AN: Welcome back to Colors! Nothing much to say this time.

I don't own Slender but I do own everyone else... *laughs evily* and this chapter is an example of what I can do to them.

Muchas gracias for your reviews, as always, I very much appreciate all the feedback :D

Chapter 19

I devour the third blueberry pancake before eyeing my next delicious victim available. I can hear a scolding sound from Heather across the table, making me crack a smile. I gulp down some milk to wash down my breakfast. Here, inside the dining room, it's nice and toasty. Outside tells another story. There's snow covering any surface it can gain access to. Looking at the neighborhood from a nearby window, I have to squint because the purely white snow reflects the sun's rays, casting a glare. Breaking away from my gaze, I make space for a fourth pancake before I hear someone speak.

"Honey, I think three pancakes is enough, how about you?"

I frown, but I don't say anything until I swallowed the pancake I was chewing on.

"You can never have enough of these pancakes. C'mon dad, you know this."

"Don't girls your age worry about their weight? Eating four pancakes will pack on some pounds."

"Gee, thanks for the encouragement. You know what? I'll take two."

I snatch two pancakes and pour the maple syrup on them. My father sighs, giving up. Heather sits somewhat uncomfortably, but doesn't say a word. The rest of breakfast remained in silence besides the clash and clinging of the silverware.

My mother recovered and was awake from what happened, but had to stay in the hospital because the baby was put in danger and they have to constantly monitor her. It's complicated, my father tried to explain what happened but he fumbled over his words like how he started doing recently. More stuff happened and now he's taking care of us. I say "us" because Heather is staying with us like part of our family. We had to explain the situation to my parents, and they understood. I don't even know if it's ok with the law, but then again, we really don't care. Heather and I are like sisters now, it's so nice. So that pretty much accounts for everyone. Almost everyone.

I haven't seen him. At all. The last time I saw Slenderman was when he almost fed on me. A whole month has passed and there's no sign of him. I went into the woods several times and for long times too, looking for him. I even went in the middle of the night to see if he would show his face— uh, I mean his non-face. But there's no static, no ringing in my ears, nothing at all. My head feels empty now because I don't hear his voice anymore. I desperately miss him and I tried everything to see him again.

The farthest I ever went was to go to the cave and cut my hand— a small one, but big enough to drip blood. The Operator's Symbols glowed, but he didn't come. Heather found me in there crying and told me I should be getting home. The symbols still glowed as we went out. The next day it rained, and after it stopped in the evening, I waited until it was dark and everyone was asleep. I snuck to the cave again only to find that the cave collapsed on itself. I told myself that it was the rain, that the rocks slipped or something, and fell. But my conscience told me that couldn't be and said that it looked like something—or someone—knocked it over intentionally.

I went to the woods everyday to find something else as well. Slenderman's cabin, the one he brought me to after he searched my memories. I used pretty much all my free time to look for it. My father had always been uneasy with me going to the woods, no doubt because of his own experience with Slenderman, but I went anyway. At one point his apprehensiveness overcame him and he told me I should stop going to the woods. But nothing compared to his anxiety when he found out I've been going at night. Apparently he didn't know I snuck out until a week, maybe two later. He asked Heather to keep an eye on me at all times, especially when he wasn't there. Doesn't he understand that I don't need a babysitter; I can take care of my self just fine!

But enough of that. I went up to the kitchen sink to wash my plate and my glass after eating the last two pancakes I said I was going to eat. I was still in my pajamas, after all, we weren't going anywhere… right?

My father stood up quickly. "Let's go somewhere today!"

The Universe hates me, doesn't it.

"I love that awesome fabutastic idea you have Mr. Castillo," interjected Heather, "but where in this teeny tiny town can we go?"

I spoke up. "To the woods."

"What's up with you and the woods?" my father asked, "I was thinking to go somewhere we don't usually go to."

"Maybe," Heather suggested, "we can go to the mall. Some window shopping don't hurt no one."

My father looked over to me to see what I said about it, but I stayed quiet. He scratched his ear before giving an idea of his own.

"Why not the ice skating rink? Ice skating is fun, right?"

"I've only gone skating like once or twice Mr. Castillo, and that was roller skating."

"Well, it never hurts to try!"

"You're obviously forgetting the bruise factor," Heather said with a cringe, "that's awfully painful if you ask me."

