AN: A thousand apologies friends, but writer's block comes and will not go until it runs its course. Or until I get my hands on a Stephen King novel. This one is short, sorry.

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Chapter 26: Lea

I blink the blur out of the world and pull myself together. The shock from Slender's mind is making it hard to focus on anything, but with the influence gone the cloud is clearing fast.

I glance around the room. Everyone is looking at me. The males with understanding, if mild concern, the females with confusion. I wave my hand dismissively, going back to the map.

I can feel how much tension has left the room with Slender, but it's the opposite for me. I'm suddenly nervous. I don't trust Raun or Rabbit, or Ana for that matter. I need to get things moving before someone gets a phone call. With any luck their phones are off, or shorted out.

"Let's get started," I say, stretching like it's no big deal to be cut off from him, which is true in a way; it doesn't reflect my reflexes or abilities.

"If you and Ana leave now you can make a goof distance before nightfall," I address Jack, "wherever it is you decide to go."

He nods, but doesn't move, watching me closely. I don't push him. If he wants to pretend to look out for me I'm not going to stop him.

Ben has turned childish again, no taller than my waist. He's tugging my shirt. Without even thinking I lift him up, setting him on my shoulders so I still have use of my hands.

"Did you find Jerusable yet?" I ask the boy.

"No,"

"I'm sure you will someday."

"Ya,"

I suppose this must look strange, though Jack and Jeff are used to this kind of thing. I wouldn't describe myself as close to Ben, not really, but it is expected that I be friendly with him. The boy is famous in certain circles. Famous and well-liked, which is a combo you don't see a lot.

Having him nearby is also comforting in a way, even if he's not quite solid and has no temperature. I'm breathing a little easier now.

"What was that?" Raun asks.

I shake my head a fraction, warding off questions. I don't want to talk about it, or reveal Slender's hunting patters to someone who might take advantage of them.

"Let's focus on your teacher," I insist.

"Agreed," Rabbit seconds. I'm glad he's picking up on my queues.

Jeff is moving around now, peering at the map. He knows a lot of places, and he probably knows where we're headed.

I wait for him to say something.

"That goes right through Vegas," He says finally.

I nod slightly, trying not to unbalance Ben with the movement.

"It's been a while since I was in Vegas," Jeff continues.

"Pretty good hunting there," Jack adds.

"I can hijack the electronic games," Ben adds.

I smile thinking about that. I can imagine them among the lights and loud noises. Though I can't picture anyone besides Ben smiling.

"I gave one lady a heart attack," The boy says, noticing the grin, "I think the screamer was a bit much."

"When did you get to Vegas?" I ask, "and how?"

"2007. I hitched a ride in some guy's laptop and ended up in a hotel room. Booked it through the internet connection when I got the chance. I don't think he ever did find out who messed with his files."

"And so you spent the next few days messing around with slot machines and electronic poker."

"And Blackjack. That was the most fun. After five games in a row where the dealer has a perfect 21 people get frustrated."

"Can't forget blackjack then,"

"And right after that was when…" Ben trails off.

I know what he was going to say, "Right after that was when The Organization found you."

He doesn't reply, but buries his face in my hair.

I don't know what they did to him, or to any of them for that matter, but I know it tore them apart. Jack might have come out of it the least damaged, as he went mad almost immediately.

I wonder if Ana saw him when he was like that.

I reach up and rub Ben's head, glancing towards the woman as I do so. She's looking away. Second-hand guilt perhaps? It doesn't matter.

"Is it going to cut right through the population center?" Rabbit asks suddenly.

"What?" I turn my attention back to the map.

The creature draws a finger down the line between LA and my campsite, "This line goes straight through Las Vegas. Is the creature really going to go through all those people?"

I pause to consider it, but Jack beats me to the reply.

"No," He states, "it's going to detour around the densely-populated areas, while continuing as straight as it can."

"Then it's going to go like this," Rabbit draws a new line, curving to avoid the city limits, "and be closer to the lake than to the city."

