A/N:
HAPPY NEW YEARS!
Or the eve of anyway XD I hope you all had a great Christmas or whichever holiday you celebrate and had fun! Okay, so my break is over and I am back to writing! Whoo! Here's a long chapter for you guys and I hope you like it, you earned it for being so patient through the holidays XD
Onwards readers!
Kate found herself on the side of a large and picturesque lake, kneeling in the gravel and flecks of sand as she stared out into it and over the moonlight. But it wasn't the beauty she was taking in. It was the small boat that floated in the middle of it, and the figure that stood on it waving out to her. For a moment she thought she could feel her heart jolt as if she were suddenly gaining a pulse again. Hope... She was feeling hope. And on a normal basis she wouldn't mind, but here it was not allowed. Because it was something that didn't exist here. Not without it doomed to die all too soon.
She knew where she was. She remembered what had happened before she woke up here. And she was aware that this image, familiar and real as it once was, it was just all in her head now. But that didn't mean she was able to stop watching. She knew what was coming and she knew that there was nothing she could do to change it. It was in the past. She had accepted it... but god did it still hurt.
The gun rang out to shatter the sky. But she closed her eyes before the body hit the water. Why torment herself with watching that again when she had seen it so many times before in her memories? It would not get them anywhere, and she had a job to do. And that job was tracking down the others and getting the hell out of there. And maybe firing a few choice gunshots of her own if needs be.
It hurt more than she'd admit when she turned away from the lake, away from her past, and continued to walk into the shadows as they dissolved around her. She knew it wasn't real, so it had no basis to cling to and the illusion failed. But that didn't mean she wasn't going to suffer the colossal headache and nausea that the Sickness brought with it. She had to act fast, unless she wanted the images to return to her time and time again. And next time her logic might not hold so strong.
"You're not as fun as the others."
Kate stopped still, eyes narrowed, "Then how about you go bother someone else?"
"Nope. Daddy says I got to try and make new friends. And we didn't get off to the best start."
Kate turned around and for a moment was glad to see that the nightmarish lake scene had vanished. But then dejected when she saw that it had changed into a sitting room of sorts. The Sickness coated walls and floors hadn't changed, but the slim pretty figure sitting on a black lounge chair was new. But it hadn't been that long since she had seen this figure first. And it was hard to misplace Jane once you'd seen her once...
"Now listen to me, darlin', Zalgo ain't your Daddy. He's telling ya stories to get what he wants." Kate was good at keeping her tone calm when the situation called for it. And the situation sure as hell called for it. She felt like she was going to be sick... The Sickness was already feeding from her anger.
Jane, sank deeper into her soft, leather lounge chair, head leaned back so her ebony hair trickled down her shoulders. She sighed, "Daddy tells me a lot of stories, and they've all been true. Is yours true as well, Kate? If it's not, then I might just believe you." She wasn't patronising this time, more like harbouring a childlike curiosity.
"That depends on what story you've been told." She replied, cautious but steady.
"He told me that there's a book with you in it, our food, the humans I mean, thinks it's fictional like the rest of us. He told me that you died when you let a lizard bite you. And he told me that Mr. Slendy found your ghost wondering around killing men who had done wrong in the world, like a good little proxy. Is that all true, Kate?"
The accuracy made her hesitate, but she couldn't afford to let the momentarily unease show. After all, someone had published her story for all to see. And a few facts from a mentally instable creature of Sickness couldn't break her. Of course, she could just easily lie and say that those were lies, but that wouldn't get her anywhere, "Yes, that's true."
"Well sure it is. Do you not like your story, Kate? Do you wish you'd passed on instead of being trapped as a lost soul, forced to feed what could have just as easily devoured you?"
No mind games, there wasn't time, "We ain't here to talk about me. We're here for you to tell me where Jack is and what-"
"Jack is such a good little playmate... Daddy lets him eat more than me, but I don't mind. He's a growing boy..." Her black eyes remained flat and empty, staring up at the ceiling where she sat so lazily, "You worry about him, Kate, I can feel it. Why is that?"
Eat? If Jack was eating souls then- No, Kate, don't think about that or you'll never get down to business. But that poor littl'un, he was too young to be caught up in this, always was, "We're all in this if we like it or not. We can help ya, Jane, or we can sure try anyway if you let us."
