Chapter One; Meeting new friends in the Wilds.

Innocence. That is a time where imagination was key, it fueled us. A time where our fear was only from our minds. My name was Nicole Rhinehart. This is the story of how I went from Innocent Nicole, to the beast I am now.

-Ten years ago, April 5th, 2002-

The day it all began, was the day of my Seventh Birthday, This year it was my turn to have my party on the day; and my twin, older by ten seconds, Collin got to choose the event. Which was, truthfully, the only way none of us complained each year. Collin had on some blue jeans, and a grey hoodie. He was currently playing his gameboy color, which he had gotten in a dandelion color. I was currently wearing a light-weight dress, a white and red dress. My long black hair had been put into a very nice braid, bells had been attached to the ribbon's that held the braid together. I loved the sound of bells, I still do infact, but there is a more specific reason as to why I love bells now.

After we had eaten some cake and opened the presents for Collin and I; Our eldest brother Derrick, who was currently fourteen and an excellent boy scout, took us out into the woods behind our house to go camping, at the request of Collin. We had packed our bags the night before and with me in my dress and Collin in his hoodie and jeans, we headed out into the forest to begin our camping trip. Derrick had us hiking for at least 3 hours, bringing us deep into the woods to go camping, so we could see the stars clearly that night. He showed Collin and I how to pitch up a tent, however that was after he convinced Collin that putting up the tent would be funner than training his Quilava and other Pokemon on Pokemon Crystal.

The tent was a dull brown color with orange accents on it, it opened and closed with a zipper, and had mesh windows, to keep out bugs, which could easily be zipped shut if it rained. I remember asking Derrick if I could go pick some wild flowers, Collin was already back on his game and Derrick said it was fine, as long as I stayed close to the campsite. I skipped off, ready to pick the beautiful flowers; hues of blue, violet, yellow, orange, red, and pink were scattered among the green and browns of the forest. I had skipped around picking a few flowers I liked before stopping in a small field that was surrounded by the colorful hue's of the flowers. I sat down on my knees, my dress puffed out around me, and I began to pick each flower, creating a colorful arrangement.

Now I didn't know it at the time, but I was being watched; almost everyone doesn't notice him, but... for some reason... I noticed him. I turned when I heard the birds and cicada's stop chirping. He stood there holding still, his chest slowly moving with each breath he drew from the air around him. I wondered how he could breath though, I saw no mouth, and no nose upon his white face. Being a child, I shrugged it off and smiled at him. This caused the Tall man to slowly tilt his head in an almost comical way. I stood up, brushing a few blades of grass from my knees before I offered the small bouquet I had currently collected to him and despite his lack of a face, I could sense his surprise and curiosity. After a few moments he walked closer, outstretching his arm to the bouquet in my small hands, I remember giggling when he took them.

"Hello!" I called out to him as he lowered himself, sitting on the balls of his feet, knees pressed to his chest before he spoke, his voice was sleek, smooth, and I loved to hear it.

"Hello, little one."

"My name's Nicole, not little one." I smiled and waved a hand at all the flowers, "Want to make a bouquet with me before I have to go back?"

"I suppose I can." he reached out his hand, leaving one resting on his knees, and began to help me pick flowers.

"Since you know my name, what's your name?" I was unable to resist smelling each flower he handed me, each one smelled better than the last, the scent was intoxicating.

"In my homeland, I was called Der Ritter. But here, people call me the Slenderman."

"That's a silly name, Slenderman... Der Ritter sounds better."

"Indeed it does. But it is German, and not many prefer to constantly speak my German name."

"German?" My head tilted curious, the bells in my hair jingled softly which caused Slenderman to twitch a bit before he relaxed and continued picking flowers. "What's German?"

"You are very young... I wouldn't expect you to know what Germany is, let alone the language called German. My name, Der Ritter, means The Knight in German."

"The Knight..." I contemplated this before giggling. "So you're a protector?" I smiled expectingly at him and he moved back slightly either in thought, or shock that I child would think of him as a protector.

"I... would not think of myself as a protector..." His voice was slower as he spoke this time before he stood up. "It is getting late, there are things in these woods that aren't as... Friendly as I am little one." I only nodded at him as I took one of my hair ribbons and tied the bouquet of flowers together.

"Here, for you Mister Slendy!" I held out the bouquet that we put together out to him, one of my bells was on the ribbon, giving off a soft chiming sound each time the bundle of wildflower's were moved. He took the bouquet and stood to his full height.

"Thank you... Nicole." he nodded his blank face once and reached a hand out, patted my head gently before turning and walking away. Satisfied that my new friend had something to remember me by, I then headed back to the campsite, stumbling a little as I made my way back, due to my legs having fallen asleep.

After having lost my shoe in the nearby river, I eventually made it back to camp and as soon as Derrick saw me I was scolded by him for being out so late in the woods. When he asked where I was I simply told him the truth.

"I was in the forest with Der Ritter!"

"What is a 'Der Ritter'?" Collin perked up at this, saving and turning off his game.

"He's my new friend! He's really tall and wears a suit!" I waved my arms around as high as I could to show how tall he was and Derrick chuckled.

"Really Nicole? More imaginary friends? I thought Phillip was the last one."

"He's not imaginary! He's real!" I puffed out my cheeks at Derrick to which he only laughed at that and ruffled my hair.

"Come on Nicole, you and Der Ritter need to get ready for bed."

Why didn't he believe me...? Would he still be alive if he knew that he was real? Maybe it wouldn't have gotten him... Maybe...

Well, that would conclude the first chapter of my newest story. I've been pretty unmotivated right now, this would of been longer had I included what was supposed to continue after metting the Slenderman, but... Meh, I'm a lazy bum.

Review's help me think especially if you have helpful tips :D

Ja ne!
-Fao-Chan

p.s.
There is a reason why Nicole isn't coughing after meeting with Slendy just wait and see what happens. :D