A/N: I am thinking about spicing up the story a bit... Maybe adding surprise guests... Hmm... I haven't been getting much sleep lately do to thinking about how I should continue... perhaps I should listen to the voice in my head telling me to... "GO. TO. SLEEP!"

Chapter 8: Insomnia...

Panning her head with thoughts of such a peaceful, lustful, amazing and all in all chilling kiss that seemed to fill the air with passion ran through poor Prudence's head. Her eyes seemed to shutter as she began to realize she was sleeping outside. She was laying underneath a willow tree near a river. It seemed really peaceful here. Was her kiss also a dream? She sat herself up, her mind sort of illuminating bits and pieces of how her month treated her. She wondered if Matt and the others were after her. Even though that thought circulated her brain she didn't feel in slightest unprotected. She knew Slender had to be keeping a close eye on her, after what he let happen? She was sure he hated himself for that.

The ground was damp, and seemed to seep through her clothes, but quickly dried as she began walking. Where was she planning on going? She still hasn't had an official mission quite yet. Slender seemed like he didn't want to put her under that pressure quite yet. But she was pumped. She wanted to prove to him that what happened to her recently didn't weaken her, but in fact made her stronger and more ready. She wasn't a frivolous, scatter-brained, teenage girl anymore. She was a more subdued, strong and ready woman. After the adult situations she's been put through at such an early time in her life, she felt more and older and wiser.

As she continued her walk through what seemed like a secluded abandoned park (which in fact was quite peaceful and alluring.) The birds seemed to be out with much anticipation to ready their newly hatched young for the spring, scurrying squirrels recently awoken and are (no pun intended) bright-eyed and bushy-tailed with nut filled cheeks and shedding fur from warmth. A sure sign that spring was on its way.

She soon crossed a fence that had a beat up and bullet holed metal sign that read:

NO TRESPASSING AND/OR HUNTING UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES!
ANIMAL RESERVE

She obviously didn't have a choice, she already was trespassing. She didn't want to seem like a delinquent, stepping out of a excluded reserve in front a shit load of people. Who happened to be walking near by, considering this reserve was next to an actual play park full of children and people out for picnics and walking dogs. She quickly made sure that no passer bys were around and she quickly jumped the fence, catching a couple of kids' eyes. As she did, she collected herself, before being bombarded by her admirers.

"Hey, why did you climb out of that forest?" Asked one of the kids, it was a boy of nine. His curiosity was just as rambunctious as the other three who stood behind him, acting as side kicks.

"Yeah, you know you can't go in there. Did you escape jail?" Asked a little girl, whose mouth held metal braces. Prudence gave her a 'what-the-hell-do-you-think-you-are- saying' look.

Prudence made a nervous laugh. "I lost my dog. I was just looking for him. I didn't see the sign... heh," lied Prudence. The kids made a face of dread and sympathy.

"Can we help you?" Asked the boy of nine. The other kids behind him beamed.

"Yeah!" they said in unison. There Prudence had an idea. If she left these kids to finding her missing "dog", they will lay off her back.

"Uh, yeah! Of course you can!" Said Prudence with a large smile on her face. "He's a uh..." she took a moment to think of name and what kind of dog he was. "He's a husky and his name is Fido... Yeah, Fido." The kids all nodded. They slip up and started calling, "FIDO FIDO HERE BOY!" Prudence let out a loud chuckle and continued walking away. Upon walking she heard a voice hum in the back of her head.

"It will rain soon, take shelter." It was Slender. She rolled her eyes.

"I'm fine, Mister. It's all good. A little rain never hurt anyone-"

"I want you to find shelter... It will get dark soon. There are many things I do not want touching you... Rain is one of them..." Said Slenderman. He was sort of being irrational. Prudence supposed it was only natural.. He probably felt horrible for not completely keeping her safe. She laughed at his hesitation when he said, "Rain is one of them..."

"Like rain is going to hurt me, but if you insist I will try to find shelter..." Said Prudence, reassuring him.

She had walked for what seemed like hours. The rain did egin to pour as the day went on and she was unmistakably wet and cold. It was dark, not like an afternoon almost night kind of darkness... But a more eerie and midnight pitch darkness. Prudence had to squint her eyes to see just a few feet in front of her. She could make out houses and the street lights seemed to kick on as soon as she need them. She suspected Slender was there, guiding her to where she needed to be, only considering the street lights only came on when she went near them. Then turned off when she wasn't. She began to realize she had no clue where to even find shelter.

"Check with that house on the end of the street. A woman and a girl live there. Not much is known of these two, for I didn't get much information from going by there. All I know is they recently moved here. They don't seem they could do any harm to you though. I prefer you go there to seek the shelter you need, my dear..." Said Slender. In a quick moment, Prudence felt the presence of Slender at her side. She checked to make sure he actually was there. Sure enough he was. He stood his height of 7 to 8 foot. Still leaving Prudence baffled. He walked with his feet, usually he would walk with his tendrils, but seeing that he seemed drained and more dreary that might be the reason he wasn't using his tentacles.

As they walked, Prudence could now see the house he was mentioning. "Don't be tedious with this place or grow any attachments. If they ask too many questions... leave..." Warned Slendy. Prudence waved her hand.

"Yeah, yeah, yeah. I get it Slender. I understand..." In a matter of seconds Slenderman disappeared. Leaving Prudence alone. She walked up to the house with courage and began thinking up a farfetched sob story to tell the woman, Slender mentioned. She rang the doorbell.

"Hello?" answered a small girl. Her hair was blonde and in pig tails. She looked to be about eight.

"Is-Is your mother home?" asked Prudence.

Suddenly a woman (beautiful) woman walked up to the door. "Hello?"

