AN: YOU GUYS I HAVEN'T UPDATED IN THE LONGEST TIME! 11 days to be exact. That's a seriously long time for me D: But it's here! It's finally here!
Ain't nobody own no Slender.
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Chapter 14
I take a sip from my mocha, indulging myself in the warmth. My mother is sitting beside me, savoring her cappuccino. Insisting that I should try something from the menu, my mother finally was able to persuade me into getting a drink. I'm not too fond of coffee, but I have to admit, this is pretty good. I should drink coffee more often. After our emotional embrace, we went over here at Starbucks to make up for lost time. I remembered about Heather and was worried what would happen of I just leave her, but then again, Slenderman is with her so she wouldn't try anything too crazy. Though I do feel kind of bad since I didn't say anything, as I was teleported to my mother. Speaking of her, my mother blamed herself for acting moody with me, even though I told her over and over again that it wasn't her fault. I would feel especially bad if I told her I couldn't spend time with her. So, here we are, drinking our beverages. I feel someone tapping my shoulder, so I swivel around on my chair to see who it is.
"Hello."
It's Mary. Or Maria. Or Marion.
"Hey," I greet back, "Long time no see."
"Could say the same for you," She replies, then turns to my mother, "Hello m'am. Nice to see you again."
"Nice to see you too, dear," My mother answers, "How is your father doing?"
"He's doing fine," She takes a moment to glance at her watch, "Sorry I can't stay to talk for long. My tutor will be home in about fifteen minutes. See you later, Andrea."
"I'll see you later, too."
With that, she turns and exits the building. When she finally leaves, I sigh and bury my face in my hands. How could she remember my name, but I don't remember hers? She told me before that she had biographical memory, so it makes a lot of sense. She's really smart, and I can tell that she's going to have a bright future. On the other hand, even with all my studying, I don't come close. I'm advanced because of the fact I was home schooled, but she's way ahead. I asked her before about subjects I'm struggling on, and she would know in a flash what I was talking about and how to explain it to me. I sometimes wish I could be as smart as her, and I would attempt to study more than I already was, but she's at an unreachable level.
"Are you okay?"
"Yeah," I answer my mother, "It's just that, um…"
"It's just what?"
"What's her name?"
"You mean Maribelle?"
"Oh. Well then, looks like I was wrong."
"I don't call her that, though. I just call her Mary."
"I wasn't so wrong after all! Wait, but what were you saying about her dad?"
"One time I ran into Mary on my way to the grocery store, and her father was with her. He was in a wheelchair, and she probably saw my confusion because she explained that he had a severe case of arthritis and that it would be painful for him to walk. He looks elderly to me, he could've said that he was her grandfather and I would've believed him."
"What about her mom?"
"Since her father can't find work, her mother works full time as a doctor at the children's hospital, so even though she gets good money, she doesn't spend a lot of time with them."
"Did Mary really tell you all of this?"
"Of course she did, she looked like she needed to talk to someone."
"Now that we're on the topic, are you going to get a job?"
"A job?"
I nod. She looks thoughtful now, as if this was something she didn't really think about. She most likely didn't, with her mood swings over the past few days. She scrunches up her eyebrows, now seriously considering this. Nonchalantly, my mother twirls her straw, swirling what is left of her cappuccino. She huffs, shrugging her shoulders.
"I don't know, really. I can't get a high paying job right away; I'll have to start with something simple. Maybe…"
"A teacher."
"A teacher? I'm not so sure about that, though working with children sounds nice, especially with this tiny one on its way."
She gestures to her stomach, and when I look closely, I can see a tiny baby bump. Or maybe that's my imagination, but it's really interesting knowing that my little brother or sister is growing inside of her. I feel like a little kid again, filled with awe at this phenomenon. I extend my arm, and as gently as possible, I lay my palm on her belly, imagining the tiny being nestled deep inside her. I close my eyes, daydreaming about this mystery child, me being the overprotective older sister and the child as the hyperactive joyful younger sibling. I've seen kids in the neighborhood with their brothers and sisters, and secretly I would be jealous. I have wished for someone to oaky with, and now it came true. I open my eyes when I feel my mother getting up from her seat, and I do the same.
