I knew how i would do it.

End my life, of course.

The foliage of the forest welcomed my running form, graciously swallowing me into its dark, unknown depths. To enter this forest was forbidden. The police had tried many times to blockade the perimeter of it, but the children kept vanishing. Everyone knew, with absolute conviction, exactly who it was. Slenderman.

I was fully aware that i was running straight to my death as the sounds of civilization faded away behind me. I had no more will to live. Dying would finally end the pain, bring the silence to quiet the monsters inside me.

Heart pounding and blood rushing through my ears, i slowed to a stop. I was sure that i had run at least a mile. Panting heavily, i turned around. The dark forest was eerily yet soothingly quiet. Everything was asleep.

Restless demons squirmed about inside me. A deep breath. "Slenderman!" I yelled at the top of my lungs. Another turn. The dark unmoving shadows seemed to taunt me in the blackness. He had to be here somewhere.

"I know you hear me!" i continued. "I want you to kill me! I know you feed on humans, so here's a free meal!"

Nothing. The only sound to break the silence thick in the air was my labored breathing, creating puffs of fog in the chilly night air. That and the flapping of birds who had fled from the first time i screamed. Desperation grew thick in my chest, awakening the dread and agony that i had sought to escape. I growled in frustration and turned around again.

"Please! Kill me!" All my energy was slowly depleting, my shouting draining everything out of me. My knees went weak, making me sway one direction. I could only murmur now, my voice refusing to let out any more screams. "Kill me..."

The ground rushed up to meet me. Still panting, i laid on my side in the dirt and debris and watched the image of the forest distort as blackness spilled into my vision. If i was lucky, i would die from exhaustion. Weighted down with the blacking out that was soon to come, my eyes closed.

The faintest of a crunching sound in front of me made me force my eyelids open again, and i managed to look up. The impossibly tall man seemed to stretch to the treetops, and his white, featureless face gazed down at me almost calmly it seemed. As my breathing slowed, my lips curled into a rueful last smile. Finally, it would all end.

"I want to die..." i whispered with my last bit of strength. I shut my eyes, and felt nothing more.

Harsh light abruptly shone through my eyelids, giving me an instant headache and making me turn my face away from the direct brightness. Light?...There isn't supposed to be light. I'm supposed to be...

Suddenly arms went underneath me and lifted me from the ground. Then we were moving, seemingly running. I heard heavy breathing, like my carrier would go into cardiac arrest at any moment. I decided at that moment to show him that i was awake, by looking up at him and waving my hand in front of his face to get him to stop.

He gave me a startled look, his mouth open and his pale blue eyes widening as we stopped moving.

"Can you put me down?" i asked calmly. He came to a stop and complied, but still held onto my elbow to make sure i had my footing. I stared at him then, all the creases and lines permanently etched into his face, his snow white hair. His name was Tom Roberts. He was the oldest man in town, and once the most famous. He was the first one to see the Slenderman abduct a child. The child had been his brother.

"What the hell were you doing by those woods?" his raspy voice croaked. He sounded like century old wood that creaked under your feet whenever you put weight on it, like it would break at any moment. He probably would, too.

"What the hell were you doing carrying me? Aren't you 86 now?" I returned. This man was in no shape to be straining himself like that, his whole body could have disintigrated.

"87," he replied proudly. "And when i came outside to get the mail, I saw you asleep just a foot from those trees. I thought that HE would get you if i didn't."

"Mm." I nodded and chewed on my lip. Something had gone wrong. I had seen Slenderman, then I wake up unharmed? I surveyed the area, it seemed i had been placed right where i would be seen and taken from harm's way. Inwardly i cursed. No doubt Slenderman had done it. But why hadn't he killed me?...I was right there, defenseless...i even told him to.

"Do you want a ride back into town? A young lady shouldn't be wandering around here by herself," Tom stated. He was very strange. Not many people would offer to help a weird girl like that, especially one found by the forest. Proxies had been known to come out of the forest around here when Slenderman didn't.

"I'm not afraid of Slenderman," i said, still looking around absently. It was just after dawn. The sun was already annoying me, I had never liked it.

