A/N:

Sorry for the wait guys. Trying to write when you're fighting the flu is not productive at all. But here's a big chapter for you and here's hoping you like it XD Enjoy!

"So you're telling me that Slender's gone walkabout again? For gods sake, that didn't work out so hot last time!" Alice snapped.

The odd trio of a murderess, ghost and clairvoyant artist marched down ally way after ally way, keeping to the shadows and avoiding being seen. And in search of another killer no less. Since Jeff had run off, they had been following his trail. And since Jeff was most likely in the worst of moods, it was not exactly a hard trail to follow. For Alice anyway. The reasons why were brushed to the side for the moment as Trixie had just finished filling the pair in on her conversation with Slender. And needless to say it did not sit well... Then again, why would the news that Slender had gone off on his own on some unknown mission sit well at all?

"I did mention that. But he insisted. He said he didn't understand last time but he does now. I don't know what he meant, he was gone before I could say anything else!" Trixie replied, trying to ignore the stitch in her side from running to keep up.

"Then why the hell did he tell you and not us?"

"Maybe because I'm the only one who realizes he's trying instead of accusing him of playing favourites!"

"That was Jeff, not me."

"I know but..." Trixie sighed, "Can we please stop shooting the messenger? I don't know what goes through his head but he seems to know what he's doing now. Isn't that enough?"

"I don't know, newbie, is it enough for you?" Alice spat.

"Ladies, ladies," Ben rolled his eyes, hovering lazily long side the pair of them, "You're both beautiful now can you put the handbags away?"

"Piss off, Ben." Alice gave him a look, "You can't say you're happy about this."

"Oh I'm not. But at the end of the day, he's gone and we won't know anything until he gets back. Complaining isn't going to fix it. Or running off." He shrugged, "Speaking of which, Jeff is the one we need to find."

"For gods sake he goes where he always goes when he pissed. It doesn't take a genius to figure it out."

Trixie stayed quiet, exchanging a look with Ben. And by the roll of his eyes it was clear that he knew what Alice was talking about. Once again she was left in the dark until she asked directly, "And where is that?"

Alice didn't answer right away. As if she was thinking about if it was a good idea to say it or not. After all, if everyone knew, Jeff would be out to kill them all into secrecy. Not that she was scared of him, far from it, but she understood that somethings were better left unknown or at least kept to minimal knowledge. So that's what she gave, the minimal knowledge, "To visit his brother."

There was a silence, one that was filled with confusion for Trixie, "But his brother's... Oh..." She didn't know what to feel; sadness, foolishness, remaining anger, sympathy, surprise? Maybe all mixed together in some vile concoction. But one thing that was for certain, it only got worse when the tall iron gates of a cemetery started to come into view.

"Wait here," Alice ordered, "I'll drag his ass out here myself if I have to." She rolled her eyes and walked off before either of them could say a word.

That was the best way of going about it. Walking right in there and kicking Jeff's ass right back out again. Quick, blunt and to the point. Much like how she worked. And she didn't want to be in here for longer than necessary either. The dead were those she was used to, but not by choice. In reality, she hated the dead. It made her skin crawl and stomach churn. Although they were buried deep, the smell of rot still reached her. Rot and Sickness. But her head remained high and eyes cold. From personal experience, that was the best way to separate oneself from the dead. To pretend they don't exist.

But some things are easier said than done... She indeed stopped at a grave. Not the one she was looking for. In fact it was one that she tried desperately to avoid should she ever come here. It read the name 'Patrick Gale'. A fire scorned her insides. And almost on reflex, she kicked the mossy mounds that had grown over the dirt so that it scattered along the walkway, kicked the headstone hard enough for it to wobble and then spat violently on the stone. The bastard deserved everything he got. Her one regret? That she didn't kill him sooner.

She took a deep breath to calm herself. And the stench of decay filled her lungs. Bringing her back to the cold reality that he was not her problem anymore. None of this was. Her only problem was the killer she was searching for. That, and getting them the hell out of here so they could face the cascade of problems waiting for them outside that gate. She knew her way around by this point. It wasn't the first time Alice had forced herself to walk through here for Jeff's sake. He didn't have the right to sulk like a child, no one did. She was going to prove that. One grave after another, pathway after pathway, she walked deeper into the cemetery. And after a while of nothing, she started to hear the familiar snuffling and shifting of someone who wasn't even aware they were hiding. Behind a large, worn gravestone, was a hunched figure with a white hood pulled low over his eyes. And he was sleeping.

