Caught In The Forest

Seeing Color

I sat motionless on the couch in the room Jeff left at least an hour before. I was afraid that if Jeff hadn't told him already, Slenderman would try to come find me from where I last escaped, and kill me like he probably wanted to. Whatever spell or trick Laughing Jack had put me under, it had worn away. I held my head, a furious thumping beating inside, a headache for an aftermath. Then I laughed, but not from Laughing  Jack's influence, straight from myself. "No one would believe if I said I was here," I smiled wider. "With creepypastas." Then I laughed to myself, and I had fooled myself, I knew I wouldn't believe such a tale. 

     "Having fun by yourself, huh?" I whipped my head up and saw Eyeless Jack, sitting on the love seat across from me. It was surreal, seeing his mask, being only four feet away from it.

     "Sure am," I muttered, looking down. "Should I stay around you? You don't look so harmless if you ask me."

     He chuckled, "You can count on it. I don't have a normal diet, I prefer," he leaned towards me, "unnecessary organs.  Might you have one?" He asked with a smile.

     "Sorry, I like my insides to stay inside," I said rolling my eyes noticeably.

     He chuckled again. "Honey, that really isn't your decision. I was more or less giving a demand. Besides, my preference is a kidney, or two, if you're willing to make the sacrifice." Eyeless Jack's mask shifted, so I knew he was smiling.  

     "Listen, Jack number two, I'm not really liking the reputation that comes with your name. I already had number one, I don't know, drug me. I am really not up to what your demands are. I like my kidneys, all two of them. And I'd like to say I am keeping them," I hissed, angered.

     This time he let out a weak laugh. "Well, it's not everyday that a mortal has got guts talking to me, verbally and physically. I see why you're the new pet. You're interesting, you've got a vibrant spirit. Lucky for you I like that, and Slendy's got killing you a no-no. But as I can see," He gestured to bruises patterned along my limbs. "Slendy just might break his own little rule." He stood up to leave.

     "I'll be honest I do not know you, or really like you, but I don't want to be alone. Especially if your Slendy comes along, he just might break one of my bones this time." It was true with what I said, after Jeff left I had felt so scared. There were so many hidden dangers in the house, ones waiting for me to skip along.

     "More like break every single last one in your body, but," He sat down again. "I get your point, fear, loneliness. The fact that you're still alive amazes me. I remember coming here for the first time, I was fresh off the death scene, my name got out, so Slendy wanted me in. He got me noticed by some internet brat, and, well, here I am. Don't ask me about my special diet, it kinda just occurred to me, and I worshiped waste not, but not really the want not. I felt that I had a superiority to everyone, but that's how it is in this here mansion. We're all high and mighty, we're the ones swinging the scythe. And I'll tell you something, it's a great feeling to be in command," his mask shifted.

     "I'll take your word on it," I responded. "But I've got a question." He nodded, allowing me to go on. "What do I call you and the other Jack, because I will not say your full titles."

    "Just call me E.J.," he  said flatly. "Other guy L.J.. I'm not fond of him, though, always childish with his work. I  don't get it."

     "Says the guy who eats kidneys," I responded. This time he fully laughed, and it was warm. That's when I saw that behind this mask was a person, or someone who once was. He was once sixteen, young and naive. Maybe that's when he started to kill, but I didn't think I'd find out. For the first time in this damned mansion, I saw color out of the black and white that occurred to me. The gray had faded and I was seeing vibrant splashes of color, warm and deep, soft and light.