Imma be honest and say I kind of lost my way with this story XD don't worry I got on track again. The whole time though I was just thinking "Why the hell did I write a Slenderman story? Damn teenagerism!" I honestly think this story is all kinds of strange. But at least I know what I want to do with that strange.

.:14:.

Someone was gently shaking me. In my tired state it felt as though I was rocking back and forth on the ocean waves. When I managed to open my eyes enough I saw Slender's tall frame hovering above me.

In a panic I turned away and hit the wall that the bed was against, "God… what?" the sudden rush of adrenaline mixing with my still not quite awake brain made me irritated.

Slender looked at me for a moment before sitting down on the bed. He tilted his head and inhaled deeply, "I noticed you slept in the same bed as I."

I raised an eyebrow, "So? I haven't been sleeping well that's all. Also, is that why you woke me up?" my voice was near a growl. If that was such a concern, he could've just gotten up and left.

He remained quiet and looked away, staring at the far wall, "I've heard hardwood floors and bathtubs are not good for the neck, or back. Or any part really."

I scooted towards the end of the bed before hopping off and shaking my head to get my hair out of my eyes. Slender was being chatty this morning but it was a normal kind of chatty, there were long awkward intervals with each thing he said and I had no idea what this meant.

For Slender silence meant he could care less about what you were doing. Chatty meant he probably wanted something or had to go do something, but this awkward attempt at making conversation was new, and I didn't want to know what it meant.

"No not really, that's why I stayed in the bed this time," I felt myself blush when I remembered the real reason I wanted to come back to the bed. His heart still echoed loud in my ear.

I turned away and searched through my drawers for something to wear. While this isn't exactly my room anymore, my clothes and other stuff still remained in this room considering Slender doesn't have normal human hygiene.

In the back of my closet I found one of my old dresses. It was a nice, ball gown type dress, I wore it when the boss used to send me undercover to those fancy rich people parties. I sighed at the nostalgia, but forced it out of mind.

To be honest I quite liked that dress, but when would I ever wear it again?

I started to wonder if maybe I should get rid of some of these clothes. A lot of these outfits I didn't really care for anymore, and it's been years since I've actually looked through everything. Every day I was finding something new.

I pulled out a black top and went to my drawer for a pair of loose sweatpants. I dressed in the bathroom and walked back out to find Slender looking at one of my… other… outfits.

It was something that I got for my bachelorette party, back when I was going to get married. It was something I swore would never see the light of day by any eyes other than my own. I've never even put it on. Okay that's a lie I did, but only once and for a short while because I was curious if I looked good in it. I didn't think I did.

The outfit was a black and red corset that pinched my chest, and shirt so short it was hardly more than a cloth. It came with thigh high socks and a big frilly bow to put on my head. God I love my friends, but god do I hate them too.

I saw that the box had toppled over onto the closet floor, I must have knocked it over at some point and forgot to put it back. Brilliant.

"Why don't you ever wear this?" Slender asked, but what struck me the most odd was his honest tone.

I gently removed it from his hand and folded it back up, "This isn't something that I would wear. Not even around the house."
"I kind of like it, it's black and it looks like a one piece. Oh is this what you humans call a swimsuit?"

He either truly didn't know what kind of outfit this was, or he was just playing stupid which I wanted to suspect but I really didn't know because of his tone. I put the box away, "Not really. I just don't want to wear it."

I blushed as I felt his gaze on my back. I shut the closet door with a firm slam and turned away from it, "I'd also appreciate it if you didn't go through what's left of my privacy."

The awkward tension in the air didn't help the situation and I leaned against the closet door at a loss for words. Slender set his hands behind his back and looked as though he was about to say something when the doorbell rang.

Slender sighed, "Come in," he said softly. I was about to comment that no one could hear him, but I was cut off when I heard the slight squeak of the hinges as the door opened and closed.

"Dearie!" a chipper voice called. Confused, I looked out from the bedroom to see Slender's brother smiling a toothy grin at me, "Oh my darling Kiera!" he whined, "I heard what my other brother did to you and honey I'll make sure he pays dearly for what he's done. "

I almost jumped at the last part of the sentence. His voice went deep and feral, almost demonic. It was completely unlike Splendor.

