The road was dim and empty where my mom pulled off. She put the car in park and turned off the headlights, turning to face me with a frustrated look on her face.

"Okay, tell me what the hell is going on."

I squeaked at her harsh gaze in the evening darkness.

"What...?"

"Don't be a fucking smart ass. You know everything don't you. The sickness, the nightmares, what happened to James. You know all of it."

The pain in her voice was screechy and ear-shattering like an old record, I could feel it gradually transitioning into anger. I reached behind me and felt for the door handle nervously. What was I supposed to say?! Was I supposed to lie? Deny it all? Or should I tell her the truth? Could she even handle it? Would she believe me? I was just desperate to get out of this situation, I was scared out of my skin.

"I-I know... the whole things with James was a bit of shock, mom..." I tried to sound sympathetic in an effort to make her calm down. It didn't work. She slammed her fist into the center console and screamed at me.

"Everything was fine! He was fine! Everything was normal! Then your father and I talk of having you come stay with us and he suddenly loses his mind?! Staying out late... acting so angry... what did you to do him?!"

I had my knuckles wrapped tight around the handle now. I felt my throat closing. Was my mom going to attack me? Had she gone insane?

The click of the door alerted my mom to my attempt at escape and she reached over and grabbed my arm, yanking me back towards her.

"Answer me right now!"

Something shattered. And I felt ripples of pain drip over my body as the shards of glass from the windshield rained down on me. My mom and I both screamed, and Michael let out an insane fit of hysterical laughter.

"Yes Juno, why don't you answer her?!"

I shoved open the door behind me and yanked my mom on top of me, rolling her over onto the dirt and pushing her out and away from the car. My buckled seatbelt yanked my back, trapping me. I fumbled with it and squealed at my mom to run. Michael leaned weakly over to grab me, but I swatted his heavy hand away and leapt out of the car, grabbing my mom's hand, I ran hard back along the road, hoping someone would see us and help.

Michael began to groan and run after us. I glanced back at him and my vision blurred, causing me to stumble. Why? Why was he doing this? Why did Slender have to do this to him?! A sudden pain erupted in the back of my head and a rock struck me. I cried out and fell, crashing inelegantly to the ground. My mom was panicking, yanking on me and screaming. I shoved her away from me.

"Run, damn it! Call the police!"

I clawed about me till I found a rock and scrambled to my feet, whirling around and landing Michael a blow to his shoulder. He grimaced and stumbled back, letting out a pitiful drunken cry.

"You're going to start hurting me too, Juno?"

I whimpered and reached down, grabbing a handful of dirt and running towards him. I flung it in his eyes as he yelped out and flung his arms about wildly. He managed to catch me in my back and knock the wind out of me, but I was able to recover and grab his arm while he was still disoriented. I pulled him close and quickly shot out the heel of my hand, wincing as I felt his nose break. He sunk to his knees and held his face, sobbing like a child before looking up at me curiously.

"Juno..?"

Then he just collapsed, passing out in the dirt in a heap of tears and blood. I positioned him so he wouldn't drown in his own blood and called for an ambulance. My mom was sitting quietly in the dirt a few feet away, her own phone sitting useless in front of her. The small amount of static I felt began to retreat. I groaned inwardly and barked at Slender mentally.

I really don't see why this was fucking necessary.

"Mom," I began. "I know you're scared and confused and you don't understand. But you've got to keep your head. Just calm down. The ambulance is on it's way."

While I knew my words really didn't help at all, I didn't have anything else to say. I didn't even know what was going on anymore. But I knew I needed an answer.

I stood and shoved my phone in my pocket, turning away from the road.

"I.. uh... need to relieve myself." I stated before shuffling off into the brush without waiting for a response. The lukewarm air began to grow colder and I marched faster.

Slender.

Fog began to obstruct my vision.

Slender. I know you can hear me, damn it. Come out here right now or I swear-

I was stopped short as I tumbled down into a murky pit, cold soggy earth welcoming me as I landed in a heap at the bottom. I groaned and stood up, my feet squelching into the mud as I attempted to wipe myself off a bit. The air was cold and icy, and the fog smothered me like ghosts all around me. I waddled my way out of the mud onto solid ground before looking up and scanning the area for Slender.

"I know you're here." I said.

"Oh you do, now?"

A voice came from everywhere at once. I rolled my eyes, shivering as the prorogued cold began to seep into my body.

"I don't care if you show yourself or not. Just tell me what the fuck is going on, I'm sick of not knowing, just waiting on your every whim. I've had enough."

A sadistic chuckle slithered through the air.

"I'll decide when you've had enough, stupid girl."


Author's Note: Ugh, adult responsibilities. No fun. Hope you enjoyed! :D Next one very soon! ^^ Let me know what you think!

I baked a cake! (Guess what, today is actually my birthday!) So! I baked a big cake and if you don't like cake too bad cause I do. xD