Alice tilted her head to peek under his hood. And found that his lidless eyes here glazed over and spaced out in unconsciousness. She rolled her eyes and kicked his leg, "Jeff, get up."

Jeff grunted in his sleep, "Mm... What babes...? Later..."

"Oh for gods sake," A harder kick, "Wake up, asshole!"

"What the-!" Jeff jolted, his eyes coming back to life as he woke up. His knife was clenched in his hands and aimed to strike. But as soon as he took one look at her, he slumped back against the stone and rubbed under his eyes, "Fuck... Now I know I'm awake, like hell you'd be in my dreams."

"Honey, the only way you'd be able to get me is in your dreams."

"What do you want?" He groaned, pushing himself up to rest his back against the headstone, pushing his hair back and attempting to squint. No easy task when you have no eyelids, "I was going to come back."

"I know you were. But here's the thing, shit happened and we didn't have time to wait for your tantrum to end."

"Don't start that crap..." His eyes suddenly hardened on her and he stood up with surprising speed, "Wait, what do you mean we? The others are here too? You b-"

She cut him off with a cold smile, did he really think she was that stupid, "They're waiting outside, dumb ass."

"Oh... Good. Well they'd better be."

"Drama queen... Like I said, we don't have time for this. Slender has actually taken your advice, from what I've heard; he's gone." She folded her arms, looking bored, "Playing hero."

Jeff tried not to scoff, but it was hard not to over something like that, "About time. And how long until he gets his ass handed to him and we have to get dragged down to hell to save him?"

"That's what we don't have time for."

"Well hate to break it to you, bitch, but that ain't my problem."

"Slender's weak from not eating. This is a disaster waiting to happen so we're either going out looking for him or we're going back to the warehouse." She arched an eyebrow at him, "Either way, someone needs to keep an eye on you so you don't go getting yourself killed."

"I don't need a babysitter." He pocketed his knife and scoffed, "Christ, you almost sound like you care."

Her icy blue eyes narrowed, "Don't flatter yourself."

He rolled his eyes. Hating the silence that fell between them. Silent living people were annoying. Unlike her, he liked being around the dead. They were still and simple, and they were always right where you left them. You always knew where you stood. Above them and superior to them. But that didn't account for anything when there was another living person coming around to mess it all up. Especially one like her. God damn it she was irritating. All he wanted to do was chill out and calm down for a while. Just... catch up with his brother...

"So, have you made up your mind? Searching or waiting?" He snapped harshly, "Both sound like shit to me."

"They are shit, but it's all we have at the moment. So suck it up." Alice turned on her heel, prepared to storm off in the direction she'd come, but stopped when something caught her eye. The gravestone Jeff had been slumped against, this brothers grave, it was different. It read the name 'Liu', but the surname had been scratched out as if someone had taken a stone or something sharp and hacked away at it until there was just the first name to remain. She gave it a long, quizzical look, "Your handy work?"

Jeff shrugged, "Maybe."

"Why the hell would you do that?"

"Don't judge me. Me and him share a surname remember? And I don't have a middle name." His arms folded and he refused to make eye contact, "If anyone reads that then they know my name and I'm fucked."

Her eyebrow arched and she looked at him sceptically, "Uh huh... Not to hide his identity or something sentimental like that?"

His tone dropped so dangerously it was like listening to a snarling wolf about to leap, "You need to get your fucking head out of the clouds! And you don't get to talk about him, got it? Just move."

"Sure thing, Mr. Sentimental..." Alice sneered at him, enjoying the look of rage in his eyes before leading the way back down the graveyard pathway.

"Bitch."

"You say it like it's a bad thing."

Jeff pocketed his knife so that he could efficiently stick his middle finger up at her as he followed after. He wasn't following because he wanted to. In truth he didn't want to leave . But unfortunately, he understood that she had a damn point. If Slender was pissing off, then things were going to shit. He didn't know what the hell he was supposed to do about it. As far as he was concerned, it really was none of his business. But going along with it was better than being nagged al the damn time.

