When Violence Ensues: Slenderverse Short Stories.

Story Ten: Live.

These four walls. The same four walls that she had grown accustomed to after a long period of time, and had learned to love. The female desired the feeling of freedom after the institution, the independence and happy silences. Stormy loved her humble little apartment, even though it could be tainted with saddened memories that spilled into her consciousness occasionally. There were times that Stormy remembered her time at the institution, it wasn't unpleasant. But it wasn't mind-blowingly amazing, either. It was just another thing that happened.

Humming a light tune to herself, Stormy was catching up on a favourite TV series, sitting covered in blankets on her couch as she flicked through the episodes, trying to remember her place. Just as she was about to select an episode, a knock resounded from the door. It was a polite knock, yet familiar. Raising an eyebrow, the blonde female pulled herself up from the couch and opened the door, to reveal a tall male wearing a grey coloured hoodie.

"Good evening, mind if I come in?" The male asked, and Stormy gave an incredulous smile,

"Michael?" She questioned, stepping aside to let the male into her apartment. The man chuckled and shook his head,

"Close! No, I'm Patrick. In control again, because Michael isn't in a good place right now." He answered, rolling up the hoodie sleeves and pulling down his hood. Stormy's smile remained playing on her lips,

"It's been a while, right? I hope Michael's okay." She spoke, "D'you want tea or coffee or anything?" She asked, as they both walked into the living room part of her cosy apartment. It had been a long time indeed since she had last seen Patrick. In fact, her last encounter with him had been before Michael had left the institution, where they had met. They were good friends, while they remained there. After Michael left the institute, they had lost touch.

Patrick perked up, "Oh, yes please! Thank you." He replied, obviously pleasantly surprised by the generosity of the girl. He sat down on the couch, and folded the blankets neatly before setting them over the arm of the couch, almost as if it was a habit. Stormy watched, shaking her head in amusement before heading into the kitchen and boiling the kettle, "Still haven't lost touch with that OCD?"

Patrick chuckled lightly in response, "Never." He responded, "Too deeply conditioned in me now." The man added, giving a little shrug of his shoulders, sitting in a comfortable silence before Stormy returned with a cup of tea for him, and one for herself,

"So, what brings you here?" She questioned, sitting down on the couch beside him, gently clasping the hot cup in her hands. After all, she hadn't seen Michael, or Patrick, in a surprisingly long amount of time.

Patrick seemed to think about the question momentarily, before giving a light shrug of his shoulders, and the corners of his lips lifted into a devilish smile, "Would you believe me if I told you I wanted to see an old friend?" He questioned. The female grinned and shook her head,

"I know you better than that. Sweet thought, though." Stormy responded, before sipping at her tea, "What's the real reason, hotshot?" She questioned, much to Patrick's amusement,

"I'm actually here to warn you." He responded, that devilish smirk falling from his lips," I wish I was here on better terms."

Stormy froze, and her eyes narrowed in confusion," Patrick, what's wrong?" It had to be something quite intimidating for Patrick to have to warn her, right?

"I am sure you are aware of the tall, faceless being?" He asked in reply," Well, it would seem that it has returned and is on a hunt. Michael's brother, Shaun, is most likely going to come to you at some point in the near future to ask about Michael. Tell him everything you know. My advice to you, would be to not get involved with it at all, and rid Michael and his brother from your hands. You will not see me again either."

Stormy blinked, and shuddered momentarily. The air had grown cold, and Patrick's expression was sombre," I, uh, don't understand? Like, I know who the tall thing is, but I don't get why I have to stay awa-"

"It's after me, Stormy. Anyone involved around me may or will die. Anyway, that's all the bad news I have to deliver. How have you been keeping?" The man questioned, his expression becoming calmer and happier in comparison to what it was just moments ago. The blonde female took a breath,

"Oh. Well, stay safe? And uh, I've been good. Just getting back on track and living, really. I'll be back in a minute, gotta go and put this in the sink. Have you finished your tea?"

"Oh, thank you." Patrick responded politely," And good to hear that you've been keeping well." The male added, as Stormy took the mug from his hands and took it into the kitchen, placing it in the sink.

When she returned, Patrick was no longer there. Confused, the female tilted her head to the side," Patrick?" She called, but no reply was given. The front door was ajar, and so she poked her head out of the door and glanced down the hall. No sign of him. A sigh escaping her lips, the female went back into her apartment and locked the door," Stay safe." She spoke quietly, before sitting back on her couch and resuming the episode of the series she was watching.

It seemed that the minute things were working out again, something else would occur. Stormy tried not to think about it, and simply devoted her attention to the television screen.

((It's a shorter chapter than usual, I apologise. Writer's block is hitting me like a car,, hope you guys are keeping well!)