Another chapter in Kamau's POV woohoo!
Disclaimer- I own this story and have little to nothing as I am a poor college graduate. I make no profit from this. DX
xXxXxXxXxXx
Electricity ran through Ana's body, a warm sensation filling her every inch of her being. Her eyes had fluttered shut and she realized she didn't want to open them again. Ana thought of putting her arms around his neck, but she didn't know how to progress from there. Kamau's lips parted from hers, causing Ana to release a breathy gasp.
"I cannot stay away from you, especially not now, Ana," Kamau's voice purred, his hand still holding her cheek.
"I don't want you to. But I also need you to," she admitted, leaning into his palm. "You're killing me, Kamau."
"Believe me…I wish I wasn't. This wasn't supposed to happen. I'm not supposed to…" He trailed off.
"Not supposed to what?"
He shook his head. "Nothing."
"It doesn't sound like nothing," she retorted playfully.
"I'll tell you another time." His voice was tense, as if he were holding something back.
"Why not now?"
Kamau growled, deep in his throat. He wrenched himself from her hold, his tentacles whipped about wildly. The ever so familiar static appeared, and Ana's fear found her again. The sudden reminder of whom and what Kamau was.
"I require food and right now you're stopping me." He snapped harshly.
Without a warning or farewell, Kamau vanished.
xXxXx
Thousands of miles away, back in Montana, I teleported onto a tree branch in the woods. I sliced off treetops, the branches falling, crashing to the ground from my anger. I heard the wildlife become startled and anxious, rushing from the area.
Stupid, stupid, stupid!
That was an incredibly idiotic move of me to do. I should have not done that. I was in hopes that by seeing her and by kissing her, the urges would fade. But they didn't, because now, I only wanted to rip her apart more. The dangerous part of me was growing and growing. For whatever reason, Ana was furthering it. But I couldn't stay away to protect her. I wanted to be around her, to see her smile, to gaze into her emerald eyes, to hold her, to kiss her lips again. It was so unlike to me to be this way but I couldn't help it. This desire of mine was killing her. I know it is. I've known it since the night we met. I tried to save her, to help Ana. When I kissed her, I transferred some of my life source to her, in prospect it would cancel out the effects of the sickness, but only time would tell.
I know I was going to get punished again for my actions.
Leaving my region and failing to perform my duties…worse, I did it for a human. Then, dancing with that human and kissing her. I couldn't give a single damn about that right now though. I only wanted to reverse the symptoms. Turn back the clock, to save her from her fate.
I hated him, despising what he made me.
This must be how Nuada felt all the time. To hate your very essence. To hate your very being. Loathing yourself, wishing to change. I do not like feeling this way.
To attempt to quell my anger and desperation, I went hunting. I leaped from tree to tree, occasionally Slender-walking. I scoured the ground and foliage, searching for prey. I moved to higher ground, not finding a thing appealing. Eventually, I came across a small family of deer. I feasted upon the mother and father, letting the young escape in terror. I didn't plan on hunting them, I just wanted them to grow older in fear and loneliness. It was unbelievably cruel of me, of anyone, really. My rage for Ana's illness drove me, fueling the flames.
I found a campsite, pinpointed by the fire the humans had built. They sat outside their tents, a group of eight. They were around the campfire, holding sticks over the flames. I never understood what they were doing, even though I'd seen them do it hundreds of times. They laughed and sang happily, enjoying the wilderness. It angered me to see them so careless and cheerful.
I swooped down from the trees, standing in front of the fire. My tentacles flew out from my back, enveloping each of their heads. Static appeared, and the flames died out by the speed of my movements.
They screamed.
I snapped their necks.
I was still angry.
"That isn't going to solve anything, you know."
"I know."
"Does it make you feel better?"
"No."
A feminine laugh. "Then why do it?"
"Because I can." I snarled, wrapping a tentacle around her neck.
"That tickles."
I dragged her out of the shadowed darkness, beneath the cover of her white hooded coat, her smirk mocked me.
"You are a legitimate thorn in my side."
"Same to you, boss," was her snarky reply.
Kate was my proxy. She had been nothing more than a simple human before I brainwashed her into my second pair of eyes. She would go to places when I could not. She was silent and sly. The day I sent her to Ana, I almost had gotten her killed, as neither of us expected Ana to reveal a gun. I decided to grant Kate a mild form of Slender-walking, to aid her. She could appear and reappear as I did, but she had limitations. She could not travel long distances and she could not do it constantly.
