How's it going bros and bras? My name...is VioletDemon! Sorry I haven't been updating for awhile. I've been feeling a little bit depressed, but FEAR NOT! I have not forgotten about this story, nor will I ever! Truth be told, I've somehow already made the ending for this awesome story and I hope you guys will enjoy it once I'm done. So without further ado, let's get on with the story.

Disclaimer: I do not own the Durarara cast or the mythical creature, Slenderman. I only own my awesome, African American OC, Alicia Walker.

Chapter Nine: Depression, Old Self, and New Discovery

I couldn't describe the despair that overwhelmed when I looked at the very sight in front of me.

Shizuo hasn't spoken ever since Tom and Togusa were kidnapped. Kadota decided to start a fire since the weather was getting below normal level and that also, we needed a break. At first, I declined at this and shouted that we should continue moving forward. But after seeing the dejected figure of poor Shizu-chan, I reconsidered the offer.

'What right do I have to complain?' I thought. 'Shizuo just lost his best friend. I should be more considerate.'

If Shinra gave me the right information, I believe that Shizuo could be in a state of shock. No matter what anyone said, he just seemed to be in a daze. It was like he couldn't respond to anything. I don't think that I reacted like this when Anri was taken.

'Anri...'

Bringing up her name even hurts. I wasn't able to save her, like how I couldn't save Victoria. I was never the same after my best friend's death; the world was black and white to me. I would constantly cry myself to sleep and would be plagued with the recurring memory in my dreams. I mean, I could have done something about it; I could have seek her some help.

But yet, how would I have known? Sure, we were best friends, but yet we didn't know everything about each other like we should have. I only knew her for one school year; she didn't show any signs of depression or such. Her jumping off the Empire State Building was just out of the blue for me.

I shook my head out of my thoughts. 'Why am I thinking about this? I should be focused on trying to get Shizuo out of his thump.'

I scooted a little closer to the tall Japanese man, our shoulders touching. He didn't react to the sudden physical touch and it took all my willpower to not cry. 'He looks so broken.'

I grabbed his hand and rubbed little circles on it. "Shizuo...I know that you're sad right now and I totally understand. I don't blame you for reacting this way; it's the normal thing to do. Just know that...if you wanna talk about it...I'm right here to listen." I was surprised to even get a stare by him and I waved my hands, in an attempt to make him forget what I had just said. "B-But if you don't want to, then that's okay too! You don't have to spill your heart out to me if you don't want to!"

He only gazed at me and I kept rubbing his hand. I wish I could do something to get him out of his depression, but yet this wasn't my forte. I'm not the kind of person where I give reassuring words; I face reality and if you don't accept it, then well...too bad. But with my friends, well that's a different case. Shizuo for example; if he ever feels upset about something, I'm there to give him a hug. No words, just a simple, yet loving hug. I felt that was the best that I could do. It seemed to be enough for the time being, but I guess not now.

"I can't believe this."

I looked up to see Izaya standing in front of us, a frown plastering his face. "I'm surprised that a monster like him could even show any feelings aside from rage."

I immediately grew angry at this and shouted, "Izaya, Shizuo just lost one of his best friends! What do you expect him to do!?"

"To get mad and blame me for it," he responded. "Like he said, 'ninety nine percent of all the crap that happens, I'm somewhat behind it.'"

"But yet you want us to believe in that one percent, don't you?"

He shrugged and continued to gaze at Shizuo. "Monsters shouldn't feel sadness. Shizu-chan is a monster that causes nothing pain and destruction."

"That's enough Izaya Orihara!" I only ever used his full name if I was truly getting pissed off. "You're way out of line right now!"

"A monster that is very definition of violence," he said, like as if I didn't say anything.

I was about to retort when I felt a sudden pain in my hand. I winced and I knew that Shizuo was gripping my hand. His bangs seemed to overshadow his eyes, but I could see that he was getting angry.

'Wait, I see what Izaya is doing.'

"The only thing Shizu-chan should do is be the stupid protozoan that he is and destroy everything around him. I mean, what else is a monster good for?"

