Today was the day, the day I have been waiting for. It's been ten years since my parents died on that fateful night. I was forced to move states with my foster family. My new mother has gentle brown locks that were a curly mess. The same hair belongs to her son, but of course his was just a short patch of curls. My new father had super short black hair and was balding on the top of his head. All of their eyes were the same deep crystal blue and that amazed me when I first met them.

They tried their best to be kind to me, but it was me that caused so many problems for them. I was considered schizophrenic by all the doctors I saw after the attack. I was on medication that helped my mental problem. I wish I wasn't so paranoid or anxious. It made it hard to talk to others, it made it hard to go to school or be alone. I was glad I had Levi, my foster brother. He was always there for me and never left me alone, even when my foster parents finally agreed to have me home schooled. He made them homeschool us together. He loved me more than a brother and after multiple attempts of him asking me out I eventually said yes, but only out of pity.

I was able to get my high school education done two years early since my paranoia didn't affect my love for learning. As soon as I was done I started taking college classes since my foster parents wanted me to. I got an associate degree in forensics science only because it would possibly help me in my future.

Now it was my eighteenth birthday and I ready to move out of my foster home. I had a single suitcase packed with few clothes and my backpack that was mostly empty now, but it wouldn't be once I got back to my home state. I wasn't in my normal attire of my homemade gothic dresses and I stared at myself in the mirror. I was clad in all black. Tight leggings clung to my lean legs and a long sleeve thermal gripped my torso. It showed off all of my curves, but that wasn't the point. I sat on the edge of my bed and put on my combat boots before pulling my waist length hair into a big and messy bun. My hair was no longer strawberry as I had started dying the top layers of my hair midnight black since I was in my teens. The only reminisce of my natural hair color was the tips.

I looked up when there was a knock on my door and I said "Come in".

Levi walked in and smiled gently at me. I smiled back and stood before we embraced each other. He held me tightly and if I wasn't so strong he would probably be hurting me. He started kissing on my ear and neck, making me shiver slightly. I may not have liked him this way but it's not like I couldn't not shiver; it did feel good.

He then whispered in my ear, his voice deep and husky "I'll miss you berry". His voice only made me shiver more in his arms. "Why don't you get a place nearby? Why do you have to move back to your old home? You don't have anyone there".

He was wrong. My everything was there. The love of my life, I never would forget him. I think he tried to erase my memory but it didn't work. After a year everything came back. I researched him the first chance I got and found out his identity. Slenderman. My Slenderman. I have missed him so much despite only seeing him once. I still remember how cold the summer night air became when he appeared. The way he loomed over me after he knocked away the creature that was hunting me, whom I had learned was the Rake. Even now my heart beats for him and butterflies fill my stomach, even after ten years. I wonder why he didn't kill me after I learned that he kills for a living.

My brother thought that he was the reason my cheeks were so pink and my heart was fluttering. It wasn't, but I would let him think it was. I was too weak to break his heart more than it already was breaking.

"I have to. There is something there. I must go back".

He tisked and let me go, obviously pissed that I was denying him and still set on leaving. I only sighed and gave him a small peck on the cheek before I went to grab my bags. He roughly grabbed my wrist and I gasped when he pulled me back to him. His lips attacked mine in a passionate kiss and I sighed into him and kissed him back. His kisses were always nice; they told me how fond he was of me. I felt bad that I couldn't return his feelings. My life would be easier if I could, but it was already set on that faceless man. I let him ravish me in love and adoration for a while longer before I pulled away, smiling weakly at him.

I managed to let my emerald eyes water a little, to show him I was sad about leaving. He let out a shaky sigh before giving me a small kiss and letting me go.
"I love you, Reighn".

"As I love you. I'm sorry it had to be this way, Levi".

He shook his head and smiled a little. "It is my own fault. I chased you even after you rejected me over and over. I'm just glad you let me love you".

We both laughed a little and I held his face in my hands, staring up into his eyes. He would always have a place in my heart and I would never forget his kindness. I could see his eyes were watery, but he kept himself from crying. I let him go and turned to get my bags, waiving to him before leaving.

I walked down the stairs and my foster parents were waiting by the door. My father handed me my coat since it was early December and I put it on before giving them both hugs.

"I'll miss you guys. Thank you for everything you've done". I bowed a little and my mother pulled me into another tight hug.

"Try to come visit us sometime. You are always welcomed here".

I nodded and smiled at her words. I knew I didn't belong here, my place was not here. I picked up my suitcase again and walked outside. The cab was waiting on the curb and the driver stepped out to open the trunk for me. I put both bags in the trunk and the driver closed it. Before I could get in the back I heard my name.

I jumped a little but looked up to see Roger running towards me. He was the only friend I managed to make when I did attend school. He was able to make it. He must have been skipping class right now.

He picked me up and swung me in circles. I was gasping and panicking a little and he put me down when he noticed my hyperventilating. "Sorry, Rei".

I smiled and said it was okay after I calmed down. I looked into his brown eye that wasn't covered by his shaggy black hair. I told him about my childhood and Slenderman. He believed me and helped me prepare for the long road ahead. It was thanks go him I was able to do all my training. We had met every day and we trained together in the back woods behind my home. I owe him a lot, but there was nothing I could give.

I looked down as he stroked my cheek and looked down at me. "You have your phone, right? You'll call? You'll skype me? Let me know how your hunt goes, at least".