He must have noticed my sudden spike of fear and patted my gently on the head. I gulped and tried to regain my composure, "You guys really don't get along do you?"

Splendor sighed, "No… which is awful because we all used to be the best of friends! It's all his fault, but at least my best friend will never leave me!" Splendor went over to hug Slender who sidestepped him gracefully.

He came over to me and his tall frame loomed over me, somewhat menacing. Slender snapped his fingers a couple of times and then went to knock on the door twice. I wasn't about to comment, because I was sure it was some weird demonic shit that only he could do.

Slender leaned his back against the door and heaved a sigh. I had never seen him like this. It was a bit unsettling. He whispered under his breath and the room fell quiet, "I call forth an emergency meeting in the Gardens. Those who choose not to attend have made their stance clear and will slaughtered in the final battle. You've been warned."

There was a vibration that traveled through the Earth. It was big, and I felt it from under the floorboards. The message echoed in my head, and I wondered who has time to come up with these kinds of things.

I looked over to see that Splendor had a dark expression on his face. His hands were balled into fists and they were shaking uncontrollably. Without warning, his hand shot out and he gripped my shoulder tightly, way too tightly.

"Ah – ow Splendor…"

Slender came over and took both of our hands, "Kiera we're going to the Gardens. It's a dark place that's not meant for humans, but you must be there. I didn't want to do this so soon, but we're running out of options." Slender looked down at me and squeezed my hand, "I bet you'll say no, but I'll ask anyway. Do you trust me?"

For a moment, the world fell away. I looked away from his intense not-really-there gaze. I looked at my living room and noticed that Jane was gone. On the table were two knifes, and I realized that those had been a pair of regular kitchen utensils.

Did I trust Slender? Hell no… did I trust him to keep me alive? Kind of…

I swallowed my fear, "I trust you enough. For now, let's just get through today."

I thought I saw a smile form, but the world blurred and I knew we were teleporting. When everything was righted, I nearly collapsed. I still wasn't used to the idea of teleporting and it took a moment for my mind to catch up with stomach.

Looking around all I could see were dark trees lining the perfect circle of dust we were sitting in. The forest was dense and foggy, I could feel the mist in the air and my hair could feel it too.

Inside the foggy mess of trees and darkness I could make out a few grey shapes that remained still. I wasn't sure if it was a living thing or not, but it wasn't too far away. Perhaps I could get a closer look later.

Splendor was still quiet and uncharacteristically moody, and Slender sat down and began humming. I let him do his thing and I was about to look around when one of his extra arm came out and grabbed me by my waist.

"Please, don't leave this area. It's not safe for you. If Splendor recovers from his anger, you can go with him."

I stopped struggling, "Fine. Can I ask where we are though?"

Slender sighed, "The answer won't make sense, but I'll tell you. The Gardens is an ancient burial ground for us proxies. It houses the wicked and unrested who are just itching for a body to snatch up. They wouldn't take over your body or anything, but rather eat up your life force until every little piece is gone. Off track, anyway we're in a place that doesn't exist. It's a ghost place. Like a photo of a torn down house in the country."

"Specifically the country?"

He let out a small laugh, "Glad you understand that much." He suddenly stood and walked over to me. He put his hands on my shoulders and was breathing evenly, "Here comes our first ally."

The trees began to part, and Masky stepped forward. He turned and allowed a second party member to go in front of him. Jane smiled and put on her mask. They went to go sit in oddly specific places, and we waited for the rest.

Most everyone I've met came through the holes in the tree. Soon the small outcropping was feel with monstrous nightmares that I refused to try and comprehend. Masky came up to me and I was a little bit startled, "Aren't you supposed to be sitting or something?"

Masky shook his head, "No I've finished my chants. We have to say a prayer I guess or something so that the spirits here don't get pissed off and rip and our hearts out through our mouths. You just looked a little lonely over here."

I twiddled my thumbs, "Oh. Thanks. Yeah Slender's busy."

I could hear as he talked to each individual member. From a little ways away I could hear as he spoke to the black wisp that I couldn't forget was Zalgo, "I'm glad you chose my side. To be honest, I'll need all the help I can get."

In the mess of creatures I couldn't see some of the more memorable one's Smiledog was nowhere to be seen, and neither was Ben. I thought I saw the clown Jack, but now he was gone too.

