Masked Roses

Chapter Thirteen

I stared out the window as snow fell from the sky in a harsh blizzard. We were in the thick of the terrible winter weather by now, a month having passed by in a blur. I had been trained in that horrid cold wind, but it barely fazed me now. Staring up at the dark sky, I thought back to Slenderman watching me from the edge of a clearing as I chopped up dummies and ragdolls, whether I was medicated or not. I had gotten used to the sight of blood and grotesque sounds due to Slenderman forcing me to sit across from Jack in the kitchen while he ate organs.

I never knew that's what he really ate until I had to endure the sounds of him chewing the tender flesh and ripping them apart just to see me squirm and almost puke at the sight. I kept it down though, to the point where I would just feel numb and not even care if I was looking straight at him or at the floor, only able to tell he was eating due to the sounds he made as he chowed down on kidneys and swallowed the blood.

Closing my eyes slowly, I heard footsteps come closer to where I sat in a chair that I totally stole from the kitchen so I could sit by the window in the living room. A hand was placed on my shoulder and I turned slightly, seeing Toby as he stood there. We stared at each other as I kept a half lidded eye on his orange goggles that covered his optics. Glancing at his hands, I realized that he was holding something. A pen and paper.

Looking up at him with confusion, he pointed to the coffee table and then the writing utensil and parchment. Nodding a bit, I stood up and dragged the chair to the coffee table so I wouldn't be sitting on the floor. Toby sat next to me on the wooden floorboards without a problem and handed me the pen and paper. It was folded up and I wondered if he was trying to keep a secret or scare me. Opening it up, I read the words carefully that were written in scratchy writing, probably due to his occasional twitching.

We have to use this alone so Clockwork doesn't spy on us. She likes to do that often when I'm alone or with someone else.

I glanced at him as I heard a hum in my ear, making me turn violently to see them standing there, their shark-like grin looking at me amused. "Oh chill out, it's only me. I'm just here to observe and read." They said and I glared at them before turning back and writing on the paper.

It's fine. Was there something you wanted to talk about?

He took the paper after me, writing messily compared to me. I had overheard Slender and Jack talking about letting you go on a mission alone and allowing you to bring a possible partner if you didn't feel you were ready to be alone. I was wondering if you'd like me to come along? I'm really interested in seeing your habits and how you do things.

I let out an amused laugh that was quiet. Did you overhear Jeff or Jack talking about how I had killed someone on my first mission or something?

Maybe. He began giggling and I followed suit, both of us laughing as I tried to write without messing up my smooth writing, but failing somewhat miserably.

Fine, I suppose you can come along.

"Yes!" He cheered, his hands above his head. A kick of the door to the living room from the hallway connected to it made us both turn to see Clockwork glaring at me.

"What are you two doing?" She asked.

"We were just laughing over a funny picture. We're doodling and making jokes." I waved the note in the air before folding it up and stuffing it into my pocket. "What? Are you afraid I'm flirting with him or something?"

She crossed her eyes, her one eye narrowed on me while one other was occupied by a clock. She looked like Sadie almost, with brown hair and one eye, but the other socket wasn't empty. I wondered why the females here had to pay the price of losing one eye. Well, except for Sally, but what if that changes when she gets older? I shrugged to myself as I heard amused laughter in the corner behind me, making me stand and turn to see them staring at Clockwork with a cheeky grin.