The Fifty State Nightmare

8

A soft groan leaves your lips when the sun streams in through the window, panicking for a moment as you shoot up in bed before remembering the previous day's events. You sigh and push out of bed, pausing when you see your phone and laptop resting on the nightstand. You check for the time, groaning when you find it to be two in the afternoon. Were you allowed to raid the fridge? You were absolutely starving. You open your bedroom door and follow the hallway back to the stairs before descending them, surprised at how quiet the mansion was.

"Good afternoon," Slender greets when you enter the kitchen, a newspaper in hand as he sips what you assumed was coffee.

"Where is everyone?" You ask him.

"Asleep," He says, causing you to pause a moment.

"Ooooh, you meant breakfast is ten at night? You guys sleep during the day right?" You ask, settling in the chair beside him.

"That is correct. You'll get used to it," He tells you. "Are you hungry?"

"Starving actually," You admit. "Do I....."

"I'll prepare you something," He says, setting down his paper and rising from his seat. "Are you allergic to anything?"

You list off your allergies and he nods his head, preparing you a simple Turkey sandwich for lunch. You thank him for your food and immediately scarf it down, sighing in relief when your stomach finally settles.

"Slender, have you seen. Oh! Good afternoon. It's not often others are up at this time," E.J. remarks as he enters the kitchen.

"Your medical bag is in the infirmary. How many times must I remind you to keep it out of reach? You know how Smile Dog gets," Slender reminds him.

"Sorry. I'll be more careful," He says with a chuckle.

"Wait, do you guys work?" You ask them in surprise. "But what about.....?"

"They have human forms they can shift into. Some work and some don't," Slender explains. "Once you're used to life you can start working if you'd like although it isn't necessary."

"What about robbing victims? Not like they're gonna use it," You tell him.

"See, you'll fit in just fine," E.J. laughs. "We do take any cash and jewelry on hand and sell it. As I'm sure you've noticed we have all of the latest electronics."

"I did notice that. One of the few things I did notice," You tell him with a smile.

"Oh? Are we having a party? Don't forget the streamers!" L.J. giggles, pulling colorful streamers from his sleeve and throwing it over the three of you.

"You're cleaning this up," Slender tells him, brushing the streamers off before returning to his paper. "Don't forget to wash your plate."

"Right, of course," You smile, brushing off the streamers before going to the sink to wash your plate.

"I suggest enjoying the television right now while you can. Jeff and Ben always take it over," L.J. giggles, gathering up the streamers.

"See you tonight," E.J. says before he heads away.

You head to where the living room was and settle on the couch, switching on the news. You blink in surprise when a drop box shows up, searching Wyoming in the drop box before your eyes widening in surprise when the news station pops up with the situation happening at your cabin. You listen as they contemplate what had possibly happened, the police giving out little information when they're asked questions. You sigh softly when Jim's face pops up on the screen and then yours, your heart aching when your parents are interviewed from your hometown. If only you could contact them. You wanted to but you knew it would mean your life if you dared. You'd have to get a new number and a new carrier. After the news moves on to the other stories you flip the channel to a random movie channel and settle back against the couch.

The hours tick by and soon enough pastas begin coming downstairs as they awaken, the sun having long since set in the distance. You smile gently as a few come and settle on and around the couch, the smell of bacon and sausage wafting out from the kitchen. Your eyes widen in surprise when a sleepy Sally crawls into your lap and snuggles into your chest, a few of the girls chuckling at her actions.

"She likes you," Jane tells you gently.

"I always wanted a younger sibling," You tell her with a smile.

At the young age of twenty-five you had grown up as an only child and wished to have siblings. All of your friends had siblings and you couldn't help but feel jealous of their relationships. It just seemed like they always had someone to count on when things weren't going well. Sure, you had your parents, but it just wasn't the same. Sometimes you felt things you couldn't exactly talk to them about. You sigh softly as you hold her in your arms; resting your chin on her head as you return your attention to the television. It was some kind of horror movie featuring a serial killer and all of you couldn't help but laugh at everything they did wrong.

"What is so amusing?" Slender asks when he comes out, drying his hands with a dish towel.

"This killer. They're leaving fingerprints everywhere," Jane snorts with laughter.

"The victims aren't much better. Instead of driving away they ran back into the cabin and are hiding out," You tell him.

"Amusing. Breakfast is ready," He says.

You hold Sally in your arms and go to the table with everyone, Sally stirring at the smell of breakfast. She chooses to stay in your lap and pick at your plate of food when you load it extra high. You smile and chat with everyone as you all eat, becoming more relaxed around the killers. You all had something in common that bonded all of you together. Here you didn't have to hide. You didn't have to pretend you were this normal person who wasn't traveling the US when in actuality you were this famous serial killer everyone was desperately trying to unmask. At least here you could be openly yourself and they could relate to the sweet adrenaline you felt when killing someone. No longer did you have to hide the truth.

Maybe this was going to be a good idea after all. You would miss your parents and your old life but what did you have to go back to? A life of running from the law as you travel your country killing people? Here you could at least move about freely and interact with people your own age. You let out a soft sigh as your mind races with a million thoughts as you eat your breakfast, Sally jumping off your lap when she's done and running away. You were surprised when you first saw her. She was just so young! You couldn't help but think of what E.J. had told you while he was showing you the borders of the forest. Everyone here had a messed up life before they came here. Something horrible had happened to them before they became what they are a day.

Maybe that made you feel a little guilty? You had a great life and decided to kill just for the fun of it but you weren't running from anyone or anything. Sure, you'd encountered some bullies but who hadn't? There were always mean kids and you could hold your own against them. A wry smile comes to your lips as you remember the obnoxious girl you had nearly killed in high school. She started a fight with you and you put her in her place. She attacked you from behind and you fought back. After choking her out no one dared come near you again and you were able to go about your life rather peacefully. You weren't like other humans but you weren't like these creatures either. Would you really be able to fit in here?