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“Night!” Poko whispered, shaking him awake.
Groggily, Nightko rubbed at his eyes as the light swarmed them and sat up, partially questioning what Poko was waking him up in the middle of the night for. He was used to being woken up when Darko or Showko needed something and when Showko and Darko had first appeared in the house. But that was a couple years ago now. Surely there couldn’t be…
“There’s a new ego.” Poko stated. “Like… Glitchtrap from the new FNAF game or something.”
Well, if he wasn’t awake before, he certainly was now. Why did he second guess himself?
“What!?”
“You know… that glitchy William Afton rabbit. This guy is… well, he’s like us but he has those rabbit ears and just— let’s go greet him, okay?”
It took a moment for Nightko to process what they were saying, he blinked in confusion before shaking his head. William Afton… that was a name he was somewhat familiar with. However, what he knew was that William Afton was a serial killer.
“Sure… That’s gonna go well if he is like… y’know.” He said.
“He could be like Darko though, Darko would never hurt us.”
Nightko thought back to the arrival of the latest ego; Darko. When they first found him, he nearly attacked both of them in a panic before stopping in confusion when he realized they looked… similar to him. Almost as if he’d been looking in a mirror.
They were cautious with him as there was a panicked danger in his eyes. It was Nightko who bit the bullet and spoke first, introducing himself and Poko as siblings to Darko. That’s just what they had agreed upon as it made the most sense.
It took time for the youngest ego to adjust but it was clear that he wouldn’t hurt them even if he had come from a violent past. They had no other choice but to give him a chance and it was one they didn’t regret.
With this current newcomer though, Nightko had a bit more hesitance. Regardless, Poko had a point but Nightko thought his own point was good too. Well, the more time he sat thinking about it, the more this new ego could change his mind on being passive.
“Yeah, you’re right.” He said, swinging his legs over the edge of his bed, the tiredness caused him to sway a little as he planted his feet onto the checkerboard carpeted floor and stood up.
The half-puppet guided him out into the hall and they walked to the living room together. Nobody else was there but something… something about the air was off to Nightko. He couldn’t pinpoint it but as soon as they left his bedroom it was like walking beyond a forcefield…
“So… Does Dad know?” He asked. “Doesn’t seem like he paid any mind to Darko.”
“Possibly? I mean, we’re characters he created, so…”
Nightko sighed, running a hand through his hair. “Where’s the Glitchy guy at?”
“He was here a minute ago, I swear. Maybe he’s just—“
“I’m Dawktrap.” A voice hissed, one with a hint of familiarity yet containing its own semi-hostile flare. The two eldest siblings turned to look at the newcomer who stood tall with his hands behind his back, smiling, and dressed in a fancy starry purple blazer over a white collar shirt along with black jeans and black dress shoes. His eyes were purple and bore into their souls.
But by far the weirdest thing about him were the tall yellow rabbit ears protruding from his head.
Nightko gawked at Dawktrap, somewhat impressed with the new ego’s appearance. He looked well put together but that strange vibe radiated off him, filling the air with an unease he was unfamiliar with. This guy already felt like walking trouble... Poko always had an aura that radiated off of them but it was a calming and comforting one; this aura from Dawktrap was the complete opposite. Something hostile. Something unnerving.
Very little could scare Nightko but he couldn’t ignore the way his stomach churned a little as he stared at Dawktrap. Most likely it was the excitement and nervousness of a new sibling. Nightko felt the same unease with Darko’s homicidal past however Nightko quickly realized the half-puppet wasn’t pleased with the idea of hurting those who were technically his siblings.
Nightko moved closer, reaching out a hand.
“I’m Night. Nightko, Night Guard Dawko, whatever.”
Dawktrap glanced at his hand for a minute before slowly bringing his arms from behind his back to shake the older man’s hand. Dawktrap wore dark-yellow gloves with even darker stitching but despite this, his touch was still ice cold as it took hold of Nightko.
Nightko stared into his eyes… Those purple eyes… They were so mesmerizing, he could have sworn there were faint swirls in the irisies. Going round and round…
He shook his head and pulled away. Dawktrap continued to smile as he turned to Poko.
“You’re the Marionette, I’d assume?”
“Yeah but my name is Poopet, call me Poko though.”
“Fun name.” Dawktrap teased.
“Look guys, it's pretty late and I don't think we should wake Dad… wherever he is.” Nightko started. “So, would you mind waiting until tomorrow for a tour around the place, Dawktrap?”
