A/N:

Hello again people! I live and the story continues! That's right, after long last the third instalment of the 'Behind Closed Doors' series is here! I've missed you guys and I'm sorry this took so long! But with moving house, graduating and trying to find a job as well as money issues and… a hell of a lot of other stuff, time has been pretty sparse for me lately. But here it is, finally.

Now just a warning that because of all the things listed above and because I'm currently maintaining my own review website, (just look for amyscribbler on wordpress if you want to take a look) updates will not be coming as frequently as in the past. So keep that in mind, real life sucks. This will also be treated as the last instalment in the series. I love these characters and I might do something small with them in the future but as for a big story, this is a trilogy and I won't be doing another huge plot with them. I'm sorry, but it's the way it has to be.

Thank you all so much for your support in all of this. It really means a lot and without you guys, I probably wouldn't have finished the first story. So without further ado… Here it is. Behind Closed Doors 3!

Some things just never change.

That was something Trixie had learned over the many months she had lived in this place with these people. The fact that she could even call them 'people' to start with without a second thought was another signal to her growing used to these things that never change. She often thought back to all the events that had taken place since she had chosen to accept this life. The murder of her family leading to her being infected with a demonic substance called Sickness, her accepting the Sickness as part of her and becoming a Proxy to the infamous Slenderman, and the constant underlay of fear as she and her fellow Proxies faced a rival demon who was intent on killing Slender and spreading Sickness wherever he pleased; Zalgo. And of course, most recently, going against what had once been a normal human girl, but had been infected so harshly by Zalgo that she had taken on the belief that he as her father, and tad been tainted with an ability from each of Slender's Proxies. Trixie was unsure what was more disturbing, going against an actual demon, or going against someone who had once been human but forever altered. Both were grim. Both were horrifying. And now both were dead.

But the difference was that where Slender had killed Zalgo to protect his Proxies and the thousands of innocents around the world, Jane had killed herself in order to get stronger. Jane had an ability from each Proxy, and by killing herself, she had become an undead entity that could not be destroyed. That of course was just a theory that had been passed between the Proxies. There was no way of confirming that this was the case, because no one had seen or heard from Jane since that night. It was as if she really was dead. But the thought still lingered around them, and Slender was always on the search for unnatural Sickness activity. Although they had not heard anything, they were cautious. After all, the last time someone let their guard down, it hadn't gone so well.

Trixie was baring witness to this now as she sat on the edge of the bed in Jack's room. Out of everyone, he had bared the most damage from the last confrontation. For he had given up his true name, the most valuable and dangerous thing a Proxy can own, to Zalgo, thus giving up his free will. He'd been forced to do terrible things while under Zalgo's control, and as he was so young, barely fifteen, his mind had almost crumbled from strain. So much so, that he had given up his name to Trixie in hopes of redeeming himself and earning freedom. And now that it was all over, for the most part at least, Jack had achieved this. But he was so young, and his mind wasn't able to handle most of the strain. It was a long recovery process, but with help he was getting there. But the other still had to sleep in shifts in order to keep an eye on him. Now, it was Trixie's turn.

She furrowed her brow and rubbed her eyes from fatigue. It was gone three in the morning and Jack hadn't stirred as much as usual, which she took as a sign that he was improving. She desperately wanted to sleep, but she doubted she'd be able to even if she were curled up in her own bed. The lingering worry that Jane, ghost or not, could jump out at any moment haunted her. And what was worse, was that it was entirely possible. She shook her head to try and wake herself up, failing. In fact it wasn't until Jack broke his calm streak and starting whimpering that she became alert.

Jack's icy-blue completion became tinted with red where he was struggling with tears. Sobs sluggishly escaped his throat as his body twitched haggardly. Slowly, his blind eyes clenched shut and started leaking a thick black ooze that stained his cheeks. He was struggling, trapped in a nightmare that he couldn't even escape by waking up. Trixie felt more than sympathy for the boy, she felt protective. He'd become like her shadow around he hideout since that night, unless someone more capable of protecting him was around like Kate or Slender. But when he needed a hug or some soft words, she was one of two people who would quickly comply. She touched the top of his head and spoke gently, trying to cover the slight quiver of worry for his sake.

"Jack, come on it's alright..." She whispered.

The boy continued to sob, shaking his head harshly at her touch, thinking one of the images from his mind were breaking through, "N-No... Don't... Don't want t-to hurt... Anymore..."

"You're not hurting anyone," She assured, "You're back home with Slender and me and... Jack, wake up, please?"

