He was standing there.
I could see Him, just inside the tree line, head cocked curiously as He watched me, hands clasped politely behind his back.
I stared at Him, not able to feel the fear. They said to fear Him. That the Tall One would steal your soul, the Branch Man would warp your mind, Der Ritter would ruin your life.
He looked sad. Standing all alone out there, outside the walls.
He couldn't get in, of course. Bastion was impregnable to the Frights.
Electric fences and Operator Symbols for Him, bright lights trained all around to keep the Rake away, moats to deter Jeff and Jane, mirrors to freeze the Smile Dogs.
But there He stood, watching me.
They hadn't noticed Him yet. If They had, the Slim Alarm would be blaring, warning everyone to keep their eyes on the ground and their children inside.
I didn't fear Him.
He looked so lonely.
I walked slowly to the gate, letting the guards scan my eyes and take my thumbprint. There was a buzz and a green light, and the gate slid open slowly, the lights outside raising in intensity to keep the Minor Frights away, the little Imps and Shades that couldn't kill you, just cause accidents and heart palpitations.
They let me out.
They still hadn't noticed Him. If they had, They wouldn't have let me out.
I made my way slowly to the treeline, watching him curiously. His head cocked to the opposite side, crisp black suit shifting lightly. His tie was red today. Last time I had seen Him, it had been black.
I stopped 5 feet from him. We regarded each other, neither of us wanting to startle the other.
I could hear the Slim Alarm now, a long, blaring note, followed by three short honks and a long pause. It went on and on, the gate slamming shut far behind me.
They didn't care about me anymore. I might as well be dead already.
"You aren't gonna hurt me." I said softly.
No. I smiled delightedly.
"You talk."
Yes. He reached out a long, thin arm, lightly touching my cheek. I gasped at the spark that ran through my skin, a soft glow rising from where we were touching.
"Wh-wha...?"
I Mark you as mine. I Name you as Proxy. He pulled his hand away, fingers lightly stroking as they disappeared from my cheek.
"I'm...a Proxy now? Your Proxy?"
Haven't you always wanted to be?
"How did you..."
Just as you've studied me, I have studied you. A perfect specimen, strong of mind and soft of body. You won't be driven mad by my mark, and neither will you be suspected of harboring it.
"Thank you." I whispered, biting my lip hard to keep from crying. I wanted to be one of Them. A Fright. Powerful enough to keep anyone from messing with me, feeling the freedom to roam wherever I wanted to.
But I was now. I was a Fright.
I was a Proxy.