“Hmm. I suppose so. Where can I sleep?”
“Poko shares with Darko so you can sleep in my room or Showtime's room.”
“Your room, I quite like you. You're… familiar.”
Nightko raised an eyebrow and gave a glance over to Poko, a similar questioning expression on their face too. Surely he meant familiar in the sense of Nightko being a night guard? It was a weird comment regardless…
The two eldest parted their ways and Dawktrap followed Nightko through the dimly lit hallway until making it to his bedroom. Dawktrap couldn’t resist commenting on the resemblance to the FNAF 1 office and Nightko chuckled, stating that their dad decorated it long ago and Poko once occupied the room too.
When walking into the fairly spacious yet contradictingly cramped room, the bed was against the right wall; a desk and chair sat across from it against the left wall. Nightko walked over to the chair —which was a fancy kind of gaming one— and messed with buttons on the side before the back was pushed to lay flat.
“Do you wanna sleep in the chair or bed? It's the most I can do.” Nightko asked.
“I can sleep in the chair, don't worry about giving up your bed.” Dawktrap said, an unsettling smile on his face.
Nightko stared at him for a second, caught in the glitch's eyes before shaking his head again and walking over to his bed. Why was he so… smiley? Darko and Showko weren’t nearly as happy to be here.
“Well, I'm exhausted, I'll see you in the morning. Goodnight, Dawktrap.”
“Sweet dreams.”
Nightko climbed into bed and pulled the covers up to his neck, wishing for sleep to come back quickly. But… something still wasn't right. Dawktrap behaved strangely but he hadn't given any true signs as to being any danger of some sort.
Nightko couldn't pinpoint why he was so uncomfortable around Dawktrap.
He cursed himself for making the feeling worse by offering Dawktrap a room to stay in. At least if Dawktrap had stayed in another room, maybe Nightko would have felt better. Maybe his kindness would get him in the immediate “good books” for Dawktrap.
He tossed and turned before finally getting into a comfortable enough position. Safe enough… He closed his eyes and—
He never gave Dawktrap any sort of blanket or pillow aside from the built-in cushioning on the chair.
Nightko sighed and tried to open his eyes.
But he couldn't.
He tried to move his legs.
But he couldn't.
His body sunk down into the mattress, the soft blankets snug around his body like a warm embrace pinning him down. The tiredness was a battle he couldn't win and the sound of light snoring from the other side of the room lulled him to sleep…
Nightko was simply destined to get little to no sleep that night.
His peaceful, dreamless sleep was interrupted by rummaging. His mutters couldn't be heard over what sounded like someone rifling through his belongings. Finally, Nightko slowly sat up, his eyes scanning the dark room.
He couldn't see through the darkness but the sound still continued, having decreased a little since he woke up. Letting out a long sigh, he opened his mouth to speak.
“What are you doing? Please, get back to slee—”
His words were cut off as he was dragged out of bed, his body hitting the floor with a thud and a yelp as he landed on his stomach. The lights flickered to life on their own… Nightko turned his head slightly and saw that Dawktrap loomed above him... Nightko made an attempt to get up and fight back despite his limbs being heavy with exhaustion.
The little progress he did make was futile as Dawktrap kicked him back down, pinning him to the floor with a foot pressed into his spine. Nightko stared at the ground, a groan escaping him as the pressure on his back increased.
There was a brief moment of relief where the pressure disappeared but then the glitch crouched down and roughly forced Nightko onto his back, straddling his torso. Nightko locked eyes with Dawktrap, those swirling eyes… The world around Nightko started to spin for a moment before he snapped out of it, having tightly closed his eyes.
He opened his eyes in confusion as he felt Dawktrap place his hands on the older lad's chest and firmly press down. At first, it didn't feel like much, the pressure was light. It wasn’t as bad as the previous pressure on his spine. He was stunned in a way, having no idea what the new ego was doing.
It wasn't until the searing pain tore through his body that Nightko could properly react.
Pain like nothing he'd ever felt before ripped through his chest, making his vision pulse and his ears ring as Dawktrap pressed down further and further. An agonized scream escaped Nightko's throat. His legs kicked out as Dawktrap’s hands practically phased through flesh and bone, grasping onto something highly sensitive that made tears stream from Nightko’s eyes followed with distressed shrieks.
