A Slenderman Fanfic I own nothing!

Four-year-old Ashley walks through the forest, looking around. She hadn't been told the stories; the stories of a man in a black suit, a man who steals any of the unfortunate souls he meets, a man with long limbs and many arms, a man with no face. Her parents only told her not to go into the woods at night. "But why, Mummy?" she always asked.

"Because…it's not safe to go out there all alone," he mother would reply, looking warily into the forest, wanting to spare her child of the night terrors that were running ramped throughout the town.

"But why is it not safe?" Ashley pressed her mother further.

"Just don't go out there, promise?" Her mother grew impatient.

"Yes, mummy," Ashley would say, and rest her head on the windowsill, looking into the vast span of trees which encircled her backyard. What's so scary that Mummy doesn't want me to go out there? she asked herself over and over. She was determined to see what had her mother so worked up; and tonight, the perfect opportunity came about.

"I'm off to a dinner party," her mother told her, "Daddy should be here soon. Remember, don't go outside and don't answer the door for anyone but your father."

"OK," a smiled spread across her face as she planned her escape into the woods.

"Bye, sweetie, I love you," she placed a kiss on her daughter's forehead.

"Love you, too, Mommy" she smiled and waved goodbye to her mother. She stood in the kitchen a moment, listening as her mother's car pulled out of the garage.

Ashley ran out the back door to the porch. This isn't scary, she thought and walked across the yard; her long, white nightgown fluttering behind her with each step she took closer to the mysterious wood.

Ashley was completely unaware of the being that hid itself amongst the trees, following her, staying out of sight. Another little one, the dark entity thought to himself as he came closer to the child ahead of him. With one of his many long arms, he reached for the girl. As his hand rested on her shoulder, she twisted her neck to see him.

As she turned around, little Ashley thought only one thing, Why is he out here in a suit and tie? She looked at his black face, "Why are you here?" she asked innocently.

There was no answer.

"Are you lost?"

Nothing, but he slowly got down on one knee, now at eyelevel with her (if he had eyes, that is).

Ashley tilted her little head to the side, "Are you alone?"

He nodded.

"Do you live here?"

Her nodded again.

"Do you get lonely?"

The tall man looked down at the ground. But, a moment later, a pair of tiny arms, tightly wrapped around him. He pulled back a bit before resting his own hands on Ashley's back. He pulled back and stood up. Seeing her still smiling face, he offered his hand to the child. She placed her much smaller one into his.

He walked, little Ashley struggling to keep up with his long strides. "Where are we going?"

Still no response, as she expected.

"Have you always lived in the forest?"

He couldn't answer. He had lived in these woods for as long as he could remember. They used to be much larger before the townspeople showed up. But he kept them from expanding their town any further.

As they neared the edge of the forest, Slenderman desperately wanted to turn around. He wanted Ashley to stay, she's the only one had ever been nice to him. They reached her yard, but he still held her tiny hand, not wanting to let go.

She looked up at him, "Bye, Mister!" she said and headed for her house. Before stepping inside, she turned and waved goodbye to her friend. He did the same, before heading back into the cold, lonely woods.