HOMEOSTASIS

Chapter XV

"We've been here forever,
And here's the frozen proof,
I could scream forever,
We are the poisoned youth."

⦻⦻⦻

After everything, the ride to Alabama was very quiet. Apart from the little games Natalie, Jane, and Sally, would play in the back of the van, anybody barely spoke. Yes, sometimes Toby or Ben would join in on the fun, but compared to the hours it took to arrive back home, everyone was generally silent.

Fun fact, though: According to Sally, she's best friends with Ben now! (If he disagrees, Natalie will throw her shoes at his face. Thankfully, he doesn't. They have fun together!)

"You think he'll show up like that?" Masky snapped his fingers as soon as Hoodie made a curve to enter their city at last.

Kate shrugged, "I don't think he'll show up that fast. He probably wants to see how they all react. Or maybe he wants us to do something... I'm not sure."

"Hey, do you guys also live in the middle of nowhere?" Ben supported himself on the middle seat, looking at the forest they'd just entered. "This place is just trees."

"That's why we use it as a base."

"Right..."

Everyone was starting to get suspicious. Suddenly, the four proxies that took them away started responding less, barely communicating at all. Helen had whispered to the others that they should stay alert, but was quick to shut up once Hoodie and Toby stared back at them. They can't really have a meeting against them while they watch, right?

Then, a shadow started appearing in the distance. A big abandoned building, like a haunted mansion or so. They wonder how no stupid teenagers ever had the brilliant idea to try and get in. They probably don't enter the forest anyway. This is basically Slenderman's playground. If he saw anyone trying to enter, he'd most likely chase them.

The sky was dark- it was the middle of the night, after all- but the stars became brighter as the minutes went by. Far away from the city, they always seem to shine the brightest. Masky took a cigarette from his pocket as they approached the mansion. A part of him is relieved that the cops' bodies were taken by both the Operator and Sally, but his paranoia is still kicking. He knows those eight still don't trust them, but he can't fully trust them either. Now more than ever. Even after everything they shared, when stuff gets real, everyone shows their true colors.

"We're here." He muttered and Kate was quick to pull herself to her feet. She searched for something at the ceiling of the van and everyone was confused. From a small fracture between the plastic and the metal, she took a key- a golden one.

"Alright, this shit is fucking suspicious."

"So guys, here's the deal." She said, turning back to them all. "I'll go in first and check for Slenderman. You'll wait for my sign to bring them in." Masky nodded.

Soon, she jumped out of the van, and made her way towards the big doors.

"...Masky." Helen's voice was the first one to be heard, surprisingly. "Why exactly are we all here?"

Amongst all the silence, little Sally rested against Jane's and Clockwork's torsos. She had no idea what could be going on, but a part of herself didn't feel worried at all. So she was confused as to why everyone was suspicious. Isn't this just a trip? To their new home? That's what the nice faceless man had told her, right?

Masky sighed, puffing out a cloud of smoke that disappeared with the wind. "We don't know."

...

"Wh- You don't know?!"