Months after I had changed her into a proxy, well before Ana, she developed her personality again. She was sarcastic and stubborn, fox-like and knowledgeable at discovering information.
"So, what's the big deal? You keep leaving, not telling me where or why."
I didn't answer her. The flames came back to life, the embers not completely extinguished. I stared at it blankly, watching the blazing light illuminate the woods.
"Is it that girl? The one who almost killed me?" She kicked over a log, rolling it into the fire. Kate was still bitter about that.
"Yes."
"What about her?"
"She's dying."
Kate shrugged, carelessly. "And…this is different from other victims because...?"
"I don't want her to die." I replied, a hint of sadness in my voice.
"Why not? Why is she so special?" Kate bent down to grab something.
"I kissed her."
Kate dropped the stick she had picked up, one of the ones the humans had been holding, holding it over the flames. "You what?"
My shoulders slumped. "You heard me."
"I know, I heard you, I meant that as a, 'you have some explaining to do'!" She growled, snapping the stick.
"I wanted to kiss her because I was hoping I could help her."
She sighed, holding the broken pieces of wood. "Abbaddon is going to be pissed."
"I'm aware."
As if on cue, my neck began to feel as if it had burst into flame. A searing pain slashed my neck, causing me to clutch the skin in agony. Kate ran to my side in worried curiosity.
I knew what this meant.
"I have to go." I said suddenly.
"What? Again?" She complained, her arms over her chest.
"Clear the area of any evidence," I commanded.
Then, I disappeared.
I reappeared in an unfamiliar environment, inside a dimly lit room. There were many cardboard boxes with labels on them, filled with miscellaneous items. My throat continued to ache when I heard a scream.
I quickly turned around, seeing not Ana, but Maria.
"K-Kamau? What are you doing here?" She said, on the verge of tears, fearfully huddled in her bed about to throw her book at me.
"Where is Ana?" I asked, urgently.
The door slammed open, revealing a frantic Ana. She stared at me in confusion, and then at Maria. She was dressed in her pajamas, a sweatshirt and shorts, looking freshly showered.
"Kamau, what's going on?"
I rapidly grabbed Ana, pulling her close. She didn't oblige, completely lost in the rush.
"Hold on tight to me Ana, and close your eyes. I'm going to Slender-walk with you." I advised her, straining to speak.
"Wait what?" She barely had time to blurt out as she did as told.
In the blink of an eye, we vanished. We traveled through a vortex, blackness surrounded by flashing colors. Normally it didn't do this, but I assumed it was because Ana was with me. Obviously she didn't belong. I was afraid it would scare Ana, that's why I asked her to shut her eyes. She held tight to me, her body flush against mine.
With another bright flash, we were in different area.
Another dimension.
"Open your eyes, Ana." I said quietly.
She did so, starting in at awe the space before her. A giant, seemingly endless room, in a plain white color, the ground below us a black pit of empty space. There was a large crimson chair in the center of the room. The elephant in the room was the other Slendermen present, glaring at us, paralyzed in outrage. He had conjured us all to meet.
"Um…Kamau?" She gasped fearfully, as she was probably trying to figure out what was going on. Her hands were clenched tight around the fabric of my suit, and I felt her fingernails poke my skin.
The air around us was unbearably thin, almost as if it were choking us.
He stepped forward, rising off of his 'throne', out of the group. His posture was stiff as it always was. His tie was black as the night, blending into his suit, which had crimson buttons and cufflinks. His skin was less snowy white as the rest of us. He walked with a slight limp and we all – except for Ana – knew why.
"Kamau," he spoke, his voice scratchy and tired. His saying my name was not a greeting in any sense.
I loosened my grip on Ana some, so that I could bow to him. To me, I had anything but respect for him. Because of this, my words came off sarcastic. "Abbaddon, my lord."
I knew Ana was dying to ask questions, but she held her tongue.
"Kamau, have you lost your mind?" He said, eerily calm for him.
I returned to my standing position, shaking my head. "No, sir."
"Then, I suppose you've brought me this human for tribute, eh?"
I felt Ana stiffen in my grasp, and she started to tremble. Deeper her fingernails dug into my skin. "No, not a tribute."
"Good. You know I have no use for the females anyway. So what then? A snack?" He sneered evilly.
"Cut the bullshit, Abbaddon. I know why you called me here." I snarled, my patience wearing thin. I waited for it to come.
