Whispers In The Dark
Chapter 10
Em turned to the direction she heard some noise in the bar behind them. She turned, a suspicion rising in her stomach. She was right. The others turned in her direction and she saw for the second time, the elf boy. He seemed frightened too. And he looked as if he was the child with it's hand caught in a cookie jar. "Trying to sneak up on me?" Em asked casually. She watched the elf boy gulp. "I saw you before. What's your name anyway?" He managed to cough out his name. "Ben…" Em did a complete turn in her chair, and gestured to a seat beside her. "Come sit by my side, Ben." The elf boy hesitated. Rodin laughed. "He's scared coz you caught him snooping for Slenderman, his boss." Em tilted her head to the side, glancing at Rodin blankly. "My fight is with Slenderman, but only for whence the time comes." The boy actually moved to take the seat by her side. Em turned, fully acknowledging Ben. "You don't have to worry about your boss's wishes. You can tell him to simply beware the fury of the patient." Em selected her glass from the counter top, careful not to spill anything. She sipped it quietly. Ben spoke. For this first time since they saw each other, a real sentence. "He doesn't believe you still exist." Em tilted her head to the side. "I understand. It has been nearly 60 years, has it not?" Em traced the rim of her glass absentmindedly, and the others began to go about their business, grabbing seats and drinks, discussing other matters. Em smiled. "By mortal standards I should be nothing more than an old crone. But you are not dumb, nor am i. Neither of us walk the same path the mortals do." Ben seemed to be digesting her words, before he said "Please, there is something you should know…" Em turned her gaze to the boy, her gaze met those red and black eyes. "And that would be?" "My master did not mean to be so brutal the way he did. He just hadn't fed in 5 years, so when he saw a mortal or two in the woods, his instincts took over, the voice of reason was gone." Em turned to him, a saddened smile on her face. "Aye I figured as such. But I cannot just condone his actions." Em put her drink down carefully. She raised her two arms up, gesturing to herself. "I feel a great rage even thinking about my friend's murderer. She was my sister, my mother, she could break me and make me. I feel rage, and I admit it is nearly hard to control entirely. But I do." Rodin had taken the liberty of dropping a drink beside Ben, who thanked him as Rodin wizzed past. Ben took a sip of the drink, while he took in her words. Her next ones took him by surprise though. "I know what you expected. You expected horrible things. You expected a monster. But know this, Time can be more consuming than hatred." Ben regained his composure. "Is it true about your hands?" Em sighed, and dragged up her sleeves for him to see. He nearly choked on his drink, and Em looked at him concerned. "Are you alright?" she asked. He simply stared up at her for a moment, before turning his stare down to her hands. "You, you're asking me if I'M alright?" Em frowned. Then a smile came up on her face. "My hands are that disturbing dear?" Ben frowned. "How can you live with this, it must be horrible, why don't you seek medical attention?" he asked concernedly. Em chuckled, then she burst into full out laughter. Ben glanced around worriedly, afraid he'd done something wrong. "Aww Ben you're asking me to get help? Hah! Secondly, honestly, that was the best laugh I'd had in years." Ben mulled her words over, for a time he was silent, his dark ashy blonde hair covered his eyes. "Hey! We might be not the most sane ourselves but-" "No, not what I meant." Em cut him off, waving her hand in dismissal of his words. "What then?" Em grinned evilly. "I'm pleased you feel comfortable enough to feel annoyed. And, I meant it as that I am pleased you care, even though I do pose a danger to you, in some form." Ben stared again. "Yup, I know, I'm a weird little girl. You should have known me 60 years ago." Em stuck her tongue out and made a devilish face as she turned to grab her drink, which she noticed had been filled again. Ben whispered uncomfortably. "I do still feel uncomfortable around you, But when you disperse fear, it makes you even more dangerous." Em frowned. "I think that was a compliment. I can't be sure though." Ben smiled for the first time since they had actually spoke. It was a tiny smile, more like the corners of his mouth twitching up slightly. It doesn't matter, Em thought. She'd take that smile any day. She turned back her gaze to the front where Rodin was cleaning glasses and preparing drinks. She heard a solid thud on the floor. She turned and found a passed out Ben on the floor. "Rodin! How many did you give the poor lad!?" Em demanded. Rodin was silent a moment, the man actually had to hold up his fingers to count. "Four.. Five…" Rodin replied. Em grumbled. "No tip for you mister!" Rodin held a hand over his chest "Aww you wound me woman!" Em gathered Ben carefully in her arms. She knew she could find the mansion if she desired. Looks like you may have to, Em thought to herself. She picked up the boy in her arms, making sure his torn green hat stayed on his head. To make sure he had a restful sleep, as a gift she passed her hand over the boy's face. Her hand glowed for a moment. "Nightmares away, desires come, Sleep well until daylight's come." The boy, Ben, completely relaxed in her arms. His soft snores where soon heard as she teleported herself out of the Gates Of Hell. Now, to get to Slender Mansion… she thought amusedly.