"Poor Katie-Kate... These aren't students that you cared for in that school when you were alive. You're dead. Darlin'..." She added, mimicking Kate's southern twang, head snapping to the side with a newfound fire in her eyes aimed directly at her, "You can't save them. You couldn't even save Sam."
Kate tensed like she'd been shot with her own gun. Sam... It's so hot, Sam but I'm so cold... No! No, Kate snapped at herself internally, No don't let her get to you, it's what she wants. Stay calm. Calm and in control.
Jane however, didn't miss the reaction, sitting up a little in interest, "So that's all true too? Oh Katie-Kate... You let the man you love die. Shame on you..."
"That weren't my fa- That's enough now," she said through gritted teeth. The Sickness in the air around her swarmed, feeding off the memories she couldn't fight away, "Tell me where Jack and the others are and-"
"How did it feel to have no one believe you? To feel that fire snapping at your heels? To hear that gunshot as it burst through his head?"
"I said that's enough!"
Jane wasn't done, it would never be enough. She stood up, a crazed grin on her marble face, circling Kate like a vulture among the Sickness, "Did it hurt you? Sam must have died instantly so the pain must have hit you double! Oh please tell me, Katie-Kate!" She cackled as Kate started to take a step back, "Oh don't look so stubborn, it's just a question. Or do the questions hurt too?"
"I don't need to talk about this with the likes of you." She pulled out a gun from its holster and took aim, "Now tell me where they are or I'll shoot."
"You just don't want to talk. And we're one and the same..." Jane laughed, too sweet in contrast to everything else, "Oh... I see why you look out for Jack so much, and the others. You feel so guilty about Sam that you think playing big ol' sister to the others will make up for it!"
"That ain't true!" Kate cursed herself as her hands started to shake, the Sickness burning her throat. Sam... Sam I feel so cold... No!
"It didn't work then, Kate, and it won't work now. Whoopsie!" She giggled and started spinning like a dream-like dancer as the ash and dust got stronger, relishing in the high of it, "How does it feel, Kate? To be a ghost wondering the Earth when all you really want is to pass on and be with your Sam? Now you're a Proxy, you can't ever pass on and be with him. It's not like he's waiting though is it? If he really loved you, wouldn't his ghost have stayed to protect you?"
Too much... Too much Sickness! It hurt! God Sam help me! Her fingers tugged at the trigger, body turning to try and get an aim on Jane, "He did love me!"
"Aww..." The Sickness shielded her, and she fed from it, "So sad... Poor little Katie-Kate, all alone with no one to love her."
"Enough!" The gun exploded one bullet after the other, each one getting absorbed by the Sickness and missing the target, "Enough..."
Jane watched in a childlike glee, "Sam was such a poor thing... Poor thing... But you, you are just... Alone. And no one's coming to 'fix that' for you."
"Stop it!"
"Oh, there was just one more little story that Daddy told me about your, Sam." She paused almost for some cruel dramatic effect, letting a long black tongue glide over her lips, "Sam's soul tasted just delicious..."
"NO!
A near-animalistic cry of anguish and pain tore through Kate's throat. The weight of the Sickness forcing her to her knee's and curling up with her hands pressed over her ears, her nails digging venomously into her own skin with desperation to block it all out. I'm sorry Sam, I love you Sam... Don't leave me Sam... It's so hot Sam but I feel so cold... Too much Sickness! Too much! Let me die! Let me die! She snarled dryly, her throat too coated in ash to breathe properly, eyes clenched shut as images of that burning night forced itself to surface.
Jane stopped her twisted dance and inhaled deeply, letting the dust burn her blissfully. She grinned down at Kate, jagged teeth showing proudly. She would have pitied the woman, if she didn't find the whole thing just so funny! She lifted a slender leg and pushed Kate with her foot. No reaction. Just a quivering shell. Just how Daddy liked it.
"Oh, Katie-Kate..." she giggled, bending down to stroke Kate's hair, "I was only joking about Daddy eating Sam's soul. Did you not get the joke?" No answer. She continued, clasping her hands together, "Never mind then. Daddy's going to be so happy with me... Because Daddy loves me. More than your Sam ever loved y-oow!"