Abbaddon smirked cruelly at me. "Fine, then." His hand came up, slicing across the air in a diagonal motion. The searing pain in my neck returned, far worse than before. I fell to my knees in misery, crying out in anguish. One of his grey tentacles reached out and tossed me fifty feet away.
Ana let a cry escape her lips, running to my side. She knelt beside me, helping me to stand. The pain continued and she screamed fiercely at Abbaddon, "Stop it! You're hurting him!"
The pain stopped. I looked at Abbaddon, who seemed to be studying Ana. The tentacle shot out, grabbing Ana from me. She struggled in his hold, as he brought her close to him.
"So. You're the human that enticed Kamau to forget his duties. I see nothing special. Could have at least picked a better looking one, at least." He jeered, watching me approach him again. "If we can't feast on her, why did you bring her here? She has no business with us."
"I want you to reverse the sickness." I replied bravely. "She didn't deserve this. She has much to live for."
Abbaddon laughed heartily, and many of the others joined him in the jest. I saw Nuada amongst them, looking on in discomfort. He was not laughing. Ana stared at me helplessly, though I could tell she was fighting back her tears. In his laughter, Abbaddon dropped Ana, and she ran to me.
"Even if I could, why the hell, would I do that? For a human? Humans are worthless, nothing but trouble. Killing their own planet and themselves for their own selfish desires…they should all burn."
"You are too caught up in your own hatred, Abbaddon."
Another Slenderman came out of the group, his tie was golden. His suit had a small saffron trim. He had scars like Nuada, though his were from battles. "And you are far too young, Kamau."
"No one asked you to join the conversation, Bubak." I replied harshly, not even turning to him.
"As second born, I can do whatever I want, Kamau." Bubak returned with a vicious hiss.
"I don't give a fuck if you're second born, I'll rip your fucking head off," I growled, my tentacles sprouting and flying about in rage. My static made an appearance, the noise reverberating in the room.
Bubak moved toward me and I stepped in front of Ana to protect her. "I dare you."
Nuada suddenly jumped in between us, stopping Bubak in place. "There is no need for this talk of bloodshed."
Abbaddon chuckled darkly, "Ah, so the wretched twin of the now disgraced defends him."
"What makes me disgraced?" I asked in rage.
"Instead of your duties, you chase after a human. I do not make females for a reason. You are stupid, irresponsible, and disrespectful. You are not one of us. I should have known when Nuada turned out as he did." Abbaddon accusatorially points a finger at me and Nuada.
It was Nuada's time in anger. Fog quickly filled the room and his tentacles lash at the ground, creating ripples in the floor. "I am not the only one! Tavor is the same as I!"
"Tavor grew into it. He embraced his deformity, unlike you, you who have moped and bemoaned yourself over it!"
Tavor watched from afar, away from the group. His tie was a deep maroon. He was not confrontational, preferring to not fight. He did in fact have the same scars as Nuada, and Abbaddon was right. Tavor used his scars to his advantage, adapting it into his stalking and preying.
"I am not Tavor! I am me, a different being! We are all diverse. Orthon has an ability that no one has had since the beginning of time. Vidar can manipulate the forest. We all have various skills and distinct personalities. Why should I be cast aside because I cope differently?" Nuada said, his voice louder than ever before. Fog utterly consumed the room, concealing the occupants within it.
Abbaddon waved his hands, clearing the dense clouds. "Enough! I am through discussing this." The room fell quiet at Abbaddon's command. "Kamau, you will not bring this up again. I will not have you around her either. This ends immediately."
The room was filled with intense hostility and displeasure. With the exception of Ana and Nuada, everyone stared at me with curiosity, wondering if I would consent to the terms. Abbaddon was glaring fiercely for his old age, and I smirked at him. Ana glanced at me in worry, and I stared Abbaddon dead on. I muttered two words before disappearing with Ana.
"Fuck you."
xXxXx
We arrived back in Ana's apartment living room where she continued to cling to me. She was frozen in silence, still trying to comprehend what had just happened. I gently removed her hands from me to coax her onto the couch.
"Ana," I began, but I couldn't figure out what to say after.
She did though, and she glanced at me with frightened eyes. "Kamau…what the hell was that about?"
I inwardly sighed. She was going to find out eventually, I might as well do it now. Since Maria as affected too, she ought to hear it.
"Call Maria to join us. We have some things to discuss and she should be present."
Ana scrunched her brows in confusion, but nonetheless got up to find her. She returned a moment later with Maria in tow, looking scared again. They sat on the couch, waiting for me to begin.
