Victim (Slenderman Story)

7. His new victim

Larry and Amanda's father had tried to get a hold on Uncle Robert, ever since Halloween. But no matter where they looked, he was gone. Even more, what the children had said about him, was hard to believe, especially for Morris. Knowing his old friend for a long time, Robert was not the type of guy to dress up or very fond of children. For a workaholic like him, his job was his main priority. All Robert had to do, was is to keep an eye on the two, nothing more. Morris assumed that he would have taken them for a walk to collect candy and then, send them to bed, like a really boring babysitter. What really bugs him was his disappearance. Not saying good bye or even come back to get his money for the night, was not like him.

The entire family weren't the only ones with countless questions that night. The police station had also his fair share.

On Halloween, the phones were ringing constantly. One call resembles the next one, which puzzle the officers. By the end of the night, they counted eleven cases of the same pattern. They announced one family member that has gone mad, next that they kept on mumbling something and the last, and the most disturbing part, they all tired to end their lifes the next day. The only possible solution for the police is , that someone attacked the members and drugged them. But to have any prove of this, they had to wait. The dead body of the true Uncle Robert was taken to forensic specialists, where they check on the cause of death. The main chief is troubled though, "With him, it is twelve incidents in one night. This cannot be a coincidence." His colleague agrees on this, "But who is responsible for this? All we know is, that all members live in Stowe and also in the same street. The dead man was found nearby on the road, speeding up like a mad man." "What is going on in this place?"

Rumors even reached the school, but unlike the police, the children believe that the slender man was making his move.

However, not even the teachers would believe such fairy tales. From their point of view, they assumed that the family members were all infected by something that caused them to act this way. Unfortunately, at this moment, this was not their main problem. All children of the family's have gone missing too. It disturbed the rest of students, seeing so many chairs empty. In Larry's class was it far from quiet, the discussions were extremely loud. No one believes in such infection the teachers guessed on. For them, was it the slender man. Larry was the only one, who did not believe this tale. But one look at Lola...and he changed his mind...rapidly. Like the night she walked him home, she was just as pale now, shaking violently, while her eyes were fixed on to the desk. It was hardly below a whisper, but still...he heard her.

"He is back...he is back...he is..."

"Lola?"

She looked at Larry, for a minute, she looked terrified and now, she snapped at him, "This is all your fault!" With that, she grabbed her bag and ran out, not caring for her teacher calling her to come back.

For Larry was this creature nothing but an imagination, created by someone with a lot of fantasy. But then, he wanted to understand Lola's fear. There was only one place where he may find some answers...the library. One of his classmates told him about a girl there, dressed in black. She sat near the entrance, inspecting everyone that came too close to her...Larry was no exception. Her eyes turned dark, as he got closer to her personal space,"What do you want?"

"Are you Emo?" He asked, little unsure if that was her name.

She clicked her tongue at that, "Emilie molly drake is the real name. I should have known that they cut it short to Emo. No creative mind what so ever..."

"I really need your help!" demanded Larry, interrupting her train of thoughts.

"I don't think I can. Prefers to be alone in the dark, unlike you, you should go back into the light."

"Do you know the slender man?!"

Her eyes widened, "How did you..."

"Lola."

The name seem to have some kind of connection to the case.
Her shocked face turned to normal, "Of course...Lola...the only survivor of the slender man."

Larry didn't have much time; he really needed answers on this creature. Emilie could tell how desperate he was, throwing all his pocket money at her feet, "I give you anything, just tell me about it!" She returned the money, back into his hands. She held them tenderly, "I have no use for money, I only have one condition."

"Yes?"

Her eyes turned serious, "What I am about to tell you, has to remain a secret and by god..." she pulled him closer to her face, "...don't use the ritual to find him."

"I promise!"

Emilie backed away; "Very well..." she grabbed her bag and took out a book. "This book contains all sorts of dark creatures. In my opinion, the slender man is the most harmless one among them, but the only one spotted in Stowe." She held up a drawing, "What he needs is a bait. In his case, you can use the Hansel and Gretel trick; placing breadcrumbs or anything eatable to get him to your house. He is known as the creature that prefers to use children. Their innocent is what draws him to them. It is simple: If you want to see him, you have to give him something in return. I advice you, not to make this ritual, especially if you have a younger family member."

This got Larry thinking, "And adults?"

She shook her head, "If they ever come face to face with the slender man, they receive utter pain in their head. The next, they get mad. Unable to stop themselves, they try to make it stop through more pain...until they reached the heavens door. I am sure you understand."

Larry nodded.

"Anyway, he picks the child that called him, as his last victim. Ever adult that.meets the sledlnderman, will lose their youngest child to him. In trance they follow the creature into the forest, that is where he lives and as you can see, Stowe is surrounded by a forest." Larry asked her if this have ever happened before, hoping that Lola's case was the only one. Emilie shook her head, "This creature stole children in Stowe eversince it existed. My guess is, that he lived here before the village was built." He didn't have to ask on how long Stowe existed, emo replied without one, "since 1763."

The boys throat turned dry, "And...How can we get rid of it?"

Emile wasn't sure of how to tell him, "So far, there is no way to stop him. Once the last victim is dead, he stays quiet, until the next person calls for him. The police won't do anything against something they don't believe. Searching for a human murderer that doesn't exist."

"How can I find the last victim?"

She opened one page, showing him a photo of the slender man, "It has to be someone who is naive or blind to see the monster, that lies behind this no-face and furthermore, to keep in contact...this person is possessed to draw...uncontrollably and every day."

Larry's face turned pale. On the photo he saw none other, than the one he called Uncle Robert. There was no doubt about it, it was him. He began to sweat, as the last words from Emo, were matching with Amanda's hobby.

"He is after my sister."

"How can you tell?" she asked curious.

"He was with us on Halloween, pretending to be our Uncle."

Now this impressed the girl even more, "I wasn't aware that he does use such attempts. But never mind that. Did your sister draw him already?"

"I don't know. Why?"

Emile showed him the next page, with a very thin human child on a photo, "The first drawing is important. On the day she had drawn it, that is the countdown. The more the time passes; she will start to change, losing all her energy, gets thin and keeps on drawing like crazy."

Larry knew, that this was the same situation that Lola's brother went through,"How long do I have till this monster takes my sister?"

She gave him one careful look,/closing the book slowly, "On the day of the first drawing...one week. I wish you good luck."