At first there was nothing but a shadow, until you realize there is form and depth, one soon starts to see a man. Just him, hiding behind his bars of bark as the space around him stretches, turns, twists and sometimes cracks in incredible forms. This is how he creates fear, moving inevitable death at will, appearing in one's view in an instant while leaving you at the mercy of your fears. And then suddenly, I see his black tie, suit and white shirt inching out of the dark. All that keeps him living latches onto his cage but, his body keeps moving forward towards me. He watches with caution as to whether he should fully enter the light where I stood. He decides he wants to come closer to me and I watch his sad struggle as he leaves all that he's know in the dark, to come into the light. He could rid my light so easily yet, I embrace all that he is anyways, already having stolen him. So he makes a decision, he forgets everything that he knows he shouldn't and embraces me back.

"Are you happy?"

Are you happy? My brave statement repeats in my head as grief invades my chest. He wouldn't respond when I had asked him this. Did I say something bad?

Once Daniel left we spent the evening together, chatting next to the lifeless tree. He was troubled that Daniel came back here, troubled that I spoke of him to Daniel. But then, his mood changed and he shrugged all of it off. He told me that it was fine, it won't become a problem. It doesn't matter anymore. Why did he say that? What does he mean by that? I can't help but believe there is a deeper meaning all the time... Because there always has been.

I'm walking home now because we had decided to call it a day, it was probably noon and time for lunch. We said small goodbyes and decided to leave it at that, so he didn't walk me home. Besides... he doesn't need to escort me everywhere.

Back when I was struggled to look up as we danced, he kissed me on my head. Now that I think about it... It was the first time his actual lips have touched me.

A few days pass and I remember the emotion of "miss" or "want." They haven't been fighting, instead going through the honeymoon phase again. The cycle of violence, it's called. So it would make sense Slender would have no reason to come here. But- can't he be a bit more considerate? I'm kinda lonely here without him.

"Without," what a sad word. I'm without... When you have a relationship with someone- is missing normal? Is being sad because you're without- normal? Well of course, you would think, it only makes sense. So I guess this means, it doesn't make sense to him. I wonder what he's doing.

I lie on my bed, staring up at my ceiling. My lamp illuminates the room slightly red and then the words begin to spill and I feel another form of "miss." My senses shake me as I listen to words, words and more words. Shut up. They don't even know the concept. But I'm tired and I don't want to leave, I want to lie, lie awake and think peacefully about Slender. Even if it's bad or troublesome, I love to think about him. Even if all I can think is "I miss him," it's far better than listening. Now all I can think of missing is the still silence of my room. No thoughts can be processed in this kind of environment. None at all. I tightly close my eyes and groan, pathetically. I'm kind of mad honestly... Mad that if he shows up right now just because I'm not well- is his only reason for being here. I thought... We were always going to try to be together as much as possible, not just when I'm sad and want someone. I want to tell him that I always want to be around him, just so that he knows. So...

"Stop staring at me." I eye at him across the room as he stands stoic and still. I look away. He moves closer and sits down close to me, still looking at me, analyzing, reading me. So why is it now that he's here, instead of wanting to be angry... I want to tear up a little. I should tell him how I feel... but the words won't come out. Anything at least. But I don't, I just keep still and silent until my lip starts to pucker and I have no choice but to turn around so he can't see.

"You're upset." His voice finally breaches the emptiness of my room and I remember every moment he has done so before. I've missed you. "Is it because you've missed me all this time?" I shut my eyes tight and he starts to lay down... Cradling me in his arms, he presses his body up against mine. It's been some time since we've first spooned, and it's just as both terrifying and thrilling as I remember. It's overwhelming and I can feel my whole body tense up in a desire to relax, but it's so difficult. My breathing becomes rough and he holds my arms closer to my chest and I love it. I love to be held, I never knew I could love this, or that it was something I wanted at all. Something... Something I've always needed, for far longer than I could remember. And I have a feeling that I'm sure, it's the same for him too. What a terribly equal exchange. Warmth and comfort. But then, far back in my mind I still feel a stranger next to me. Maybe that's why I can't relax or have even forced myself to do so in the past. My eyes water just enough, only to fall onto his hand. He reacts immediately and moves his hand just for a moment to rub his thumb on my cheek. It's so precious and makes me grateful he'd do even such a small thing. I remember now what I missed so dearly. It was this concern that he shows in such small amounts, even unknowing to him yet, he's felt obligated to do it. "I'm sorry I've been away." His voice is so calm, it took nothing for him to say it, not even the slightest hesitation in his voice. Neither of my parents have apologized before, not to each other or to me. Hearing it so often from someone so out of the blue feels like a gift. Do I even deserve such a statement? It's not like I'm unused to being alone, so why? There's something I'm missing. I take a deep breathe and close my eyes letting my body loosen up and give more weight. Besides, I'm sure he can handle my measly 130 pounds. His apology in the air is now the only tense thing left in the room. Every statement I can think of zooms in and out through my brain as a reply or rather, an individual statement. And then I'm set on one in particular-