The sound of gunfire broke out seemingly from nowhere. And a black hole dented itself into Jane's bare shoulder, tar-like ooze trickling down her arm at an alarming rate. She blinked at the foreign feeling and poked at it curiously, giggling when it caused her pain. Her grin returned and she looked down at Kate, waiting to see what happens next. As for Kate, that last bit of information had given her the push she needed. That Jane had lied about devouring Sam's soul. That meant he had really passed on... And was safe.
"Enough..." Kate rasped, still shivering from the rage and ash in her lungs. Her Head felt like it was about to implode, "I s-said that's enough... S-Sam and I loved each other... But I'm glad he's passed on..." She struggled to her feet, shaking and only just able to raise the gun to threaten another shot, "Because he's away from all of this! And you can spew whatever lies you like and believe whatever the hell Zalgo says because you just gave up your last chance of help!"
Jane pouted moodily as her wound started to heal, "Something else Daddy was right about you all. You just can't take his jokes..."
Kate gritted her teeth, eyes burning gold as she turned off the safety of her pistol and took aim, "That's because he is one."
BANG!
Jeff looked down at the bloodied mess under him. And never had he seen anything so clearly. This empty shell, this lifeless mass, this thing; had been his brother. But now thanks to him, it was just a monstrosity. The boy lay motionless on the bed, a gaping slit tricking with what was leftover of the near-black blood. Only seconds ago it had been protruding in bursts over the pair of them. And now it was mostly staining Jeff's front, sticking to his skin, still warm. More blood seeped into his jeans from the stab wounds on his brothers chest that he had caused. He had caused... It was all his fault.
"I-I didn't mean it, Liu! Wake up! N-Not you I didn't want to get you too! Wake up! I'm sorry wake up!"
His parents... They deserved this! They wanted to kill him! They were planning against him! They deserved to die! But Liu... Liu hadn't done anything! He had been there for him through it all and now he was gone. Because of him. No... No this wasn't right! This can't have happened! No!
"I'm sorry, Liu! Wake up, man! Come on don't do this to me!"
"Jeff!"
He flinched when an invisible force grabbed his shoulders and started to shake him harshly. On instinct, he raised his knife and swung blindly. What was this? Who was yelling at him? Who was doing this? He sliced at the air in front of him. But each time he only cased another wound in his brothers corpse. Over and over. Unable to end it!
"I'm sorry! Damn it, I'm sorry!"
"Jeff, snap out of it!"
"I didn't mean it!"
"For fucks sake! You asked for this!"
The red stained world around him suddenly turned white with agonizing pain as a blunt force collided harshly in the worse place possible. And from experience, this was worse to him than being stabbed. And that was between his legs...
He retched and growled viciously, "Son of a motherfucking bitch face!"
Alice made a gesture that was both a sigh of relief and a look of smug satisfaction as she retracted her fist from where she had just punched him, hopefully back to his senses. Sure it had been a dirty move, but it had worked so what was the harm? It wasn't like he was planning on having kids anytime soon anyways. Not to mention if was always hilarious when she was able to make him squirm and curse like that. She dusted her knuckle on her shirt for good measure before giving him another shake.
"Are you back with me now?" She snapped, enjoying her satisfaction while it lasted but not willing to trail from the matter at hand.
Jeff wheezed and took a few moments to recover himself before answering, glaring at her acidically, "You punched me in the nuts! Why the fuck do you always do that when we end up in this hell hole?"
"It's only the second time, so cut the dramatics. And it seems to be the only thing to snap you out of Sickness so you should be thanking me. But I won't ask you to since we have other things to worry about."
Sickness? He furrowed his brow and noticed that he was sweating and shaking slightly. And not just from the leftover pain down below. Those memories... Sure he was used to them by now after all these years of being haunted by them. But that didn't mean they didn't still shake him up every time. He huffed and pushed his shaggy hair back, scowling irritably.
"Yeah like getting Slendy and getting the fuck out of here..." He growled, "And when we do, how about I punch you in the tit and we see how you like-"
"I'm going to do you a favour and stop you right there." She interrupted coldly, "Now help me."
He had to do a double take at that, "Help you?"
