Masked Roses

Chapter Eleven

At dinner time, everyone sat at the table. Sally and Jack were on my left and right as I stared at my plate of food. I poked at the porkchop with my fork as I slumped over in my seat, hearing whispers and gossip around me like I was sitting in a cafeteria in my old high school. I could feel eyes watching me, making the hairs on the back of my neck rise and goosebumps form along my arms under the sleeves of my sweater. I felt a cold sweat collect along my forehead as I whipped at it with the palm of my hand covered by my sleeve. A gentle hand grazed along my knee, making me flinch and look at the source of the touch.

A shadowy figure stared at me with glowing white eyes before they closed and the hand disappeared in a plume of smoke. Swallowing, I could already feel my appetite grow weak as I gently pushed the plate of food away from me. Jack glanced at me and Sally gave me a confused look. A few others glanced up as well as I moved the plate in front of me so I could lay my head down.

A hand was placed on my back, rubbing gently along my spine. I wasn't sure if it was my imagination, Jack, or even Sally, but someone was trying to comfort me. I began to tremble as I gripped my arms, letting out a shaky breath. This wasn't fun. Depriving myself of my medication per Slenderman's request, but I endured it. I was just scared of what might happen over time with this repeated pattern. I might end up hurting people or worse, attacking things that weren't there and becoming a threat to the people here. I bit my lip in thought and frustration, almost hard enough to break skin.

"Scarlet, Jack, and Jeff." Slenderman suddenly said from behind me. I picked up my head, turning it and seeing him standing there with his hands behind his back. "I have a new mission for you three to do."

Sitting in Slenderman's office, I sat in one of the chairs with Jeff in the other, Jack standing between the chairs with his arms crossed. Slenderman sat in his chair as I stared at the items on his desk, not wanting to look at his face while I kept my gaze constantly moving and focusing on other things. I spared one glance at Jeff and Jack on occasion, but never more than a second.

"There's some intruders in my territory. They're just to the east side of the cabin and don't seem to be leaving any time soon." Slenderman said with a hint of annoyance in his hollow tone.

"How long have they been here?" Jack asked.

"They got here just two days ago. I wouldn't mind it if they had just stayed the night and left later in the morning, but that is not the case. They seem to be ignoring their obvious paranoia and staying despite the horrors such as us inhabiting this forest. I need them gone. Exterminated. You might have to do some slaughtering, Scarlet." Slenderman turned to me and I glanced up at him, seeing the figure of that horrific figure standing next to Slenderman's chair.

They gave me a shark-like grin as they leaned on the chair with their arm supporting them on the back of the chair. "Seems like we're gonna have some fun, aye?" They laughed and I just hesitantly nodded to Slenderman's statement, turning my attention back to me. I apparently stared too long behind him and he turned his head, looking directly at the figure, but of course he couldn't see them. Turning back at me, he folded his hands on his desk.

"You may leave and prepare to get rid of them. I'm sure there is one on watch though, so be wary." He warned and with that, he dismissed us as we nodded our heads. I glanced at my clothes and didn't really want to stain the white and light colored clothes red. I walked to my room as we left the office, telling the two men I would be right back.

They nodded in understanding and I swiftly walked to my room to find something better to wear that I wouldn't care about staining. Closing the door behind me and locking it, I walked over to the dresser, opening the drawers one by one to stare at the articles of clothing inside. I decided on a theme of white and black and maybe some gray, but no white. I hated getting out stains in white clothes, and I wasn't about to pass the chore and difficult task off to someone else. Whoever does laundry around here...