Slender

Chapter Twenty-Six

Chapter Twenty-Six

I woke up feeling groggy. There was crust in the corners of my eyes. I scraped it out and slid my feet over the side of my bed slowly. The television was static. It made me think of it. I knew that wasn’t the case though. The power was out from the snow. I turned the television off and stared at it. What was I going to do today? I was bored with my life. I slipped into the hot shower like yesterday morning.

I pulled up my ripped blue jean skinny jeans, slipped on my Fall Out Boy tee-shirt, and my red and black plaid flannel with the spikes on the shoulders. I didn’t do my makeup. I wasn’t going anywhere. The rest of my break was going to be uneventful. I guess my friends couldn’t be with me every day. Four days with no plans wouldn’t be easy. I’d spent a few nights decorating my room, but there’s only so much wall space.

I asked my mom to take me to Wal-Mart so I could get something to work on. She groaned but obliged and we were headed out in this weather. My dad’s truck was four-wheel drive so it was nothing. I watched the grey-white sky and the snow covered pines move with us through the window. Lady Gaga played on the radio and I turned it up as I hummed the tune. We passed through town, by Micah’s house, he was outside playing in the snow with his chubby little brother and some of the  Slendy Club, and then made our way down the highway. We pulled into the less crowded than usual parking lot. “I meant to tell you…” My mom started.

“What?” I asked turning around in interest.

“A…boy in Fleur’s grade was found brutally impaled last night…” She said looking ahead as she pulled into a parking space.  Her knuckles were white against the steering wheel. Brutally impaled… That was the nicest way to say that their body was shoved through a giant tree branch and their organs were then ripped out, put in plastic bags, and dropped back inside of their carcass. It was disgusting and horrid. I’d taken note of the missing person records and deaths that had been popping up around Lancer County. The numbers skyrocketed compared to the past years. “I want you to stay by my side in the store. I know it sounds ridiculous, but you understand, right?” she said distant eyed. I nodded and opened the truck’s door. We walked through the wet parking lot and I clutched my arms. This coat was not warm enough. I was getting my hair dyed this evening. I was pretty excited for that. I always loved the attention I got for my ever changing hair colors. It was amusing and complimentary to me. The Wal-Mart doors slid open and mom grabbed a cart from the cart gate next to the quarter machines. The clerk at the entrance greeted us and I smiled to her. She was the hippy old woman who was almost always here working.

“So what are you looking for?” Mom asked as we walked around the office supplies. I put in a dry erase board, a cork board, photo paper, tacks, and poster tape. “More renovations I see.” She murmured.

“Yep. I’m making a dream catcher tonight too.” I said smiling.

“Cool, cool.” She said. I nodded. We picked up some groceries and made our way to the check out line. I couldn’t help myself from smiling at the excitement of decorating when I got home. It was our turn so I started helping my mom load things on the conveyor belt.

“Cece?” I heard a familiar voice ask. I looked up to see Declan’s sister Sylvia as our cashier.

“Oh hey.” I said smiling.

“Haven’t seen you in awhile.”  She said kindly.

“Yeah, I know.” I replied politely.

“You look different from last time. Oh never mind, you’re just so pretty!” She gushed. I felt myself getting embarrassed. I smiled and thanked her for the compliment. I stood their awkwardly as we checked out.

“Who was that?” Mom asked.

“My friend Declan’s sister.” I replied.

“Who?”

“Declan is one of the kids that hangs out at Micah’s.” I explained.

“Oh.”

I spent all night tacking up pictures to my corkboard, hanging my magnets on the dry erase board, and hanging up photographs. I spent two hours on a giant dream catcher. I plugged in the lights I hung up and listened to music on my bed. I was bored again. Where had my thrill gone?