"It's not him who you should worry about. He doesn't come out in the daytime usually. There are plenty of men here who wouldn't give a second thought to snatch you up, though."

I met his eyes and analyzed him. I would have called him kind, if I had felt personally that he was such. He was one of those people. The townspeople had wanted nothing to do with him however, and he was forced to move five miles from them. His lonely house was surrounded by the forest that was so feared.

"Fine," i agreed reluctantly. At least then I could get away from this area and go back into the forest later when no one would be watching. Slenderman had some explaining to do.

Tom's old pickup truck smelled like old leather and whiskey, and it was crying out for someone to wash it. And change the oil. And just fix everything in general. It was a faded blue color, with rust covering a lot of it.

I kept my eyes trained on the road. It was a small road, with only two lanes. One going north and one south. The morning mist had soaked the trees and made them glisten as the sunlight cloaked over them. I then let my curiosity get the better of me. "How old were you?..." I let my question drift in the air. He knew what i meant.

He swallowed and the lines around his mouth set deeper into his ever-present frown. "Seven. He was six."

I didn't apologize like anyone else would have done. He and i both knew that it would do no good. I easily settled back into silence. For some reason I was getting along with the old man. I didn't usually get along with anyone. It wasn't because I thought i was better, which I knew i wasn't. It was because I just disliked people in general. Earning my fondness was not an easy task to accomplish.

But Tom didn't seem to have the ever-present qualities of every other person I had encountered. He seemed genuine, real, almost like a fresh, open wound, and you could see everything. There were no lies to deter from the truth.

"Where do you live?" he asked when we were in town. I glared at the thugs and moronic bystanders around us on the streets. I'd had enough experience with them.

"Nowhere." I wasn't about to lie to him. I never lie to people, there's no point to it. Some lie to somehow try and prevent hurt of some kind, as if creating a false fabrication will replace the source of the pain. That maybe the sharp broken glass of the truth will somehow disappear before it cuts someone open, leaving them to bleed.

His bushy white eyebrows raised at me. "What?"

I let out a deep breath. "I don't live anywhere. I've been on my own since I turned 18 and was kicked out of foster care. Just drop me off wherever you want."

His lips pursed. He didn't look surprised, or disgusted, just conflicted. He didn't know how to react. "How do you...defend yourself?"

Giving him a blank look, I pulled out my black gun from the waistband of my jeans and held it up for him to see. He only 'hmph'ed at it, slowly shaking his head in some form of disapproval, like a father who's child got into trouble.

I waited and waited for him to stop somewhere, let me out and say good luck or some crap, but he kept driving around. We passed the same dinky old garden shop twice.

"Is there a reason we're driving in circles?" I questioned. I honestly didn't know what he was doing. I knew he wasn't about to do something stupid or bad, he would regret it if he did. This man had no malice in him, so it wasn't possible for him to be planning something to my discomfort or doom.

"What's your name?" he said, ignoring my question.

"Rei."

"Is that your real name?"

I tensed a bit. "Yes." I began fishing in my pocket. "When i was dropped on the porch of an orphanage as a baby, I had a note with me that had my first name and date of birth." I pulled out a worn pice of paper and unfolded it, showing Tom the words. His eyes flickered as he read. Though i couldn't quite describe with what.

When he gave a nod, i refolded it and put it away. "Why all the questions?"

The truck pulled into the parking lot of a run-down market with most of the lights behind the sign not working. Tom turned the engine off and gave a deep sigh, the kind you give when you're deciding something important in your life. He looked over at me, assessing me for the first time. His eyes were warm, not imposing, even a little bit trusting.

After a bit of silence he spoke gently, as if trying not to scare off an animal. "I would feel comfortable if you would stay at my house for a little while. Just until you can find a place for yourself, or get a job..."

I studied his kind expression, his withering appearance. It was so different than the usual stare I got from people. I glanced out my window and saw the various other homeless scum of the town, sleeping on the curb or ganging up on normal people to mug them. Or sometimes they did it just to hurt them. I hated dealing with idiots.