She shook his shoulder softly, making him tremble a little more before he jolted violently. Sitting bolt upright and shuffling away from her, feeling blindly until he was tucked in on himself in the corner of his bed against the wall. His black eyes were wide, his sobs becoming silent but the tears didn't stop. Jack panted heavily, beads of sweat on his pale blue skin, "Wuh... I d-don't-"

"Easy, easy," She hushed, reaching forward and taking his hands and bringing them to her face, so that he could paint the image of her in his head and recognise that he was with someone he knew. Sometimes it didn't work and he would scratch her from fear, but it was a small price to pay when he would calm down not too long later.

Shakily, his fingers brushed over her cheeks and eyelids, working down her nose and chin until he would let his hands drop at his sides. He trembled, he was scared, but he knew this person, "T-Trixie?"

"You're alright, Jack," She assured, "Um... What happened?"

She knew the answer, it was always the same, but he liked to talk about it every time, so that he could be told it wasn't real, "Zalgo... a-and Jane." He sniffed, "They were making me hurt you and the o-others... I-I didn't want to! I'm sorry I didn't mean it I-"

"Shh, shh, it's alright," She moved in closer and put an arm around him, trying not to take offence when he flinched, "It was just a nightmare. Remember? Zalgo's gone and-"

"But Jane might not be!"

"We don't know that," She insisted. But who was she kidding? She was just as scared as he was that Jane was still out there and coming for them, "And Slender's still here looking after us. That counts for something, right?"

He sniffed, and cautiously shuffled closer to her, "I-I don't want to hurt anyone again..."

She tried putting her arm around him again, and although he still flinched, he didn't move away, so she eased him into an awkward hug. It reminded her of when her younger brother was very small, and alive, and how she'd offer a shoulder to lean on if he was ever scared. Which wasn't often since he used to be as free-spirited as Toby, but the feeling still lingered. She hugged him, "You won't. Because you're stronger than that now."

"Don't say that..." He muttered, resting his head on her shoulder, "It's not true."

"I think it is. Maybe you just need a little more sleep and you'll believe it to?" She smiled for his sake.

Jack was about to answer, but a soft knock at the door interrupted him and made him cling to Trixie tighter. She returned the gesture to offer him comfort before addressing the new arrival. But who was walking around at three in the morning? "Um... Hello?"

The door opened and an elegant looking woman stood in the doorway. Slim with pure white skin and hair that hung past her waist. Her eyes, a bloody red, looked on at them warmly and sympathetically. When she spoke, it was with a heavy French accent and a mothering air, "What happened, petite?"

Rochelle, it was hard not to recognise her. In fact it was hard for Trixie not to remember the entire of Rochelle's story. It was just so... bizarre. How she and Slender were... together? Was that the right word? She didn't really know or feel it her place to ask too many questions. But what she did know was that there had been a misunderstanding when Rochelle had once saved Slender's life years and years ago, and he in return has locked her away in a cursed hotel room in order to protect her from harm again. It only after the cruel events of his and the Proxies last fight, did Slender finally have the courage to swallow his fear and pride to return to her, and set her free. Now she stayed in the hideout with them, not as a Proxy, but as... Well again, Trixie didn't like to ask too many questions. But she did like Rochelle. It was almost like having a... It didn't matter.

"Shh, shh, it's Rochelle, it's okay," Trixie hushed, giving Jack a small squeeze before offering Rochelle a weak smile, "Another nightmare."

"Oh, Slender did say that he sensed something of a disturbance here," She nodded and joined them in the room, cupping Jack's cheek and smoothing away the black tears, not caring that it was staining her skin slightly, "You're safe, petite."

Jack twitched at first, but slowly tilted his head into her hand. He didn't say anything, he just sniffed and sat there still. Trixie looked up at Rochelle, still unsure how to act around her in the short time they'd met, "He's getting easier to calm down now."

"He is a good boy," Rochelle commented with a warm smile, "Slender is arriving soon, to make sure that our petite is not under too much strain before sleeping again."

Trixie nodded. It wasn't unusual for Slender to be extra cautious whenever a Proxy was under mental strain. After all the additional Sickness they'd been exposed to, it was better to be safe than sorry, "Yeah, good idea."

Rochelle seemed to pick up on Trixie's unease and chuckled lightly, "You look so tired, petite... Why not go and get some sleep?"

Hell yes did Trixie want to do that, her eyes were practically burning, "I still have a few more hours of watch before-"

"Go and sleep, Trixie," She insisted, putting a hand on her shoulder, "You forget, I do not sleep."

Oh, right, the dead don't sleep. She should have remembered that by the amount of times she'd been trolled by Ben in the middle of the night... "I can't ask you to take over though, it wouldn't be fair."

"Slender will not object," She added knowingly, "I'll make sure of that. Also, I think he wishes to have more job sketches from you tomorrow and you need your rest."

"Ah... Right..." Trixie sighed, which quickly turned into a yawn. Her drawings had become more and more useful since that night. They were good at tracking the most Sickness influenced of areas, "Um... Are you sure?" She really wanted to sleep, especially knowing that she'd need it. But she felt bad putting the pressure on Rochelle and leaving Jack.