He tried bringing his arms up to push the glitch away but the pain was blinding and paralyzing as his legs stopped kicking and only trembled. Dawktrap pulled something out from deep within, ripping away from the rest of Nightko’s body. Although there was no gore, it was the most agonizing thing he’d ever experienced, and his brain imagined what those feelings looked like.
With a good tug on the object, Nightko went silent and his body went completely limp as Dawktrap pulled it out of him. One last quiet whine slipped out as his eyes glossed over.
Dawktrap lifted his hands up, bringing them toward his own chest.
In his palms, a dull, blue orb flickered with light.
Nightko's vision… morphed. He watched his own body, one that lay unmoving, staring lifelessly at Dawktrap. The pain was gone, only a slight pressure remaining as Dawktrap held the orb…
Nightko's soul.
Dawktrap grinned as he sensed the pang of fear-filled curiosity coming from the soul he took. He squeezed it in his hands, chuckling as the light diminished for a moment and the orb trembled before he loosened his grip.
There wasn't much to see but there was plenty to feel. Dawktrap closed his eyes as he mentally took in the essence of Nightko's soul.
He was a strong, independent, young man full of bravery and pride. Role model to his siblings for his fearlessness and facing things head on. Roleplaying a security guard to stop his boredom from driving him crazy. Nothing could ever scare him. Nothing would ever make him quit.
Dawktrap couldn't have that. Any of it.
Once more, his grasp tightened, the orb being crushed within his hands as Dawktrap forced nearly all the opposite emotions and more into Nightko's soul.
He'd turn Nightko weak and dependent.
Cowardly and ashamed.
His siblings would learn that their second eldest brother was nothing more than a fraud.
A lad that cracks under the littlest pressure.
Dawktrap felt the soul struggle beneath the weight of what he was changing. They were already existing problems buried deep within Nightko's soul. It only required a little manhandling to unlock that repressed reality.
And Dawktrap knew he'd enjoy it.
For he'd never broken someone like this before…
But oh, how amazing it felt.
He opened his eyes, satisfied with his work. Giving the orb a gentle stroke with his fingers, it flinched from his touch. The soul's light was dull and flickering. Dawktrap pressed a light kiss to the top of it like a parent would with their child.
With a smile, he placed his hands back onto Nightko's chest, soul in hand, and pushed into the lifeless body with all his might. Nightko's body twitched, a mixture of an air-deprived gasp and whimper escaping his throat.
Tingles swarmed his body head to toe, like hot needles poking every inch of his skin. His stomach churned and acid threatened to rise. His heart hammered against his ribcage. The pain returned too, centered in his torso. Dawktrap roughy grasped Nightko’s face, forcing eye contact. The world around Nightko swirled as he stared into the purple swirling eyes.
The next half hour became a blur to him.
He lay on the floor, hugging his legs to his chest as tightly as possible. He swore a flaming cannonball tore through his ribcage. Not only that, the anxiety was debilitating and Nightko's tears wouldn't stop… he rarely cried but now his lip was quivering as he tried his hardest to hold back his agonized, fearful sobs.
Dawktrap lurked above him, most likely grinning down at him. Nightko didn't have the courage to look, moving his head would only cause a wave of nausea. Of all things Nightko could desire in that moment, there was only one thought that dominated his headspace most.
“I need Dad.”
If only Lewis could wrap his caring arms around his son during this time of distress, maybe things would be better. He'd protect Nightko from what this monster did to him. Keep him safe from the glitch. What would Lewis think of Nightko though? That Nightko was weak… and pathetic…
…
No… His dad wouldn't actually think that, would he?
“He's not coming for youuu…” Dawktrap taunted, having kneeled down next to Nightko's head. His gloved hand carefully stroked Nightko’s head, a sudden gentleness compared to his previous hostility. Quickly though, he roughly grabbed Nightko’s hair and yanked his head upward for no apparent reason.
Nightko groaned, a clicking from his neck followed the previous action, and his stomach lurched as the motion sickened him. He whimpered as he tried moving his head only for Dawktrap to slam it back to the floor…
He hadn't even tried to hold back his cries as his chin collided with the hard surface beneath him, the carpet barely cushioning the blow. His teeth had slammed into each other, his tongue getting clipped in the process. What had Nightko done to deserve this!? And… And why was he so scared? Why could he feel each and every pain!? The tears kept flowing, he wanted to beg the glitch to stop but his voice wouldn't come out. Only a quiet whine.
“I'll stop when I'm satisfied with you.” Dawktrap said.