When we got home, my mother said something about missing her cooking shows, and after finding the remote hidden in the couch, flipped to a channel with some lady cooking some sort of foreign dish. While she's immersing herself in her cooking fantasies, I slip out the room quietly and go up the stairs to see Slenderman and Heather in my room. When Heather catches my eye, in a flash she's beside me, and hugs me tightly. This is no ordinary tight hug; this is Heather's legendary Bear Hug of Suffocation. She mutters all kinds of apologies for no doubt her outburst earlier. I want to tell her it's okay, I know she didn't mean to say that, no reason to be stressed out over something she said without thinking. But alas, her hug leaves no air in my lungs to even mumble a sound, hence my name for her death grip. When my fingertips go numb, she finally releases me, her face covered in more pleas for forgiveness. This time I can assure her that I'm not holding a grudge against her or anything like that.
"Andrea I'm so sorry I didn't mean what I said it just came out I hope you understand how deeply sorry I am-"
"Calm down! It's fine, stop being a worrywart."
"Thanks. I swear I'll never say anything like that."
"Don't swear, it will happen again and as longer as you don't mean to offend, it will be alright."
"You're such an awesome friend, Andrea! Queen of the Himalaya!"
"You too, Heather the Feather."
"Not so much anymore, I feel like I gained some weight."
"Duh, you're older now, but you're not fat at all, if that's what you're saying."
"I have a little chub over here! And look at my thunder thighs, don't you see how they jiggle?"
"Trust me when I say that you're in no way chubby, and those aren't thunder thighs. You look like you exercise, too!"
"I did play soccer for a while. I was a total soccer star! You should've seen me, I just flew!"
"Woah, really?"
"Nope. I did play soccer, but I'm not THAT good. Geez, it doesn't even look like it anyway, so don't patronize me Andrea!"
"Whatever."
"Hey, we're leaving Slendy out of this!"
I'm perfectly fine. And don't call me that.
"How about Slendy-roo?"
How about no.
"Slendy-kins?"
No way.
"Slendy-senpai?"
Now you're just being ridiculous.
"Aren't you a ray of sunshine, huh?"
You're quite the annoying one.
"You're quite the grumpy one."
There has to be some violation in those rules, right Andrea?
"Why are you dragging me into this? And no, this conversation is good the way it is."
Why do you side with the crazy one?
"Why do you call her crazy?"
"I am crazy, truthfully. I'm crazy and I know it, and I'm proud enough to show it."
You definitely are.
"You shut your face! …Oh. Never mind."
Heather said she wanted to show Slenderman and me something in the woods, so after asking my mother who was really focusing on the cooking show on the TV screen, I was given the okay. We raided the pantry for those granola bars Heather was so obsessed about, and since there was only three left, I planned to offer my mother to run errands and get the bars. We all went out through the back door, and even though Slenderman volunteered to use his magical abilities to get there faster, Heather turned it down. Either she wanted to enjoy the scenery or something else she wasn't telling us yet. Now that we're walking through the forestry with the pine trees, I noticed that the section with the pine trees isn't all that big. I was pretty sure it was very vast, but there was my lack of measuring accuracy in the way. Heather stood still for a few moments, and took a sharp left. She shouted that it was that way, and I'm running along with her while Slenderman is doing whatever he always does behind our backs. Déjà vu comes to me in waves, and I'm desperately trying to grasp why is this place so familiar.
"C'mon Andrea, you slowpoke!"
"I don't even know where is that thin you're showing us, how do I know where to go?"
"Follow the leader!"
"Can I trust you as a leader, Heather?"
"Don't be a goofball, I'm an awesome leader! Why don't you trust my leadership?"
I have not a clue.
"See, Slendy is on my side!"
"Wasn't that a sarcastic tone, though?"
"Not at all. He was very clearly supporting me. Your support would be nice too, Andrea."
"You better not be misleading me."
"Of course I'm not, your uttermost and highest majesty."
"And that, Heather, was clearly sarcasm."
"So? Mr. Dressed To Impress over here was in no way contradicting me."
Dressed to impress?
"Why else would you dress so stuffy? Is there someone special! Ooh! Slendy has a girl in mind, hm?"
Don't get your hopes high, human. This romance you're trying to create wouldn't exist, I haven't met any of my kind. I don't even know if there are more.
