2586
"Old people told us that here, nearby, there's another, different world." She said finally. "Same as ours. When we look into water, we see our reflection, but the rest is just blurry image of that other world." (…) "Sometimes when we stand in the evening on a waterside, we hear distant bells ringing in the churches of that other world." – Andrzej Pilipiuk "Wieczorne Dzwony"1)
Warning: Violence and its consequences.
Rating: T to M.
Pairings: none.
Disclaimer: Slenderman © Eric Knudsen (as Victor Surge), 2586 Kroków/Wieczorne Dzwony (and everything it contains) © Andrzej Pilipiuk.
Story and all OCs © Archer Black.
Midnight summer dream.
oOo
Holly Cross Mountains. Late at night.
The waiting game lasted until late night with Rachmani hovering over the area for the rest of the afternoon, the evening and well into the night. And then Slenderman insisted on waiting a bit more just to be sure. Michelle didn't argue. Last thing she needed was a fight between Slenderman and Rachmani. Especially that despite knowing that Slenderman did devour children she would still side with him against Rachmani even if technically they were, not exactly good guys but probably better (even if not nicer) that Slenderman.
After giving deeper thought to her dislike of Rachmani she decided that there were at least two reasons. Firstly because of the state she found the faceless being that evening. Secondly because of how Rachmani threw their accusations around without any evidence to support it and went straight to lynching without any proper trial. The whole stalking didn't help either and there were probably more reasons too.
They spent the time talking a bit then Slenderman provided some water so that Michelle could wash the blackberries and they ate them for supper. None was big fan of raw, unprocessed blackberries but Michelle was hungry, and Slenderman ate as a matter of principle which Michelle didn't question. Those who knew true hunger would never pass opportunity to stuff themselves with food, even if technically in Slenderman's case blackberries held no true value.
At some point Michelle zoned out while sitting on the only chair while Slenderman sat on his cot. He offered her to choose where she would sit and she picked the chair soddenly feeling quite self-conscious about monopolising someone's bed. She was woken by someone gently shaking her arm and upon opening her eyes she saw Slenderman. It took her few seconds to arrange her brain back to working order and forcing her eyes to look straight.
"They're gone." He buzzed.
"Wha... are you sure?" She blinked couple of times feeling as if her eyes weren't aligned properly.
"Yes."
"And they're not just laying low waiting to ambush you the moment you show yourself?" Michelle decided to go slightly paranoid if only for Slenderman's sake.
"They are not laying low in an ambush." The pale entity replied. "I will take you home now." He announced.
"You can bet anything that they are observing my house right now." She pointed out. "I know that they won't touch you when you'll be on my yard, but what if they will try to capture you once you'll leave?"
"I am capable of avoiding capture. I managed to do it ever since winter." He reminded. "I can shake them off without much trouble now that I am aware of their hunt for my head."
"I guess you do." She sighed. He was right, he avoided them ever since he left in January but would he be able to do so always. "If all else fails, you can always teleport to my yard where they cannot touch you."
Slenderman didn't answer, instead he just grabbed Michelle's shoulder and teleported out, next to the same boulder they've been at when he teleported them in. Michelle figured that it was perhaps some land mark for Slenderman. She didn't have a chance to really look around but the forest looked different in the middle of the night. Next thing she knew they were on the verge of the forest. In the distance she could see the village, the lights were off in the houses that were habituated and the only light came from the street lamps that illuminated the road, but from where she stood it was merely a faint glow. A moment later they were just behind her barn/garage. From that spot they just walked.
"You know, I am old enough to walk home on my own." She said looking at the tall creature next to her as she opened the gate to get into her yard. "And I was perfectly capable of doing so from the spot where I could see the village."
"I am aware of your age." He replied following her. "But what kind of a man would I be if I left you to just walk?"
"You'd be a man that missed an opportunity for something to drink." She smirked and pulled her keys out. "Don't get the wrong idea, nothing stiff, I'm not trying to get you drunk or anything like that. It's just some cocoa or maybe tea?"
Slenderman didn't reply, he just stared for a second and then vanished. Michelle blinked and shrugged.
"Figures that means a 'no'. Wonder if he just didn't want to drink or if he actually preferred something alcoholic." She mused and walked in, closing the door behind her.
TBC