Nightko's mind was cloudy. Had Dawktrap read his mind? Somehow that scared him more than the physical harm did. He thought about testing that theory but couldn’t think too straight.
“But… I suppose there's not much more I can do before the others come though, hm?”
Nightko let out a long and raspy sob, the sound earned him a fist colliding with his nose. Several times.
“But that's if they even decide to see what's going on with you…” Dawktrap stated, wiping his hand on his dark jeans, ridding it of the faint blood smeared on his gloves. “You were screaming earlier and yet nobody came.”
Dawktrap took hold of Nightko and began lifting the guard’s body up, much to his despair. Nightko weakly struggled but his movements only disoriented him. His panic surged as Dawktrap placed his body onto his bed, his thoughts starting to go a mile a minute, his eyes widened in fear as he went to the worst of the worst.
“Don't do this to me… please.” The faint plea filled his mind as he stared into Dawktrap’s eyes, tears streaming down his face. “I’m your sibling, why are you hurting me!?”
Dawktrap paused and chuckled. He shook his head, having removed his hands from Nightko's body and took a step back.
“Don't worry, I still have some morals. I wouldn't hurt you like that.” he stated, pulling the blankets over Nightko. “You're just gonna be disoriented for a bit, best to sleep it off. That's one thing I can do for you.”
Nightko slightly relaxed even if he greatly struggled to trust the glitch. Dawktrap used his thumb to rub away the blood beneath Nightko’s nose, making sure he didn’t look too beaten up. He’d most likely have bruising later though.
“If you rest now you can go crying for the others later. Unless you wanna collapse in the hall and they find you first.” Dawktrap said, stepping away from Nightko’s bed.
Nightko's eyes followed Dawktrap as he walked away and shut the lights off before leaving the room. Once the room was cast in darkness, Nightko curled up under the blankets and let out a soft cry. He brought a trembling hand up to his mouth, chewing the skin on his fingers in hopes the self-controlled pain would distract him and soothe him somehow. He bit down harder and harder…
But it was no use and he finally started sobbing, the tears soaking into his pillow as the dam inside him broke. Nightko couldn't pinpoint why he was so upset, the pain wasn't agonizing anymore even if there was still discomfort in his chest. His nose hurt a bit but nothing too horrible.
Deep down he could pinpoint something happened, like his entire identity had been rearranged. But part of him was in denial, how could that have been possible!?
Ten more minutes he had spent awake, crying like never before as he soon drifted off to sleep.
“Night? Nightko?”
Nightko jolted up, sending a shock through his body as he let out a fearful cry. Was it all just a dream? He prayed everything had only been a dream.
“Hey, hey! What's wrong? Where’s Dawktrap?” Poko asked, startled by the unusual awakening. They never heard Nightko cry before. Hell, they never saw him scared before. Nightko was filled with dread upon hearing Dawktrap being mentioned and Poko could see it in his body language as the younger ego cowered.
Something was definitely wrong.
“Help… Please…” Nightko choked out, tears welling in his eyes.
“What happened!?”
“Dawk… Dawktrap,” he muttered. “I don’t… I don’t know what he did to me!” He shrieked.
Nightko couldn't bring himself to look at his older brother, too terrified and embarrassed to make eye contact. He never behaved this… pathetic before. The thought of looking his older brother in the eye was sickening. However, Poko soon forced it.
“What happened to your eye…?” they gently took hold of his face, frowning when he flinched at their touch.
“W-What?”
“Your left eye is… It's pink?”
Nightko was confused. With all the crying he'd done the night before —which he currently questioned the legitimacy of— it was no shock that one of his eyes would be pink. Thus, he tried to deescalate.
“I… I've been upset.”
“I don't think your eye color changes when you cry.” Poko said. “It's your iris, the colored part…” they stated. Nightko silently swallowed the lump in his throat, having no other answer to give but a very rough idea in his head.
Poko sat down on the bed, concern written all over their face as they examined their younger brother. For starters, he was extremely pale, looked like he hadn't gotten sleep in days, and his dry lips were cracked with bloodstains.
“Dawktrap did this?”
Nightko's throat practically closed up. He desperately nodded, trying his hardest to speak and failing. Fear flooded his body once more, having taken his voice, and his eyes finally shed the tears they'd been holding.
A voice echoed through his head.