She nodded and moved aside to show the vast empty room behind her. Or rather the mostly empty room. Huddled away in the corner, a shaky young figure was muttering madly to himself. A mask and a pair of amber tinted goggles and a pair of combat gloves lay forgotten at his side. As the figure mumbled and whispered, his eyes became more and more blackened with shadows and Sickness. His hand was raised to his mouth and he was nibbling ravenously at his fingers, gradually tearing away and one little bit of skin at a time. Small beads of blood started to worm their way down his wrists. But it didn't look like there was much serious damage. So far.
"Don't tell me that's Tick-prick?" Jeff groaned.
"Toby." She corrected, moving away from Jeff and trying to figure out the best angle at approaching Toby, "He's been like this since we got here but I can't snap him out of it."
"Why not punch him in the dick if that's what works so well..." Jeff muttered bitterly.
"I would but he has no pain reflexes, I mean he's eating his own hands... It wouldn't do a thing."
"Lucky bastard."
"You call this lucky?" She snapped, pointing at Toby with ice cold eyes, "Just help me snap him out of it, alright?"
"Why? Just leave him here and we'll come back for him or Slendy will! I dunno and I don't care! I only care about finding that bitch and her fake father and give them what's coming!" He raised his knife pointedly, "I'm putting an end to this!"
"Would you listen to yourself? You're not a demon and you're not some superhero! You're a Proxy! A human Proxy with a kitchen knife!"
"And you're any better?"
"I'm not saying that." Even if she silently thought it, "What is your issue here, Jeff? The fact you got beaten down by a girl, again, or that you were beaten in general? You're not a god so stop acting like it!"
"I am acting like someone who just wants to get the fuck out of here! You have no idea what this place does to my head!"
"We all want to get out of here Jeff! And no, I don't know what Sickness does to you. Not really. Or with anyone else in here but guess what, you don't know what it does to me either. But I'm not playing victim or hero here, I just want to get home, like you. So for once in your life just help me before one of us goes under again!"
Jeff glared at her, fully prepared to fill it with hatred and rage. But for a split second, he saw a glaze of blackness over her eyes that was never a good sign. He wanted nothing more than to continue this argument or at least just get up and storm off. But god damn it the last thing he needed were two Sickness crazies blabbering behind him! His eyes narrowed and he looked away. Not giving in but clearly promising that this would be continued as soon as this was over.
She seemed to get the message, but wouldn't thank him for it. It wasn't their style and to be honest, after going through a literal hell, she was looking forward to having a good old fashioned dispute with him just to get some normality. Her attention turned to Toby once again. But to her surprise, he had stopped all of his madness, and was looking up at her like a curious child. Eyes wide and darting between her and Jeff.
"H-Home... Want... Home?"
"Almost." She rolled her eyes, "Are you alright?"
"I-I... Arguing. All the arguing!"
"Well I'm taking that as a no." Jeff huffed, "Looks like you're the one carrying him."
"What's that supposed to-"
BANG!
"Get back here ya coward! Before I track y'all down and give ya a taste of ya own Sickness!"
The southern twang along with the gunshot made everyone hit the deck faster than they would have thought possible. And something else they thought was pretty impossible was that the person they were listening to was very familiar. But they could have sworn she had not been with them when they were dragged through the portal. Jeff and Alice exchanged looks before following the sound of the voice with their eyes. And slowly but surely, a shape was forming in the shadows, sprinting towards them. They mentally prepared themselves just in case, raising fists and weapons to be safe.
But true to their expectations, the frustrated and overall pissed off looking Kate came barrelling down the way and was fully prepared to shoot them if she hadn't recognised them at the last minute. She stared at them. Unsure for a moment if this was real or not. But after a moment of silence, she had to trust her instincts and lower her gun.
"You guys had better be you..."
"Likewise." Jeff growled, "What the hell are you doing here?"
"That Jane gal gave us the run around... And what about you? Y'all said you'd wait by the portal!"
"We might have in Widemouth didn't screw us over." Alice answered coldly, "Apparently opening a portal triggers it instantly..."
"That rodent snake in the grass..." Kate hissed, already planning his demise, "We'll deal with that when we get to it. Jane ran off this way, you seen her?"
"If we did she'd be dead..." Jeff growled, "We just got this guy out of Sickness. Where're the others?"
