeing the raven-head in his room.
"Now what are you waiting for? Go to sleep, humans need sleep. So go, I can protect you. I promise"
Cesar sits on the chair in his room with a smirk as Mark hesitantly climb onto his bed and lay there, staring at the ceiling. He knows all of the Alternate's words are bullshit, there is no way that he could trust him one bit. But why is he making himself vulnerable after laying on the bed in the same room with the said Alternate? Mark just knows that the Alternate will kill him in his sleep which a thought that he is not scared about. He knows there is no way to escape or any option anyways so why even bother.
At least he can see Cesar again in heaven.