Was i going to regret this? Maybe. But I was never one to care about conesquenses. In my life, whatever happened, happened. That's what happened in everyone else's lives, though they try to avoid and stop things from occurring.

Fate is unavoidable. Death is inevitable. Because of their fear, or guilt, people always think that there's a way out of things. They aren't mentally capable of facing what is coming. I'd met very few people who actually weren't like this. Tom seemed to be one of them, though i couldn't tell for sure yet. His house did seem pretty nice.

I suppose it would be better than having to constantly be woken up by someone trying to steal whatever change was in my pockets. And not having to sleep on the cold uncomfortable ground...

"Fine. Okay," i answered.

The keys were pulled from the ignition and put in his pocket. "I'm going to get a couple of things here. Lock the doors, and i'll be back in a bit," Tom said, getting out. When he shut the door, the clicking of the locks could be heard. I slid down in my seat and rubbed my forehead. This was a hopeless attempt at trying to calm my tight muscles and quell the things that constantly whirled around in me.

Let's hope Tom doesn't get too freaked out by me disappearing to die.

When we got back to his house, i carried the groceries into the kitchen and let him put them where they belonged. He explained that he did have a job in town and he would be gone for most of the day, and i could do whatever i pleased. Except destroy his house, of course. Not like I'd want to. I wasn't destructive.

His large house had two floors and quite a few rooms, most of them filled with his things that needed to be put in storage. He did let me have a room on the top floor, with a window that had a view of the forest. The bed had deep purple blankets, and there was a dresser, with a writing desk right next to it. Fluffy gray carpet was underneath my feet just like everywhere else in the house.

He left me after telling me that the bathroom was just down the hall from my room. He was going to work and would be gone until sunset at least. I had nodded and started to unload what little i had. I set my gun on the desk, my note, some change and my jacket. As i heard the front door shut, signaling his departure, i decided it would be nice to have a shower. And throw my clothes in the wash.

I undressed in the bathroom and put a towel on, then took my clothes down to the dinky washing machine and put them in. Whatever works. When it was running, i went back upstairs and began to take my shower. It had been so long since i had taken one. I almost sighed in relief as the hot water instantly relaxed me and loosened my ever-stiff muscles.

As i cleaned myself i thought of what i had to do next. There had to be a reason that Slenderman didn't kill me. But i couldn't come up with any. He's a cold killer who snatches children and kills them. Was i too old or something?

No. He had taken adults too. Only a few, but he had. Some he didn't even take, like with the children, he just killed them and left their bodies for people to find. The children were never seen again, he didn't leave their bodies. Maybe he ate them whole.

Had i hallucinated him?...I didn't walk back to the edge of the forest by myself. I hadn't even known where i had run to, or how far into the trees i was. My only goal was to find the one who i knew would grant me my end.

But he didn't.

Consequently this confused and pissed me off at the same time.

I turned off the water and stepped out, grabbing my towel. When i had it wrapped around me, i looked in the mirror for the first time in months.

My black hair was down to the middle of my shoulderblades in the back, but shorter in the front so i had some hanging on my forehead. I had skin paler than most. I didn't like the sun very much. It was always too bright and too hot. Dark blue eyes stared back at me, cold and blank. I stood at 5'8 last time i checked.

I hated mirrors. I didn't like looking at myself most of the time. It wasn't that I thought i was ugly, but rather that I held a deep-rooted hatred for myself that had been there for a long time. I didn't like touching myself most of the time either. I tried to refrain from having any contact in any way, such as doing my hair or makeup. I only did those things in high school and i hated it.

I did it simply because I didn't want people trying to assess me based on the nonexistant amount of makeup I wore. Or how ratty my hair looked. I admit I wished I hadn't cared as much back then, and that I just did what I wanted and thought that people could just deal with it. Of course I did plenty of that now, but getting an early start would have made me satisfied.

A growl form inside me told me it was time to have some food. I put a hand to my stomach, and wasn't surprised when i felt my concave midsection. It was never anything but.

I went down to the washroom on the bottom floor and put my clothes in the dryer. I realized then that i hadn't had more than one pair of clothes for a long time. I didn't like to keep too many things with me, it was hard enough to replace my dirty clothes with new ones from a store and walk out without getting caught. I took a deep breath and left.

