The Forest : Demons in the Mist

Chapter 2: Chinese Takeout

It took weeks to get better.

Toby was by my side taking care of me, occasionally being switched out with a different man. He wore a white mask with a red painted smile, as intimidating as he was, he showed me the same kindness as Toby through most nights. Toby was slowly becoming my friend, we would stay up and attempt terrible origami with the extra papers he gave me before being sedated. I wasn't too bothered by the little ticks and was feeling a bit safer.

However, when I slept, I kept having nightmares of running in the forest. I was screaming, hearing growling in the distance behind me,like laughter taunting me. As much as that feeling sent chills down my back, I was more terrified of this 'Slender' figure and him 'deciding what to do with me soon'. I tried to push Toby for answers but instead I would get an origami to the face and be distracted.

I wasn't allowed out of the room unless I needed to use the bathroom. Toby was very clear about covering my eyes until I got into the bathroom and guarded the door. Being sedated should've sent so many red flags, but I couldn't help but wonder what he was hiding from me.
I would hear quiet shuffling and whispers from Toby to others as they passed by, I tried pressing my ear to the door but couldn't make anything out.

I turned my attention to the mirror in defeat and rubbed my cheek tiredly. My red hair was knotted and dirty and the rest of me reeked, especially my socks. I quickly stripped and started the shower, spending a few minutes figuring out which way was hot and cold. I assumed the heater was broken because it was just as cold as it was outside no matter which direction I turned it. I took a deep breath and stepped in, yelping as the water hit my skin.
"You okay?" Toby called.
"Y-yea! Just really c-cold!!" I yelled back, shivering as I dunked my head under the water.
I pulled my head back and shivered more, pulling mud out and shampooing every inch of my hair. The cold water was nice on my scabs and bruises, easing me a bit as I moved to cleaning off the dirt from my body. I had to wash myself at least three times before I started to smell somewhat fresh.

I turned off the water and wrapped a towel around me, sighing happily. The towel was very warm and clean like it was recently run through the dryer, it felt like heaven. I pulled the curtains to the side to see my clothes gone from the floor and a fresh pair on top of the toilet seat. I stared in disbelief as I ran my hand on the pile.
'Odd,' I thought to myself.

I dried my hair and brushed it out, wincing and muttering "Ow" with every brush. It took what felt like an eternity to detangle what I could, even with all the conditioner I used. I gathered up the longer part and tied it up, putting on my underwear and bra that fit.
"That...that's a bit uncanny."
I carefully slipped on a shirt and sweatpants and hung my towel up to dry.
"Hey Toby...?"
No answer.
"Toby...?" I asked again, knocking the door gently.
I waited a moment before cracking it open. I peeked around the corner and saw no one, just an empty hallway. It was extremely quiet except for the loud creaking of the bathroom door as I pushed it fully open. Peeked my head out and looking around, I saw a long, wide hallway of doors painted different colors and designs.

Carefully stepped out, the floor creaking quietly under my weight,. I started to wander around the hallway, fixing my eyes on anything that caught them. I was almost excited to explore the hallway, completely forgetting about Toby. SI skippinged a bit down the hallway, I turned my head side to side as I trailed the doors. Suddenly I stopped at the staircase leading downstairs. I hesitated as I looked down, I looked behind me and then back at the stairs, inching my toes towards the edge of the first step.
"Uh... You're kinda blocking the stairs..."
I yelped and fell forward, feeling a hand grab my arm roughly and pull me back quickly. I fell against the person behind me and froze.
"HOLY SHIT..." I exclaimed breathlessly.
I heard a light sigh and turned around to see the guy from before, his brown hair a little neater this time. I stood uncomfortably close to him, quickly lowering down a step.
"Oh! Uh... Hi!" I said quietly, tugging at my hair a bit.
He stared down at me, causing me to awkwardly look up, it was then I noticed that he had no eyes, just two black holes. He sniffed the air a bit and fixated his full attention down at me.
"Who the hell let you out...?" he asked.
"I uh... Toby wasn't there so I may have... Explored a bit."
"Uh huh..."
"W-what's your name?"
"Jack." He sipped what I assumed was coffee from his mug. "Care to move...?"
I blushed a bit and remembered I was in the way, immediately scooting over, pressing my back to the wall.
"Thanks..." he mumbled, making his way down the stairs tiredly.
I awkwardly followed, a bit hungry myself.

It was just the two of us as he dug through the fridge, I watched and leaned against the island seeing an assortment of different meats and other foods in the fridge. Jack froze and sniffed the air again, turning around to face me.
"Can I help you...?"
"S-sorry!" I stammered. "I was just a bit hungry if that's alright..."
He sighed and rummaged through the back.
"Vegetarian?"
"No, anything is fine."
He grabbed a white box and passed it over.
"I hope two day old Chinese takeout will be sufficient."
"It will... Thank you." I smiled a bit and then stopped, remembering that he couldn't even see.
He nodded and stood on the opposite side of the island as I dug into my noodles and potstickers. He sniffed the air again and then sipped his coffee, a light rumble coming from him
"I wouldn't mind sharing..." I said, looking up at him.
"No, it's fine, everyone's going hunting later today."
"Are you sure...?"
He sniffed again and looked down towards the food, salivating slightly.
"I'll... I'll take a potsticker..."
I smiled and passed one out to him. He leaned down at my hand and sniffed it, carefully taking it from me and popping it in his mouth whole. I snorted a bit and covered my nose, thankfully he kept his attention on his coffee.

Suddenly we heard someone dashing down the stairs in a hurry.
"AVALINE!!!!"
Toby.
He ran into the kitchen and immediately noticed me.
"AVALINE!"
He hugged me tightly and covered my eyes.
"Wha-! T-Toby!!"
"You shouldn't be out...out here! How much did you see?? Oh shit...shit! Jack,why didn't you bring her back??"
There was a small pause before Jack put down his mug. "She was already down the hall and then followed me down after, she wasn't harming anyone."
"Slender is going to kill me..." Toby sighed, uncovering my eyes.
I blinked a bit still stuck between Toby's arms, it didn't look like he was going to let me go anytime soon.
"Toby... Can I please finish my food?"
"Mmm... Fine. Just... Just please don't run off again..." he said reluctantly, letting me go.
Jack smiled a bit and sipped his coffee, listening to me and Toby. I quickly wrapped up my meal and threw the box into the garbage.
"Alright, let's get you back upstairs before Slender gets back."
I looked in the corner of my eye and noticed a tall, black figure by the stairs.
"Toby..."
Toby froze a bit and turned around.
"Oh... Uh... Welcome back...back Slender!" he smiled weakly.
"Good luck with that..." Jack picked up his cup and started to walk away before Slender stopped him.
"You saw her too, you're involved now." His voice was barely a whisper.
Jack groaned and turned back towards me and Toby.
"It's nice to finally speak to you, Avaline."