To Love A Monster

Chapter 9

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Over the course of a few weeks, more trees were lit on fire. Every time, Brina would put them out as quickly as she could. It got to a point where she decided to sleep in the trees a few times with a copy guarding her position. Those were always the nights that no fire was started. Almost as if whoever or whatever was doing this knew she was guarding it those nights. For a week, just a copy of her guarded the forest, and finally, she had an image of the culprit... but no name. He looked rather odd, with dark green hair and somewhat orange skin, though the rest of him seemed like an average man. A group of more normal-looking people were with him. They looked at her copy before leaving very nonchalantly, and her copy put out the fire. They were long gone by the time her copy turned to confront them.

"So we have a visual. But it seems like just a small team of people. If my copy can catch them again, we can kill them and that'll be the end of it," Brina explained. "This kill will require some finesse, though. They show up, light the tree, and then leave before you can blink."

Jeff snorted. "So you need to kill them, then, Brina. Or one of the brothers."

She shakes her head. "Something tells me it won't be that easy. This has been going on for weeks, and—"

An explosion rocked the mansion, the windows rattling and the strong smell of burning gasoline filling the air. Groaning in annoyance, she gets up and heads outside, everyone following, since it seemed they were curious. Except... the explosion wasn't a small firework that fell into the forest. No, this was much, much, worse. Fire trucks, police, and the local news station reporters were already on the scene. She stopped in her tracks, staring back at seeing the humans move to put out the flames, and she saw the reporter for the news turn to lock gazes with her.

Ice cold fear froze Brina's veins. The impromptu staring contest was put to an end when Zalgo appeared in person. She asked with telepathy why he was here.

It is... too late. We have been found. I suppose Fate has passed Its judgment, and now it is time for us to roam freely amongst the humans. I will talk to them.

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Zalgo approached the humans, his pudgy stature making him appear less threatening, if only slightly. He saw the way the news woman trembled, and she was nearly as pale as Slender.

"Apologies if my form frightens you. Allow me to take the image of something more appealing."

Before their eyes, he shrunk in size to match the average human male, his pudgy form slimming to a lean human one, his horns staying, but they now protruded from a mop of somewhat spiky brown hair with small reddish streaks. A sharp black tweed waistcoat with a red undershirt and hem, as well as a pair of black slacks, completed the 'devilishly handsome businessman' look he was going for. Brina noticed his shoes were similar to Slender's own dress shoes. She heard Trender scoff at the outfit choice. Since Zalgo was turned away, she couldn't see his face, but the reporter was now less frightened, if only slightly, and seemed to be confused, which was an improvement.

"Is this better, miss?"

"Ah... uhm... y-yes... but..."

"I am still the monster you saw before. I can take many forms, but I thought a humanoid one like this would suit the occasion."

"Occasion?"

"Yes, if I may have the attention of the cameraman for a bit?"

"O-of course, sir, uh... d-don't let me stop you!"

He sighed and turned to the camera, which was no doubt live. The reporter seemed to remember something and held out a tiny device to Zalgo, almost bashful. "So whoever is watching can hear you."