Caught In The Forest

Involuntary Settlement

   "Come on," E.J. encouraged. "You can't stay in this darn room forever, Slendy will find you if you wan't him to or not. I have no doubt that he knows where you are right now." E.J. glanced at me for a long time, then he shrugged when I didn't respond. He stood up and was right under the archway of the exiting hall when I shouted out to him.

     "Wait! I guess you're right. Just let me gather my balance." Still a little wobbly, I used the support from the arm rest and stumbled to my feet.

     "Don't  trip," he chuckled. "If I'm going to be your entourage and tour guide, you're going to have to walk fast. Or else something deadlier than myself will want to eat your insides. And believe me when I say they won't be nice about it." The fact that he said the statement so calmly shocked me but I only stiffly nodded. His pace was brisk but I managed, keeping myself focused on walking ahead, ignoring all thoughts of what's to come.

    Nothing was exciting about our walk across the house. But the fact that the place was so unnecessarily big annoyed me. There weren't that many creepypastas, were there? I tried to imagine a horrific character living in every room, but every door we passed was haunted with silence. We entered another stupid room, this one definitely was not familiar. And like he was stalking me, which I do not doubt, Slenderman sat in the center of it like a statue. 

     "Hello," he greeted. His hands were folded neatly in his lap. Sally sat next to him, imitating his posture, but she looked so uncomfortable. 

     "Hey," E.J. said, nodding. "Hi there Sally." Sally only smiled, and began to slouch. Then I remembered my earlier thoughts about Sally, was she still a child on the inside? "Have you met Penny yet?" E.J. said as he approached Sally. Sally nodded no.

     "The mortal?" She asked innocently. E.J. nodded. I slightly waved to Sally.

     "Hi Sally," but I quickly lowered my  raised arm, I would feel disturbed if she saw the bruises her "father" gave me. She smiled, her eyes squeezed in content. 

    "Hi Penny!" She giggled. "I like pink, what's your favorite color?"She squeezed her eyes again.

     "Uh," and without realizing it I said, "gray." I gasped to myself, did I just say gray? I began to hate the color, but I had just lied it was my absolute favorite to a little girl. She smiled in response.

     "Sometimes daddy wears gray ties!" Sally squealed. Slenderman continued to stay quiet and immobile, it bothered me. What was this cold thing thinking? Was he angered? Did he care?

    "That's nice," I grinned slightly, the kid was kinda cute. Her gash no longer seemed to exist and had become a light pink scar, temporary no doubt.

     "Sally, go practice one of your instruments, please," Slenderman said finally speaking. Sally obeyed without question, it made me worry about her, if he had somehow hurt her before. He seemed to smile as he faced me, "Look who's out and about."

     "Surprised? You and your buddies gave me tips on life as I grew. I think I know how to take care of myself."

    "Cold, are we? Penny, I was only trying to put you in your place, your insult upset Sally. In fact, it upset several others as well. I can't let you get away with that. Young lady, have you heard of morals?"

     I rolled my eyes,"Don't contradict yourself. There is no stance of morals when it comes to beating young girls half to death when they don't even know who you are. You are no good in this world, you're a monster," I spat.

    He laughed coldly. "Who said I wanted to be a good man? Now listen here Penny, you asked me  for a favor, it  has been fulfilled. Show some appreciation."

    "If we ever had a friendship I don't remember it! I don't remember anything!" I shouted.

    "Don't worry, your memories are coming back," it was a different voice. Standing in the shadows was BEN. "It won't  be much longer now."

    "Oh quit your game, you're playing the nice guy aren't you? Trying to turn me into a willing tenant in this house of horrors?" I looked him in his red eyes expecting no emotion, but I was surprised to find sadness. "What was so special about those times we met together, huh? Why am I so important? I was just a brat. Irrelevant. Useless. Why am I special?"

    BEN seemed to mouth something, I believe I read it as sympathy. But Slenderman cut him off, "We were bored, you're a test."

    I looked at E.J. still silent, he shrugged. "A test?" I exclaimed. "I am no source for your entertainment."

    Slenderman seemed to wave me away,"BEN please take her to her new room, she should see it." BEN approached me and grabbed my wrist  lightly.

    "Let's go."

    I shook my head, but BEN so effortlessly dragged me with him. "I am no performer! I am not your new toy!" I screamed while BEN tugged.

As he pulled me into the hall, I said one last thing to Slenderman, "You're sick! You're a fiend!" I'm not sure if it was what I thought it was, but I heard a muffled sound, like remorse. Slenderman crying? No, not possible.

    I ignored the thought as I went on my thousandth trek through the mansion. After going up a staircase and trailing through at least five halls, we arrived to my new room. It had a small bed in it, an antique wardrobe, and a wall mirror. I sighed, no windows. BEN suddenly smiled. "What?" I asked.

    "I'm right across from you!" He grinned. "So you won't have to worry about anything!"  I sensed BEN was optimistic about it. "So I'll be going now, and one more thing, I just wanted to say this. You're much taller! Okay, um, see you tomorrow morning!" With that he left me to fend for myself in my new room. I closed the door and breathed for a minute. 

    I began to explore every detail of my new room, I checked under the bed, in the sheets, looked in the wardrobe. I found two sets of slacks and several plain shirts  in it. I blushed a little at the sight of undergarments as well. "They sure planned," I mumbled. I slipped into a set of the clothes from the wardrobe. They were loose and rugged,  but I was comfortable. Then I climbed into the foreign sheets, it certainly did not feel like my bed. It was strange but I was able to somehow fall asleep. This is my new life, huh?