All sorts of thoughts run through my head, and if I'm correct, he can read every one of them.

Somehow, the thoughts are silent.

I break from the torrent of raging thoughts in my mind by reaching for the phone in my pocket.

5:40 in the afternoon. It's getting late.

I assume you want to go home.

"No, well, yeah. It's kind of late."

Did I overstep my boundary? Please forgive me.

"What do you mean? Oh, no, it's fine," I had to think about what he was referring to. The little kiss on my forehead. "It's ok. I don't mind at all."

Do you want me to take you home?

"No thanks," I still want to stay with him, although it'd be dark soon. "take me home when it starts to get dark."

Anything for you.

I really don't know what to do now. I feel like I should just leave and come back to him in the morning. Was the kiss on the forehead too painfully awkward?

"What do you want to do now?"

It's your choice.

"Do you know of any cool place to take me? Somewhere...?"

How about this: I carry you around and you lead me to where you want to go?

That's not a bad idea. "Sure." I smile sweetly but I still feel off. Maybe it'd be best to go home. "So will you be carrying me on your shoulders or wha-" my sentence turns into squeal as he lifts me over his head. He rests my body on his side, my legs dangle around his waist and I feel like a toddler being carried this way.

Forgive me, he interrupts, but there's only so much time left in the day.

"That's ok. You just scared me, that's all."

Is there anywhere you want to go in particular?

"Take me to the marsh," the cold seeps into my clothes where they're ruffled, making the skin bare and open to the cold. "Please." I feel my skin shiver with energy as my vision goes dark and in an instant, we're overlooking a dreary marsh and black water.

Is this good?

"Yes." I nod my head as I adjust where he holds me. Ignoring him for a moment, I take in the land.

Black water is framed by dark mud and grass the color of bone.

Birds flutter out from the abyss-like grasses, red winged black birds and herrons are the only moving thing in a still landscape.

Across the marsh, the land drops off. Several feet below the forest floor is phlegmatic black water.

Does it not steal your breath away?

"It does," I look down at his blank head, "are you ok?"

He pulls me before him and captivates all of my attention. He has no eyes, but you can feel them. I can see them in my head and the image is projected before my eyes.

He looks serious, almost concerned. His fingers dig into my arms once again like how he did when we met, and all in one second he pulls me into a hug.

Never, have I EVER, been asked such a thing. How did I happen to find an angel of your caliber? You're not an average angel, you're above the highest seraphim.

Its hard to take all of this in.

I'm sorry, I cannot help but to express my gratefulness.

"N-no, no, that's ok!" a moment of silence between us. "...uh, can you put me down?"

We're in the middle of the marsh.

"Oh."

We teleport back to the tree we were at. My bike just below me and I cling on to his side. He puts me down and he won't let go of my hand.

"What are you...?" I feel a pulse in my fingers like a bomb within my hand. His snow colored thumb grazes my knuckles. Another pounding pulse aches in my fingertips and a cold sweat jumps out of my skin. He leans his long torso down and his hollow cheeks cover my fingers.

How are you not freezing?

"I don't know, I-" I panic a little bit and he cuts me off.

I know why. Do you want to know?

"Y-yes! You're scaring me!"

I gave you the ability to resist the cold like myself.

His voice is sullen and stark. I raised my voice at him and he remains calm. "Why do you give me these things?"

You are very different from many others I've seen. You unlocked the intuitive ability within you before we met. You're psychic. I gave you more ablilities because not only do you deserve better but you having these affinities will benefit you.

I give you telepathy.

I give you resistance to the cold.

And I have another gift I want to give you.

I feel electricity in the air zip around me and my skin ripples with cold bumps. Then, it's all over.

"What was that?"

You'll see. It's not immediate.

I look at my phone. It's 6:04 and its dramatically darker. I see fog rolling in over the field and the nerves in my stomach jump.

Do you want to ride home or shall I carry you?

"hm...carry me, but walk there."

Very well then.

He picks me up once again, his tentacles whip out from his back and he effortlessly lifts the bike. I'm nervous when his legs start to move. Each step feels as if I were clinging to a falling tree.

I close my eyes and get used to the bobbing up and down from his lanky gait and the motion seems to put me to sleep. Our time together feels too short; Before I know it, I'm back at my house with my bike parked out front.

"I guess this is good night?"

We never have to part, you know. You can summon me and I'll be there in an instant.

I look over my shoulder and my mother steps out the front door. I panic and turn back around and my Slender is gone.

A part of my wants to cry at his sudden absense.

"Hey, lets get you inside!" My mother escorts me in the house and I force myself to not look over my shoulder. I'm greeted by a glistening tree and shining lights. Christmas day is a few days away.

"Now, lets have some dinner so you can get to bed early. We have a big day tomorrow."

"Tomorrow? What are we doing tomorrow?"

"It's Christmas Eve. We're doing a lot."

I forgot all about this. What will I do? I'm too used to being outside with him all day. Surely he'd understand.

Surely.