Chapter 16: Mine (part IV)

'Grab the freaking doorknob and run, goddamn it!'

I mentally yelled at myself to move. I didn't know what I would get for staying still, but my body just refused to move, not even a muscle. I felt… pressured. It was dead silent, so silent that I could hear my own heart beating rapidly. I felt… fear. Slender was eyeing me like a helpless prey. I… I was really helpless. I kept yelling at myself to do something, anything to make this stop at once. But my damn muscles just… wouldn't listen.

To make the matter even worse, he slammed his hands to the wall forcefully, on both sides of me.

Well done Konna, you failed to act, and now it was too late.

He began inching his face to mine, and I tried to back my head backward. But I didn't know why I was trying at all, because behind me was the wall, and on both sides and in front of me was him. I couldn't possibly escape in any way.

He was gonna kill me for something wrong I unconsciously did, wasn't he?

Well, I wouldn't be surprised, he was Slenderman after all.

"Konna…"

His deep voice snapped me out of my thought.

"I was hoping you wouldn't notice, but I guess my jealousy exposed me."

…

"Jealousy?" I raised my eyebrow at him. "What are you talking about?"

"I… I…"

He seemed… troubled. I could see that he was trying really hard to get his words out. Maybe… I shouldn't have asked him…?

"I… I want all of your attention on me!"

…

What did I just hear?

"I want you to focus only on me, Konna!" He said without stuttering a word. "I saw that you spent a lot of time with Splendor, and you two seemed to really get along. Seeing you smiled and laughed with him made me… upset. I- I don't know how to describe this feeling but…"

I didn't know what I should say. I really didn't.

"S- Slender…" I mumbled. "I… I didn't know… I thought you needed to be alone most of the time, so…"

He didn't answer. I fiddled with my fingers awkwardly. "I'm… sorry… I really should have cared for you more… like a friend-"

"Friend?!"

He snapped at me, cutting me off. I jumped at his aggressive words and tone. I felt like danger was slowly coming to me, but I couldn't just leave him here. He looked like there was still a lot of troubles stuck in his head. But I couldn't figure out what he was hinting! What was I supposed to do?! I sweated even more, feeling my heartbeat increased.

Feeling helpless, I mumbled more quietly. "O- Or maybe you don't want me to be near your brother, so you don't want me here anymore-"

"Don't you get it?! I love you!"

Right after he finished, I felt like time itself had completely stopped.

He just said that word…

Love.

Part of me was desperately hoping that my ears were playing a prank on me, but my mind confirmed that they weren't. I really heard those exact three words.

I was speechless.

He just said it.

He just confessed to me.

"I… I'm…" His angry tone was no longer there, and his voice sounded… sad. "I'm sorry for scaring you…"

I didn't answer back.

"I'm… I'm truly an awful monster, letting my emotions take over." He mumbled, turning his back to me as he walked to the window.

"Slender, I-"

"You can leave now, Konna."

He rested his hand on the windowsill while the other hand was put on his forehead. I could hear his tired sigh, and I wanted to come over and put him to ease. But I knew it wasn't really the right time and he seemed to want some alone time. I was sure he needed some time to think about it in peace, without my presence.

I let out a tired sigh as well as I stepped out of the room and gently closed the door.

When I was fully out of his room, I backed myself to the door and slid down slowly. I gripped my hand to my head, not caring if it messed up my hair. Tears slowly rolled down my cheeks without me noticing.

I refused to believe that this wasn't a dream.

To be continued…