"After you get over with that, you'll do just fine! Okay, it's settled. You two girls get ready."

I followed Heather as she galloped her way upstairs. We had gone to the mall last week; I guess that's why my father really didn't want to go again. She got several dresses of course. She opened the closet while I flopped on the bed. That's another thing. My dad put bunk beds in my room so Heather could sleep in here comfortably. She got the top bunk, despite the obvious danger she was putting herself in. Or maybe I was just paranoid. She picked out a sea green midi dress and began spinning around in it. I clapped for her performance, and then went to the dresser to get my clothes. I chose a peach colored shirt and blue jeans, nothing fancy. Heather says I should put on a dress one time, but I didn't like it when I tried one on. I feel too girly.

Heather braided her blond hair neatly as I brushed my black hair. When she was done, she looked at me and went over to me.

"Hey Andrea, you should braid your hair too," Heather stated as she ran her fingers through the strands of my wavy hair.

"Thanks, but I like it loose."

"But Andrea," Heather whined, "your hair would look so prettyful in a braid! Just let me do one and if you don't like it you can take it out, okay?"

"Well, I guess."

"Trust me, you'll love it."

She brushed my hair out a bit more, and then proceeded to braid it. I have to admit it felt really good. Mine wouldn't be as long as hers, but mine was more in volume. She hummed a simple tune as she went along, and when she finished she stepped back and gasped. I turned around quickly at this.

"W-what does that mean? Did you mess up?"

"No silly, it looks so gorgeous. You will not take out that braid, you hear me? You will keep that masterpiece of a hairstyle."

"I can't even see it now. Where's a mirror?"

"I have one right here!"

She had a handheld mirror and turned it towards me. I turned my head this way and that, looking at what I can see from the mirror. I can't see much of the braid, but it looks nice, almost as if a professional did it. She mulled over the difficulty in my seeing it, and then ran off to my parents' room. She came back with the big mirror held carefully in her arms, then set that behind me. That's when I gasped. Heather wasn't exaggerating! It looks precious. Years of braiding her hair really helped, huh? My dark hair contrasted greatly against my light-colored shirt. I smiled at Heather.

"Wow Heather! I love it!"

"Didn't I tell you? See, you should listen to me more."

"Even when you told me to try the cookies you made?"

"Hey, that was an accident. I was pretty sure I used sugar instead of salt."

"They were labeled."

"They were turned around."

"Can't you just turn them to read the labels?"

"Whatever. C'mon, let's go downstairs."

"Okay."

We went in the small car afterwards. My father's sporty car is in our driveway once again, but we don't really drive around in it. At least when we're together, when my father goes to meetings or something, he uses it. He said that his boss lets him work from his laptop, but meetings are mandatory. That's not the point, though. We drive over the bumpy roads, taking a while to get to our destination. Heather fell asleep pretty quickly, snoring softly. I stare out the window, watching the cars pass by. When we drove around where the elementary school is located, my eyes automatically scan over the small are of woods I can see, straining to see a familiar figure in a suit. As expected, there was nothing. I thought I saw him far off, but I brushed it off as a tree.

When we arrive, I shake Heather gently to wake her up. Not getting a response, I shake her rather roughly. She wakes up suddenly, making me jump. She complains about not getting her beauty sleep, but gets out the car. The skating rink is outside, and I can see people of all ages enjoying themselves. We get inside the small building to pay and to get the ice skates. I notice Heather shifting her eyes around, looking nervous. I laugh and shove her arm playfully.

"Loosen up! It's really fun, trust me."

"I'm fine, what in the world makes you think I'm nervous?"

"It's pretty obvious, Heather."

"Not really but whatever, believe what you want."

We step on the outer sides of the rink without the ice. Sitting on the seats provided, we lace up the skates. Heather did hers surprisingly fast. I tangled up mine and she laughed at me. My father had to help me since I messed up kind of badly. When we were done my father just stepped in the rink and skated flawlessly. He taught me before, and even though I can't skate as good as him, I can skate securely. Heather on the other hand was gripping on the edge of the rail like her life depended on it. She had a look of terror on her face that wanted to make me laugh, but I felt bad so I went over to her to help her out.

"Need a hand?"

"Shut up Andrea, I can do this!"

"You've only gone like five inches."

"You're exaggerating."

"Alright, six inches."

"Are you gonna keep on bullying me or will you actually help me?"