"But then," Heather strikes her dramatic pose, "When dear old Slendy is feeling his worse, out of blue appears the woman of his dreams, here to rescue him from the cold clutches of reality. Behold, the Slenderwoman, who he only imagined to be fantasy, holds his hand, drags him away from his dreary destiny, and they both disappear in the sunset. The end."
I take it you like drama.
"I'm a total drama queen. Andrea may be the queen of the Himalaya, but I am the drama queen. Not just any drama queen, THE drama queen."
"Not to ruin your whole drama thing, but are we there yet?"
"Patience is key, Andrea. But yeah, we're almost there. You should recognize this, by the way."
"I should?"
"Think Andrea, think. But not too hard. Use your thinking cap."
I observe the setting. We're still in the pine forest, and there's a bunch of trees all over the place. A squirrel frantically climbs up a tree when we get close. But then there's a rock that seems out of place, a tall tree that stands out, and something about how everything is arranged. What is it? I give up, but when I look at the tall tree again, my brain finally comes up with my location. This section right here is super close to the mysterious cave with the Operator symbol. What is Heather thinking? She must be planning this only for Slenderman, since I already know about this. I'm not really sure if this is a good idea, but I'll have to trust Heather. She looks back at me and sees my hesitation, and slightly nods. At this point, I can see the massive pile of rocks. I sneak a peek at Slenderman to see his reaction. Too bad he doesn't have a face to demonstrate his feelings, leaving his reactions to his body language. His fingers twitch the tiniest bit, and his shoulders are somewhat tense. I can even see the tips of his tentacles poking out from his back. You better not screw this up, Heather.
"Ta-da! This is it. Not only you should recognize this, Andrea, but Slendy too."
How did you find this?
"When I first got here, I explored around and I ran into this. Not much to it. I also showed Andrea."
But why would you show me a build up of rocks?
"Don't act so naïve Slendy, you know what this is. But we don't. Would you care to explain?"
It's a little something called none of your business.
"Whoa, Slendy has some attitude! So sorry for asking."
"Hold on," I speak up, taking a risk, "Why are the Operator Symbols inside?"
You went inside?
"Yup, ya better believe it. Why don't you answer Andrea's question?"
Personal reasons. Let's go somewhere else.
"Haven't you gotten into people's businesses before? I wouldn't believe you if you said that in all your years of living, you haven't forced yourself in at the very least one person's life."
Not exactly. But that doesn't matter right now. We won't talk about this.
"Oh really? Why not?"
Because I said so.
I can literally feel the tension in the air as Heather and Slenderman argue. A small ringing resonates in my ears. There's also something I can't describe, like the feeling of static. It almost feels like when my foot falls asleep, and there are all those little prickles. Except it's my whole body, as if a million microscopic insects were crawling on me. That's the best I can distinguish this. It must be coming from the paranormal man of the woods, who just extended his tentacles to their full length. He looks pissed at Heather, and for a good reason too. I shift my eyes between the two, nervousness setting in. What would happen if he would go all out? He never got angry at me, and I don't know how far his capabilities can go. All of the sudden I feel like I have a runny nose, and when I wipe it with my arm, I see the bright crimson of my blood. My eyes widen in surprise and fear, and I decide right then I need to stop this, because nobody else will.
"Guys! You need to stop this!"
They're not answering me.
"Hey! You really have to stop! Now!"
Nothing. I run in between them.
"STOP!"
They finally listen to me, ceasing their argument. My breaths are quick and short, and my heart thumps in my chest. I look down and see my shirt with splotches of blood. Throughout all this time, my nose has been bleeding, the flow gradually increasing as they continued to fight. My face is covered in sweat, as well as my clenched fists. If this went on, I would probably have an anxiety attack. Why did this scare me so much? I've seen Heather in fights before. Heck, she's the type who loves challenging people and finding ways to tick them off. It's the person she's provoking is what worries me. Slenderman isn't someone who you're supposed to mess with, I could tell in the tone of voice he uses. They stare at my now unkempt appearance. They looked as shocked as I did. My vision fuzzes over for a second, but it clears itself up. Good thing I didn't lose consciousness, though that would affect them even more. Not a peep escapes our mouths, or at least those who have mouths.
There's just the sound of the birds.