"No idea."
"Shut it." Alice ordered, holding up a hand and looking at Toby, "He's talking."
Toby grumbled, apparently getting more and more curious by the second as they spoke. At first unable to process anything, and then gradually starting to gain some light in his eyes again. The Sickness, although still there and working away at him, was dimmer now. Fading from his eyes slowly. He blinked, lowering his hand from his mouth, blood smudged on his lips.
"Your arguing... H-Home?" He looked up feebly, rubbing blood from the corner of his mouth on his sleeve, "Where's Slendy?"
"Not a clue." Alice answered bluntly, "Wait, you seriously snapped out of Sickness because you heard arguing?"
"Well yeah. You're pretty loud and you're always arguing, it just reminded me of home... In a good way! You're arguing's kinda funny."
Jeff smacked his forehead and growled moodily, "That's the most ridiculous bunch of bull I've heard!"
"Well it's working ain't it?" Kate muttered, rolling her eyes and handing Toby his mask, gloves and goggles before helping him to stand up, "I say we get moving before it happens again."
"What're you gonna do? Blast another hole in the wall?" Jeff rolled his eyes, standing up and passing his knife between his hands.
"Y'all know me so well."
BANG!
"Sir, you need to wake up. You used to assist in the running of this place, you cannot let it control you now."
Shad didn't bother to struggle more than necessary against the Sickness that was fusing him to the wall. No one was around anymore to see it. Zalgo had gone to either feed his minions or had gone to feed himself to get more strength than was necessary. But it didn't matter at the moment. The important thing was that Shad was now alone with Slender and that meant there was a chance at getting through to him somehow. He didn't understand how but he had to try. And so far just talking to him seemed the best way to go about things. He had been trying for a long time. It didn't seem to be working. Slender just lay there, slumped against the Sickness walls, motionless.
As time went by Shad felt more and more like giving up. But he couldn't allow himself to, "Sir, if you can hear me, then at least give me a sign... Because frankly, we've all come too damn far for you to just give up."
No one said anything about giving up, Shadow Lurker...
Shad flinched at the voice echoing in his head, comforting and familiar. He stared down at his leader in confusion, "S-Sir? You're alright?"
Far from it since we are still here... Slender stirred, pushing himself up groggily, But in the general sense, yes I am alright...
"Why didn't you answer me? The others are down here somewhere and -"
I am aware that the majority of my Proxies are here besides you, I can sense them... And I apologize for not talking to you sooner... But I had to make sure that Zalgo was far from us before we could talk...
Shad furrowed his brow quizzically, "He thinks you're badly hurt..."
That is what I want him to think... I have said from the start that my aim is to let him think that he has the upper hand... If he thinks that he has beaten me down, then he will not be expecting me to approach him for a second time so soon...
Shad had to admit that it was a clever idea to lure Zalgo into a false sense of security, but at the same time it was also risky and unwise to underestimate. But he trusted his leader, "Sir, with all due respect you've been starving yourself of souls and Sickness for so long... You're too weak to face him."
Slender brushed himself off and sighed, It's true that I am weak, and back home I am barely able to manage the simplest of my abilities... But down here, this is the central of all soul and Sickness consumption... I am simply waiting, biding my time... I aim to feed to my capacity before I face him...
His eyes widened, "But... Sir although that will give you the energy you need, feeding so much so soon might have an unfavourable effect on you. The Sickness intake may be too much for you. Yes you'll be stronger but-"
I am aware of the risks... And should something happen to me, then I leave you as their leader...
"Sir? What are you saying?"
I'm saying that you're right, I shall be stronger and most likely have the strength and will to put Zalgo in his place... But you're also right that the Sickness rush may cause me damage or at least make me act against my nature... So should anything happen to me or I don't return with you, then they will be your Proxies to care for...
Shad didn't know what to say. Himself, a leader? He couldn't picture it. And he definitely couldn't picture Slender not being around anymore for whatever reason. He was both flattered at the trust but disturbed by the reasoning for it all. No, everything was going to be fine. That was the end of it.
"You're going to be fine, Sir. And we're all going to get out of here."
I hope you're right, Shadow Lurker... There's no time to waste...