After rummaging through the old creaky cupboards in the kitchen i found some cereal, frosted mini wheats. I filled a medium-sized bowl to the top and gave myself a gracious amount of milk. I took my meal to the couch in the livingroom and watched some TV while i ate. I didn't really watch any programs, I just stared at the screen and zoned out.

When my stomach was contented, i couldn't help falling asleep. I didn't want to, i hardly ever slept during the day, but my body wouldn't let me stay awake. i eventually gave in to my closing eyelids.

DING!

I jumped awake at the sound of the dryer going off, gripping the couch tightly with my hands. I soon calmed my racing heartbeat and rubbed my face, my rigid form relaxing a bit, looking around. A glance out the window told me that it was almost sunset. Tom would be home soon.

I got up and went to get dressed. I slipped my underclothes on and pulled on my newly washed black skinny jeans, my black T-shirt, and my socks. They felt a little better now that they weren't filled with dirt and sweat. I put my jacket over my shoulder and took my boots up to my room. They were black steeltoed boots with laces and buckles, and they had lasted me for years. I usually left the top couple holes of them unlaced, so they were easier to run in. They went halfway up my calf.

They had come in very handy when i got into fights, especially when i got the unlucky idiot on the ground and stomped their teeth out. They just never learned.

I hadn't ever used my gun except for one time. I didn't kill anyone, i only shot at his hand to knock the hunting knife out of his grip. Those things could do some serious damage. He ran off screaming and holding his bloody hand after that, and i didn't have the need for it again.

Although i would use it if i really had to. In this world, if you don't defend yourself, you get killed. I would have no remorse if i had to kill a bum before he got me.

The front door opened and I trotted downstairs to meet him, running my fingers through my now dry hair. It was really tangled. I should have brushed it before i fell asleep.

"So what did you do while i was gone?" Tom asked, unloading his briefcase on the table by his chair. "I did buy some things to make dinner with. I hope you like chicken."

My mouth instantly started to water, but i kept my composure and continued to attempt to get my fingers through my hair. "I took a shower and a nap...i also had some cereal before i slept. You can cook?"

He gave a chuckle, the kind only a man of his age could do, the kind that could explain in itself how much he had experienced. "When you're as old as i am, you learn some things in the many years you've been alive."

He then went into the kitchen and i followed. "How are you in such good shape? You shouldn't have been able to lift me, let alone run."

Tom smiled and began getting things out of the cupboards. "I kept myself healthy ever since i was a child. I've been trying to keep myself fit to be able to rescue my brother if i ever find him...or kill that son of a bitch who took him. Can't do either if I'm a lazy old man."

I nodded and said nothing. When he reached up to grab for a pan, he gave a sudden grunt of pain and clutched at his side. I quickly took his arm to steady him while he leaned on the counter.

"I think you need to lay down," I told him. Honestly I just didn't want him to collapse on the floor. I wasn't sure I'd be able to help him then.

"I need to make dinner," he argued, his strained breath coming in puffs.

"No, you need to rest. I can make something for myself, and we can have chicken another night."

After a moment of him growling, much like a grumpy old geezer, he finally agreed and let me take him to his room. After he laid down on his bed i grabbed all his medications from the kitchen and put them within his reach in case he needed to take them. When i looked back to ask if he needed anything else, he had fallen asleep. I stared at him for a moment, then he let out a loud snore that almost made me jump out of my skin. A small smile crept onto my lips as i then left the room and closed the door behind me.

I put all the ingredients for our dinner back into the cupboards and noticed that it was now nighttime. An ounce of determination rose in my chest then, making me go upstairs and grab my things. I slipped my boots and jacket on, pulling my hood over my head. I looked at my gun for a little bit. Then i decided i wouldn't need it. I was going in there and hoping not to come back. However i did grab a flashlight to find my way into the deepest part of the forest without tripping. It was a small plastic one, probably from a Dollar Tree or something. But it would do.