"Oui, petite. You worry too much."

That was true. She gave Rochelle a grateful smile and stood up with her, "Thanks, Rochelle. I owe you."

"Merci, petite," Rochelle smiled, leaning in and giving her a small hug.

"Oh, um-" Trixie never knew how to react to this. It was just strange being the one comforted for once, especially by someone she barely knew. But she awkwardly returned the gesture and put on a smile, "Are you sure you're alright here?"

"Oui, Trixie. If that's okay with you, petite?"

Jack nodded and settled back down into bed. Trixie gave him one last touch on the shoulder before smiling tiredly at Rochelle, "Okay, Um... Night."

"Goodnight, petite."

Not long after Trixie left to collapse from fatigue, Jack soon found himself sound asleep once again with Rochelle sitting on the edge of the bed and smoothing his hair softly. Her unbeating heart went out to the poor boy. To suffer so much at so young. She sighed, silently praying to whatever higher being there was that the boy would be happy again someday. He deserved some happiness in his life. Since coming to live in this place, to once again be reunited with her Slender, she had wanted to be of some use to the Proxies. To help them in whatever way she could. She supposed that after being locked up for so long, without any interaction, she was making up for lost time.

How is he...?

Rochelle looked up suddenly at the deeper, steady voice that echoed into her head from the doorway. There he was, Slender. His expressionless, blank face looked on at them with an air of curiousness and concern. She beckoned him closer, "He is calmer now. Trixie has done well at comforting him these past few weeks."

I've noticed... Where is Beatrix by the way...?

"I sent her back to bed to sleep, the poor girl was almost asleep herself. I hope that is okay, mon cher?"

Slender brushed a strand of her hair from her face and nodded, Of course...I apologise, I did not know she was under such strain...

"No need to apologise, cher, everyone is on edge..." She tilted her head into his hand, "Have... Have you found anything new about Jane or-"

No... No, I haven't... We don't even know if Jane ever returned as a spirit... Ben, Kate and even your cases are extremely rare, and we may just be searching for nothing...

"I understand, but I fear the worse... I do not want to lose anyone when I have only just returned to them. To you."

No one shall be lost, not again... He assured, If Jane is out there we will find her and fix this... If she's not and this search is all for superstition, then we shall work forward and be stronger for it...

"I hope so, mon cher, because whatever happens I fear for your sake as well as our petites." Her thin fingers laced with his, "That last fight with Jane and Zalgo took its toll on you. You still aren't feeding enough."

That was true, although he wouldn't want to admit it, I'll be fine, my dear... My main goal is to bring the Proxies back to their full strength and make sure they're protected... He looked down at sleeping Jack, sighing a moment before catching Rochelle's concerned look, But... If it would put your worries to rest, I shall send Jeff and Alice out on a couple of jobs to collect souls for me... Lord knows they have been more than eager to get out again...

She smiled and stood up to wrap her arms around his middle, resting her head against his chest, "It would be a start, mon cher."

Slender moved his arms around hers in turn, smoothing her hair in hopes of comfort and reassurance. He just wanted to make sure she wasn't overly worrying about him. He still felt that he didn't deserve it. After all, it was his fault she had not been by their side sooner. But he cherished it either way. And it was true that Alice and Jeff had been the most restless lately about being restricted to their outside ventures. It would do them good to get out and... do what they do best.

He already had a plan in his head. To send them out to keep them happy, manage the others to work their skills to search for more jobs and keep an extra look for Sickness activities. The routine continues and the worries never leave even if you act like their gone. Mixing caution with peace. And now with Rochelle, Masky, Hoody and Jack back with them, that madness was increased. But not in an entirely negative way. In truth he didn't know how to feel about it all. He should be scared, or at least more worried than he already was. But instead he felt confident, trusting in his Proxies. That didn't mean he wasn't concerned or planning ahead for whatever the future may hold. He was just a little more confident that they would prevail.

Trixie had finally made it to her room. Her eyes were practically closed by the time she'd changed into her pyjamas. Her bed looked so damn inviting right now. She hoped that Jack would be okay, or rather Rochelle would be okay looking after Jack. But at least Slender would be with them and that eased her mind a little. She rubbed her eyes and crawled into bed, pulling the sheets around her shoulders and just waiting to warm up and drift off to sleep at last.

However warming up was proving to be far more difficult than she expected. The bed just wouldn't take on her body heat. Not that it was overly chilly, in fact it felt kind of like a nice breeze on a warm day, just obviously minus the warm day. She furrowed her brow in confusion, shuffling a little to try and create friction. But her back suddenly brushed against something that was not the wall. Something alive. Or rather, used to be alive. Suddenly an arm looped around her middle and tugged her to press her back closer against it.