"How come some didn't show? I figured that the ones who came to my house would at least show today."

Masky shrugged, "Some of us like to see both sides of the coin before they spend it.'

"Fair enough."

We fell silent and Slender stood at his full height. Standing normally I was pretty sure he was close to eight feet, or maybe I was exaggerating I don't know. Slender began to speak in a low and solemn voice, "You know why we're here. It's obvious, it's been obvious. The time has come much sooner than most of us expected, even for Jeff. None of us want to go through a war again, especially not one like this, but it has to be done. I'm going to be honest with all of you, I was thinking about calling this bullshit off," the crowd stirred a little at that.

I leaned in towards Masky, "There have been wars before?"

He nodded, "Yeah. That's why this graveyard exists. If we carry through with this it will be the third proxy war. The last one involved Seedeater, and another who's been long dead."

We hushed once more as Slender continued.

"I don't want to do this anymore than you do. You know the reason this war began, I couldn't let go what he had done to me. And now, he's done it again, only much worse, and with someone I care about far more than her."

Everyone exchanged glances, and I couldn't help but notice as they all took a moment to 'smile' back at me. There was no way he was referring to me, was he?

He kept going, "So now it's time to get rid of that brat and end this war. I appreciate you all picking my side, the winning side."

To be honest I was a little surprised at his sincerity, but as the crowd let out a haughty cheer I figured even evil mystic beings could be sentimental too. Slender finished his little speech and began talking battle plans. Masky left me to engage in the conversation and I was left awkwardly at the outskirts of the forest.

For a brief moment I wondered if these trees were anything like back home. I wanted to reach out and touch it, but I could feel a horrible sadness emitting from within. These trees were sad, this bit of Earth was beginning for life. It didn't like having the powerful dead being put into it.

I tried to feel around, to get it to bend to my will, but it only made the forest angry. I withdrew and went over to listen to the plans for a bit.

When I got close, I realized I couldn't understand them. They were all speaking in a different language I had never heard before. It sounded a bit Spanish, with a Chinese flare and German accents. It was a weird mash of words that didn't make sense to me.

Since I couldn't get in on the plans I decided to just wait. I ended up falling asleep and when I woke up again in was in my bed.

I sat up and saw Slender loosening his tie. He looked at me, "Oh you're awake. Are you okay from today's… excursion?"

I raised an eyebrow and readjusted in my seat, "You being not an asshole for once. What gives?"

He sent me a look. I was actually kind of proud of myself for being able to read his emotions on his blank face, "Would you rather me be and asshole? I assure you, it's not difficult."

I rolled my eyes, "No. Do what you want. You know, I am really confused though. What's with your sudden change of heart? Why do sound so sincere all of sudden, is this war really as bad as everyone is making it out to be?"

The way I had it figured, and so I could keep calm about this, was that I'd be on the sidelines. I was hoping to help from the background.

He took his tie off and that was the most relaxed I'd ever seen him, "Yes. No one wants to do this. At this point though, we almost have to. They're more sick and tired of our feud than anything else. And the change of heart? It's been there all along. I just had no reason to fear for you until it was… too late. Believe me, he'll pay. He'll be the first I end."

I balled my fists, suddenly angry. This war, this stupid, stupid war. I touched my hand to the mark and was met with a symphony of angry voices screaming and beginning for me to please just kill him, or get him killed. I let go, out of breath, and knew Slender had seen the whole thing.

"I know you talk to them," he started, "and I know they want to be free. They want you to kill me. They think by ending my life theirs will be set free. But it won't. That mark is a result of my hatred of Jeff and the death of I'm sure you know who. I could barely hear, but I know what you and Jane were talking about that night."

I bit my lip. The little eavesdropper, "I can't live with these voices forever."

He sighed, "I don't expect you to. When Jeff is dead I can remove the mark. However…"

I raised an eyebrow, "What?"

"You'll need to promise me something."

I exhaled deeply, "Okay what?"

He leaned down to whisper into my ear. I felt my eyes widen. When he leaned back I shook my head, "I can't do that. You said it yourself without this mark…"

"The effects will remain long enough. I promise you won't end up like Caden. His mark was removed hastily and angrily. This is the only thing you can do to make you like me."

I shook my head again.

He wanted to take my mark. Then, have me kill Jeff.

Alone.