"Yes, hi. If you don't mind me asking if I could... Uh crash here for the night?" Way to be formal and upfront about it, Pru. You're such an idiot. Prudence thought cruely to herself. "I live down the road and I seemed to have locked my keys in my house. My parents are out-of-town for the weekend and the person who is suppose to bring me spare keys isn't coming until tomorrow morning. I swear I'll be out of your hair in the morning." Prudence kept thinking to herself that it was too unbelievable of a story, but to her surprise the woman was completely sympathetic and understanding.

Lying to people for Prudence wasn't such a problem anymore. The feeling went numb as she walked into the woman's house. The girl at her hips.

"Sweetie, you are no bother at all. If you like I just made chicken noodle soup and baked some bread. We have plenty if you want any?" the woman asked.

"Of course. Thank you again. I really appreciate your kindness, I'm Page by the way," Prudence said, using the same fake name she used with Matt the first time she met him.

"Page, I'm Kristie and this is Sherly. Feel free to sit yourself in the livingroom," said Kristie walking into the kitchen and fixing Prudence a plate. Prudence cautiously walk into the living room, which wasn't that large, and plopped herself down on the couch. Sh shivered and cupped her hands over her nose and mouth. She was still damp from the rain. The girl, Sherly, seemed shy. She sat herself in the middle of the room on the floor near a couple of dolls. She began playing with them, ignoring Prudence all together.

About a minute passes and Kristie walks in with a tray full of food and hands it to Prudence. She curiously takes the offer and stuffs her face with the first hot meal she's had in what seemed like forever. It instantly reminded her of her mother and how she use to cook her soup on cold rainy days. The nostalgia hit her like a bullet, but she shrugged it off and continued eating.

As hours passed, Kristie put Sherly to bed. That's when Prudence became curious.

"So, did you recently move here?" Prudence asked.

"Yes, we sort of had to," she said handing Prudence yet another offering. It was hot chocolate.

"Why is that? If you don't mind me asking?"

"No, no it's quite alright. I trust you for some reason. Besides it's been awhile since I had a decent conversation with anyone. We have been moving quite a lot," said Kristie, her eyes suddenly looking sorrowful.

"Oh, really? Why?"

"Well, you see... Things... Haven't been going right lately. My husband was... Murdered by a man..." said Kristie. It caught Prudence off guard. She wouldn't have thought she would be so open about this.

"That's terrible!" Said Prudence.

"It's quite alright, it was several months ago. But the police still have not caught the murderer. It sort of made me restless and scared. So I have moved. I just don't feel safe anywhere," Kristie said in a shaky voice.

"How is Sherly doing?" Prudence asked. She couldn't believe Slender neglected to mention this to her...

"She's doing better. My husband wasn't even her real father. In fact... I hated my husband. He treated us so unkindly. Besides that..." continued Kristie. She suddenly started to shake. "Sherly has acted differently... She's been talking of a strange tall man who watches her sleep through the window. She's mentioned she's seen him follow us in the grocery store or when we go to the park. She's been drawing him-"

"Can I see the pictures?!" Prudence beamed. Nearly dropping the hot chocolate. It surprised Kristie, but without hesitation she got up and walked into the kitchen. Prudence followed aimlessly. Her head becoming light.

"Here," said Kristie handing her the pictures. Prudence politely grabbed them, and set the hot chocolate onto the counter. Prudence's jaw dropped as she seen the drawings Sherly drew. Each picture had Slenderman in it.

"This is amazing..." Prudence said to herself.

"I think that's the man who killed my husband..." Kristie said with a deep and angry. Prudence made a silent chuckle. Slender would never ever murder unless it was what needed to happen.

"If you suppose so?" said Prudence, again to herself.

"I'm just terrified he will try to harm me or worse... Sherly..."

Later that night Kristie made a bed on the couch for Prudence.

She just lied there... Unable to fall asleep... "Slender? Why did you suggest I come here? Are you following them?"

"The girl's mother will be killed shortly... I must take the child to a safer family. Or... He will kill her..."

Prudence never went against Slender's words... But for him to let Kristie die is... is awful. And who ever... "He" was, couldn't be as powerful as Slender. However, Prudence couldn't help but be more curious.

"Who is... 'he'?"

"That shouldn't be of your concern. Your mission here is to take the girl in the morning... Bring her to me... Alright?" Said Slender.

"Alright Mister..."

Kristie was laying in her bed, half asleep... When the sound of wind blew in through the window. Thunder boomed and lightning beamed. She jumped slightly, wondering why the window was open wide. She got herself up and went to shut it. Letting it slide. She laid back down and fell asleep. Around 3 am she awoke to the sound of soft laughter. Her mind depicting it as her imagination. She shrugged it off once again, but she just couldn't fall back asleep... She sat herself up, only to be startled by a dark figure huddled in the corner... She shook with fear.

"Please tell me I am dreaming. This is just a nightmare," she prayed. "Who are you?!" She continued. The figure stood up. She couldn't quite make out what or who it was. It was too dark and she was too tired to let her brain adjust.

"Who are you? Reveal yourself..." She demanded. There was a long pause. But slowly the figure moved towards her. Thunder boomed and lightning crashed, revealing a horrendous, insidious face. The face shocked her and she jumped back against the wall.

"GO AWAY!" she shouted. "DON'T COME ANY CLOSER!"

The figure moved swiftly up to her, holding a knife to her neck. Thunder boomed once again, followed by lightning. Brightening up the horrifying face. A wide smile was only to be seen by the man, for the rest of his face was covered by black hair.

"Sh sh sh sh... Just... Go. To. Sleep..." was all the man said before slashing Kristie in the throat and stabbing her many amount of times in the heart.

A/N: Hehehehehehehehe ;) Please disregard my errors as always thank you :D