"No, there's not. I need to find the others," He glanced at his restraints and pulled against them, and stared in surprise when they started to give way, "I..."
You're stronger than you think, Shadow Lurker, all of you are... And hopefully I'll be stronger after this too...
Shad was not happy with this plan. But unfortunately it was not something he had a say in, because Slender was already leaving. He didn't feel comfortable with everyone separating once again. But what choice did they have? If Slender was trusting in the theory that mass consumption would work, then he had to trust him. And if things went wrong, then they would have to work through it as they always did.
"Where can we find you once I find the others?"
Use the Sickness... The current will be strongest where Zalgo will be... And that is where I shall be...
He couldn't argue, there was no point. He could only put trust in him, "Good luck, Sir..."
Slender nodded to him in a form of respect before leaving him. It was time to put an end to this...
Shad watched him leave trying to put his concern aside for the moment and put his mind to the Sickness that was starting to fade around him. He narrowed his eyes, tugging harshly. He had to find the others. Now it wasn't just a matter of getting home or finding Slender, or even getting back to his Emily, this was a matter of racing against time. He gritted his teeth. He controlled the shadows, the shadows did not control him!
He felt his skin burning, the Sickness stung in protest of being fought against. But it was starting to dissolve very slowly. The others were waiting somewhere! Kate, Jeff, Ben, Toby, all of them! There was not enough time to waste! And Slender was counting on him. If Slender was going to try and mass consume souls and Sickness to gain energy and strength, then time was going to run out faster than expected.
He grunted when the restraints finally gave in, and he crumpled weakly to the ground, trying to catch his breath. It took him a moment to collect himself. But it seemed that momentarily, he didn't need to do so alone. He started and flinched when he felt a hand on his shoulder. And as he looked up to find a pair of hazel eyes staring down at him in familiar panic.
"Sh-Shad? Shad are you alright?"
"Beatrix?" He muttered, sitting up and looking at her calculatingly, "Is that you?"
"Hey don't forget about the rest of us." Ben commented idly, holding Jack against him to try and get him moving too, "Christ, you look rough..."
"Well so would you if you had been trapped in Sickness..."
"We both had." Ben arched an eyebrow sardonically.
"Y-You found Jack?" Shad asked, eyes landing on the small boy, "What happened?"
"A lot..." Trixie sighed, "What happened to you? Where's Zalgo?"
"Feeding..." He spat grudgingly.
"Then why did he just let you go?"
"He didn't. But I used to live in this world at some point, I know its ways. I refuse to let myself be trapped by it for longer than necessary."
"Huh," Ben nodded in approval, "You're a little more badass than you let on, Saddy-boy."
"I'll assume that as a compliment. So thank you. Now we need to get moving before anyone returns. We need to find Kate, Jeff, Alice and hopefully Toby so I can tell you all together what Slender told me It changes everything we originally thought."
Ben arched an eyebrow, "Can't you just tell us now so we-"
BANG!
Trixie screamed and covered her head with her hands, Jack falling to the floor next to her in a panic. Ben turned to face the noise with Shad and stared in amused surprise at what was happening. A literal hole had been blasted through the wall that Shad had just been webbed against only minutes ago. His eyes widened as that fact sunk in, feeling dizzy for a moment think that the rubble around them could have been his head. It wouldn't kill him but it would be very unpleasant.
There was a moment of tense silence where no one quite knew what to do. Stay and investigate, stay and fight, or run like hell. But instead they were all stuck still and stunned when they saw a familiar pair of amber ginted goggles poking out through the newly made gap.
"Hey guys! Where've you been?"
"Toby?" Trixie muttered incredulously.
"Newbie?" Alice asked, joining them by shoving Toby out of the way and sliding through, wuickly joined by Jeff and Kate, "Small world..."
"What the hell? How did you get here?" Jeff snapped.
"Are you complaining?" Ben challenged.
"No!" Toby grinned, "Hey you found Jack!"
Jack whimpered on the ground, daring to look up, "F-Found..."
The new arrivals clambered through the hole in the wall and joined the others. There was no time to go into full explanations. But dear god was Trixie glad to see everyone together again. Sure they may not be in the best of states, but together was what mattered. A safety in numbers. She put an arm around Jack and tried to help him to his feet.