"Are you happy, Slender?"

"...What's this again?"

"You never told me the answer..." There is a moment of silence.

"I suppose I didn't."

"I thought you were going to try and answer my questions from now on..." I pout.

"I'm sorry." He squeezes me, as if asking for forgiveness. I don't get it, why is this all so upsetting to me? Because he's unhappy? It makes me worry. And I worry because I care- I care about Slenderman.

"No... You don't need to apologize. It's okay if you don't understand or... know yet." They're shouldn't be anything wrong with that, I'm just being selfish. But, I guess I'm just sad because his immediate answer isn't yes. Maybe Slender just doesn't believe he's happy, or won't admit to it...

"It's not that I-" He stops midway. "...don't know. Happiness is... Happy is just an unusual word is all."

"Not really." I pout once more. He chuckles a bit.

"Yes, you're right. It's just me then." I can't help it... I'm worried. If not more troubled now. I take my arm and press my elbow against his torso expressing I want him to scoot back a little. Afterwards, I rotate myself around to face him and he doesn't hesitate to cradle me again. I get a nervous feeling when our feet or legs brush up against each other and I move away. He then takes his hand and runs it through my hair from my roots, giving me butterflies. I can't tell whether I like it or not at first only to find it relaxing. Embarrassed because he can now see my face, I try to bury my head into the pillow. But I'm a liar. In the end I enjoy the attention from him, I didn't know I ever wanted someone to look at me... And for that matter I can't stop thinking. It's hard to imagine to have someone to hold me, to talk to me, to apologize to me... To love me. Yet somehow, that's exactly what's happened.

"Where have you been? I-" The deep feeling of wanting to hold in all my troubled thoughts now all have no flame. "I've really missed you." I gasp a little as he suddenly brings his head down and presses it against my forehead. A kiss, but he doesn't move away. I decide look up so my face is inches away from his. I make another decision to reach up and touch where his mouth would be. I remember the last time he showed it to me. Then in a swift movement-

"You're too sweet, you know that." He takes hold of my waist and brings me closer to him. Our torsos press against one another and he sets his chin on top of my head, his other arm, still weaving through my hair. I freeze up at the intimacy. Our legs intertwine a bit, leaving me uneasy. When we first met, he was loud and intense. He threatened to choke me and then in the woods, he dragged me along the ground when I helped Daniel. Every time since then he has been careful with me. I am much smaller than him too so it makes sense but, lately he has been almost demanding in some movements he makes. And so far they have all been at my waist. His grabbing and then tugging kind of scare me. "You've had a lot on your mind since I've gotten here, just how many emotions are you going to cycle through tonight?" Of course...

"I guess a lot." He's just laying there, reading all the little feelings I'm getting.

"Would you like to share?" I'm comforted by the question and just know I'll do so in some shape or form. And then something loud crashes amidst the terror growing downstairs and I'm shoved back into reality. My heart drops and my whole body jolts as I swerve to stare at my door. My heart starts to beat quickly and I'm filled with intense anguish and distress. "Blaye." In a worrisome tone he grabs my arm, but I give him no looks or notice. At this, he gets up to put himself behind me and wraps his arms around my waist, tugging for me to come closer. I relax a little and let myself slump back against him. "What would you like to do Blaye?" His words slip out so neatly and my heart jumps for a moment.

"Nothing." I say as though I'm in despair but I truly mean it. We don't have to leave or go anywhere to get away. I don't want him to do anything to stop them. Everything is fine just like this. It doesn't matter anymore.