I couldn't pinpoint any expression on his face. It was for the first time, literally blank. The air was tense, hard to breathe. No sound could be heard, only deathly silence.

Then, in a rush, he grabbed my arm. Fear hit me like a brick wall. This really was it, wasn't it? He roughly pulled me up, turning to the door. Tears gathered in my eyes as I wondered how he was going to kill me. What he was going to do? Would it be quick? Or slow? Quiet sobs began to come out of my mouth as he dragged me down the hall.

"Hush," he quieted me, his grip becoming more gentle.

I did as he said, just hoping he'd be merciful and make it quick. Why did he have to be the one to kill me? My favorite person out of all that I have met… The tears were hot on my cheeks after that. He pulled me through the mansion, appearing hesitant before entering any room. What for? Then, I realized, he was pulling me outside. Oh god we were going in the woods?

"No, not in there," I cried, lightly tugging on his arm. He was going to impale me on one of the trees, no, no, no!

He turned, looking down at me. He bent down, keeping his gentle hold on my arm.

"Darling, will you please trust me?" he pleaded.

"W-what?" I stuttered.

He lifted one of his hands, his slender fingers lifting my chin a bit. "Just follow me, do not cry."

He stood up, beginning to pull me along again. I complied, my head hanging. We walked throughout the forest, continuing on for what seemed to be forever. Until I noticed the light ahead. We were leaving the forest? What? Confusion overwhelmed me. But that's when I realized what he was doing.

He was taking me home.

"You… you aren't going to kill me?" I asked, my eyes wide.

He was silent until we approached the fence to my backyard. He stopped walking, looking around to make sure he was out of sight before he spoke.

"No…"

I blinked, shocked more than anything. I was sure I was going to be impaled on one of the trees for that. But here I was, still breathing.

"Really? Then why… did you bring me back here?" I asked, my eyebrows furrowing.

"Darling, I do not have much time for all of these questions. Just go home, start your life over the way it was supposed to be. Forget the mansion, forget the pastas… forget me," his voice cracked at the end. He had no idea what I had witnessed here… only Masky and Hoodie did. He didn't understand…

"Why can't I come back with you if you don't plan on killing me?" I asked, my heart accelerating once more.

"Aribella, I have to get back! Just listen to me, please. I grew too fond of you to kill you, do not make me regret my decision," he hurriedly said. "Now give me your hand." Wha? I hesitantly offered my hand as his tentacles slithered into view. "This will only hurt a little, Darling. Just trust me."

His mouth ripped open, then. One of his tentacles darted forward, the tip pointed. It jabbed into my skin, a light whimper escaping my lips. Blood trickled down, not a whole lot… but just enough. He reached forward, dabbing a bit onto his fingers, smearing it around where his mouth would be. I stared in horror and confusion at what he was doing. Was he making it look like he killed me? Apparently so.

"Terribly sorry…" he sighed, closing my hand around the minor wound. "Now I really must be going. Farewell," he whispered, the saddest tone I have ever heard in his voice.

With that, he melted away, dissipating in the air as he teleported out of sight.

…No.

My brain was still trying to catch up with what just happened. Slenderman was gone… he didn't kill me. He took me home, and told me to forget. But how could I? Of course, my favorable outcome was pretty far fetched. Get to live and still stay at the mansion? Pshh. I should have known better. I honestly expected him to kill me, though… not take me back here…

I had to talk to him. Get these questions answered. Part of me didn't know why. The other part was calling it stupid, in denial. Why was I so determined to get back to him? Why was I so ready to get back, when what feels like moments ago I was accepting death? I didn't know. I was so confused and muddled right now, all I could do was run.

I sped forward, into the depths of the trees. I broke through, much like the first time I had entered. Limbs scraped me as I went, but I didn't care. I kept going. I had to find him… someone, anyone. I continued on, remembering part of the scenery from training with Masky and Hoodie. I was pretty close… The farther I went into the depths of the trees, the slower I got. Until I remembered something…

His mansion was now in another dimension.

Slenderman was gone.


Slenderman returned to the mansion, the blood drying on his face. He couldn't let the others know. He walked inside, seeing everyone with grim expressions on their faces. Each one's head snapped up, even Jeff's. When they saw there was no Aribella with him, along with blood on his lips, multiple emotions came across their faces. Pain, disappointment, sadness, guilt, regret.

Sally burst out crying, running from the room. Masky stood up, stalking out of the room, waving Hoodie off when he tried to follow his fellow proxy. Even Jeff's remorse was clearly seen. She had befriended them all. And now they believed Slenderman had just brutally killed her in the forest.

"You should be ashamed," Jane whispered, walking out of the room to go find Sally.

"She didn't need to go to sleep yet…" Jeff murmured, standing and exiting the room as well.

"That is just messed up. Make a person a part of the family, then just kill them," EJ murmured, standing and leaving.

"Ya know, I was kind of proud, Slender," Ben sighed, standing up. "Seeing you actually close to someone and all. Made me think, 'hey, maybe the guy does have a heart somewhere in there'. But ya know what? I was fucking wrong and I admit it. Go back to hell," Ben growled, storming up to his room.

LJ was the last in the room, frowning and shaking his head. He unclasped his fingers, letting a hand full of red candies fall to the floor before he left.

Slenderman stood alone, and guilty.

Even though he spared her life…


DON'T THROW THINGS AT ME PLEASE! *ducks and covers* I am terribly sorry for the shortness of this chapter. Yes, I know. Too short. What the fuck just happened. I got you, and I promise, I will make it up to you all in the next chapter! Questions shall be answered, I swear. Please review, and I loves ya all :)