Ben doubled over, gasping for breath to make fun of Jeff's apparent heart attack, "Good... God..."
Jeff rubbed the sweat from his brow, giving the ghost a confused scowl as he panted, "Why... the fuck... are you out of breath? You... You're fucking dead!"
The moment he said it, Ben smirked and dropped the act, standing up straight and giving a shrug, "I know but it's always nice to feel included."
"You're such an asshole sometimes..."
"Yeah, so I've been told." Ben muttered, stealing a glance at Trixie.
She looked away and carefully went about passing Jack to Kate who seemed much more able to support him than she could. She looked at Shad nervously, unsure what to think about anything right now, "What do we do? I want to get home as much as anyone but... we didn't come all the way down here to wait around."
"For once the newbie has a point." Alice commented, "Slendy's still a no show."
"It's an act." Shad replied simply, an uncharacteristically triumphant smile in place, "It's all been an act."
Kate arched an eyebrow, "I think you've spent a little too long down here, Shadow-man. What's an act?"
Shad opened his mouth to explain the conversation he and Slender had just had, but was quickly interrupted by Toby looking up sharply with a loud crack of his neck.
"Oh you mean Slendy starving himself so that when he gets a load of Sickness this strong he'll be hopped up like someone who's never had caffeine before getting dosed up with ten espressos and highballing like a superhero but he's just pretending to be weak to throw Zalgo off?" He asked casually as if he were merely commenting on the strange weather last night, "That act?"
Everyone stared at Toby in blank surprise. At first simply trying to process what he just said when he was talking so damn fast but then what he had actually said. Even Shad who was in on the ploy was stunned that someone else had beaten him to the punch. Toby hunched his shoulders at the eyes staring at him and shifted awkwardly.
"What did I do this time?"
"N-No, nothing it's just..." Shad shook his head in bemusement, "How on earth did you guess that?"
"You mean he's right?" Jeff cried out in surprise.
"Well sure I am," Toby shrugged, "I mean, it's all pretty obvious when you think about it."
"Then why isn't he helping us..." Jack muttered quietly, barely heard.
"Well he can't reveal himself just yet." Toby sniggered as if it were obvious, "Hang tight, we're getting out of here."
"Wasn't so easy for you to say that when you were chewing your skin off earlier..." Alice quipped.
"That's enough." Kate ordered, "Shadow-man, what now?"
Shad narrowed his eyes back into focus and tried to concentrate, "Well, like Toby said, there's not much we can do until Slender gives the say so. But until then, we have to make things as easy as possible for him. Which means getting Masky and Hoody, hopefully, back to their senses or at least away from Slender and Zalgo. The same goes for Jane too. We can't risk any more trouble brewing than there already will be."
"Oh... but I like trouble..."
The group froze at the sickly sweet echo surrounding them. And what made it worse was that they knew exactly who it belonged to. They reluctantly turned around to face them. And were met with that unfortunately familiar young woman. She'd changed since they last saw her. Her skimpy black stress exchanged for black leggings and a black cami, making her flawless while skin even paler by comparison. And her innocent smile and giggle, exchanged for a crooked sneer pierced with jagged teeth.
Ben was the first to break the silence, apparently still having not learned his lesson about giving attitude to someone clearly able to crush him, "Jane, classy as always...
Her expression didn't falter, "My playmates, hilarious as always..."
"Just how much of that did you hear, by the way?" Toby asked curiously, taking a cautious step back.
"I heard that you wanted to play... And I love games... Look, I brought my other friends along too!"
From the darkness behind her, Masky and Hoody marched blankly and heavily to join her. They looked half starved and close to death. But they were still strong under the Sicknesses control. It was not wise or affordable to underestimate any of them right now.
Ben swallowed hard, "Well... isn't this convenient and traumatizing?"
Trixie nodded in agreement, heart hammering against her chest. But Jeff however, grinned his signature grin and raised his knife proudly, "You're kidding right? Christmas just came early..."
A/N:
So... Big long chapter for you XD I'm sorry if it felt a little rushed near the end there but I just really wanted to get this out to you guys before New Years day came around. And don't worry, there's loads more on the way! Have a great and safe New Years and I hope 2015 treats you well! Love you guys! XD