"You have no idea how long I was waiting here, Trix."

Trixie shrieked, suddenly wide awake and flailing to escape. But that voice, that damn voice was all too familiar, "B-Ben! What the hell do you think you're doing?" She hissed, trying to roll over and push him away, "Let go of me!"

The ghost did so, meaning that she skidded away faster than anticipated and fell right off the edge of the bed. Ben chuckled, red pupils bright against his black eyes, "Better?"

"No" She snapped, standing up and scowling at him, despite her cheeks feeling flushed from the completely inappropriate intrusion. Especially after he... After he'd invaded her personal space before! "What are you doing?"

"Chilling out," He stretched and lay back against her pillows passively, "You left your computer on, thought I'd pop in and say hello."

"Without asking. At half three in the morning. And when you knew it was my turn to watch Jack tonight."

For a moment, he actually looked lost, before shrugging it off with a semi-sheepish grin, "Honestly, forgot about Jack-watch."

"That doesn't make it better," she snapped, "Get out of my bed and out of my room and- Wait. How long did you say you were there?"

His wicked grin spread wide, "Long enough, Trix..."

Her face inflamed, in embarrassment and rage, "Get. Out."

Ben eyed her as if proving just how much he did see, "You look tired, Trix, why not come here and get comfy?"

"Ben, please, I'm not in the mood for your games, okay?"

"Okay," He put up his hands in a sign of peace and started hovering above the bed to stand himself up and land in front of her. He shrugged a shoulder and tilted his head, "Just been wondering what's up, is all. Feels like you've been avoiding me since we got back."

There was no denying the look in his eye. He didn't mean when they got back from battling Jane and Zalgo. He meant when they got back and he... Oh for gods sake, Trixie, get a hold of yourself. When they got back and he kissed her. Which is definitely what he did. But for one of his stupid, childish mind games that he was so damn fond of. She was not in the mood for it and she refused to go along with it. So in answer, yes, she had been avoiding him. For good reason.

"I'm tired, Ben... And there's been a lot going on, with looking for Jane and helping Jack and the others settle back in. I don't have time for games."

"You don't have time for a lot," He replied casually, "Like the sign language lessons I offered you so that you'd, oh I don't know, be able to understand one of the guys you're trying to help."

She was just about in the right mood to wipe that smirk right off his face. Yeah, okay, she'd avoided him so much that she'd sacrificed learning a new skill that everyone around her seemed to know and used to talk to a vital member of the team. Of course she picked up little phrases from Masky but... it still wasn't useful enough. And she wanted to accept the offer but she didn't want to risk falling into one of his mind game nonsense again, "I don't think you have sign language on your mind..."

"I have no idea what you're talking about," He winked.

Trixie exhaled deeply and walked around him to get back into bed, turning her back on him, "Goodnight, Ben."

"Alright, I can take a hint," He rolled his eyes, "You know you really know how to play-"

The wall suddenly shook as someone on the other side thumped their fist against it, followed by Jeff's half-asleep, groggy voice, "Will ya shut up? Sleep!"

Ben snickered, rolling his eyes, "I don't think he knows he's talking to me."

"Right now I don't want to be talking to you," she yawned, "Please, Ben, I'm tired..."

"Alright, alright, I'll go. But I'll see you tomorrow night for your first sign language lesson?"

God she was exhausted. Did he say something? The words just seemed to slur together in her mind, "Huh? Yeah, sure, sure..."

"Excellent," He grinned cunningly, "Until tomorrow."

"M-hmm."

Her eyes were closed, but she soon snapped them open again when she felt something brush her mouth. It was only small, but it felt like a small spark as if someone had poked her after rubbing their feet on the carpet. Ben was already at the door, hovering lazily and stuck around to flash her one last wink before taking his leave. What had just happened? Did anything happen? In all honesty, she was so tired that she didn't even know how she was still standing let alone think that he'd actually... do that again. Too tired to think, she sighed deeply and pushed the confusion to the back of her mind. Laying back among her sheets and falling asleep instantly.

All the while, Ben strolled down the corridor with a cocky air about him. Seems it was true. Some things just never change.

A/N:

So that's chapter one! As you know from before, things will be a little slow at first just to catch up on things and set the scene. But things will pick up I promise. I have big plans for this XD

So remember, these updates won't be coming as fast as in the past and this will be the last in the series as a big story. Unless I think of something else in the future of course but for now I'm treating it like the last. I'm sorry, I've loved writing these guys and thank you all for the support. It means a lot and that's why I'm going to try and make this awesome for you all!

Let me know what you think! It'll be great to hear from you guys again! Until next time! XD

(take a look at my website! Search for AmyScribbler on Wordpress uk. Or follow me on twitter at itsascribbler Thanks guys! XD Love you!)