I woke up back in my bed - a massive headache splitting my skull. I glanced at the clock. Seven-thirty! I was already late! I threw my hair in a bun and pulled on my slacks and a polo before running downstairs and snatching my car keys off the counter on my way out the door. I headed out to the garage and unlocked my car - freezing as I looked up to see a boy standing beside my car. He was skinny and tan with shaggy brown-black hair obscuring his expressionless face. He stared at me, clenched fists by his side before cocking his head at me and walking away. I didn't spend too much time worrying about him - I needed to get to work. I parked behind the restaurant and ran into the kitchen, snatching up an apron and tying it about my hips.
"I'm so sorry I'm late!"
George smiled at me, wiping his forehead and chuckling.
"Nothing to worry about kiddo! Good to have you back!"
I headed over to my dishwashing station to find it occupied. The same skinny boy from earlier stood there, washing dishes in the sink and loading them into the dishwasher.
"Hey! Table seven needs cleaning!"
"I'm on it!" I spat out, running over to the sink and grabbing a rag. The boy glared at me a moment, as if offended at my very presence before turning back to his work. I swallowed but decided to ignore it. The thought occurred to me that I might be seeing things. It could be a part of this sickness the Slender Man had inflicted upon me. I allowed myself to accept the uncomfortable situation as a temporary affliction - mentally promising myself it would be over in time. The day passed uneventfully save for the occasional shove or glare from the skinny boy. As the hours passed, I became less able to convince myself the boy's rude attitude was just my own paranoia. Even George seemed to notice it a few times.
Then, finally it was closing time and I was allowed to go home. I headed out towards my car to find the skinny boy talking to a girl about the same age as him. She was thin like him, but with fair skin and carmel brown hair that was dyed blue at the tips. She seemed upset for some reason, shaking her head and wiping her eyes. The boy attempted to calm her down before giving her a hug and saying 'good-bye'. The girl hung her head and hastily went on her way, crossing the street and entering the convenience store located on the corner. I realized I was staring and quickly focused my attention on my keys. The skinny boy sat on his motorcycle and pulled on his helmet before turning his head to look at me again. I swallowed and got in my car and quickly drove off towards home. I didn't get far. Not five minutes after I got on the road the engine coughed and spluttered. I groaned and pulled over to the shoulder. Now what? I glanced down at the dashboard.
I was out of gas.
"But... That's impossible..." I whispered to myself in disbelief. "I had a half a tank of gas this morning..."
Before I could think any harder, a gunshot rang out, shattering the back window and sending shards glass raining down on me. I felt the cold, sharp pieces catch in my hair and slice into my shoulders and neck, but was more preoccupied with the shot itself. I fumbled about manically, kicking my driver's side door open and leaping out. Naturally, I forgot to unstrap myself and ended up getting yanked back as my seat belt locked me in. I yelped and clawed at the buckle, my neck burning in agony from the seat belt as it rubbed against my skin. A second shot echoed through the warm night, shattering the driver's side window. I screamed that time, finally pulling myself free of the seat belt and leaping out of the car onto the pavement. I heard the revving of a motorcycle and saw the skinny boy not fifty feet away, a small hand gun aimed for my head. I yelped and dove off the road into the brush, grunting as I tumbled down the small slope by the side of the road. I heard the skinny boy yell and his bike engine slowed and ceased. I scrambled to my feet and ran, casting a glance over my shoulder as the boy leapt down off the road to follow me. I swatted branches out of my way, running through the tall brush and young trees that lined the roadside. The trees began to grow thicker and I felt a coldness uncanny of the summer season set in around me. A gunshot sounded off behind me again and a tree branch next to me popped. Gunsmoke filled the air, crushing my already aching lungs. I ran harder.
"Faster, little girl." I grimaced as an all to familiar voice echoed through my head.
"Move your feet!"
Fog had now settled in around me and I was beginning to lose feeling in my fingers. My nose and cheeks stung from the cold and a quick glance at my legs proved them flushed and pink from the cold as well. My footsteps suddenly echoed louder against what appeared to be a mix of gravel and dirt beneath my feet, and my breath was heavy and emphatic in my ears. Suddenly, an angry shriek echoed behind me and the characteristic rattle of a chain link fence came to my senses. I turned around. The boy stood glaring at me through a tall, rusty chain link fence. The gun hung apparently useless at his side, shimmering silver in the moonlit fog. He snarled and turned as I felt static rush through my head. A few shrill, fuzzy beeps and the boy melted into the darkness beyond the fence, vanishing like everything else beyond it as if sucked into another dimension. I looked up. It was suddenly nighttime - a full moon shone down, bathing the strange, cold woods in a silvery light. I shivered and clasped my arms around me, sinking to my knees out of fear and exhaustion. Footsteps approached and I saw a tall, slender shadow loom over me, a familiar, sarcastic voice slipping over my senses.
"Welcome to my woods, little girl."
Author's Note: Ooh nooooo what's gonna happen!? D: And who is this new freak shooting at our poor Juno?!
And yaaay I made red-velvet cookies for you! *hands you a cookie* Love you all! x3 if yu don't want red-velvet I still have chocolate chip :) and chocolate chip cookie-brownies! :D
