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

Chapter Eleven: Disguises

"You seem to have calmed down a bit." Sure enough, the teen killer seemed very content. After ending the lives of the house's residents, the killer relaxed with a sleepy grin. Now, as he and Slenderman re-entered the forest, the killer was leaning against him ever so slightly.

"Thanks," he commented, "I needed that." Before the being could reply Jeff paused, looking back over his shoulder. Slenderman froze as well, a presence making itself known to his senses. He whipped around, stepping in front of Jeff protectively as a shape burst from the trees. Electricity struck his body, tearing through him. He jerked, lashing out at the source of energy with a tentacle. It hit home, sending the electric rodent rolling to one side. Jeff tensed, fingers clenching. He'd left the blade back at he house, now he had no weapon of his own.

Another shape stepped forward, white eyes vacant. Jeff stepped forward, glaring. "Snap out of it Herobrine," he shouted, "you at the very least aren't like this." The Creepypasta lifted a hand, a sad look flickering in his gaze.

"Only God can help you now," he breathed. Jeff moved quickly, shoving Slenderman aside as a block of stone formed, encasing his lower legs. He topped over, the block keeping him firmly in the ground. Slenderman turned towards the younger teen, but the killer waved him off.

"Focus," the teen hissed. The being, although regretfully, turned away, focusing on the pair of Creepypasta before him. Pikachu.exe was grinning evilly, while Herobrine was watching on blankly. A dark aura settled over them, and Slenderman's tentacles lashed in agitation.

"Here we sit yet again," Zalgo crooned, voice echoing from the trees, "I'd like my toy back."

"He's not a toy," Slenderman growled. Zalgo grinned, glowing red eyes coming into sight.

"Stubborn I see," the demon said with a grin, "although I refuse to take no for an answer. I've become rather fond of our time together. Perhaps a quick shock will knock you back to the way I want you." Jeff snarled as Pikachu.exe stepped closer. Herobrine waved a hand, and a tight ring of stone solidified around the killier's arms and torso. He swore, twisting in his binds. Slenderman stepped in easily, knocking the little rodent away. The pair kept him busy and, when he turned to see Zalgo approaching Jeff, Pikachu.exe shocked him to regain his attention. "Let's see if I can't rewire your little brain."

Jeff growled, squirming to get away. However, with the way he was bound he could do little more than wiggle.  Zalgo gripped his chin, grinning wildly. Immediately the killer's eyes went blank and his body fell limp. There was conflict deep in his eyes, but not enough to break him from this stupor. Slenderman tried to strike him, but with his skewed focus Zalgo barely had to swat him away. "You'll be a nice addition once more," the demon purred.

"Step away from him."  All movement stopped at the demon looked up. Slenderman followed the demon's gaze, spotting one person he hadn't expected to see. Liu.

"Another one?" Zalgo muttered, "they sure do breed like rabbits don't they." He waved a hand dismissively, and the Creepypasta under his control continued their assault. Herobrine changed targets, rushing towards Liu. The teen waited until the other came close before grabbing him. Herobrine paused, clearly shocked by this sudden aggressive action. That pause was all Liu needed, and the teen pulled a knife free from the pocket of his jacket, driving it forward. It was Jeff's Slenderman noted absently before another surge of electricity jolted through him. He swatted the other aside, but he was weakening. Fast.

"Looks like a perfect night for a murder," Liu said, and the tone of it sent shudders through the being's frame. Was this still the same person that he'd met earlier. Liu drove the blade forward, sinking it deep into Herobrine's stomach. The Creepypasta coughed once before giving him a weak smile.

"Thank you," he said, "you've set me free." Liu didn't even blink.

"Don't thank me," he said icily. He yanked the blade out and Herobrine exploded into a cloud of pixels, each shimmering briefly before fading to nothing. A moment later the binds around Jeff burst into pixels as well, but the killer didn't move. Liu turned, pointing the blade at Zalgo. "You're next demon," he stated. Zalgo released Jeff, standing fully with a grin.

"Don't challenge me boy," Zalgo snarled, "I'll be more than happy to rip your insides out and make you watch." Shockingly enough Liu grinned, emerald eyes glittering.

"Are you trying to frighten me?" He asked, "because I've already died once and come back. Nothing you do or say could scare me." Zalgo frowned, and Liu laughed. "So come and fight me you demon prick." Zalgo growled, launching himself at him with inhuman speed. Liu moved just as quickly, ducking aside and slashing him with the knife. "Too slow," he teased.

"Insolent whelp," Zalgo growled, "You will suffer greatly." He swiped, claws catching Liu in the face. The teen stumbled back and fell on his butt, yet he didn't do anything that would have been expected. He didn't look angry. Didn't hiss in annoyance or groan in pain. Instead the teen laughed, the sound loud and wild.

"That's all you've got?" Liu asked. He hopped back to his feet, grinning. "I've been hurt much worse than that in the past." He slashed again, creating a similar mark on the demon's face. Pikachu.exe stepped forward, firing off electricity. It struck Liu harshly, making his body convulse violently. He dropped like a stone, and Zalgo hovered over him.

"Don't underestimate me," he hissed. Liu smiled, a soft giggle evolving into a full blown laugh. He kicked upwards, catching Zalgo in the jaw before twisting himself back onto his feet.

"Well that was a rush," he commented, rolling his shoulders. Zalgo stared at the other, and Liu gestured at Pikachu.exe. "How about I take out the fluff ball too? Would certainly lighten the load now wouldn't it?" Zalgo stepped back a bit, and Pikachu.exe scurried over.

"I'll take my leave for the moment," he replied, "enjoy your moment of victory." Liu threw the knife in his hand, the blade vanishing along with the demon.

"How boring," Liu commented. He walked over to Jeff, kneeling down. Slenderman tensed, prepared to fight if need be. Liu looked at him, face softer than it had been only a few moments prior. "Don't worry," he said, "the moment has passed." The being cocked his head, watching as Liu ran his fingers through his brother's charcoal hair. "He used to be brunette you know," Liu said softly.

"Really now?" Slenderman asked. Liu nodded.

"You'd never guess," he stated, "and his hair has stayed so soft, even after being lit on fire." He'd never heard much about the killer's life before becoming a Creepypasta. Nothing other than random snippets of information caught in small moments of trust. He wants to know more, but now isn't the time to ask, and Liu shouldn't be the person to tell him. "Sometimes I wonder if it's my fault that he's like this. I may not have been the one to turn him violent, but I wasn't there when he needed me to be."

"Try and reconcile," the being prompted, "but you'll need to learn to accept who he's become. Trying to change him will just anger him more."

"And why can't he change?" Liu asked. Green eyes were layered with hurt and hatred, boring into him as if the younger could kill him that way. "He'd be happier that way. Safer. We could have the life together we never had. The life we were meant to have."

"You won't be able to change him," Slenderman said, "Not when he doesn't desire change. I've seen parts of his mind that you could never imagine. You could take him with you to a normal life, but he'd never be happy. He'd fight you every step of the way." Liu sat back as Slenderman lifted Jeff into his arms.

"He could be happy with me," Liu said.

"Perhaps," the being said, "but I know for certain that he is happy with us. You are welcome to return to the cabin, but if you try to take him away from us by force you will meet resistance." Slenderman teleported away, leaving the other to sit with his thoughts.