As I lay my head on my pillow I could instantly tell I would never be able to sleep. Not tonight, not now. I tried rather to imagine something to raise my spirits, but instead came face to face with someone I wasn't even sure was real. "Laughing Jack?" I tried focusing more in the darkened room but I didn't have to, sure enough my lamp was turned on with a small click and the simple silhouette turned to a black and white picture. "You know me?" he said in a sickening voice. "I don't know how much I know about you is true, but yes." I thought I should be more scared. "You seem rather…casual. You aren't much fun are you?" his broad smile faded to a childish pout. "If you're going to kill me just get it over with. I'm done here anyways." I said almost too fast. My heart began to beat faster. Maybe he would kill me, I wouldn't have to be here anymore, no longer would I have to endure the daily stab of depression, or tire of trying to smile when I wasn't happy at all. Or perhaps…he wouldn't, maybe I would be too boring, not a good playmate, not fun. I wasn't deserving enough to die, let alone be murdered gleefully by the famous Laughing Jack.

He came down far enough that his pointed nose pressed against mine. His eyes narrowed. Never had I felt more vulnerable. It was almost as though he was looking into my thoughts, my soul, and my heart. I exhaled the breath I had been saving in a shaky tone. Was he scaring me? Is this what fear was like? Or was I just scared he may leave and never come back, never kill me? "You really are very sad aren't you? You know I am here to cheer people up. I couldn't jump straight into a fun little game with you. I'd have to cheer you up first, make you want to live before tearing it away from your precious little soul." It was as though he were talking more to himself than to me. "Please, I can't take this anymore, its torture enough for me to be here." He had just sat himself up onto the edge of my bed as I lurched forward bringing my knees to my chest and lightly sobbing into my pajama pants. I quickly hurried to dry my eyes as more tears continued to spill down my cheeks.

Still holding my legs tightly I lifted my eyes to meet his. He had a face of shock and confusion. His eyes wide I sighed. As I lay my head back against my pillow I heard him talk in a hushed voice. "You better be worth the effort than." With a crack he had disappeared. Why had he agreed to this? Did he pity me? Was it just for the kill? Maybe he wanted something a bit more torturous. Slowly gain my trust only to rip it from my hands. But maybe, if I acted cheerful, happy almost, it'd go faster, maybe if I endured one last tiring spree of faking happiness it'd all be over. Tired from the too short encounter I closed my eyes and silenced my thoughts. But as all faded I could hear a husky voice from the other side of the bed. "Sleep well, cupcake."

I suddenly saw a huge, rusted, iron gate in front of me. Already knowing what was coming I walked forward and pushed open the gate. It was beautiful, like stepping straight into a black and white movie. A huge carnival stood before me. I saw small children in a zombie like state, and a huge tent, they all seemed to be forming a line. I had always read about what happened in there, but I could never know for sure. Someone grabbed my arm, causing me to jump. It was Jack. He had my arm as if escorting me somewhere. "Glad to see you made it alright sweets" He said, a large grin forming across his face, his pointed teeth showing. Looking into his pale eyes, I realized that I was, for once, smiling. This wasn't a fake smile either; it was a real, genuine, smile. I was actually happy.

"Usually people look more, well, scared walking into my tent. Why do you seem so, what's the word, happy?" he said, his smile never fading. "I don't know, I guess this kind of stuff just really makes me happy." His eyes narrowed "This kind of stuff?" He replied, looking suddenly confused. "Horror movie like scenes." I explained quickly as I was rushed into the tent. I was honestly excited to see what he actually does, but maybe it differs from person to person. Either way I was for once excited in his presence, waiting for a surprise. I was greeted by two of the zombie like children, bowing me in. "If you'll excuse me, I have to go start the show, here have a seat lollipop." In a normal circumstance I would have become irritated with candy and sweets based nick names, but I was too excited for the show. What was he going to do?

The lights in the tent faded and a single spotlight appeared in the center of the stage. "Welcome! Tonight I have a special presentation from the well known Slenderman! For those who are less, well, dead, I assure you in no way will you be harmed!" His voice rang out through my head. He was bringing other pastas in for shows? This definitely wasn't anywhere near what I expected. The tall, skinny figure known as Slenderman appeared in the spotlight in a cloud of black mist. With him, something that could barely be made out in the dim light. A small child, a girl, around the age of 9. Adrenaline rushed through my veins. I knew he would kill her, or at least hurt her. And sure, maybe he wasn't as creative about it as LJ, but none the less blood would be spilled and pain would be felt. She had her mouth pressed shut with a tentacle. Static rang through my ears but I didn't care, this was too exciting.

He set her down in a before unnoticed chair and chains quickly wrapped around her, binding her arms, legs, and waist. At once her screams could be heard throughout the tent and my smile only widened. He had struck her through the waist with a tentacle. At once he placed his long, thin, fingers around her throat, just under her chin. He lifted his hands so that she was forced to look into his featureless face. Her screams stiffened and her eyes bulged. You could barely hear her murmur "Please, stop" before he struck her stomach again with a tentacle. The pain in her face looked unbearable. I was almost falling off my seat; I had scooted so far forward during the show, eager to see more. The ending was my favorite part. He stuck a tentacle up through her chin and out through her right eye. She screamed heartily but soon faded to a grayish color. As he removed his tentacle the chair set her free. She stood, and I realized that she had become one of the zombie like children.