“You attention seeking brat…”
Nightko couldn't stop his sobs, his heart racing faster than ever as he tried ignoring the voice that taunted him. He got out of bed and moved closer to Poko, wrapping his arms around them, desperate for them to do the same. Nightko wanted their dad but Poko would do too. For once, he truly seeked that calming aura they had.
They tightly wrapped their arms around him as he cried into their shoulder, his chest aching as his mind vaguely replayed what happened the night before. But how could he explain to Poko? That the newcomer has the ability to rip one's soul right from their body? Poko carefully lowered him to the floor as they felt his knees struggle to hold his weight.
“They'd never believe you, Nighty…”
Darko sat in the kitchen, fidgeting with the meal replacement drink that his oldest brother always gave him once per day. It was either that or some lousy breakfast he couldn’t bear to stomach most days although he knew they were always trying their best with him. Always trying their best with all of them.
Showko was across from Darko, a bowl of cereal set in front of him. He too fidgeted, lifting the spoon before putting it back down again. Normally, he had no issue eating. However, the absence of the eldest two worried him; particularly Nightko.
“This is ridiculous, he is never in bed for this long.” Darko stated, growing impatient.
“Maybe he's just… out cold. I mean him and Po were awake at like three in the morning to greet the new ego apparently. Wherever that guy went.”
“Ugh, I already hate him.”
“That's harsh, we haven't even met him yet!”
“Yeah, yeah. You know, I heard a ruckus last night.”
“Did you?”
Darko shook his head and rolled his eyes. “No, I just thought I'd say that for fun.” Sarcasm coated his tone.
“Maybe we should go check on Night and Po?”
“Good idea for once.”
There was an awkward silence as the two looked at each other for a moment, one waiting for the other to get up. Showko sighed and stood up from his chair, he waited for Darko to do the same and the two proceeded to where Nightko's bedroom was.
As they came to a stop in front of his room, that’s when they heard the pitiful cries coming from behind the door.
“That can't be good…” Showko said, a worried tone in his voice. “Is that Night? I've never heard him cry before.”
“Definitely Nightko. I've heard Po cry and they don't sound like that.”
“What do you think happened?”
“Why don't we find out?”
Darko put his hand on the doorknob and pushed the door open, stepping inside with Showko right behind him. They both froze when they saw the state Nightko was in. The second oldest ego was practically clinging to the eldest for dear life as the two sat on the floor. His breathing was heavy and interrupted by the occasional cry. Poko tightly held him, calmly shushing him and stroking his back in gentle up and down motions.
Neither of them had ever seen Nightko like this and they immediately wanted to know what could have possibly happened that turned the stoic ego into such a broken mess.
“It’s gonna be okay, Night… I’m sure whatever he did to you won’t last.” Poko spoke softly, having not noticed the presence of the two younger egos.
“I just… I don’t…. Why did he hurt m-me!? I was… I was nice wasn’t I?”
“What's happened here…?” Showko asked, slowly approaching them. The sudden sound and movement startled Nightko, causing him to push further into Poko’s grasp before realizing who it was speaking.
“Dawktrap, the new ego, hurt him but—“
“He ripped my soul out of my body!” Nightko shouted, his voice strained as though he used all his strength to get the words out. “He… He did something to it! I… I know he did!”
Poko was in shock too. Nightko hadn’t told them that. Upon his confession, Nightko’s panic started to increase once more to the point he was sobbing again and on the brink of hyperventilating, hushed rambling that was a mixture of apologies and pleas breaking through the rest of the chaos. The tears were streaming quicker now, he didn’t know if Dawktrap would punish him for saying that. He didn’t know if his siblings would be mad for whatever reason.
His breathing was getting heavier and he was almost tempted to pull out of Poko’s grasp and run. Run where though? There were too many people in the room… there was too much… He couldn’t… He shouldn’t have said anything! Why did he have to say anything!? Why did he—
“Night just shut up, alright!?” Darko yelled, a slight hint of concern in his tone of voice.
Nightko went silent.
With widened eyes, he lifted his head to stare at Darko, his panic having ceased entirely. He hadn’t even realized he kept mumbling his worries. The others were annoyed at the half-puppet but shocked that his hostility pulled the lad from his state of panic. Darko had stormed toward his older siblings but backed away when Nightko lifted his head. It’s not that he was mad, he just didn’t know what else to do.
Nightko pulled away from Poko's grasp, he swallowed hard to clear the lump in his throat before trying to speak. His breathing had practically reset and although still quick, he wasn’t on the verge of hyperventilation anymore. Nor were the thoughts in his head going a mile a minute.
