Masked Roses

Chapter Eighteen

I woke up with a gasp, but I was held down, unable to spring up into a sitting position which only made me panic more. Choked sobs and tears streaming down my face as blood flowed from the rose in my eye. An arm wrapped around my waist as a hand was put on top of my head, quiet whispers and a male voice trying to soothe me as I panicked from being restrained just like in my nightmare. I only started to calm down when a tissue gently wiped away my tears and I turned my head slightly to see a familiar mask with its black eyes and red grin. My sobs still continued, but I didn't struggle further as I instead grabbed his gloved hand and took the tissue to wipe my face, smearing tears and blood all across my face.

"Oh dear. Stay here. I'll go get a washcloth to wipe that." He gently lifted me off his lap and laid me back down, taking the tissue that was stained red. I stared at the ceiling in a daze, panting and blinking away tears that wanted to continue flowing over. I lifted my hands up, placing them over my face as I let out a shaky breath, my body feeling numb and sore at the same time as I laid there on the couch. A hand gently brushed against my wrist, making me move my hands as cold, damp fabric brushed against my cheek. Glancing up, I saw BP standing above me as he crouched down beside the couch and cleaned up the blood on my face.

I stared at him with my one eye, my fingers trembling as I laid there and the cloth wiped off the crimson, staining the fabric somewhat. He just let out a quiet chuckle, pulling away the cloth. "Seems that it bleeds when you panic. Or does it do that regularly?" He asked and I shook my head, afraid to speak in case my voice trembled or was stuttery like Toby. "Did you have a nightmare of some kind?"

Putting a hand over my mouth as I turned my gaze back up to the ceiling, I nodded slowly, trying not to think too much about it. I was about to open my mouth and attempt to speak when the door to the living room opened, making me tense up and slowly sit up to peek over the back of the couch. I let out a sigh of relief as Slenderman entered the room, his head looking between me and BP, but landed on the male finally with a nod. "Welcome back, Bloody Painter. I see that Scarlet's mission was successful, I was almost beginning to think you were dead."

The male scoffed as he stood up, shrugging his shoulders and raising his hands, one still holding the blood stained cloth. "That's really reassuring that you didn't forget about me." He snapped as he then shook his head.

"Well believe me when I say this, I'm glad that Scarlet was able to get you down and back here. It's a pain trying to find replacements or even new recruits." He said in a monotone voice, sounding hollow like always. He then turned his head to me and I began to shake under his gaze. "It seems your nightmares are causing you problems, Scarlet?" He asked with a tilt of his head and I nodded hesitantly.

"Has she had nightmares more than once?" BP asked behind me and Slenderman nodded.

"She's had them ever since she came here, but they were more subtle and wouldn't cause her to be so upset or have a panic attack like that." He lifted one hand to his chin, gently tapping a finger against it. "I'll see what I can do to help lessen those, but for now, just don't leave her alone. Accompany her wherever she goes in case she panics again." He waved a hand and suddenly disappeared, making me look down at the floor with one wide eye.

A hand was suddenly placed on my shoulder, making me flinch and turn to see BP standing there. "I guess I'm your babysitter today then." He let out a chuckle. "How about we do something relaxing today, huh? I think Sally can help with that. But for now, how about you get changed into something more casual and we'll ask Sally to help you relax, alright?" He placed his gloved hand on my head then as I hesitated before nodding slowly with a shaky sigh.

Getting off the couch, I picked up the blanket and walked to my room, intending to be quick so I wouldn't be alone for long. I walked out of the living room, not going through the kitchen as my room was on the other side of the house. I saw Sadie walk by with a hum, keeping my head down so I could avoid her gaze. Luckily, she seemed to be more preoccupied with other stuff than asking if I was alright or not. Sighing, I rubbed my face as I walked into my room at the end of the hall, setting the blanket on my bed after closing the door behind me.

Digging through the dresser, I grabbed a white turtleneck and blue jeans with white fabric and lace patches that I sewed myself. I used to sew a lot, but never had much time for it after I became the manager at my grandfather's store, but I might be able to make time for it now. Running my fingers through my hair, I looked up into the mirror above my dresser, seeing my strawberry blonde hair was a bit of a mess, making me sigh and give my reflection a bored look with furrowed brows.

Picking up the hair brush, I ran it through my hair, smoothing out the few stray strands that wanted to float through the air on their own. Staring at my reflection, I rubbed my one eye and sighed, stepping away and opening my door, finding BP standing there already, the little girl in her pink dress clutching a teddy bear in her arms as she smiled widely at me. I forced a small smile and she began to skip away down the hall.

"This way! I'll make sure we have fun all day today!" She chirped while I walked slowly behind her, my head tilted down towards the floor. A hand suddenly grabbed mine and I looked to the side slightly to see BP's hand holding gently onto mine, his gaze following the little girl who led us down the hall. I smiled slightly and leaned closer to him, laying my head on his shoulder as we walked. It was nice, but I just intended for it to be a comfort. For him to be used as a friend, not a lover...