Here’s Chapter 2! I’m not exactly sure how often I’ll update, given that up to Chapter 9 is pre-written. I don’t want to bang out these chapters all at once, so I might update every few days or so until I get to 9, then afterwards I’ll update as soon as I write and finish a new chapter. Anyway! No warnings this time, another mild chapter. Enjoy!
Speculation
Jackieboy Man stopped a few feet in front of the door. He took a few deep breaths, steeling himself for what he had to face. Already, he could hear a bit of the commotion going on inside. He put on a brave face, and opened the door, rushing inside and closing it quickly behind him.
"I'm here, what do we need to do?" Jackie said, preparing himself for any action he may have to take. He glanced around the room. All the Egos were piled into the living room, sans Chase Brody, who could be heard in the kitchen, talking on the phone. Henrik von Schneeplestein was sitting on his haunches in front of Signe Hansen, holding her hand and telling her to take slow, deep breaths. Jameson Jackson was sitting next to Robbie the Zombie and Marvin the Magnificent, the three of them wearing the same worried expression. When Marvin saw Jackie burst through the door, he rose from his spot on the couch and went to him.
"Hey, Jackie. Uh, as far as what can be done, right now we're busy contacting anyone that Jack could have went to. So far we've gotten ahold of Felix and PJ with no dice. Chase is on the phone with Robin now, since we know we're all close with him, Jack included. We just need you to stand by in case we need to go get him, whether it be to set up a search party or go get him out of trouble, should he be in danger. Which I... really hope isn't the case..."
Jackie pondered this for a moment. It didn't seem like Jack to just disappear like that, without any word from anyone. Something felt off about this whole situation.
"And you're sure he didn't tell anyone he was leaving? Like... no note or anything?"
"N-No." Signe piped up, looking at Jackieboy now. "No sign of him anywhere. I tried calling his phone, too. I heard it ringing, but I looked and saw it was still in the bedroom. He didn't take it with him." Signe went back to taking deep breaths, trying so hard not to panic. Henrik squeezed her hand, trying to keep her as calm as possible.
Jackie was growing extremely worried. This was extremely unlike Jack to just vanish without a trace, especially since he didn't take his phone with him. He had a suspicion of what could have happened, but he hoped desperately that it wasn't the case. Just then, Chase came out of the kitchen and went into the living room.
"Robin said he's keeping an eye out, and contacting anyone who coulda seen him. Anyone else I should call?" Marvin turned to Chase, pinching the bridge of his nose and beginning to think, eyes shut in concentration. He clapped his hands together after a moment, looking back up at Chase and drawing in a breath.
"Uh... it's unlikely that they'll know, but try contacting either Dan Howell or Phil Lester. Just in case." He suggested.
"On it." Chase nodded, and disappeared back into the kitchen.
Jackie took a deep breath, and spoke to Marvin with a hushed voice.
"Hey, Marvin, uh... can I speak to you for a sec? In private?" Marvin blinked at Jackie, then nodded. Jackie led him upstairs, going into his room and shutting the door. He took a deep breath as he turned to face the magician. He knew he wasn't going to like what he was about to say.
"Marvin? I, uh... I think I know what could have happened to Jack..." Marvin perked up upon hearing this.
"You do?! Tell me! What do you think happened?"
"I... I think Anti's gotten ahold of him. I pulled you aside to tell you this because I didn't want to worry the others, especially Signe." Jackie had bent his head as he said that. When he looked back up at Marvin, he saw all the blood leave his face, leaving him pale as a ghost.
"Y-You really think..." Marvin gulped, his body trembling. He drew in an unsteady breath before trying to speak again. "You really think that's what happened?" Jackie shrugged.
"Well, it makes the most sense, doesn't it? Jack didn't take anything with him, not even his phone, and didn't tell anyone he left. He just vanished. Jack wouldn't do that unless he was kidnapped, and the only person who for sure has it out for him, and is stealthy enough to not only know where he lives but actually get into his place, is Anti." Jackieboy rationalized. Marvin let out a breath, the realization hitting him harder than a bus. Suddenly, he was overcome with nausea. He put a hand to his mouth and turned away, shutting his eyes tight and focusing on breathing through his nose. Jackie's eyes went wide with concern, and he started towards his friend to support him.
"Woah, Marv, you okay?" Marvin waved a hand out, shaking his head and stepping further away from Jackie. He swallowed, slowly removing his hand from his mouth when he was sure enough he could speak.
"I... I feel like I'm gonna... hrk-!" Marvin gagged, doubling over and clapping his hand back over his mouth. Jackie rushed to Marvin's side, ushering him to his knees and rubbing his back. Jackie couldn't help but feel bad; Marvin isn't exactly good with stress. He could tell Marvin's nerves were really getting to him.
"Shhh... Just get it up, buddy. It's alright, I'm here." Jackie soothed. Marvin heaved, and began to vomit. Moments later, after Marvin was reduced to coughing, there was an urgent knock on the door.
"Come in!" Jackie called. And in came Schneeplestein.
