Sorry if this or any of the other chapters seems short. My writing seems to have degraded when I compare it to some of my old (un-posted) stories. I don't really have an excuse for it.

Her father was waiting for her when she opened the door. For a moment all he did was glare down at her, and for Skye it was enough. Then she was sent crashing to the side, her mind only registering that she had fallen and smashed her cranium against the floor. A stinging pain in her cheek soon overrode the dull throbbing in her head.

Yelling and cussing barely reached her brain as she realized what had happened.

Her father had slapped her, a fingernail cutting open a thin line on her cheek. He'd never laid hands on Skye before, never physically hurt her before. She didn't understand why he did it. Her only thought was to get away, to hide. When the tears began moistening her cheeks, the child pushed herself up. She didn't look back as she ran to her room. Once there she collapsed onto her bed and silently cried herself to sleep.

It was the screams that woke her up; terrified yells originating from her father's room. Skye knew they were his, her own fear paralyzing her from going to see the cause. She tried to drown out the sounds by pressing her pillow hard against her ear. The action only served to muffle the noise, but not silence it completely. A frightened whimper escaped her as her eyes squeezed shut.

The pillow was gently tugged away, a pair of hands lifting the child to a sitting position. She opened her eyes to be greeted by the same masked man she had met earlier that day. The window above her bed was open, explaining how he had gotten in. Masky turned and pulled her arms around his neck, making it clear he wanted her to hold on. Skye readily complied and buried her face into the back of his spine as he clambered back out through the makeshift entrance and onto the tree that seemed to hug the side of the house. The male could barely feel the added weight, something that concerned him. However, he was more concerned with getting her away from the house for now.

Masky began jogging the moment his feet hit the ground, arms moving behind him to support the girl. He could feel how tense she was as she clung to him. Leaves crunched under his shoes, the edge of the woods a gaping maw in the night atmosphere. At this point the screams could only be heard faintly; it was a wonder the man hadn't lost his voice yet. Either way, Skye was beginning to relax and it was an improvement to the boy as well.

Trees crowded in around the pair as the girl was gently set down on a moss-covered log. Despite having fallen asleep in her clothes, she was shaking. Although the cold may not have been the cause it was enough for Masky to sit next to her.

"W-Why was Papa screaming?" The boy had been dreading that question, and her distraught expression wasn't helping either. It made lying that much more difficult as he shrugged his shoulders. Skye's posture slumped slightly. "I'm scared Masky." He wrapped an arm around her shoulders in an attempt to comfort her, flinching slightly when she rested her head against him.

It wasn't long until she fell asleep in that position.

Light streamed through closed eyelids, making the child grimace and bury her face into her pillow. Suddenly she paused; she hadn't fallen asleep on a pillow.

The realization made the girl shoot up to find that she was in her own room, the window open and Masky nowhere to be seen. The wall clock read nine in the morning, something that confused the girl. Her father had always made her wake up around six or seven. Why didn't he do it today?

Skye slowly climbed out of bed and left her room, carefully navigating through the mine field of broken glass. Compared to last night, the house was completely silent and almost seemed empty. She took the stairs to the main floor and found herself in the dining room. There was a note on the edge of the table, on the side facing the child. Perplexed, she walked over and took the sticky note in her hand.

Going out for a while. Be back by dinner. Do whatever you want.

That was all it said. It was odd. It was her father's handwriting sure, but he'd never left a note before. He never let Skye do anything either. In short she was at a loss as to what was going on and what to do.

A slight frown decorated her face as she went to get dressed. She had made up her mind to go outside at least, hoping to see one of her friends or at least find something to keep her mind occupied. Either one would have been fine though she preferred the first option. The girl changed into her grey long sleeve shirt and jeans before going to open the door.

The moment she did, however, she nearly bumped into the tall, well-dressed being waiting just outside.

Skye stared up at him for a moment, eyes wide and mouth agape. Then she rushed forward with a happy cry.

"Slendy! You're back!" The creature was caught off guard by the way the child had wrapped her arms tightly around the lower half of his body as if afraid he would leave again. "I really missed you..." she murmured quietly. It was enough to make her friend relax slightly and even move his hand just enough to touch her lightly on the arm. Skye almost reluctantly released her hold and watched as he turned and begin walking away. She nearly called out to the tall man, only for him to halt and beckon her with a move of his head. The child grinned happily and raced over to him.

Slenderman allowed her to grab his hand as he led her into the woods.

Oh look, a cliffhanger. Huh.

3 points and some virtual cake to whoever can correctly guess what happened to Skye's dad and why.