That seemed to do the trick as Shizuo stood up and I backed away once he picked up the log we were sitting on. The empty, numb Shizuo was gone and was replaced with the Shizuo we all know and love. "IZAYA!"

He threw the log with an alarming speed, only for the red eyed bastard to dodge. The Otaku gang jumped out of the way to avoid getting a face full of wood.

I stood by Shizuo's side and placed a hand on his shoulder. "Shizuo, killing Izaya isn't gonna help anybody."

"Except the majority of Ikebukuro and possible victims of his cunningness!" he retorted.

"As true as that is," I said, ignoring the skinny man's indignified "Hey!" "You need to put your hatred aside so that we can find our friends." 'Tom especially for you.'

He looked at me and then back at Izaya. He growled and shoved his hands in his pockets, obliging to what I said. "Fine..."

I smiled. "There's the Shizuo that I know and love!" He blushed at this and looked the other way. 'Why does he keep doing that?'

"So what should we do now?" Erika questioned.

I rubbed my chin, in a thinking position. "Well let's see...I guess keep looking for clues or whatever? I mean, what else can we do?" With silence being my only answer, I shrugged my shoulders and strolled forward. "Well then...off we go then!"

'Looks like we've found another clearing.'

I thought as I and the gang stood in the middle of another clearing. The moon shined brightly and gazed down at one particular spot. I kept moving forward and shined my flashlight through the giant oak trees in front of me.

"Do any of you guys see anything?" I shouted.

"No!" shouted the Otaku gang. I looked to see Masaomi, Shizuo, and Izaya and they all shook their heads. I sighed and kept searching, moving forward. I suddenly stopped to feel something break underneath my feet. I couldn't even run as I felt the ground underneath me crumbled and caused me to fall.

I rubbed my tailbone and winced. "Mother fucking Jesus! That shit hurt!"

"Alicia?" I gazed up at everyone and gave a weak wave. "Alicia are you alright?"

"Yeah I'm fine as a daisy. No of course I'm not you dumbass! I just fucking fell on my ass!"

Shizuo seemed offended by my reply, but I didn't care at the moment. My ass hurt like hell and him asking a stupid question like that would make me reward him with such an answer.

"Don't worry Alicia we'll get you-Ah!"

I could only shake my head when I saw a part of the ground crumble again and Shizuo fall down. He also landed on his ass and I smiled. "Why hello there newcomer. Need a little help?"

He glared at me with a bit of killer intent, but it didn't affect me though. I brushed the dirt out of his hair and asked, "Can you get us out of here?"

"I can try," he responded. "Get on my back."

I did so without question and watched as he tried to climb up. Halfway through the climb, Shizuo lost his grip and fell down again. Thank God he didn't land on his backside or I would've been dead already.

"Alright so that's not gonna work," I stated the obvious.

He nodded and shouted to the gang up above. "Find something that can bring us back up! We'll be waiting!"

They nodded and set off. I sighed and turned back on the flashlight. I looked everywhere until something caught my eye. "Hey Shizuo turn around."

He did and said, "What the fuck?"

Right in front of us was a wide ass tunnel. Feeling a little adventurous, I asked Shizuo, "Wanna check it out?"

He looked at me like as if I was crazy. "Are you insane? No we should stay right here! In case everybody comes back."

"It won't take that long man," I reasoned. "It's an empty tunnel, so if they have something, we can hear them. Come on, what do you say?"

He rubbed his fingers through his air and gave a long sigh. "Alright fine! But if anything happens, it's your fault!"

I put my hands up in defense. "All right, all right I'll take full responsibility. Now if you're scared to go, then I'll hold your hand!"

He blushed once more. "N-No I'm good. Let's just get this over with."

I gave another one of my famous ear splitting grin and grabbed his arm. "Well then let's go!" With that, I dragged him along into the dark, creepy dirt tunnel.

And SCENE! That's the Chapter Nine of Slenderman Encounter. Again, I am sorry for updating frequently, I will do my best to update in the future. I hope you all can forgive me with a cherry on top? Follow/favorite/review if you like this story and until next time my dear fanfiction readers/writers, I will see YOU...in the next chapter. Ja ne~