The Forest : Demons in the Mist

Chpater 5: Livers and Kidneys

The days got easier for me as I kept my head low and didn't draw too much attention to myself.

It was a little difficult when you're the only red-head out of everyone else.
Toby would spend some time with me in my room to keep me company, Jack on the other hand was keeping his distance a bit. I suppose he might have felt bad or was also suspicious of my sent like Lulu was a few days ago.
Every now and then Slenderman would drop off a box full of clothes for me from one of his brothers he commissioned and maybe add another book to surprise me.
I was still having nightmares but after a while you kinda get used to waking up in a cold sweat at 3 am.

This particular time I didn't feel like going back to bed. It was still quite dark except for the moonlight pouring through the fog. I opened up my window and climbed out to the roof.
Technically this wasn't leaving if I was on the mansion.
I curled up next to my open window on the flat roof, looking at the moon and down at the forest below. The air was cold and damp, making me wonder if it was going to rain at any point. I looked back into my room and noticed the light was on in the hallway. I quickly scrambled in and slowly opened my door cafeteria jiggling the knob a bit. I peeked out quickly and didn't notice anyone at first to my left, when I turned to my right I saw Jack eating a kidney on his way back to his room. He sniffed the kidney and then froze, slowly looking up in my direction. I looked back and slowly started backing into my room, trying to close my door.
I heard some shuffling coming towards my door and stop in front of it. I froze awkwardly and peeked my eyes through the crack of the door to see Jack.
"Uh...hi." I greeted quietly.
"What are you doing up...?" He whispered.
"Just a bad dream, nothing super important."
"Can...I come in...?"
I inhaled sharply and stared at the floor awkwardly.
"Um...sure!" I said, a little too cheerfully.
I opened the door, letting Jack inside. I was immediately regretting my decision as he flopped down on my bed. I shut the door behind me and sat on my dresser quietly. He finished up the rest of the kidney, wiping his mouth with his arm and then on his shirt.
"So...may I ask why you wanted to be in my room...?"
"I... just wanted to apologize."
"Couldn't you have done it outside my door...?"
"I um...figured face to face would be nicer..." he said awkwardly.
"I see...what are you apologizing for...?"
"The organ situation...and also ignoring you for a few days."
I tugged at my hair a bit, feeling a bit hurt and embarrassed.
"It's my scent...isn't it?"
"Well...partially, but not completely."
"Then why?"
"I mean...everyone's uneasy around you, and we're not entirely sure what to make of you yet."
"So you get friendly with me just to ignore me...?"
Jack paused a bit and sighed.
"Okay maybe that wasn't the best way to put it..."
"Yea...it's kinda a dick move..."
Jack sighed again and rubbed his face. For a moment I could see his eye sockets, a bit black ooze dripping from them.
"I'm not very good when it comes to people..." he said, turning away from me.
"I know, but I appreciate you apologizing at least." I smiled a bit.
Jack stood up and then walked over, lifting his arms a bit and then awkwardly patting me on the shoulder.
"Uh...sorry I don't know how to do that."
"That...?"
"Like a hug or something reassuring."
I giggled a bit and smiled.
"Well...as I said, I appreciate you trying."
He relaxed slightly and smiled a tiny bit.
"So...what were you doing up?" I asked.
"Oh just a midnight snack."
I thought for a moment about the liver and kidney and then looked up at him.
"Are they good...?"
"You wanna try it?"
"What, NO!"
Jack and I both covered my mouth and sat in silence for a second. After a moment we uncovered my mouth and sighed.
"Sorry..." I whispered.
He shook his head a bit. "You sure you don't want to try it?"
"Why would I cannibalize a human being?!" I whispered a bit loudly.
"Hey, hey I'm just joking!" he raised his hands in surrender.
My stomach growled slightly, I quickly covered it and narrowed my eyes at him.
"Do you want some waffles...?"
"Yes please."