He slowed his pace when he felt the soft squishing of dirt clods flattening under his feet, and it looked like someone had tried to scuff up a grave. He looked at the name, 'Patrick Gale'. No one he knew. But the vandalism looked pretty fresh. And since there was only one other person in the graveyard, he made a natural assumption. And he couldn't resist turning her own phrase on her, "Your handy work?"

Alice narrowed her eyes, her tone not unlike his when she mentioned his brother a moment ago, "So what if it is?"

"Ex-boyfriend or something?"

"Something like that." She turned to give him a look that would have killed him should the fates allow, "Now shut the fuck up and walk."

On a regular basis, he would have tried to force his knife into her throat, or at least have returned the threat for good measure. But things were different here. His brother was only a few feet away. And dead or not, he wasn't going to kill in front of him again. A mentality he thought was stupid and against everything he was. But like a disease, he couldn't shake it. So instead of threatening her, attacking her or even simply questioning her, he swallowed the pride he had left and stormed past her.

"If you don't start treating me with some respect you'll regret it."

"You say the sweetest things."

"Bitch."

"Asshole."

All arguments and comebacks halted as a demanding yell shot through the air. It was Ben, "Guys! You better get out here now!"

Toby couldn't make out anything but darkness around him. Like he was in the middle of a spotlight at the centre of an empty void. Voices called out to him, but he could barely make them out. Someone was screaming... And... there was the horrific screech of car tires and metal crunching. The smell of flames, ash and smoke made his nose twitch and eyes water. And blood, the metallic bite of blood that hung in the air like a mist. It was all so familiar, burning the back of his mind like a forming blister. But he couldn't remember. He just couldn't remember... He tried to move but for the first time in his memory, his limbs were heavy and limp. Not a crack or a creak to be heard. All he could do was sit there like a rag doll.

He felt so tired, he could barely keep his eyes open, "S-Slendy...?" He croaked, "Shad? I-I think I'm dreaming... I don't like it..."

"Oh you're not dreaming dear boy," A dark, cruel voice emitted from the shadows, "And Slender is not here."

From the way he said that, Toby figured that meant he wouldn't fetch Slender for him either, "C-Can you send me home now? I-I don't feel well..."

"Sickness, dear boy, it calls to you."

"I don't want to answer." He grumbled, childish in his fatigue, "Home please..."

"This can be your home, boy, if you give me your name." The voice was laced with hunger and a coldness that chilled the air.

His brain was so fried, he could barely think straight. Anymore than usual anyway. He wanted to go home. Back to the others. It was too dark here, too familiar and yet strange, it didn't make sense, "I'm Toby..."

"Your full name, dear boy, give me your true name and I will help you."

"I don't remember... I'm just Toby."

"You must have some memory, dear boy, or you would not be here," the voice hissed, going silent for a moment to allow the smell of burning and sounds of shattering metal to make themselves known, "You have traces of an old life, and it was once owned by you. Now what is your name?"

"Just Toby... A-And I want to go home..."

"Oh you'll go home, dear boy," The voice snarled, turning angry and slamming out the only light source, plunging them into darkness, "Once you give me what I want..."

Slender was anxious. It was plain to see from the simple fact that he was walking up the many sets of decrepit staircases rather than teleporting. That, and that he was just so drained. The choice he had made to stop collecting souls for a food source was a difficult one, and one that was greatly taking its toll on his strength, both body and mind. But he stood by it. If it kept his proxies safe for even just a minute longer, then would stand by anything. Even if it meant coming to this hotel that held many a memory, both fond and fearful. It shocked him to see that a ruin this place had become. And guilt ate at him more furiously than any Sickness ever could.

But he thanked any higher power than he that this floor had been spared from age. The top floor. He hadn't set foot here in decades. And he didn't want to be here. Or more honestly, he did but felt he shouldn't be. It wasn't pride, it was fear. The being he had trapped here all those years ago held more power over him than any higher power could dream of. But it wasn't fear that she would use it, it was fear of rejection. And the idea of finally speaking to her, to face his past mistakes and attempt to right them, even just to see her, it terrified him. How could he have the energy for this? He didn't...

