Why won't you save me? (Book 2 of the Misguided Killer Series)

Chapter Six: Grievance.

'Just when we thought everything was fine,' Ben thought. He looked in at Jack and Hoodie putting the finishing touches on Jeff's bindings. The killer hadn't woken yet, but no one wanted him to be loose when he did. Masky was securing a lock to the outside of the door, oddly relaxed despite everything.

"Is something wrong Ben?" Masky asked. Ben blinked, realizing that he'd been staring.

"I was just thinking," he muttered. Masky set down the tools in his hands, stretching lightly. The man stepped past him, beckoning for him to follow. Ben did, curious as to what Masky would say to him.

The proxy led him out into the woods, stopping to sit on a large rock beside a river. He pulled his mask off and set it beside him, fishing into his jacket for a pack of cigarettes. Ben stood silently, unsure whether or not to join him.

"I can tell you wanted to ask me something," the proxy said, lighting his cigarette and taking a drag. Ben eyed him for a moment before taking a seat beside him.

"I saw the gash on Hoodie's shoulder," Ben said. Masky was silent for a few moments, letting his words hang as he breathed out a sigh.

"And?" He asked softly. Ben stared at him.

"And? Why aren't you more pissed about it?" Ben asked, "Jeff stabbed your boyfriend and you barely blink. If he had hurt Jack..." He trailed off, hands clenching at his leggings. Masky took another breath, the smoke from his exhale clouding around him.

"Hoodie's a big boy," Masky said without hesitation, "he can handle himself. A little wound isn't going to slow him down." Ben stood up, fists clenched angrily.

"That's not the point!" He shouted, "it doesn't matter if the wound was life threatening. It's the fact that it happened! Jeff stabbed Hoodie and you act like it's another regular fucking day." Masky ground the cigarette out, looking away and grabbing his mask. Ben paused, seeing the expression on the elder man's face. It was sadness and loneliness, but from someone who felt he wasn't allowed to show it.

"I want to be mad about it," he said, words barely audible under his mask, "hell...I am slightly mad about it. And worried. But..." Ben defused slightly, eying the way Masky gripped at the sleeves of his jacket. "Then I think about what Jeff's going through, or what Slenderman is going through, and I can't be upset. Not when Hoodie is alive and well despite whatever injury he got." Ben sat slowly again, looking at the river.

"I never thought of it like that," he admitted. What was the eldest Creepypasta thinking, watching his lover slowly fall victim to Zalgo's control. 'It must be a nightmare,' he thought, 'If I had to watch Jack go through that it would scare the hell out of me.' He ran a hand through his hair, sighing slightly.

"Jeff's stuck in a scary place right now," Masky continued, "so I can't really blame him for anything he says or does, even while not totally under Zalgo's control." Ben smirked.

"Yeah," he said, "Jeff's mind must be a scary place." He chuckled although, to his concern, Masky only looked at the ground. The proxy was digging the nails of his right hand into his left palm, indenting the flesh.

"I don't mean just his mind," he murmured, "for anyone to be stuck in their own mind is horrific, especially when you have as many demons as we do locked away in there. That isn't a fate I'd wish on anyone." Masky stood, stuffing his hands in his pockets and turning away.

"You sound like you're talking from experience," Ben said absently. Masky paused, shoulders slumping.

"I am," he said simply. Ben watched him walk off further into the woods before sighing. He stood and headed for home, thinking over the conversation he'd just had.

<•><•><•><•>

Fear. It pressed close on all sides, making his legs feel like lead and his heart throb painfully. Jeff ran from nothing tangible, simply fleeing from the hushed whispers and voices laughing in his ears.

"You haven't gotten rid of me yet," came Zalgo' amused hiss, "how much longer will you insist on this game of tag before finally giving yourself over to me?" He knew the answer, even if his lungs ached too much to actually say it.

Forever. He never intended to give himself over, not if he could help it. So he kept running from the sea of darkness and false promises incessantly lapping at his heels. Images of himself driving a knife deep into Hoodie's shoulder flickered before him. No. He'd never give in. Not even if it meant his own life.

"What? Are you just going to ignore what you did? Just like before...I guess some things never change." Jeff squeezed his eyes shut. No longer was it Zalgo's voice. Instead, it was Liu. His brother's face, covered in blood, flickered in front of his eyes. "You hurt those around you Jeff, and yet you ignore it."

"I never meant to hurt you!" He shouted.

"So?" Came Liu's sneer, "That didn't stop you from tearing into me like some kind of animal. I get you have problems, but I thought you cared about me Jeff. I thought you loved me. I guess I was wrong." Jeff collapsed to his knees, curling in on himself as tears welt up in his eyes.

"I didn't mean to," he murmured, "I loved you. I swear I did Liu."

"Did you?" Jeff nodded but said nothing.

"Just a creature of instinct," Zalgo purred, claws ghosting over his back, "you're nothing more than a tool to hurt people. And eventually you'll hurt everyone you care about." Zalgo grinned, sharp teeth near his ear. "You...will be their downfall."

"No..." He whined pathetically.

<•><•><•><•>

"No!" Slenderman jolted at Jeff's sudden outburst, approaching the young man. He was thrashing, fighting against the binds on his hands. His eyes were squeezed shut, but tears were leaking past them.

"Jeff," he said calmly, "it's alright. Wake up now." Dark eyes snapped open, hazy and not quite there. Yet the utter panic in them made the being pause.

"I'm sorry Liu," the teen mumbled out, barely coherent, "I'm sorry. I didn't want to."

"Jeff," Slenderman said again. The killer's breathing was rough, body trembling. He smoothed a hand through Jeff's hair, and he shut his eyes. "Come back to me. You're alright." Jeff blinked his eyes open, looking calmer than a moment earlier. "There you go," he said. Jeff swallowed roughly, looking away.

"Get out," he said softly. Slenderman stared at him.

"What?" He questioned, "Jeff...I'm not going to hurt you."

"Get...out," he repeated, much more strained than before.

"Jeff-"

"I said get out!" The being backed away, feeling sadness tear into him. "Get away from me and don't come back," the teen hissed. Slenderman shook his head.

"You aren't thinking rationally," he said, "you're scared, and hurt. Let us help you. We can break Zalgo's control over you." Jeff caught his unseen eyes, face steady.

"I never want to see you again," He snarled, "So get out and don't come back."

"I'll leave you be for now," the being said, turning away, "I'll return later when your head is in a better place." He hoped that Jeff would stay silent, but the next thing the killer said tore him in two.

"I never loved you," the teen said, "and I never will. Move on and find someone else and don't bother with me ever again." Slenderman stepped out of the room, shutting the door gently. The hallway was empty, so Slenderman simply put his back against the wall and let himself slide to the ground. After a few moments he curled in on himself, letting out the quiet sobs he'd never be able to fully express.