So Close yet so Far

These updates are so far and few in between that I feel guilty whenever I do post a new chapter, but it can't be helped :/ So just hang in there, those of you who have been loyal, and I will try and push through this till the end. Always love new reviews please let me know how you like it! I do not own Slender.

"Goodbye."

Her form slowly disappeared the further down the road she walked, never breaking stride and looking back only once. Eyes sad but smile still there. Both women knew that this just had to happen, splitting apart was what would essentially save them...even if it meant never seeing one another again. Only time would tell if their paths would cross again.

"Goodbye...Charlie."

(A few days earlier)

Just breath. In and out. Slowly pull the trigger...

Bam!

The silencer that had been attached to Orella's pistol muffled most of the sound but there was still a wet splat as the brains of the zombie went splattering all over the tree behind it, the matter looking like smashed worms. Not many of the dead were seen around the cabin nowadays, mostly because of Slender redirecting them with his aura and wit, and the previous winter had actually taken most of them out. But every now and then a small group would move through of maybe two or three, one would stray and wander into the woods and near the cabin and she would have to get in a little target practice.

"Nice shot."

She turned to see Charlie grinning, hands on her hips and a sawed off shotgun resting against her side like she was expecting a battle to ensue.

"Well thank you miss. May I ask what the uh, shotgun, is for?"

Grin never wavering Charlie hefted the gun into her hands with a trained elegance and cocked it like some gungho hero in a movie, putting more enthusiasm into the action than necessary.

"Just in case you know, but it is a nice show isn't it? Anyways I was thinking...maybe we should think about moving soon, just so we can be around more plentiful resources. And I think we're going to need more baby food soon."

The light and playful atmosphere dissipated in that one second and they both knew it. Charlie's smile wavered and receded while Orella pretended there was something interesting about the brain matter on the tree, not wanting to look at her friend.

"It's fine here..."

"But it's not, Orella. You know that just as well as I do. It won't be hard you know, we have Slender to help us out."

At hearing this Orella's temper flared up in defense and she lashed out.

"He's not our lackey Charlie! We can't just ask him to do everything for us all the time!"

Her scathing tone made the other woman cringe internally but she didn't flinch as blue eyes met her golden ones in an intense stare down, neither one backing down. Charlie's ferocity could be heard in her voice as she spoke to her only friend, wanting her to understand why this had to be done.

"Supplies don't last forever. Soon we will have to go further out to where we won't be back a day, maybe two, at a time and that's not something we can afford to do with this baby. Please just don't be so stubborn about this okay? Think about what's best for everyone."

"I am! This cabin may be a little further out but we're safe! It has running electricity with the generator and a fireplace for heat and well water. Where else are we going to find shelter like that?"

Orella's voice was no longer harsh, it's tone now soft and wondering like a lost child's.

"That's why we look before we move. You and I can go out in the car and look for some suitable places to settle down. Just give it a chance, we can't be stuck here forever."

"...Okay."

The two nodded to one another in agreement before stepping forwards into a firm hug, each one letting the other know that it was going to be okay no matter what happened.

A warm silent breeze winded its way through the trees of the forest as two young women loaded up their jeep, making sure everything was tightly secured and strapped down before looking at one another with hope in their eyes.

"Well, looks like everything is in order. C'mon Bongo!"

The brown and white shepard bounded out of the cabin's door and hopped into the back, tongue lolling out and tail wagging happily. Nothing ever seemed to faze that animal not even one of Slender's angry roars put a damper on his mood.

"Okay lets-"

Charlie stopped speaking as she spotted Slender exiting the cabin with his brow ridges pulled down into an angry look. She had thought that Orella had already talked her lover down about them making this little excursion and he was okay...apparently not.

"This is going to end badly..."

"Shut it Charlie."

Orella eyed her friend dangerously as she walked away from the jeep with arms crossed against her chest in an almost defensive manner, readying herself for the barrage of angry words about how stupid and reckless this was even though they had already dissected it. They stopped no more than an inch from one another with their chests nearly touching. Neither saying a word, Orella looked to the ground as she tried to get the courage to tell him that nothing he could say would stop her. Taking a deep, rattling breath, she looked up with determination in her eyes.

"Slender, I know you want to change your mind but I-!"

