The woods, so people say, are the territory of things that men fear. Things that people would rather not acknowledge, things that have little right to exist in this world for the fear and pain they cause. Many people group these things as monsters, while amongst themselves they are simply themselves, living as only they know how. Among them, an impromptu leader…the Slenderman. This story is partly about him, and partly about one few alive now know. Why are they all gone, you ask? That is where this story begins.
It was about 20 years in the past, the Slenderman was hunting in his woods when he came to a small clearing. There, he saw something quite odd, even by his standards: A fully grown human female, white daisies braided into her long midnight hair, was gently trying to free one of the local deer, a doe, from a thorn bush.
The woman took no notice of him, talking calmingly to the animal, her speech like that of a child. The doe was fearful, but didn't buck at her touch, perhaps because it was in pain already. Once it was freed, Slenderman expected the deer to bolt, but it stood still as the woman broke some aloe into its wounds, still murmuring to it.
The woman raised a hand to pet the doe on the muzzle, when it noticed Slenderman's presence. The deer bound from the clearing, the woman giving a small gasp of surprise…then she looked to where the deer had, seeing him as well. Slenderman froze, not in fear – but in curiosity, as the woman didn't appear to be frightened either, but curious as well.
"Who are you?" She asked softly, blinking her deep blue eyes at him as a child would.
I am called the Slenderman… He responded.
"Why do you have no face? How do you see?" Her questions weren't hesitant in the slightest.
I can see, just not as you see.
"You have no nose. Can you smell the flowers?"
I can smell much more than flowers…you don't smell scared.
"I'm not. Should I be?"
Most humans fear me.
"Why?"
…Because…I am different than they are. My lack of face. My height. My…abilities, these frighten them.
"…I'm not afraid."
I can see that. If he'd had a mouth, he would have smiled. It seemed she could sense things too, for she smiled at him instead. What is YOUR name?
"Marian Del Crux. It is a pleasure." She curtsied.
Slenderman didn't dare tell his other creatures he had found a human who accepted him. He thought they might try and attack her, and for some reason, thinking of her dead, of her innocence gone from the world…hurt him. It was her innocence that both attracted him to her…and kept him at bay. However, over time, he found that just because he was attracted to her as a man could be attracted to a woman, that didn't mean that he would destroy her purity… That decided, Slenderman took it upon himself to make a cabin for her, not obviously close to the Creepypasta Mansion, but close enough that he could keep her safe nearby.
It was only a month after their first liaison that Slenderman noticed a change in Marian.
Are you frightened of me now, Marian? This is the first time you have ever shied away from my tendrils…
"No, I'm not scared of you. It just surprised me, is all…"
Please don't lie, Marian. It doesn't suit you.
"…I am not scared of you. That is the truth."
…Yes, but then why did you move when I touched your back?
"I don't fear for my safety with you…I know you'd never hurt me…however…"
…however?… Seeing her place her arms around her stomach area, almost protectively…. ! No…you're not…
"…" She blushed.
Marian… He took her hands in his. Never…EVER for an instant think I'd harm this life you carry either! But…how could you…?
"Despite not being human, it appears you are close enough to us genetically for me to become this way…"
Slenderman put a hand on her stomach, though for a human it was too early to expect any movements, Zalgo only knew how this would work out… I'm…glad, Marian.
It was another seven months later when Slenderman was jolted out of his sleep by the scent of blood close by…
! Marian?! He got up as quickly as only a creepypasta could move and saw Marian weeping silently, blood and water splattering onto the floor of the cabin as she was beginning to give birth. No, it's too soon, isn't it?
"I thought so, I'm scared…Slender…please…"
I'm right here...easy. Breathe, my love...that's it...
It only took about 20 minutes after he had awaked for the infant to come into the world. She was almost as pale as he was – an extremely faint peach color. She…has a face, my Marian…look…
Marian was exhausted, but scooted closer to her awestruck lover and child. "She does…little upturned nose, full lips though not very colorful…but she hasn't cried yet…"
Slenderman was at a loss there. Doctors would spank a child to make them breathe, but he didn't want to hurt this little miracle. Nor did he dare shake her for fear of hurting her little neck and head. I…
As if something suddenly jolted the infant, she shook in his arms, coughing up a small plug of congealed blood from her throat before crying loudly. Both parents were noticeably relieved. Oh…oh…don't cry so, little one…it's okay.
The infant continued to cry loudly, almost making him worry the other pasta would hear her from the manor. Marian took the babe in her arms, gently cradling the child into her breasts. As if this was enough, the infant calmed and started mouthing, searching for the nipple until she found her meal. "Ah!"
Does it hurt?
"No, I'm just surprised. I've seen babies before, but they have only gums. I feel her teeth, but she isn't biting… They are so small…"
Slenderman would have blinked in surprise, if he had eyelids. Teeth? That was probably the creepypasta in her coming out… I'm…happy she isn't hurting you…
Marian chuckled. "So am I…" She relaxed a bit, letting her baby fed.
Slenderman, meanwhile, got some bandages out from an emergency kit he'd made for Marian. You're still bleeding…here. He bandaged her legs together, putting a sterile cloth between them to absorb the blood. That worries me some…don't most women stop bleeding once the child is delivered?
"I…don't know."
I left you books to study on it.
She blushed. "I skimmed, but…"
You were embarrassed.
"Yes."
Well...let's hope this stops it soon...
Sadly…it didn't.
Marian, you are almost as pale as I am...let me take you to a-
"n...no, Slender…"
They won't see me, I'll-
"N...no! I won't risk it…"
So you'll die to protect me?!
She smiled…one last time. "…now…you get…how much…I…love…you…" Marian shut her eyes, the baby starting to cry in her arms as the last of her heat started to leave her body.
…Marian?… MARIAN!
Slenderman held his daughter in his arms to quiet her cries some, but the infant still whined slightly. Marian hadn't had a lot of strength, a lot of milk. She was probably hungry again…
What am I supposed to do with you? … You're half-human…the mansion is no place for you…especially at this age… No humans will find this cabin and take you with them. I chose the most secluded spot I could…
Slenderman paused in his musings when the child made a different sound.
! Did you just laugh?
The child gave that gurgling sound again, smiling up at him. Defiantly a laugh.
I fail to see what is so humorous right now… He sighed. And I'm arguing with a newborn…heh. Your 'pasta is showing, my little one… I need to give you a name…
Slenderman looked around the room and saw, to his sad surprise, the deadly nightshade he'd given his lover awhile ago was in bloom on the windowsill. Nightshade works for one of us, but for a human… What was the other name for that plant…? Marian told me…! Belladonna. Yes…it also means 'beautiful lady' which I'm sure you'll grow into… Bella… Bella… The infant cooed as he said her name to her.
A letter…to explain who you are…and where to find your mother… Slenderman knelt by the baby he'd placed in a basket, making the motion as if to kiss her forehead. Belladonna blinked in question. Her eyes, he'd noticed, were almost violet. Perhaps if he'd had eyes, they'd have been red?
I'm...Sorry...
With that, he rang the bell with a tendril and fled into his woods, his heart torn between what he thought was right and wanting to comfort his now crying child…