“I don't… I don’t know what's wrong with me.” He said, his voice quiet. “But do that if… if I get hysterical again. Please?”
“I… Yeah. Sure.” Darko muttered, confused by the situation.
“Thanks… Thank you.”
The moment of relief was short lived as the door swung open once more.
“What a lovely family gathering!” Dawktrap joked, stepping into the room. Everyone looked to the door, staying put where they were, but one ego in particular stepped away from Nightko and marched toward Dawktrap, hands balled into fists as the rage radiated off his body.
“You… I didn't mind you showing up at first, I thought maybe we'd get along from the brief description I was told.” Darko said, pointing a finger at Dawktrap. “But what you did to him? Oh mate…”
He took a threatening step closer to Dawktrap, leaning in close to his ear.
“This may be our first time meeting, but if I ever catch you laying a finger on him again, or any of my siblings for that matter,” he whispered. “I'm gonna fucking kill you.”
“Could you though, little tiger?” Dawktrap snickered, gesturing to the embroidered tiger on Darko’s hoodie. The older ego growled before retreating back to his siblings. His siblings who seemed… no, were completely zoned out.
Dawktrap grinned and decided to close in on them. Nightko had to bite back his tears again, Darko had to hold back his fury, but Poko and Showko?
They were… immersed… by something.
Upon noticing, both Darko and Nightko gave each other slight looks of worry, something they both had rarely shown in the past.
Dawktrap snapped his fingers and the air in the room drastically changed. The shift of energy was one that they couldn't fathom. But they knew it was bad.
Nobody said anything. What could they do? They stood in shock, some of them swaying. Darko didn't feel any different compared to the others but he certainly could see the difference immediately. Even Nightko had suddenly become more disoriented than before and he hadn't been immersed like the others…
Poko and Showko each had a purple iris, both egos looking visibly confused as their sluggish eyes scanned the room, almost as if they forgot where they were. Showko had collapsed to the floor, nearly hitting his head. Poko was still sitting but unresponsive.
Nightko grabbed at his chest as a stinging came from deep within. Although he wasn't as stunned as the other two, a wave of nausea and pain washed over him. He could only hope and pray Dawktrap wouldn't dare touch their souls. He couldn't let him ruin them too.
But Darko?
Darko felt nothing. Didn't behave any different. Didn’t look any different.
And Dawktrap stood disappointed, his frustration visible as he questioned why his trick didn't work on the older ego.
As somewhat of an understanding dawned on Darko, his frown turned into a wide grin as he began to chuckle.
“You can't corrupt what's already been corrupted, Glitchy… I know what you’re trying to do.”
Dawktrap froze, not because of what Darko had said but because he himself started feeling weak.
The glitch's irises change from two purple ones to one blue and one pink.
He grabbed at his head and groaned, gritting his teeth as he too stumbled to the floor. With a look of panic, Dawktrap looked at the others, two were still in a trance but Nightko had recovered fairly quickly.
Almost as if trying to speak but with his eyes, Nightko stared at the youngest ego. Dawktrap stared back, trying to cause something… anything. But… nothing.
“I…” He started, but refused to continue the words. “I lost my powers?”
Shaking his head, Dawktrap stumbled to his feet and dashed out of the room, leaving Darko and the three stunned egos alone. Dawktrap had to know what happened…
Darko stood still, nothing had ever confused him more than this moment. He didn't know what to do. Help his siblings? How? Chase after Dawktrap while his siblings were still vulnerable? No, he couldn't leave them like this.
Nightko was the most conscious of the older three, he’d broken out of his very brief trance. Showko was somewhat still conscious but Poko was in a complete daze. They barely reacted to the sounds around them and any movement, processing the stimuli just… didn't work. They were sinking deeper and deeper into hypnosis…
“Night, when he took your soul did it happen like this?” Darko asked, his tone not expressing any specific emotion.
“No, he… he pinned me to the floor and… his hands went through my chest. And he… pulled my soul out.”
“Was he like that afterward?”
“No. At least I… I don’t think so?”
Darko shook his head in slight disappointment; he didn't care where the glitch was now, he just needed to know what the hell it did to them. It was rare for Darko to have any sense of protectiveness but when it came to his siblings, there was a lot.
The four of them sat in Nightko's room, Nightko and Darko waited for the other two to recover from the stupor they were put in. Darko sat down next to Nightko, frowning as the older ego flinched away.
