Till Death Do Us Part..

Artemis frowned "would you like me to grab you some breakfast?"

"No! No, it wouldn't settle well." Mark grumbled. If she wasn't going to eat, then neither was he. He foced himself to sit up and sighed. "I'm going to take a quick shower. He stood and went to the bathroom, leaving the door open just a crack so he could hear everything, just incase.

artemis nodded, watching him hurry in sadly. she looked around the empty room, feeling awkward

When he came back out, he was drying off his hair, only wearing his boxers and his pants, his shirt being slightly useless because of the tears in it. His body was riddled with scars, almost ask if there was no smooth surface.

Artemis slid off the bed and stared at him, horror filling her eyes as they locked on his chest "mark" she breathed, approaching him tentatively

"Yes?" Mark asked as he turned on the tv to watch the news, not really paying attention

Her feet brought her forward and she found herself reaching out to finger one of the many scars "mark" she repeated, her voice barely audible

Mark finally looked at her "wha- oh." He looked at her reached out to touch him and looked down at his chest. "Uh..yes. Those.."

"My god, what happened?" She whispered, her fingers gaining a mind of their and exploring the area

Mark refrained from shivering at her touch and shrugged. "Years of searchers and torture."

Artemis came to her senses and snapped her hand back, an apologetic look sprouting across her face. Her hands jumped to her own set of ridged, pink scars across her stomach and her eyes widened "we're cursed" she concluded, her knees losing the ability to support her

"what? No, now what makes you think that?" Mark asked as he caught her and set her on the bed.

"We're see the dead. we're left to be hunted, killed, and tortured all because of this 'gift'. We are cursed" Artemis whispered, sinking into his arms
She was having a hard time accepting her lot, to say the least

Mark gave a smirk and shook his head. "Not all mediators look as bad as me. I am cursed, yes. Cursed with immortality and a demon called Nellie. But that's my burden to bare. No one elses. No one else is cursed Artemis." He said and kissed her head gently.

Artemis glanced up at him, her eyes swimming "your lot is my lot" she stated simply

Mark shook his head and chuckled. "No, you wouldn't want my lot."

Artemis frown "I think I already have it" she grumbled

Mark frowned and stared at her. "As long as I live, you will not endure, what i have endured. I promise you that, Artemis." His voice was dead serious, as was his face as he stood and went for his bag, pulling out an extra shirt, his back looking just as bad as his chest.

Artemis held back another gasp and looked away, swallowing hard at the sight "just.. just don't leave me?"

Mark pulled the shirt on and went and sat by her, taking her hand gently. "I'll never leave you, Artemis. I promise." He kissed her head.

"then your lot is my lot" She concluded, her tone a matter of fact. She looked up at him, quickly getting lost in his gaze. She felt herself move forward.
could she do this?
her eyes locked on his lips.
could she?
Unwanted memories resurfaced and she flinched, moving away as her eyes went blank

Mark sighed and shook his head. "You will be safe. I promise." He said as he watched her, then stood and went to the bathroom to fix his wild mess of hair

Artemis nodded dumbly, following him in. He was like a magnet, she was drawn to him and his comfort

Mark glanced at her and gave her a small smile. "You alright?" He asked as he brushed out his hair, though it didn't look much like it helped. It still had that ruffled look to it.

Artemis nodded, her mid elsewhere “mhm.. how much farther till Alabama?”