Not another word escaped Orella's mouth as she was suddenly pulled forward into a familiar and comforting embrace, nothing in the world could compare to the feeling. It was so out of the blue and surprising that she almost couldn't register the prick of tears that began to well up at the corner of her eyes. The wetness rolled down her cheeks as she took in a deep breath and inhaled the scent of the forest, the smell reminding her that it was something that she connected with home now. His hands came up to cup the back of her head and the side of her neck lovingly, so soft that she barely registered the touch herself. To him, nothing in this world was more important than making sure she was safe and he wanted to make sure that she understood that. But he also wanted her to know that he trusted her.

"I understand. Just...please...come back to me. Even if it takes an extra day just put yours, and Charlies, safety above finding a house. There is nothing that is worth your life."

He concealed the raw emotion well but she could sense an underlying fear as he spoke. For him to let her know that he supported her decision meant more to her than he would ever know.

"...I love you. Forever and always, till the bitter end."

"May it never come."

They both shared the last words either would have for at least two days, love lacing each one and conveying all the emotion one held for the other. Then before Orella could pull away Slender lifted the love of his life up by the waist until her lips met his, what with his usual height being at about 6'7. This kiss started out slow, gentle. Like the lazy waves of a beach washing up in the morning. Then in a single moment a spark was ignited and spread like a fire between their bodies. His hands moved into her hair for leverage and she took a hold of his collar while her legs wrapped around his waist, lips never leaving each other in their haste to meld together.

"Ahem! Tick Tock children!"

A particularly loud throat clearing behind them made the two break apart, slowly at that, and gasp for air. He loved how her lips were swollen and a flush dusted her usual pale cheeks. Her golden eyes were filled with want that they both knew wouldn't be sated until she came back to him, and he would be waiting for her when she did.

"Sorry dearest. My friend has absolutely no etiquette for things like this, but I suppose we should go now."

He chuckled lightly and set her down, kissing her endearingly one last time on the forehead before watching her run to the jeep and hop in just as the engine revved to life. Not the most inconspicuous vehicle but it worked. As they rode off down the trail through the forest, out to seek and possibly reap what little the world had left to offer, the sun seemed to shine just a little brighter through the trees.

(3 hours later)

"Okay okay. Maybe it wasn't my first kiss but he didn't need to know that!"

"Oh my lord Charlie, how do you not have a man right now?"

"Well...I mean maybe if I liked rotting flesh and a strong smell then I would."

Both glanced at one another before bursting out into snorts and fits of laughter, their banter getting the best of them as they walked through the first of many probably neighborhoods. They had been picking off the few stray dead that walked around first before settling on a house to look at.

"It has a well for water and it's a nice looking shade of brown...I think. The house not the well water."

"Alright. Lets pop in and take a look."

As the pair walked into the unlocked colonial styled home, eyeing the broken glass that littered the floor as they went into the living room.

"At least there aren't any bodies..."

Charlie tried to diffuse the obvious tension with humor, it wasn't going to help if they were just thinking about who used to live here and how they died.

"Yeah. Right...I'm going to check out the bedrooms."

Orella shook off the odd feeling she had that something was off and made her way up the stairs to the second floor, noticing how one of the doors were swung wide open whilst the others were shut. Making her way over to the open door she noticed a few splatters of blood on the carpeting in the doorway.

"Please don't let this end how I think it will..."

Stepping lightly in case there were any zombies she made her way into the room with her pistol aimed and ready, eyes scanning every inch of the room like a trained hunter. Each creak of the wood that lay under the carpet more nerve wracking than the next. The adrenaline that was suddenly pumping through her veins was unexpected and made her suddenly and painfully aware of how ragged her breathing was, each breath making her chest rise and fall quickly with anxiety. A few more spits of blood led her to a closed closet.

"No..."

Not wanting to open it but needing to know if there was a possible threat Orella threw open the doors and stepped back, one hand covering her mouth, as a group of flies came darting out towards her face. Making noises of disgust she waited until they had cleared before she looked back to the closet, wishing she hadn't even set foot in the house the moment her eyes saw what lay inside.

"By the gods!"

Her horrified whisper turned into a feeling of sickness as the mortified woman ran back downstairs and out the door as fast as she could, barely making it to the grass before she emptied the contents of her stomach violently. Charlie had witnessed her friend rushing out the door but by the time she made it outside Orella was already swishing water in her mouth to clear out the bad taste left by the incident.

"You okay?"

Her voice was concerned and curious as she watched the other woman spit out the water and straighten her stance once more, trying to look like nothing had just happened. A fake smile turning up her lips.

