How long had I been running? How much distance had I put between me and that thing. No, in all honesty, there could never be enough distance between me and that slender monster. That very monster which was now chasing me in some kind of sick, twisted game of cat and mouse. He knew where to corner me; he knew he could keep up this game for as long as he needed, or until he grew tired of it. The thought sickened me. The fact that this creature got some kind of sick pleasure off my misery and fear made my stomach roil. I bit my lip angrily as I bolted through the trees, my feet ghosting over the bracken and brambles. I winced in pain when sharp sticks and thorns tore through my flesh, leaving gaping cuts that blood seeped out of. Great, my blood would give me away even more now. As I ran, I thought more; my thoughts all jumbled from the fear. Then I realized with a jolt I still had my phone. Maybe if I got just a moment to stop, I could use it to call the police. It was a stupid idea but it was my only hope in this bleak situation. I skidded to a stop and ducked behind a large tree, pressing up against the rough bark. I shoved a trembling hand in my jacket pocket and pulled out my muddy iPhone. I wiped away some of the dirt and tried to dial 911. But as fate would have it, the creature found me right away. Before I could press the call button, a shadow slammed into me, making me and my phone go tumbling.

Dazed, I rolled over on my stomach and slowly pushed myself into a crouch. I was amazed at how much that hurt, the action movies and football games made it seem so not painful to get hit and thrown. I eventually got back on my feet and immediately looked around for my phone. I spotted the LED screen light in the dim lighting and dove for it. Yet, as my hand wrapped around it, a foot came crashing down on it at the same time. I let out a cry of pain as I heard a resounding snap in my fingers. Tears of pain blurred my vision as I looked up to see who stepped on me. I wasn't too surprised to see that it was the faceless monster. "Did you really think that was going to work? Did you not think I would have thought this ahead, my dear? Even if you had succeeded in calling the authorities, my static would have jammed your signal; thus rendering your attempt at salvation useless." The creature scoffed at me in that deep, alluring voice, while digging his heel into my hand. I cried out again when my phone screen shattered under the pressure and shards of glass dug into my palm. "What do you want?" I screeched at him, writhing on the ground, trying to get my hand free. With a growl, the monster lifted his foot off, bent down, and snatched up my long hair in his slender hand. I gasped in utter pain when he lifted me up by my hair, pulling me into a standing position. "As I told you before, you insolent creature; I just want you. You are my prey, and I am the hunter." He snarled to me, pulling my head back so I had to look him in the face. "But why just me, there are plenty of other humans to choose from?" I groaned as he continued to pull my weight up with just my hair. He suddenly growled again and this time slammed me against a tree, using his other hand to clutch my throat, and lifted me completely off the ground to where my feet dangled. He stepped closer to me, close enough I could smell the scent of blood and snow wafting off of him, and leaned his head down to where it was mere inches from my face. "Because I am enthralled with you, I've been watching you since your mother died. You are alone in this world just like I am, and you have a hint of darkness in you; hidden under all that innocence and sadness." The creature breathed in my ear, his cold breath sending a shudder through my body.

I tried to respond, but all I could get out was a raspy cough because of his large hand crushing my wind pipe. In a desperate attempt to breathe again I clawed at his arm, failing to afflict any kind of pain on him. I heard the demon chuckle darkly in amusement as my vision started to fade. At least if I suffocated to death, I wouldn't have to worry what he did with my body afterwards. Just as I thought I was going to black out, the hand vanished and air rushed into my lungs. While gasping for air and regaining my senses, I barely noticed him grabbing both my wrist in one hand and pinning them above me. Finally I quit coughing and my head snapped upwards when I felt something hard press against my body. With a small gasp I realized it was his body that had pressed up against mine, holding me further against the tree. He was so cold, even thru his suit. A cold that felt like death; a cold that proved even more that he wasn't human. "What…what are you?" I rasped, squirming underneath him. A devilish smile crept up his pale face; and he tilted my head back to once again look him in the eyes. "I'm known as many things; I go by many different names. But I'm usually referred to as…the Slender Man." Slender Man snarled softly. My eyes widened and my heart dropped. Was I really face to face with something that crawled out of the depths of hell? Taking all this in finally, I actually began to tremble in fear. Just like before, when he first cornered me by the cemetery, I felt completely and utterly alone. I was alone in these foreboding woods, being hunted by a creature that could speak and act like a human, but yet looked like a beast; the perfect predator.

Suddenly as if to confirm my thoughts, Slender Man bared his jagged teeth, pulled my head to the side to expose my neck, and bit forcefully into the hollow of my throat and collarbone. Searing pain blinded me as I felt his teeth rip into the skin and muscle, tearing them apart as he went. With that, I arched my back and let out a bloodcurdling scream. A pleasurable growl escaped his lips as he continued to sink his teeth into my flesh, blood oozing down my breast and onto the forest floor with sickening, wet sounds. "God help me!" I screeched into the chilly air, fear completely consuming my soul. Slender Man let go of my neck and pulled back to look at me, my blood running down in rivulets from his mouth. "Your God can't help you now." He bellowed and bit onto my neck once more, right under my jawline. With a sudden rip, the back of his suit burst open and tentacles black as night sprung out, writhing angrily. At this sight, I threw my head back and screamed into the night; while my flesh continually was ripped into. Though sadly enough my terrified screams reverberated through the deathly forest, reaching no one's ears.