A week later, I take a breath; a calm breath, not one that chokes me with something that I can't seem to get out of my throat. A psychic knocks on the door of our house. Come to solve the possible problem that we have. She's insisted to come a little after sun down when things like this are most active.
"Blaye, the psychic is here." My mother informs at my door.
"I'll be right there." Completely dressed I wait for my mother's footsteps to disappear. When they do I leave my room and head downstairs. At the foot of the stairs a young women around her fifty's, stands at the front door. My mother and father notice me right away.
I've been thinking.
"Nice to meet you." I found myself shaking her hand.
"Nice to meet you; I assume this is your daughter?"
"Yes." My mother answers.
I've been thinking a lot.
"My name is Hilda, I've come to solve the spiritual disturbance in your home."
"Thank you for coming." Mom replies.
"Let's move this to the living room." My dad advises as my mom starts to already converse with Hilda about everything that's been odd in the house.
I've been thinking about my parents.
We all take a seat in the spacious room around the marble coffee table. Oddly, my parents sit next to each other on the large couch while Hilda and I sat on separate, smaller couches across from each other. My mom just finishes explaining to Hilda why she called her over.
And what they'll do if the psychic does sense something.
"Actually," Hilda starts.
And when she's incapable of getting rid of him,
"There's quite a bit of energy in this house."
will we move?
"But even more so, focused on your daughter." I look up, she had been smiling at me. Not a word comes out.
"Blaye?" My mother questions, but not directing it at me.
"It's really interesting actually, I've never encountered something like this before." She sounds genuine. "So you are correct when you believe that there is something in your home, but it's only here for one reason and that is your daughter." Even though I knew this, why am I so surprised after hearing it? "It's almost intent on crowding her, as though in fear something will happen to her if it doesn't."
"He." I correct. Everyone's attention is turned to me. Shoot. "Sorry, go on-"
"No, you believe it's a he?" Hilda says.
"...Yeah." A large, cold hand is placed on my shoulder. I don't look up, I already know who it is.
"So you do know more on the situation that us?"
"How do we get rid of it?" My mother pushes anxiously. I'm almost offended at seeing that my mom wasn't paying attention to the whole point of the conversation between Hilda and I.
"I believe if anyone has the most power in this situation, it would be you're daughter, Blaye." My mother only eyes at me, as though still not convinced.
"Blaye can't possibly have anything to do with this."
"How do you know?" I defend. The psychic doesn't protest and decides to observe instead. "You thought I was the cause of it before; Why not now?"
"Because that's when it didn't have to do with another person being in the house." She states firmly.
"And why can't I have something to do with that?"
"Because why would you?" She sounds annoyed.
"The psychic just said that I did." My voice ripples in anger.
"Then get it to leave." Sender's hand tightens on my shoulder.
"He won't leave." I speak for him. "I don't have to worry." She's silent for a moment.
"Then we'll leave." My mother doesn't argue with me; my stomach drops. She stands up. "Thank you Hilda, for coming out here, but I think we're just going to move." I'm speechless. This isn't right; my mom, she's making fun of me. She's testing me in some way, until she knows whats true.
"If that makes things easier for you." As Hilda stood up, I did the same. But I couldn't bring myself to say anything. Slenderman stood up behind me. My mother and Hilda start to leave the room. My father still sat silently, not having a thing to say.
"Wait!" They stop. "This isn't fair, Why does he have to leave?"
"It's a danger-"
"He's not dangerous!" I cut her off.
"Don't. you. Dare. Raise your voice to me."
"He-he's nothing mom, It's nothing. That was just one time! L- let me prove it to you!"
"Blaye!"
"He won't do it again! Please! I want to stay here!"
"I'm not arguing with you Blaye! And I'm not playing this game with you!"
"But mom!" Slenderman's hands held both my upper arms.
"Blaye, Go to your-" But she freezes, a terrified expression grows on her face. Hilda gasps. Everyone's gone silent- just like those boys. I throw my head up to Slender whose wickedly smiling profile inched over my shoulder. They can see him, can't they? "Blaye, come over here." She brings her hand out but doesn't remove her eyes off of the tall smiling man behind me.
"Mom, I swear he's not dangerous." My voice comes out slow and utterly desperate, in which I was. She looks down at me and after seeing I wasn't scared at all, her frustration returns.
"We're leaving Blaye-"
"I can get him to leave-!" I cut her off quickly. My heart had been pounding in my chest with a mixture of fear, nerves and anxiety. I only then noticed when I suddenly felt exhausted.
"Then do it, Blaye." But she's not angry, no, she's desperate, like I was. Before I knew it, Slenderman was gone. Realizing this I dash past my mom and Hilda, out the front door.
Sprinting, I throw myself at the nearest tree near the front of the path. Breathing hard, I lean on it for support. I was so caught up in winning the conversation, I didn't notice how much energy it was taking out of me. Why was that so mentally painful?
"Slender!" I barely manage to yell out. "Slenderman- where-" Caught by my huffing it suddenly transforms to coughing. No, I can't still be sick, I thought it was over; I thought I got rid of it.
"Blaye..." Hearing my name, I eye around. He stood a few feet in the forest.
"Dammit, Slenderman-" But I'm forced back into a coughing fit. Pushing off the tree I start to head over to him. "Why would you do that? I don't want you to leave! -I don't want to leave!" He kneels down thoughtfully as I come close but only to place my fists on his chest.
"Blaye." He says again. Despite my slight exhaustion I pound his chest with my fists. It's like hitting a hard mattress.
"Look what you've-" I choke up and continue to cough harshly. Suddenly he presses the back of his cold hand on my neck. Immediately I stop coughing and am thrown into relief. My eyes droop as his other hand holds my upper arm gently, almost to keep me still. I finally start to calm down, placing my hands away from his chest. I shut my eyes tightly in a distressed manner but I can't bring myself to say anything. It's almost a feeling of... It's okay not to talk. You can rest now. As the sky inched into complete darkness I open my eyes and all I see is his pale face.
"Blaye," His voice was gentle. "What is it that you want most right now?" He takes his hands away. Already, without thinking of why he'd ask this, I start to list off all the things I wanted in my head. "There's a lot of things you want out of the way right now, isn't there? Things you want to be solved quickly?"
"Yes..." I want to be his friend; and I wish I never asked... am I a replacement?
"Such as?" He gives me his full attention.
"You seeing me as just Blaye... and nothing else."
"Then it's granted." I blink in confusion bringing my head up a little more. No, things can't be solved that easily.
"But..."
"Thank you Blaye, for making me realize something that wasn't true. And I'm sorry that even for a second you had to believe it was."
"What do you mean?"
"For a few moments in my life, I did believe you were Elizabeth. And those were the only moments I thought of you as her. Blaye, I guarantee, every moment after that I only saw you as what you've shown me." He stands up. "I'll say it once again, you're not a replacement." A slight fluttering was left in my stomach while staring up in fascination and all I can think is: I'm glad. The front door to the house clicks in my ears. I look to see Hilda exiting and as she gets in her car, I see her smile and wave at me. I can't manage a smile or a wave. Soon enough her car lights searching throughout the night are out of sight. "If I may ask," Slender's deep voice, "Where do you plan to go tonight?" I turn.
"With you." There was really no question about it. And just as we're about to bring our hands together.
"Blaye! Get inside! NOW!" I flinch at my mother's sudden stern orders. I've never felt so disappointed, and when we're finally on good terms again. Just as I start towards the house I hear a faint, "I'll meet you in your room." But when I look around, he's gone.