"Oh yeah, fine. Stomach just didn't agree with that juice I had earlier. I think maybe we should just keep moving on, this place has a lot of damage going on upstairs."

"Okay, sure. If you think so."

Not wanting to argue and not believing the excuse that her friend tried to cook up. She saw something upstairs and nothing in the world could make Charlie blame her for wanting to leave. She remembered that before she met Orella she and Bongo had been drifting from place to place with her brother, looking for a warm bed and hot food. But one night, when the rain and wind whipped across their faces like tiny pieces of glass, they took a chance and bunked down in what seemed to be an abandoned house for the night. Unfortunately there had been a couple who had already taken refuge there as well and before they knew it a gun simply...went off. They had walked in, not expecting anyone to be inside, and her brother was just doing what instinct now dictated. She could still hear the screams and broken wails of the woman as she watched her last connection to her old life slip away with the blood that slowly seeped onto the floor, forever staining the wood and their hands.

No one should ever have to witness a gruesome death, but in the world that they lived in today it has become a regular event. Seeing people that she knew, or people that she didn't, die, it just didn't have any effect anymore. Their footsteps were quite against the concrete as the two women made their way through the small town, house by house they went, checking everything from the backyards to the roofing at times, but so far there wasn't anything there that screamed 'new home' to either of them. It was the middle of the night and the two had bunked down in the car for the night, making sure to set their alarms so they could swap shifts when needed.

"You sure you want to take first watch? I can survive a few more hours."

"No it's really ok, I have a feeling that I wouldn't sleep much right now anyways. Just rest easy."

Charlie nodded and decided not to prod any further, deciding that sleep was needed more and laid down before closing her eyes and drifting off into a peaceful slumber. Her soft snores drifted up to Orella's ears and created a familiar ambiance, letting her mind sink back into the memories to when they first met. Things were so simple back then, just the two of them living care free in a zombie apocalypse with a demonic entity watching over them. So much has changed since then. She killed what used to be her best friend, his younger brother died, Slender and herself had let their relationship progress into the most personal and intimate stage, the mark on her neck tingled a bit at the thought. Ever since he had marked her she has felt just the slightest bit more attached to him, more spiritually though than physically. Just as she was about to go into even deeper thought a voice entered her mind and made her startle.

"The night is quiet without you my little hunter, how goes your search?"

A sigh escaped her and she rubbed her face wearily before answering, like just thinking about it was stressful.

"It's fine."

"...when a woman says fine she never really means it. What happened."

His voice was matter of fact and didn't even sound like he was asking a question. How could he read her so well?

"I just...I know I should be more open about finding a new place but our routine is so normal now...what if it changes? What if things aren't the same?"

There was a chuckle in the mans voice this time as he answered, making sure to alleviate the woman whom held his affections worries about anything that may happen.

"Change is a part of life, love, and it will happen even if we are scared of it. But we will go through it together, you, me, Charlie, and our baby. Together."

Our baby. She has become that to them hasn't she? Just hearing it made her heart swell with love and care for the man she had fallen for. A smile graced her face and her tone was soft as she answered.

"Yeah...our baby. Hearing that coming from you is so...sexy."

"Oh really? Now that you mention it hearing you say it is quite arousing in a sense."

"Mmmm. I just love the purr in your voice when it goes deep, so masculine and primal. I'm getting shivers just listening to you."

He could detect a smile in her voice as she tempted him, her voice becoming rough and sultry as they talked. She drove him crazy.

"Oh do not tempt me, I am half tempted to steal you away for the night and keep you all to myself."

"Feeling selfish?"

"Always. I wonder..."

He sounded like he was contemplating something and her mind went silent for a few moments, the anticipation of what he was doing driving her insane. When all of a sudden a chilling sensation shot up her spine and made her whole body quiver, like a cold breeze had blown through the car.

"By the heavens what was that?!"

Again Slender chuckled lowly before he answered, obviously enjoying the way he was putting his lover on edge.

"Just seeing how much I can toy with you dearest. I am sorry to leave but the baby is crying, I will contact you later if you are not asleep if it's ok."

"Of course my love, bye."

A while after Slender had stopped talking to her Orella continued to keep a look out while Charlie slept, eyes scanning the surrounding buildings with experienced eyes, when all of a sudden movement made her head turn sharply. Three shadowed figures disappeared quickly behind one of the houses farthest down the street, the shapes that of a human. She began to shake her friend awake whilst keeping an eye on where the strangers disappeared. They weren't alone anymore.