Devouring The Cure [Ticci Toby] (1st Place Ticci Toby & Admin's Choice 2016)

Embryonic Stages

(January 13, XXXX)

I don't know if this note will reach you... But i need to talk to you.

Something is starting to change. I don't know what it is, but I've noticed something. Something is wrong. I don't know if you can help me, but...I'm starting to fear the worst. I know. I know I shouldn't be scared, but....

I need your help.

----

The note she had left to Slenderman was more than enough for Toby to be worried.

Toby stood outside the coffee shop with his eyes furrowed, his eyes focusing on each word as if he was trying to find a code within them. He honestly had no idea what was going on, but Toby had a gut feeling that it wasn't anything good. She sounded so desperate, so lost.

Shaking his head, Toby folded up the note with a shallow breath before he shoved his hands into his pockets. He knew he had to go in there sometime. But from where he stood, he could see her. Toby could see her from outside, her profile so normal and harmless that he felt wrong going in there. He felt that whatever she needed was not important

And now that he had a good look at her form, he realized why Offender kept her alive. She was dainty, and very feminine-like. The black, short curls of her hair were flecked with white strands, probably due to stress. And the light tone of her skin seemed almost white against her clothes. Even from behind, he could tell she was pretty.

But what caught his attention the most was the way she placed her hand over her stomach, her head dipping in what seemed like a silent prayer.

Toby gulped and felt his resolve shake. He felt like he needed to go in there, like she needed his help. But there was so many people in there.

The young man managed to peel his eyes away from her, his heart racing against his chest before he reached in his pockets to grab what he needed to relax. His pills. Toby moved to the side of the shopping district to find a water fountain, but was disappointed to find it so out of shape. Sighing, he took out two tablets and shoved them in his mouth, his dry mouth enclosing around them before he swallowed them whole and drank some water.

And once the heavy weight fell to his stomach, Toby felt a wave of relief overtake him.

He was ready now.

Toby stepped into the coffee shop and ignored the attention he had received upon entering. He still wasn't used to people staring.

Stooping in front of her table, Toby shifted in his place before he parted his lips to speak, his voice small and trembling. "E-Excuse me."

The woman looked up from her hands, her eyes dazed as though she was in deep thought. It took about a half a second for them to widen a fraction, the woman's hair falling over her shoulder in the process. Toby felt his chest clench and he tensed as her hazel eyes roamed all over him. He never felt so exposed in his life.