He walked down the hallway towards the aimed room, expecting silence and more tension to be built. But instead, he heard voices. Both familiar. One hinted with a Southern twang and a stubborn edge. The second, stopped him dead in his tracks with such force that he may as well have been struck. Keeping his guard up, he edged closer to listen. And what he heard, it was enough to cause him physical pain.

One voice, French in origin and starting to shake with desperation, was muffled behind the door, "Please, Mademoiselle, I need to see him, hear him. I refuse to play messenger over and over."

Kate held her forehead, conflicted being an understatement, but she agreed this wasn't right, "I understand that, but what makes y'all think I can get Slendy here? You obviously know how stubborn he is and if things ended that bad then-"

"Please! Se'il vous plait, Mademoiselle, I will not be ignored anymore!" The sound of a choked sob and a fist hitting the door made Kate step back, "I can't die, but this is not living, and if I must remain here for another eighty years than I would at least like to know the true reason why."

"You have a right to know. And I want to help. I'll..." She sighed, not regretting her choice to come here but definitely feeling exhausted for it, "I'll do what I can."

"Merci... I don't want to burden you so, Mademoiselle."

"You ain't. Look... I don't really understand what happened between you guys, but you shouldn't be punished for protecting him. And you should hear what he has to say."

"Oui, I agree. Please hurry?"

Kate sighed, "Like I said, I'll do what I can. And if I can't get him here, then I'll come back myself to get you outta here."

It's impossible, Mademoiselle, but merci. Oh merci..."

Slender felt a hollowness inside that he couldn't explain. All this time he assumed that Rochelle had never wanted to see him again, to be rid of him, and yet she was begging others to bring her to him. In a way, he knew he should have expected this. After all, he had spent the years forcing himself to see her and then cowering out at the last minute. He rubbed his temples and tried to figure out what to do next. He hadn't expected Kate to be here. And he tried not to feel anger towards her for going against him like this, but he couldn't help it. He had told her not to come here. He was still angry for the others coming here last time things had fallen on hard times.

But just as he was thinking he had a valid excuse to leave, Kate was saying her final promise and was turning back down the corridor towards him. He barely had a chance to react before she turned the corner and bumped right into his chest. Out of habit, her hand flew to her gun in preparation to threaten. But it was hard to mistake him for someone else, and she froze in place.

"S-Slendy, hey." She let go of her gun, standing strong in an attempt not to look concerned for what he was going to do next, "What're you doing here?"

Slender towered over here sternly, I could ask you the same question, in fact I will... Kate, what are you doing here...?

"Well I wasn't getting any answers outta you so I did dome digging. And it looks like I got me a real find."

Do not test me, Kate, you had no right to come here... No right to disturb her... No right to-

"You had no right to trap her here! All she did was save ya! Come to think if it, that's all a lot of us are doing for y'all lately! You going to lock all us up in here too?"

No... No of course not...

"Then why her?" Kate glared at him, not backing down for a second.

I have my reasons...

"That's all I'm hearing is reasons, but no one ever tells us what those reasons are! Y'all don't have to tell me, Slendy, but get over there and tell her because, trust me, she's in the dark on this one and it ain't fair!"

There was a long silence in which is felt as though a simple sigh would shatter the building around them. Slender knew that she was right. It wasn't fair. On anyone. But he just couldn't bring himself to explain to Kate. He was too ashamed. This was between himself and Rochelle, no one else. For a moment, he was debating using the last of his energy to flee this place. Hide from the accusations and guilt and loss and just try again when he had the courage. But then it dawned on him that this is what he'd been doing since the day he left her here. He would never have the courage. Which is why it must be now. It was time to face his fear. At last.

Leave us be for a while, Kate, please...

"Alright..." Kate muttered, a suspicious glint to her eyes, "You're setting her free." It wasn't a question. And she made her point all the clearer by walking straight past him and even having the gall to give his back a sharp shove to give him a much needed first step forward, "I'll wait outside."