"Vhat is going on in-" Henrik saw the pair, focusing on Marvin, who was still coughing and spitting up onto the floor. Going into doctor-mode, he immediately rushed to Marvin's side. "Don't vorry, Marvin. Schneeplestein has got you. Just breathe." Jackie backed off, letting the good doctor handle things, and went to the closet in the hallway to grab some items to clean the puke up with. When he came back, they were both sitting on his bed, with the magician slightly bent over, resting his elbows on his knees and taking slow breaths as Henrik placed a gentle hand on his back. Henrik lit up when Jackieboy came back.
"Ah, perfect, Jackie! Zhank you, I'll clean zhe mess." Schneep took the supplies and got to work. Jackie sat down next to Marvin, looking at him with a concerned expression.
"Hey... you okay?" He asked in a gentle voice.
"Y-Yeah, I'm... I'm fine. Sorry about that. Guess my nerves couldn't handle it." Marvin chuckled weakly. Jackie shook his head.
"No need to say sorry, you couldn't help it. Besides, it's not like you've done anything wrong." Jackie gave Marvin a friendly pat on the back and smiled.
"So... uh..." Marvin paused, coughing. He drew in a breath, speaking again, his voice a bit hoarse. "What are we gonna do? We need a game plan."
"I know we do, but we have just one problem. None of us know how to get to Anti." Jackie responded. At this, Schneep tensed up and whipped around from his spot on the floor.
"Vhat about Anti?" He asked with wide eyes, clearly very concerned.
"I... I think Anti has Jack." Jackie said, a gravely serious tone to his voice that normally wasn't like him. But, this was a serious situation. Schneep stood, humming and rubbing his fingers on his chin in thought.
"Yes... zhat vould make sense, due to his unusual and abrupt disappearance. Zhough... I don't know how ve can get to him and get Jack back." Schneep said. "I assume zhat's vhat you came in here to tell Marvin?"
"Yeah," Jackie nodded. "I didn't want to scare anyone by saying it outright. Especially since Signe probably would have went into hysterics. I feel so bad, she's barely holding on. She must be so scared." He said solemnly. "I don't blame her, I'm pretty scared myself. I'm... I'm really scared." He then added, rubbing his arm. He shook himself out of his moment of fear. PMA, Jackie, Jackieboy Man thought. You're not gonna get anywhere sitting here and being afraid. Gotta stay positive, we'll find him.
"Well..." Marvin started. "If we can't get to Anti, maybe we should bring him to us?" He suggested. Schneeplestein, now standing and throwing away used paper towels and gloves, turned to the magician and stared at him incredulously.
"Are you crazy?! He'll kill us! Or vorse, kill Jack!" Schneepletstein exclaimed. "No, zhere has to be anozher vay."
"Schneep, I... I don't think there is." Jackie said, his tone back to serious. "At least, not one I can see right now."
"Vell, ve have to zhink harder, zhen! Bringing Anti to us is an "if-all-else-fails" option, and nozhing more. I vill not allow zhat to be our first choice." The good doctor crossed his arms stubbornly. Jackie knew the doctor was right. He seriously didn't want to try leading Anti to them, either. There had to be another way to get Jack back.
"Guys? Not to interrupt, but I think we should all have a group meeting about this, instead of it being just the three of us talking. We might have a better chance at forming a plan that way." Marvin spoke up. The other two Egos turned to him and nodded in agreement.
"Yeah, good thinking, Marv. We'll... continue the search in the morning, then." Jackie said. With that, the three of them headed back downstairs. Schneep immediately went over to Signe, who was holding Robbie's hand and biting her lip anxiously.
"Signe," Schneep started. "Ve're going to have a group meeting tomorrow to figure out vhat ve can do to get Jack back. Zhere's a guest bedroom upstairs. Vould you like to stay vith us?" He offered. Signe shook her head.
"No, that's okay. I... I think I'd rather be home, just in case Jack comes back." She replied.
"Vell, at least let me take you home." Schneep said. Signe nodded, and together they walked out the door. At that moment, Chase came out of the kitchen, and plopped down on the couch, looking dejected.
"He taking her home?" Chase asked, pointing his thumb at the door. Marvin and Jackie nodded.
"Yeah. She said she wanted to be home in case Jack showed up."
"Hm." Chase responded. He didn't really have it in him to talk much at the moment.
"We're having a group meeting tomorrow morning, all of us." Jackie piped up. "We're gonna figure out how we should go about getting Jack back."
"'Kay." Chase replied. Marvin raised an eyebrow.
"Chase, you okay? You don't seem like yourself." Chase stood up then, pacing a bit.
"Yeah dude, I..." he sighed, running a hand through his hair. "I'm just worried. Nobody's seen him, we don't know where he is... I just... don't know what to do. Hell, even Signe has no clue where Jack could be."
"Yeah, I know. This entire thing is really confusing." Jackie sympathized. "But I know we'll find him."
Marvin was listening intently to the conversation when he felt a light tapping on his shoulder.
"Hm? What is it, Jameson?" Marvin asked, curiously.
Did anyone check Jack's recording room? Maybe recent video footage might have some sort of clue. Jameson signed. Marvin clapped his hands together, eyes going wide.
"Shit, you're right! Good idea, Jameson!" He then turned back to Chase. "Chase, call Schneep! Tell him to check Jack's video footage for any clues leading to his disappearance." He instructed.
"Got it!" Chase nodded, and began looking through his contacts for Schneep's number, heading back into the kitchen.