"That works better," I say, "because at night that lake will be less crowded than suburbs or anywhere in the city. Hopefully. If not we can draw it away a safe distance before trying to fight.

"Since when do you care about people getting hurt?" Jack asks.

"I don't, but people scream and call 911 and 911 has the SCP Foundation on speed dial."

Jack shivers, "Point taken."

Jeff lifts Ben off my shoulders, for which I nod my thanks.

"So it's decided then," Raun stands up, "Can we go? If you two are done mooning over the map, that is."

Rabbit and I exchange a look that communicates a long discussion about the girl and her habits.

He sighs ever so slightly, "It won't be there until nightfall, so there's no point in going now."

"I can't stand just sitting around," The girl bounces on the balls of her feet, "I need to move."

I see Rabbit hesitate a moment. I know what's going on in his head. He's stuck between what his gut says and what Raun is telling him to do.

I help him after a few seconds, "I guess we could go scout around, spread Raun's presence around a bit, make sure we're noticed."

Raun brightens up at once, "Let's do that. It will help."

Rabbit's eyes flick towards me, "Okay."

The girl is bouncing again, "Let's go now."

"I'm okay with it," I say, reaching for two bottles of medicine, just in case.

Jeff and Ben both make an irritated noise. I know I'm a comforting presence for both of them, but I'll be back by tomorrow, so it's no big deal. Then can bug me all they want then, if Slender doesn't put them off it.

"We should go too," Jack says, meaning he and Ana. He probably doesn't trust anyone else not to kill her.

We stare at each other for a moment, sizing each other up, then Jack rises. He slides on his sunglasses before undoing the bandages around his face. They slip down around his neck, black stains and all, before he tugs them off and rolls them into a tight bundle. That gets stowed in the outer pocket of his backpack.

He walks past me, pauses, then turns and hugs me lightly. I don't pretend to be disturbed or displeased. His icy skin cools my feverish heat, and I feel my muscles relax slightly. Jack is steadying, in a backwards kind of way.

He steps back, and no one speaks as he leaves the room. Ana follows after a moment. She's still getting used to the way we all communicate without words.

The woman stops, turning to look at me, "Are you going to tell us why you woke up screaming in the middle of the night and had a panic attack?"

I make eye contact with Jack through the door. He nods slightly, so his head barely moves at all.

"You'll find out soon," I reply, and face the other way. This clearly says I'm done with the conversation. I hear her leave and the door close behind her.

"Right," I announce, "Vegas, how are we getting there?"

"Can't you take us?" Raun asks, "You got us to Colorado."

"I could, but it's better not to do that while Slender is hunting. It distracts him."

Raun frowns, "Then what? We walk?"

I stare pointedly at Rabbit. I know he can do something similar to my powers; how else did he and Raun get here from 100 miles away in one night?

"The Vortex, Raun," He says quietly.
The girl scowls, "If I must." She snaps her fingers, which is probably just for show, and a spinning hole in the air appears beside her hand.

Jeff and Ben are gone in a flash, the boy dissolving and the man vanishing into the hallway between rooms. I'm perturbed too, but don't let it get to me.

I examine the purplish hole, and find it fascinating. I feel as if I can see down into the center of the universe. I exhale slowly, suddenly aware of every fiber of me screaming at me to get away from the thing.

I step back, perhaps a bit too far to pretend calm, "Please tell me we don't have to jump in there."

"That would be a lie," Raun grins. She grabs my arm, "Come on; it's easy."

Rabbit silently takes my hand, the one Raun hasn't already caught. Odd that he would do this instead of taking hers, but after a moment I realize why.

They both pull me towards the hole in the universe. My muscles resist involuntarily, fighting the pull. It takes both of them to get my terrified body close enough to the thing.

Thank goodness Slender is busy or he would be intervening about now.

They both jump, dragging me forward with them and into the purple void. No sooner has my foot slipped inside than I feel is close behind us, leaving me trapped in the void with the Hunter and Wolf.

The connection snaps, knocking my breath out of me.

We begin to fall.