Refusing to stop for a moment for concern of turning right around again, he continued to march forward and come face to face with the large, grand design of the hexed hotel room door. His long arms ached to open it. Yet they remained heavy and useless at his sides. Behind this door was a force that was only powerful against him. And he had to face her. He had to explain to her why he did what he did. And above all. He had to pray to any higher power that she would forgive him.

"Hello?" Rochelle called out, firmly but there was no denying the tremble to her tone. She knew when someone was out there waiting. But she hated that she didn't know who, "Who's there?"

Slender felt his throat tighten as he wanted to speak. To let her know that it was him who stood just on the other side of the door. And yet... he couldn't. Something stopped him, and he couldn't name what it was, but it nearly killed him.

"Don't ignore me. Please..."

His hand extended towards the door handle, wanting to just tug it open and face the struggle on the other side. But he couldn't. Instead, his palm and long fingers rested flat against the wooden frame. He sighed painfully, waiting for what seemed like eternity before he pulled himself away. Letting his telepathy speak clearly and loudly for her to hear him. And be damned to the consequences.

I'm here, my dear... Please, forgive me...

After Alice had marched off into the graveyard to search for Jeff; Ben and Trixie were left alone in the ally, out of sight from any possible pedestrians. Their shadows stretched along the cold brick wall like looming observers and the air turned their breath to mist. Trixie wasn't too happy about this arrangement. After the way he had acted in her room only just over an hour ago, she wasn't sure she wanted to be anywhere near him. On one hand, he had acted like a sociopath, scaring the hell out of her; and then on the other, he had changed like that and seemed so lost and almost kind, supportive even. But then Alice had walked in and labelled it an intimidation method. And he hadn't denied it, hell he had looked like it was all a punch line for a joke. And she didn't like to be made fun of like that. Sure she had overstepped a line earlier, but he couldn't toy with her like that. She just wanted to forget it.

Ben however, was prepared for a full conversation, "So, the two of us alone in the dark. If we're not careful people might start talking."

She shook her head, resting against the cold brick wall, "No they won't."

"You're sure about that?"

"Very."

"I'm just asking because after what Alice walked in on..." He trailed off a moment so he could move to stand in front of her, one hand flat against the wall beside her while the other took her chin so she was forced to look up at him. He smirked, mirroring his actions from earlier on in her room, "...I think there's a lot to the imagination."

Trixie flinched back in an attempt to escape him, but she was trapped against the wall. He wasn't hurting her, in fact all things considered he was almost being gentle with her. But that didn't make things any less intimidating. Just like before. Her voice was unsteady from nervousness at the close proximity, but she tried to sound sure of herself. There was no sense in letting him toy with her again, "She already knows what she saw. So do you. You were trying out another intimidation technique by pretending to cheer me up. And it won't work."

"Intimidation?" He cocked an eyebrow, "Why, Trix, do I intimidate you?"

She swallowed, turning her head away from him, and surprised that he let her, "You're confusing."

"In all honesty, it's not my intention to intimidate you. Confusing you on the other hand, you make it so easy." He sniggered lightly.

"I'm not your toy."

"Never said you were, Just stating a fact. And I never said it was a bad thing."

"Ben," She looked up at him with a hopefully serious expression, her body and mind just too tired for this, "I know you like keeping people guessing, but can you please stop this for now? Or at least pretend not to be enjoying yourself so much."

"But you entertain me." He said slyly.

"Please."

For a moment, he actually did consider moving away from her. If it wasn't for the fact that he really didn't want to. But the reason he thought about it, was because for just a moment, she actually looked scared. Not of him, but in general. And frankly, he'd seen enough of her being scared to last the rest of his after life. Time for a change, in his opinion. To be honest, he thought there was too much fear going around as it was over such little things. Everyone was in a hubbub about Slender walking off; big deal he's a big demon he can manage himself for an hour. Jeff running off; what else is new? Proxies being taken; they would get them back, they always do. Why couldn't people just stop fearing the future and just live in the moment so to speak?

He took his hand away from her chin, and lowered it so that apart from the lack of space between them, he wasn't actually touching her, "You know when you asked me if we were going to get through this?"

"I do," she nodded, voice quieter than usual, "You said we'd be just fine."