"How'd you like the show?" He asked as the children fled from the tent. "Brilliant" I replied with a grin that was starting to hurt my face. "I loved the last part the most..." I ranted on about the contents of the show and why I loved them, my smile never fading. "You really are quite fun" he said when I finally stopped talking. I looked down, my long brown hair covering my face so as to hide the blush spreading across my cheeks. I shouldn't be so embarrassed about this. "I think it's about time for you to wake up gumdrop" he said. Before I could process what he had said I jerked awake. It was only around 9 in the morning. Suddenly agitated I stood up to go to the bathroom. "Jack you son of a bitch you woke me up before 11" I whispered more to myself than to anything else. I didn't think he would hear me of course, but as I started the shower I could've sworn I heard a faint chuckle. Before taking my clothes off I looked around the room. "Jack so help me you better not watch any of this or I will stop talking to you forever" I said aloud just to make sure before quickly stripping down and jumping in.

"Hey Joanne" Bill greeted me as I put on my work apron. "For the billionth time, I go by Jo" I said hurrying to the register. I rushed home after work, and opening the door found it to be unlocked, unlike it was when I left this morning. "Jack? Are you here?" I said shakily, clenching my fists. "Welcome back Jo" I turned around almost falling over, and came face to face with Jack. "Okay first off, what the hell you woke me up before 11, I don't even work until 3 let alone wake up before 11. And now you're all like 'sup Jo' like you don't even know my name and you scared the shit out of me leaving the door like that and sneaking up behind me and ugh." I ranted. "Are you done now?" "Yes" "Good. I wanted to play a game, but I was thinking I'd put a spin on it. I've gotten to know you well enough that I can tell you're interested in killing, I want you to come with me today, I want you to watch, I want to see how long you can stand watching someone go through the torture of their last game, and better yet, a child. Maybe I'll get an adult to play too, just for fun." My eyes had suddenly grown so wide I thought they might fall out. He understood the satisfaction I've received from other's pain, torture, from seeing the blood. And he wanted me to watch him do his work, firsthand…

"I'd love to!" I was too excited to see this. "But I can't go now, I have some things to do, perhaps sometime later, sometime today if you'd like" I added. "Perfect! How about around 10, the parent's won't be home until about 11, plenty of time to play" he said with a mischievous grin. "Okay" I said, starting to turn around. It was 8, I had two hours to prepare. I picked out an outfit in my room of all black with the exception of the white jacket and boots. A tank top and skinny jeans with a light jacket and some boots seemed perfect, So long as I didn't get blood on the white things whilst watching. I think it'd look nice but it might raise suspicion. I combed my hair into a high ponytail, the black streaks showing nicely. By then it was already 9. I walked back downstairs to eat. "You look nice" I jumped and spun around. "JESUS CHRIST JACK YOU CAN'T DO THAT TO ME I'M REALLY JUMPY" I shouted. He only laughed at my frustration. He walked up to me, face to face, almost chest to chest, and stared into my eyes. The tension was so thick it was hard to breath. "It's just too fun to stop" He said walking away. I felt my face heat up, my hair couldn't save me now, and I stayed turned away until it stopped. It wasn't that it was intimidating but he just got so close, and I hate to admit it, but when he was staring at me like that, and standing so close, he looked rather attractive.

I ate quickly and still had a half an hour to go. Sighing I cleaned my plate, 25 minutes. I checked my phone, played a game or two. 10 minutes. I checked my hair was up tight, my boots were zipped, and my shirt was buttoned correctly. 5 minutes. I walked around the kitchen a few times. 3 minutes. My heart started beating faster. 2 minutes. I grinned looking over at Jack whom had made himself comfortable on the couch. 1 minute. I walked over to Jack. One last glance at the clock. 10:00. "Well would you look at the time! We best be off now." He said standing up, looking down on me. I felt my stomach twist and looked down at my shoes. "Yeah" I nodded. "Wait a second, how are we getting there? We can't exactly walk, this neighborhood is full at night and you're most definitely not going to go unnoticed" I said. He gave out a soft laugh, holding out his hands, his long claws nearly touching mine. "Well, take my hands" He said, seeing my confusion. My heart gave a leap and I mentally smacked myself. I couldn't get attracted to a killer clown, it wasn't going to happen. Grabbing his bandaged hands I realized how gentle his grip could be. It was really quite nice holding his hands. *Insert mental smack here*. Suddenly the room started spinning and before a second was up the environment had changed. We were in a totally different room, a young boy's. It was finally going to happen.

He released one of my hands and pulled me over to the boy's bed, where he was sitting up, staring at me confused. "Who's this Jack?" He asked, pointing to me. I blushed; it was too easy to make me blush dammit. "I've brought another friend! She's not going to play the game I have planned today though, she's too shy." He said. The boy didn't seem to like the idea of sharing his new friend. Suddenly I was determined to see him hurt. *Mental slap* I shouldn't be thinking like this. I suddenly became aware he was still holding my hand. Loosening my grip and offering him a chance to let go the boy stood, looking excited for this new game. With the hand not holding mine Jack snapped his fingers, and the boy was on a wooden table in the center of the room, strapped down with leather. He looked as surprised as I was. But I was determined to see this happen. "Jack, what is this?" He asked, voice trembling, suddenly terrified. "Your final game" Jack said, an evil grin overcoming his face.