I was still shaking, tears continuously streaming from my eyes. I saw the gurney lift, Darren's body laid out flat, a body bag covering his form. My heart shattered, staring at the bloody scene, police and medics still looming around. The police hadn't pushed questions; right after I gave them a description of the murderer they nodded their heads in a knowing way. According to them, this murderer has been slaughtering through this town for a while now. I didn't know where else to go, or what to even do. I didn't want to stay in this house, but there was no where else to go. The only other place I had been welcomed was Darren's house, but...

I curled in on myself, still huddled on the couch. I sure wish that demon elf would come. I wasn't exactly sure why, but I felt like I needed to see him for some reason. But, seeing how hectic things were around here, it wouldn't be smart for him to arrive at this time. I wasn't going to call my parents. They wouldn't care, or offer to come home, I knew that. Perhaps I could use the emergency money they kept to stay in a hotel room for the night. That would work nicely... I stood up, seeing the detectives observing the scene. Blood splatters covered the wall, along with the floor. But I knew just as well as they did that there wouldn't be anything to find.

I notified the police chief who had questioned me where I would be staying the night. He informed me that I could return home tomorrow, and that the mess would be cleaned up. It would be enough time to gather the evidence. I wasn't even pinned as a suspect. The pale man with a carved smile who wore a white hoodie was apparently well known around here. Unfortunately I wasn't aware of that detail. I walked to my parents room, digging throughout their drawers and coming up empty. I knew they had an emergency stash around here somewhere. I fumbled around the closet, finally coming up with a couple hundreds. This should easily cover some food and a shitty hotel room.

I paused outside my doorway, slumping my shoulders as I entered. My mind appeared to be in complete denial, and I was so close to snapping completely. I would save that for the hotel room, where I can stay for the night. There was no way in hell I was staying here. I walked over to my computer, turning it on. I then searched Cleverbot, entering the site. The cursor blinked, as I thought about what I should say... if I should say something at all. I knew Ben had to be watching. He always knew when to come, and when not to it seemed.

'Ben,' I typed, my hands shaking like a leaf. 'I'm going to be staying in a hotel room for the night. Um... would you mind coming? I really need to talk to you... You can come through my phone, I know you can. Just... I don't know.'

I sighed, feeling like an idiot. Hell, he probably wouldn't see it. But it was worth a shot, after all. I sauntered my way down stairs, and out the door. I slowly walked to my icy blue car, tears threatening to spill over once more. Thankfully, the town's hotel was just down the street, not too far from where I lived. If it had been a long drive... I probably wouldn't have made it. I continued on, a couple of the unforgivable tears sliding down my cheeks.

Once I arrived in the hotel, I hurried to the front desk, knowing I looked a wreck. Avoiding the eyes of the person behind the desk, I quickly exchanged my money for a room key, as the person quickly typed on her computer. I felt like I was about to burst, my nerves twisting in my stomach making me feel as though I was about to throw up. Hurrying, I found room twelve, quickly unlocking the door and sliding inside. I locked the door, not holding the feelings in any longer. A loud sob burst through my lips as I fell on to the bed, tossing my phone to the side as I curled into a small ball. Tears flowed down my face like a river, my grey eyes bloodshot. My heart ached as it thumped hardly within my chest, my breaths short squeaks as I tried to breathe.

"Winter," I heard a shocked voice whisper.

I turned to face Ben, his red eyes wide and concerned. His mouth was hanging open limply, as he stared. I never cried... this was all new. I couldn't help the blush that coated my cheeks as I stared at the elf boy.

"What happened?" he asked, stepping forward, but remained hesitant.

"A-a man k-killed D-darren," I sobbed, hiccuping.

A mix of emotions fluttered on to his face, the first seeming to be anger. Then... relief? Followed by sadness... was that guilt? I couldn't tell. I didn't care that much either. I snapped my eyes shut, burying my face into my pillow.

"It'll be alright," he promised, sounding slightly sweet at this moment. That was odd. Especially for him.

"He... he was my best friend," I murmured, squeezing my eyes shut even tighter.

"Friends come and go, Winter," he sighed.

"So... that means you are going to leave?" I asked, my voice cracking.

"Are you saying we are friends?"

"Um... well, I kind of thought we were. I mean... I dunno, you say I'm weird all the time, which is true. But I consider you a friend, Ben."

"I thought you hated me," he snickered.

"No. You can just get on my nerves some times," I replied.

"As do you."

A smile threatened to pull across my lips, but I just couldn't bring myself to smile just yet. Darren just died... being brutally murdered, at that.

"Say... would you want to come live with me? I mean, I'm surely gonna get my ass kicked. But that way, it wont be on my 'job description' to kill you anymore. I mean, I wasn't really planning on that anymore anyway. But there doesn't appear to be anything left for you here," he hurriedly explained, sounding sheepish. "I could use a gaming partner at the house, after all."

"Depends. Do you live with a bunch of other serial killers?" I mumbled.

"Yeps, I do. But don't worry, I wont let them hurt you," he smirked, stretching out his arms. "Actually... I think it'd be better if you stayed in my room for a few days. Just long enough for me decide how I'm going to tell them. They aren't gonna just let a random human stay there."

"Who are they?"

"Okay, there's Jeff, EJ, LJ, Sally, Jane, Smile Dog, Masky, Hoodie and the infamous Slenderman. Others visit every once in a while, too," he replied, followed by a yawn.

"I dunno, Ben," I murmured.

"Would you rather go back to your house, alone? And continue to go to school, alone?" he questioned, raising one of his eyebrows.

Instantly I was standing with him, ready to leave. "Count me in," I grumbled.

"Alright, awesome! I have a feeling you'll get along with everyone. Although for the next few days, you aren't gonna see any of them... well, perhaps my best bro. Yeah, I can make that exception," he chuckled.

"Which one of them would that be?"

"Jeff the Killer."

Short chapter, I know . Sorry people. Imma get workin on the next chapter of Slender Mansion and Candy Hearts though, if ya read them ;) If not, I would xD PLEASE REVIEW~!