I slowly nodded my head. "If you don't hear from me in a week, you can assume I didn't make it". My voice sounded sad, and he pulled my chin up.

"I believe in you. You've beaten me at the game over a hundred times".

"Roger, you're a human. He's a monster".

"Don't think like that. I believe in you".

I smiled and hugged him. We stayed in that hug longer than we probably intended and we broke up when the driver honked.

"I'll text you when I get off the plane so you know I got there. I'll be going in as soon as darkness falls".

He grimly looked at me and nodded. "Bye, Rei. I'll miss you".
"I'll miss you too".

We hugged quickly again and I got into the cab, closing the door. I waived through the back window as he pulled away, and I could see that Roger was crying. I can't feel bad, I told myself as I turned around and buckled in. I have to do this. I sighed and tried to relax while I was driven to the airport, trying not to panic that the driver was going to take me somewhere else and rape me or something like that.

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We arrived at the airport and instantly I was shaking as I paid the cab driver. He asked me if I was okay and I nodded, admitting that I had paranoia because of a childhood accident. He sympathized and offered to walk with me to the terminal. I thanked him and accepted his offer, feeling like I could trust him since he actually brought me to my destination. He carried my bags for me and I couldn't help myself as I cling to him, my heart pounding and my breath was tiny. I felt so small in the huge throng of people.
I was glad he helped me. It was rare to meet such kind people. He had to explain his being with me through each security booth and they hesitantly let him through. The flight was already loading when we made it to the terminal. I was speechless and so he handled my ticket for me. I was so terrified I just wanted to curl up on the floor and scream my head off. He escorted me to my seat in first class and I offered him tip but he declined it and left before I could force him to take it.

I sighed and shrunk into my seat. I had to get first class because I wouldn't be able to handle the crowded seats in the back. It didn't matter anyways; I had a lot of money saved up for when this day came.

I dug through my book bag which I used as a carry on and took out my bottle of sleeping pills. I went ahead and took the dose so I could fall asleep as soon as the flight was about to take off. I listened to all the instructions over the intercom, half awake and I was knocked out as soon as the plane started to move.

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I was awoken by a flight attendant and she was telling me we had arrived. I smiled weakly and she helped me gather my things. I assumed she knew about my condition since she helped me. It was hell but I managed to make it out of the building and call a cab without going insane and making a fool of myself. I purposely didn't grab my suitcase from the baggage claim as it would only get in my way. I told the driver my hometown once I was inside the vehicle and he took off.

I looked in my bag, making sure I had what I needed. So far I only had rope, a flashlight with extra batteries and a few snacks from home. It was still about noon since the time change and I knew I should have been getting ready for bed if I was still back at my foster home. Once we got closer to my hometown I asked the driver if he knew of any pawn shops that sold weapons. He nodded and stopped at one and I asked him to wait. He agreed and let me out.

I went inside and looked around until I spotted the encased weapons. I made myself step towards them and the man sitting behind the desk looked at me with a raised brow.

"Can I help you?"

"Yes, I'm interested in your blades. I'm going hunting".

I tried to play it off and not be paranoid and he shrugged and showed me different swords and knives. I decided on something that looked to be between a sword and a dagger. It was medium length and it fit in my hand nicely. It wasn't too heavy but not too light. The guard of the sword was silver wings that shone nicely. I decided on that one and picked out a few smaller daggers for back up weapons. The store owner also helped me pick out straps that would hold the weapons. I had a dagger hanging on the outside of both of my thighs and my mini sword hanging from my shoulders. I thanked him and paid him.

The driver looked at me strangely when I got back into the car and I told him to continue to my town. Once we were in the city limits I told him the camp sight. I was so close to him and my breathing became more ragged every mile.

He pulled the taxi into a parking space and I paid him. I slung my bag over one shoulder and got out. I stood at the edge of the woods even after he had left. No one was here because it was so cold. The sun was setting now since it took a few hours to get here from the airport. I was quivering as I looked into the dense forest. It was now or never. I can't turn back.

I threw my bag on the ground and pocketed the extra batteries and snacked on granola bars and candy while I waited for night to fall. I kept hearing things and turned around to the forest. I even thought I heard the sound of the Rake. His scraping on the trees and his growls haunted me even when I was safely tucked in my bed. You could only imagine how they haunted me while I was sitting outside of the forest he called his home.

It was nearly black outside now, and I groaned when I realized it was a new moon tonight. There was nothing but my flashlight to guide me as I left my bag and started into the forest. I was hyperventilating and my senses tripled. I could hear the frogs and bugs as they chirped. I could hear wings flapping and I assumed they were bats or owls. I was shaking violently and jumped at ever crunch of leaves or rustling of bushes. I was having a heart attack but I couldn't turn back.

I had been walking around aimlessly for a long while now, and I had forgotten what I was even specifically searching for. I was so scared and felt so alone I didn't know what to do. I froze when the forest instantly quieted. My breathing caught in my throat and I pulled my flashlight up from the ground and shone it around the trees. I stopped when it landed on a piece of paper. If I was just quivering before I was shaking violently now. I slowly stepped towards the tree and stopped within an arm's length of the sheet that was hanging from the tree.

"Always watches… No eyes". In the center it had a circle with two X's where the eyes would be. The chill air pierced through my skin and I knew… My body shivered as it became increasingly colder.

"Let the game begin, Slenderman". I spoke aloud, knowing that he could hear me as I snatched the paper and peeled off, searching for the next one.