Pure of Mind and Sharp of Knife (Male Reader x Female Creepypasta)

Mad as a Hatter

The entire mansion is abuzz with confusion. Angel, still in her white pajamas, escorts Zero straight to the torture room for imprisonment, and Zero scowls back at me before they disappear down a hallway. Ann wraps a towel around me as I take a seat in the living room – soaked to the bone with rainwater and blood – and I shiver and chatter like a rattlesnake's tail. The Proxies crowd in the kitchen as they murmur and peek into the living room, eyeing the trail of water and blood leading up to my seat.

Ann and Rouge whisper worriedly as the latter takes off my mask to dry my face and hair. Slenda looks down at me without a word until Ann nods at Slenda.

Rouge starts a fire in the fireplace as Ann informs, "I think he will be fine... His lips are only a little blue, but he is stabilized."

Slenda sighs through her non-existent nose, "(Y/N), my dear... Need I scold you?"

"No..." my teeth chatter, "I push...ed it. Really p-pushed it," I grin despite the numbness of my lips, "but I b-brought you another T-Terror."

After rubbing her half-lidded eyes, Rouge tugs off my boots, walking into the kitchen to pour the water inside into the sink. Ann rubs my shoulder, her body against mine, her heat more comforting than the fire. Slenda studies me in silence, the fire crackling under my chattering teeth.

"You have been going out for more than tonight," Slenda stands up, and she caresses my cheek, her touch lingering, "Your rebelliousness is something I both love and dread. I know you know that you could have died, but Zalga could have also abducted you. Who, then, would be left to save you?"

"I know," I nod, "I knew the stakes, and I figured I had the insurance to get by unscathed. I have—"

"Your friend's power," Slenda crosses her arms, "I should have seen that you were up to something. Why must you insist on keeping us in the dark? At least confide in me."

"Listen, Slenda..." I pause, "Sometimes I need to get off the leash to do what I need to do, and you wouldn't have let me get things done the way I want it done. Someone else would have come with me, or you may have stopped me from acting so deeply in Zalga's territory. I had to keep it a secret!"

"There will be no more secrets," she points at me, her maternal tone returning, "Of all the Proxies I have ever had, you are the one who grays my hairs the most!"

I sit back in the chair, "Alright, okay, no more secrets," Rouge, standing beside Slenda, squints at me, "I promise!"

Ann hugs me, her arms around my back and chest, "You continue moving the goalposts, love... I want your oath, not your word."

"My oath is my word, and I'll keep it," I argue, "Don't you understand? We're closer to toppling Zalga. Slenda, you read my mind, didn't you? You know exactly what I know."

"Indeed," she nods, "I know you suggested to Zero that you would torture her out on the front lawn."

I glance between Ann and Rouge, "Well, I was trying to scare her."

"It did not feel that way. Your subconscious is ingrained in your memories, too, (Y/N)," Slenda puts her hand on my shoulder, squatting down beside me, "This is becoming a problem... You are not yourself. Please, do not forget we care for you more than anything in this world. You must understand my worry."

I gaze at her for a moment before sighing, pulling the towel tighter around my shoulders, "I understand. Really, I do, but I can't stay out of this war. You need me, and I need to fight to protect you, too."

"That does not mean becoming reckless!" Slenda yells, "For goodness sake, I trust your judgement and intuition, but in your growth, you have forgotten my own as well as my authority!" She growls out a sigh, "Enough of this. You are on strict watch until further notice. I have seen your memories, and I know Zalga is on the back foot; I will not waste your effort, and I will contact Slenderman about conducting joint missions. Away with you!"