"I meant it. Trix, believe it or not, and trust me I completely understand if you don't," He smiled somewhat craftily, "But not every little thing that comes out of my mouth is an intimidation practice."

Her eyes lowered away from his, "I know. Which is why you're confusing."

"I could call you confusing. Being so quiet and skittish one minute and then going to mouth off against a bunch of killers a minute later..." He cut her off before she could say anything, chuckling lightly, "Relax, I know you had your reasons. But anyway, point stands, you're confusing to me. And yet, I like it."

"You... like being confused?"

He snickered, slowly and softly, "Sure. Let's go with that."

Trixie blinked up at him, eyes slightly narrowed in suspicion and cursing herself for starting to smile. She should smile, it would only encourage him, "You're confusing me again."

"Mm-hmm... Good."

She scowled, and yet a smile still touched at it. But enough games, she thought to herself, things were too dangerous for games. And she wasn't sure if she was referring to the Sickness approaching, or him. Either way, she made herself shuffle away from him and took a few steps down the alley towards the graveyard gates. He way toying with her again, she knew that. And although she wouldn't admit it aloud, she kind of liked it. Mostly because it was the only attention she got that wasn't a threat against her life or an act of accusation. It could almost be called banter. But whatever it was, it was the only thing that represented something of normality.

"How did Alice know to come here?" She asked, deliberately breaking the silence so he would stop giving her that mischievous look.

He didn't, "Believe it or not. They met here. After she accidentally got him with the Sickness it was her job to bring him in and this is where she found him." He sniggered, "Aw, couple's first fight. Literally. Not as subtle as ours but-"

"Forget I asked." She chewed the inside of her cheek. Why did he have to change every little conversation around like that? Her tone tried to be passive when she turned to face him, "I think maybe you should go in there and tell them to hurry it up."

"Why me?"

She tried not to take satisfaction at the slightly raised pitch in his voice. Looks like he wasn't cocky enough to want to interrupt two killers facing off in a graveyard, "Because they can't kill you."

"...Charming." He hesitated for a moment, and then shrugged, pushing himself away from the wall and starting to walk past her, "Just charming."

Trixie froze when she felt something press against her cheek. It was cold, but soft, and tingled as if carrying a miniscule voltage of static. Her eyes widened and she felt blood rush to her face as she turned quickly to try and find the source. But it was gone as soon as it started. And all she saw was Ben starting to walk towards the opening of the ally, glancing over his shoulder with an egotistical expression slapped on his face like he was harbouring a big secret.

She blinked at him, "What was that?"

"What was what?"

"What did you just do?"

The corner of his lips curled, deliberately drawing attention to them and making her face redden a little more, "What do you think I did?" He asked with a sardonic drawl.

Did she answer honestly, or just ignore it? To walk into his trap or not? For the sake of her sanity, she ignored it. She rubbed her cheek to get rid of the static-like graze remaining on her skin and scowled, "I know what you did."

"Good." He said almost happily, but it only lasted for a split second before he caught sight of something over her shoulder. And just like that his expression turned serious and cold, stopping him in his tracks, "Trix, I think you'd better stand behind me now."

"What? Why?" She asked, wondering what brought the change on. Was this just another trick of his? Most likely. She narrowed her eyes suspiciously as she turned around to follow his gaze just to be sure. And then, her blood turned cold.

There was a young woman standing at the back entrance of the ally way. Staring at them in great amusement and an unnatural grin twisting her features. Black eyes and ivory skin clashed beneath a cascade of ebony waves. The stranger giggled sadistically when Trixie followed orders and backed away behind Ben in fear. Was this Jane who she'd heard so much about? Who else? No one else could appear so inhuman but so striking at the same time.

"I'm so lucky..." Jane sang childishly, "to be getting so many playmates..."

"Guys!" Ben yelled towards the graveyard, "You better get out here now!"

A/N:

Well then! Event filled chapter for you! Jane is back, Slender actually started talking to Rochelle, and Toby is lucky as hell he has amnesia or else he'd be screwed with his name right now! Next chapter promises more action and... well I'd say more but then I'd have to give a spoiler warning XD See you next time guys!