“What did he do to you?” Darko asked.
“I don't… I don't know. I've never felt like this before.” Nightko muttered. “I’m just so… scared. I can’t remember ever f-feeling like this before.” His voice cracked, as though simply talking about it caused a sudden onset of discomfort.
Nightko wrapped his arms around himself, wishing he could go put himself into Poko's grasp of safety. They weren't all there though and he didn't wanna risk scaring them out of the trance or anything. Darko stared at Nightko as he tried so hard to comfort himself.
“Why is it… why is it so cold?” He whimpered, making Darko notice his shivering.
Darko sighed and stood up, telling the older ego he'd be right back. Nightko's widened eyes looked in despair… what if Dawktrap came back first? What if something was seriously wrong with Poko and Showko? What if Darko didn't come back!?
Nightko couldn't stop the tears, the room was cold, he was basically alone, and there was a danger lurking around the house. Showko looked up at Nightko, a sadness in his tired eyes as he looked at the older ego. He wanted to move closer and comfort him but his body wouldn't let him, each movement sending a throbbing through his head and chest.
Nightko thought of moving over to Showko but he was frozen in place, both out of fear and the cold. Were Poko and Showko cold too? Pulling his legs up to his chest, Nightko buried his face into his knees. Cries threatened to come out of his mouth and he let a few muffled ones out before not allowing any more.
Footsteps caught his attention, the pressure was building in his chest but there was no way he was gonna let himself cry again. And where was Lewis during all this? Why had their dad abandoned them!?
Nightko looked up at the door and let out a small sigh of relief as Darko entered the room, not Dawktrap. Three spare throw blankets gathered from one of the closets were in the half-puppet’s arms. He didn’t say anything to Nightko as he walked by.
Darko placed them onto Nightko's bed and unfolded two before going and draping one around Poko who had little reaction to the action and draping the other around Showko who just about muttered a drunken sounding “thank you.” The final blanket was wrapped around Nightko.
Darko noticed Nightko’s thumb in his mouth however he was not sucking on it, he was straight up digging his teeth into the skin on the side. Whether he realized it was harming him or not, the sensation was distracting and soothing. However, Darko couldn’t let Nightko harm himself.
Taking hold of Nightko’s wrist with a gentleness he wasn’t used to using, he brought Nightko's hand away from his mouth, tucking it beneath the blanket. “That may be soothing but it can damage your teeth.” Darko stated, coming up with a half-lie. “And if you break the skin, you risk infection.” That was somewhat true. Mouths are germy.
It was a long waiting period of hoping Poko and Showko would make full recoveries soon. Darko tried asking Nightko questions to not only pass the time but to get a better understanding of Dawktrap. However, Nightko would either not have an answer or he’d seem too scared to answer.
It wasn’t nice seeing Nightko like this. He’d been fine just yesterday; his confident, chatty self. But now? He was completely ruined. Darko didn’t think it was possible for Nightko to end up in this state and he couldn’t deny that it brought him a bit of concern for his other siblings. Aside from Dawktrap, Darko was the youngest of the egos. He didn’t know what to do without the older ones. He could never admit that though.
It’d only been two years since he gained consciousness and quite frankly he still hadn’t grasped the concept of… well, being real. None of them understood but they tried making the most of it.
“You know, where do the new egos show up? I just remember… waking up. I was on the floor in the living room and didn’t recognize my surroundings and I think that was the first time I ever felt scared in my life.”
“Um… I don’t know. We just… well, you and Showko appeared in the middle of the night, in the living… living room. Po and I always, uh, sleep on edge a little because we’re always expecting a ruckus to happen.” Nightko explained. “Sh-Showko like, shouted around for help. And you…”
“I panicked too.”
“Weirdly…”
After around half an hour of waiting, Poko had finally started to break out of the trance they were in. Showko had broken free from the trance around fifteen minutes before them. Confusion filled the room from all its occupants, the three younger egos tried explaining to the eldest what they knew but it was all so… None of it made sense to any of them.
Dawktrap was still nowhere to be seen nor heard. Surely, there would have been some sort of rummaging throughout the house? However, there was only silence.
“What if we just had a big daytime sleepover, yeah?” Showko said, finally breaking the tension. It was in fact the middle of the day but everyone was at this point done with it. And while there was a moment of peace, they could all just stay in one room together as they try to piece together all that happened…