Tiptoeing down the stairs, I made sure to turn off the lights and close the doors. The last thing I needed was Tom waking up and demanding where the hell I was going. I closed and locked the front door behind me. With a flick of the switch the flashlight was on, and i was racing towards the woods.

Once again the foliage was a blur around me as i ran, careful to not trip and just get as far as i could into the forest. Familiar feelings caught up with me and swarmed inside, causing my chest to hurt. Slenderman better show up soon.

After about ten minutes, i slowed to a stop in the shadowy trees. It was completely dark, save for the dim light of my flashlight casting a small circle of light into the darkness. I stood there long enough that my breath slowed to a normal pace. I had to be awake and make sure it was done. I coldn't be knocked unconscious again, the same thing might repeat itself.

I then looked around me, shining the flashlight in various areas. Any normal person would be extremely frightened, being alone in these woods at night, knowing that a supernatural killer was out there and could appear anywhere to tear your head from your body. But i only felt impatience and anger at the emotions that constantly gnawed at my chest.

"Come on, Slenderman! Where are you?!" I shouted. "I'm right here again, ready for you to kill me!"

I kept going for a few minutes, constantly turning and trying to find any sign of him in the trees. Nothing. God, this was really annoying. He could be standing right there next to a tree, watching, laughing silently at me.

"I know you're listening," I growled lowly under my breath, glaring now at the trees.

Suddenly the air chilled, and my breath fogged in front of me again, just like the other night. He was here. I fought back a shiver and turned around.

There he stood, clad in his black suit and tie. I craned my neck to look up at his face and tried to estimate his height. It could have been anywhere from eight to fourteen feet. Right now he looked about nine.

His white, eyeless face seemed to stare down at me, his form unmoving. I clicked the flashlight off, seeing no need for it now. My eyes quickly refocused in him in the dim moonlight.

I looked from his face to his gangly arms, and legs that seemed to stretch forever. White hands poked out from his suit sleeves. I thought he would have had claws.

My eyes met up with his face again, and i waited for him to make the move to kill me. But he never moved. He only stared at me.

Annoyance rising, I threw the flashlight down into the dirt beside me. "Why didn't you kill me? Why won't you do it now?"

His head slowly tilted to the side, as if mocking human actions. For some reason i had a feeling that he would have been smirking if he had a mouth. One of his legs lifted slightly, and he took a step to my side. And another. He was walking around me in a circle. I stood still expectantly, hoping he was finally going to do it. But then he reappeared on my side, his tall form bending to my level so his face was only slightly above mine. Up close I could really see the indents where all of his features would be if he had any.

"Because, it's so much more amusing to watch you suffer."

His smooth, feathery and slightly deep voice purred at my ear. Towards the end of his sentence his voice had become deeper and sadistic. His voice was something he probably used to attract the children. It was like nothing I had ever heard, unnaturally soothing yet holding a dangerous undertone at the same time.

A sudden headache washed over me, giving me a throbbing sensation and spots in my vision. Flinching, I shook it off. Now it was harder to focus on his white face.

I glared with concentration into the large indents where his eyes would be. "What do you mean?"

He chuckled, a dark sound that made the black shadows around us seem to cringe. He also resumed walking around me slowly, probably to try and intimidate me. But i felt no fear, only irritation.

"I know of your agony, the unbearable pain that you feel every day. I felt it the first time you called to me, it felt so alluring. And i watched as it grew inside you, almost as enticing to me as a young child's soul."

I felt a pang of the mentioned pain again, and i heard him inhale behind me. I spun around to face him, fists clenched. "Then take my soul! And all the pain with it!"

He would have been smiling again. "If i took your soul, the emotions wouldn't be with it. It only lives as long as you do."

I took a minute to assess what he was saying. With a sinking feeling I tried to fight, I concluded what he had said. "So you're not going to kill me?"

A black tentacle sprouted from his back and went around my throat, squeezing slightly. It was cold and smooth, just like skin. I didn't squirm or move, i only stared up at him. I didn't have to tilt my head up as much when he brought his face closer, at my level. He pressed me into a tree, his tall form just inches from mine. The image of him blurred for a second, a sharp pain in my forehead. Crap. Just being near him gives you this effect.