"Fine, give me your hand then."

"But if I do, I'm gonna slip and fall on my butt."

"Are you saying you don't trust me, Heather? And here I was thinking that we've gone so far in our friendship."

"I get it! Here, but if I fall it's your fault."

She held out her hand as I took it, her other still gripping the rail tightly. I skate slowly so she would get used to the speed. She's moving a little faster than she was before, actually making progress. Her legs wobble like a newborn giraffe's, but she steadies herself with my help. We skate around the edge once, and then twice. After we finished a couple more laps, I let her go unexpectedly. Her arms extend out right away, attempting to balance herself. After waving around for a second, she steadies herself. She looks at me with a pout.

"Why did ya let me go like that?!"

"You balanced yourself. You should feel proud."

"Yeah, but you put me at high risk."

"Aren't you the type to be taking risks?"

"Only if they aren't this dangerous."

"Heather, you jumped off of a tree before."

"Well Slendy was there to catch me."

"You would have still done it if he wasn't there."

"You don't know that for sure, Andrea."

"You aren't denying it."

She raises her arm to protest, which instantly throws her off balance and makes her slip like a cartoon character. I wince when she landed on her behind, smack on the ice. She yells out, and frowns. She tries to blame me right away, but my father cuts in between us.

"Girls, our rental time for the ice skates is almost over. How about we go home and drink some hot chocolate?"

"Sounds cool, Mr. Castillo!"

"How about you, Andrea?"

"Do we have marshmallows?"

"I'm sure we do," my father confirms, "now come on, we have to get these back."

On the car ride home, I feel somewhat tired yet sincerely happy. I really liked the skating rink and since I haven't gone in a long time, I feel refreshed. Heather fell asleep yet again; it's her fault since she stays up so late at night. We didn't pass by the woods this time, and I look at my father in the mirror in question. He notices my confused look and answers me.

"We do have marshmallows, but we don't have the hot chocolate power. I forgot that we ran out last week. We're heading towards the store to get some."

"Oh, ok."

He drives in the parking lot of a Walmart and is fortunate enough to get a space close to the entrance. My father, a sleepy Heather, and I walk to the entrance of the store, and we head straight towards the aisle where they have the chocolate power. "We" as in my father, since Heather and I got distracted easily by the treats and sweets displayed near that aisle. We beg him to get something, but he said that we already had chocolate chip cookies at home and there was no reason to buy more. Besides, he told us, they weren't on sale anyways.

When my father was waiting in line to pay for it, I let him know that I was going to wait close to the entrance. He nodded and Heather decided to stay with him, so I went there alone. I was looking at a magazine with too much news stuffed on the cover, which were mostly a bunch of pictures taken by the paparazzi, when I saw a man outside who appeared to be looking for something. Being the Good Samaritan that I was, I went out and asked him what's wrong.

"My cat, my sweet little princess has run off!" He said in a gruff voice, quite distressed, "she ran off to the side and I can't find her!"

"Maybe I can help?"

"Thank you so much, lassie. I believe she went over there somewhere, to where the garbage is."

He pointed off to the side of the Walmart, the part where there were those parking spaces that nobody used except during the holidays and Black Fridays when it gets crowded. However, there was a small car there, but I thought nothing of it. I looked at the large containers of trash, having to hold my nose at the stench. Maybe the cat ran off close to the car? I went there looking under the car. I hear the man walk to where I am, most likely to help me look. He gets out these jingling keys from his pocket and opens the trunk. I feel very nervous at that point, looking at my situation. I came here by myself outside without letting my father know I'll go out here, and here is a mysterious man with the car parked out here who is alone as well with me in this dark area where there are no witnesses. Stomach twisted up in a knot, I was about to run away until the man grabbed me by the shoulders.

"You're such a naïve little girl."

"Let me go!"

"This is what happens when you talk to strangers, missy. Haven't your parents ever taught you that?"

He shoves me forcefully in the trunk and shuts it, making me feel dreadfully claustrophobic. I scream and I pound on the inside, but to no avail. I can hear his muffled laughs as he gets in the far and starts it. I keep on yelling and thrashing until I tire out. The car is moving to an unknown place, and I can't even imagine what'll happen once I get there. I roll into a ball and cry softly, distraught at what's happening. Heather and my father are possibly out by now, searching for me.

But they can't hear my cries.