"I suppose I should start with what you missed Maria. I'm assuming Ana told you we kissed."
She nodded wordlessly.
"Ana, as you recall, I took you to a place not of Earth. I brought you before a group of other Slendermen because of what I did."
"Hold on," Maria interrupts, "Other Slendermen? You mean there are even more of you besides Gaal?"
"There are 13 of us. We are spread out across the planet, with the exception of Abbaddon."
"What? She shrieked, her voice raising an octave. "How is that even? I don't…who the heck is Abbaddon?"
"I'll explain all of that in time." I say, pulling on my tie, straightening it. I sit on the couch opposite them, looking absolutely out of place. My feet were flat on the floor and my knees came up higher than the couch's arm rests, even though I shrunk to 6'5.
"Abbaddon is our 'king', if you will. He spoke his outrage on the matter, and I discussed my actions, which he shot down derisively. He hates humans, but only for your similarity to something else."
"Which is?" Ana asked intently.
"I believe it is back-story time."
The women gulped nervously, readying themselves for the upcoming information. I gathered what I knew from the others, forging it into a cohesive story, as it was mostly hearsay. No one truly knew Abbaddon's past.
"Many, many years ago, Abbaddon was the actual king of our people, the Slenderfolk. We lived in a separate dimension, a different planet, a different life. Back then, there were thousands of us. Because of our abilities, the neighboring planets hailed us like gods. We were pampered, revered, and adored by the people, though it was absurd to us. Still, we allowed it. Abbaddon decided to foolishly anoint himself the ruler of the galaxy. One day, something snapped in the minds of our worshippers. They started a rebellion, led by a race called the Kosanari from Planet Aravasi. They were identical to you humans, though they had the ability to shape-shift. The Kosanari leading the revolution, the rest of the galaxy attacked our planet, Zetauri. Abbaddon fearfully fled from the destruction, subsequently letting every single one of us to perish."
Ana opened her mouth to protest, but I cut her off, knowing her question.
"I'm not done yet."
Her mouth closed, her brows scrunched in complete confusion. Maria had the exact expression.
"Abbaddon traveled to this dimension, eventually stumbling upon this backwater planet. He found the inhabitants to be near exact to the Kosanari, which he now despised, for annihilating his people. He realized his mistake of trying to rule other worlds though he desired revenge. He knew he would be slaughtered if he tried to return. Instead, Abbaddon made the decision to revive his people. You see, Abbaddon has a special talent. Only 1% of our people ever had the gift. He is able to take his life source and transfer it into another form, to create more Slenderfolk."
I paused to let them absorb every bit of information, watching their faces. The room was quiet for what seemed like an eternity as I waited for them to respond.
Ana finally spoke, her voice curious. "So…is that why he limps?"
"Yes. For the most part, he takes energy from his leg. We Slender-walk, so necessarily, legs are not required, as our tentacles can double as aiding with balance."
"You can't regenerate limbs?" Maria says.
"We've never needed to. But apparently no we can't."
"So then…how does he…create more of you?" Ana follows my answer, her eyes swimming with fascination.
"Abbaddon uses the human bodies to perform the procedure. It's why we kill. Although other times it's for fun."
Ana flinches. "That's why he asked if I was a tribute?" I nod, and she continues, "But he also said he doesn't use women…why is that?"
"That one I can't answer, actually. No one knows it's been that way since Bubak, I hear. If I were to guess, it'd be the…anatomy change. You know…the uh…private parts." I finish awkwardly.
Maria cracked a grin at this to my surprise. "Too much trouble we women are, Ana!"
Ana smiled as well. I didn't think they would react this way.
"So then, if he's able to do that, why are there only 13 of you? I mean, you said he's been around for like thousand years or something…" Maria ponders, tapping a finger on her cheek.
"Because it's not exact. It's not perfect. That's why Gaal and Tavor have those scars." Ana says in realization, the puzzle coming together.
I nod again in approval.
"W-wait," Maria starts, her face looking as though she'd seen a ghost. "So then…if he changes humans into Slenderfolk…that means…"
"Yes. I was once human," I say, folding my hands together.
They fall silent at this revelation, and I wait for them to collect themselves. Ana looks as though she is panicking, and I reach my hand out to her. She recoils, jerking away from me. I'm hurt by this, but I understand why she acts as such. Maria appears to be ill, her face turning as pale as my skin.