"Oh, believe me, i would love to kill you. To watch the life fade from your eyes at my hands..." He seemed to relish in the thought, giving a pleased sigh. "But no...i won't kill you yet. I think you will prove amusing to keep around." The tentacle tightened, and i scowled at him with all the anger burning in me.

"I love how you look at me with such defiance...as if you would have a choice to not obey."

I hated the way his voice seemed to purr, it was how he lured his victims in. Even i was fighting back the draw i was feeling to him. It wasn't natural, it filled you with the instinct to follow and listen to him.

Seeing my conflict, he chuckled again and released, moving backwards gracefully, as if he was not a monster but rather an angel.

"If you won't do it, I'll do it myself," I assured him. I didn't particularly want to use my gun, it would make such a mess. But i would if i had to.

"No, you won't." He bent down again, tilting his head slightly a he spoke. "If you try, i will stop you. No matter where you are, what time it is...you are here for my amusement. You will not die until it is by my hands."

"There are other humans," I agrued, getting angry, feeling my body tense up even more, which was saying a lot. "Others that are just like me. Pick another one."

He shook his white head and a tentacle went under my chin, forcing me to keep looking at him. "Actually, there aren't. I've watched the humans of this town, and many others. None of them are like you, Rei. They don't call to me quite like your soul does."

This surprised me. "How do you...?"

I could feel it in the air when he was grinning. "You humans would try to call it intuition. I know your names just by looking at you."

When i said nothing, the tentacle retracted and he stood straight.

I then felt the dread of hopelessness, the reality of the situation. I mentally began pulling my hair out in frustration. Instead of being killed by Slenderman like i planned, I was now his slave for amusement because of my misery. And he wouldn't let me die until he got bored of me.

Well, shit.

"So you have no reason to keep me around other than the fact that you find me amusing?" I asked, summing up my impending doom.

"You are correct."

I chewed on my lip for a bit, then shook my head and moved my hair out of my eyes. "You are one sick monster. If you weren't already one before, that is."

He took it as a compliment, laughing a bit. I then searched the ground for my flashlight. I had no more reasons to be here and I just wanted to curl up under my blankets in despair. When i found it, i tried to turn it on but a tentacle swiftly took it from my hand. I looked up at him in question.

"What are you doing?" he asked.

I gave him a 'duh' look. "Going back to Tom's house?" Even if he considered me his slave for amusement, I wasn't going to cooperate. I thought it might get me killed faster.

He threw the flashlight into the shadows. "You don't need that."

I was about to ask why not, but the forest scenery around us suddenly changed to the outside of Tom's green house. We were right below my window on the ground.

"Of course you can teleport," I muttered, glaring up at my window. "You couldn't have teleported us inside my room?"

"I could have," he replied.

After staring at him for a minute, I sighed and tried to think of how i would get up to the window. There were no ladders around, and no vines to climb up. I turned back to the tall man, sizing him up. "You can make yourself as tall as you want, can't you?"

"Yes," he said with another invisible smirk.

I then figured out what he was doing and wanted to facepalm. "You want me to ask you for your help."

"I know it would just kill you inside."

I turned back to the house. "Well forget it. I can find my own way."

I put my hands on the house, trying to find places that i could grab. It was completely smooth. When i glanced back to glare at Slenderman, he was gone. I let out a deep breath and went around to the front door. If he really thought I was that stupid, he had a lot to learn. I took out a few pins from inside my boots and stuck them in the lock. After a couple minutes, the door unlocked.

This is why i always have bobby pins with me. I crept inside and shut the door behind me, hoping Tom wouldn't wake up. Silently i took my shoes off and carried them upstairs. I glanced at the digital clock on my nightstand. It was only 11:00.

As i lifted the blankets back from the bed, i remembered all the other places i had slept that had not been like this. I had actually been in foster care until I finished high school. Then i left, living on the streets, and no one came looking for me. I couldn't stand being in a fake family.

Pushing all the memories out, I took my jacket off and slipped into the bed. I almost instantly fell asleep.