"How long?" She finally asked after forever, "How long?"
"How long what, Ana?" I counter, not understanding.
"How long have you been…not human?"
I'm taken aback, because I myself had forgotten. "100 years," I say, a rough estimate.
"What about Gaal? Is he…the same?"
"Yes. Nuada and I were attempted to be changed at the same time. The process went awry, which is why he is…how he is. Now we are the Wretched Twin and the Disgraced Twin."
"Disgraced?" Maria repeats, the word seeming as if it repulses her.
"You think Abbaddon would approve of me having a relationship with Ana? Someone of a race similar to one he loathes?"
Maria shuts her mouth, shaking her head sadly. Ana is not bothered by this, as she already knew.
"What about Bubak and Tavor, how long have they been changed? I remember Bubak saying he was second born or something."
"Bubak was the second to be created, about 900 years ago, he says. He's a real stuck up piece of shit. Tavor was fourth, the first to have deformities. He was about 800 years. The first to be born was Cinaed. His name means 'born of fire' and it couldn't be more accurate. The story is that Abbaddon was lost in his anger and mindlessly went attacking humans. He became trapped by them, and he won't tell anyone how. But he was desperate for anything, and his power awakened. He projected his energy, and Cinaed was formed in the flames, Abbaddon's fuel for revenge the driving force."
The women bob their heads in understanding. Maria seems amazed with Abbaddon's story, though Ana looks not surprised, already having experience with his surliness.
"What do Bubak and Tavor mean? Abbaddon, too? We know Gaal's names, your name and Cinaed now, what about them?" Maria asks with excitement.
I shake my head, "I don't know what Bubak means, although it hails from Poland. Tavor means 'fractured' or 'misfortune'. Abbaddon…means 'destruction and ruin'. They are all fitting for their beings. Bubak makes his home in the European countries. Abbaddon destroyed his people. Tavor has his deformities."
"So…does Abbaddon base your names off of the circumstances of your birth?" Ana questions.
"That and our abilities or skills," I confirm.
"That's why Nuada is called that, for his creation of fog!" Maria exclaims, this news thrilling to her. She adds, "Are you and Gaal the most recently born?"
"Yes. Apparently the longer you have been altered, the less human you feel. You gain apathy, a lack of general regard for anything other than yourself, and have wanton desire to destroy and kill. I hardly remember who I was before any of this and eventually I will become less of who I think I am now."
Ana looked at me with tenderness, though she did not make any other attempts to comfort me, as I expected. My hatred for Abbaddon rises and I struggle to keep it from showing. My body stiffens in the couch, my hands gripping the arm rests in rage.
"Why did he change you?" Maria inquires. "I mean, does he pick you on purpose because of qualities he sees or is it random?"
"I would think random. But my change was by choice, I remember. I suffered from an ailment…and that's all I know."
"That sucks," Maria says quietly, mussing her hair.
Ana grimaced, and her eyes told me she knew I was holding something back. She didn't pry over it, for which I was grateful. I could tell I would have to tell her eventually, but not in front of Maria. The room falls silent, Maria and Ana don't say a word and I can only imagine what they are thinking.
Maria suddenly begins to cough violently, and she throws up blood. She rushes to the bathroom as I exchange sorrowful glances with Ana. A few seconds of staring, and Ana herself pukes up blood, and it is cast everywhere. On her shirt, on her skin, on the couch, some of it even goes as far to land on me.
"I'm sorry," I say, before she chases after her.
I could tell she was glad I empathized, but for how long? How long until I began to become less of myself? How long until she was fed up? How long until she began to truly hate me? How long until she succumbed to the sickness?
xXxXxXxXxXx
HALLO FRIENDS!
This is what the story has been leading up to, the big reveal, the whole shebang! I'd like to give the credit for Abbaddon being able to morph humans into Slenderman to LostOne1775. It's all their idea, and I've just put the awesome thing into words.
I also anticipate that this revelation explains why Gaal and Kamau are still quite human-like in their emotions and whatnot. What do you think of the addition of Kate as Kamau's proxy? I know she hasn't been mentioned for a while.
I really hope everyone likes this new development because I'm sure that's why most of you are reading, and I'm optimistic – though I tend to be a pessimist - you do keep reading.
More Slenderfolk name translations, Vidar – "Forest Warrior", Orthon – "Demon able to possess bodies"
Let me know what you guys think!
xxKhaleesixx
P.S Happy Birthday Sebastian Stan i luv u bby
