Falling In Love With Slender Man

Chapter 37

CHAPTER THIRTY-SEVEN

Ash headed towards the house, head hung low. The Hunter's around him all looked equally defeated.

They had spent yet another entire day looking for Estrella, only to return empty handed. She had become quite cunning and clever since he'd last met with her. Though he supposed centuries would do that to a person.

He was still recovering from the knowledge that she was alive. Had circumstances been different-- had she been different-- his feelings would certainly be much more complex.

Before Sage, she had been the only person he had loved in his current cursed state. She had been so innocent then, so young and eager to experience life. Her eyes were always lit with a mysterious excitement and a knowing smile always curved her plump lips.

As he continued the trek back to the small house, he thought back on his first meeting with Estrella.

He was huddled in the forest, partially hidden by a small gaggle of shrubs. He had woken up there, covered in blood. Tears filled his eyes and he was rocking back and forth as he stared at his white hands, streaked with a crimson so dark it nearly looked black. The blood was splattered all over his body, the smell making him nauseous. His head spun and he feared he might pass out again.

A small part of his brain registered the sounds of leaves rustling as something-- or someone-- walked across the forest floor. He was reeling too much at the sight of himself, at the unknown horrors that disgusting thing had made him do, to pay the sound much attention.

A small gasp finally tore his mind from the grief and self loathing and he glanced up to see a small woman standing before him. Her hair was blonde and hung down to her hips, which was unusual as most women—even peasants-- wore their hair in some type of up-do. It was far more practical. Yet hers hung freely in glorious waves of silver and gold. Her eyes were widened in shock, her irises an alluring mixture of brown and green. Their depths seemed to reflect the forest itself. Her delicate pink mouth was popped open, forming an "o" shape.

He suddenly remembered his current state and his heart beat quickened. He readied himself to run, but was caught off guard when the woman spoke.

"Are you alright?" she asked, her breathy voice barely more than a whisper. Her pale eyebrows drew together in worry as she continued to look him up and down.

He was not sure how to answer. He was most certainly by all accounts not alright, but he also was not injured or in need of help. He just continued to stare at her.

She took a tentative step closer and he mirrored her movement, moving a step backwards.

"I wont hurt you," she said. "I'm a friend. It looks as though you could use one." Her expression softened as she saw the uncertainty flash across his face. A friend? No one could be a friend of his. He was a monster. He was a disgrace. He did not deserve kindness.

"My name is Estrella. What is yours?"

"A-ancelin," he stuttered. He sounded like a frightened child.

A small smile formed on her lips. "A pleasure, Ancelin." She reached out a delicate, pale hand, and he moved to grab it before stopping short as he once again remembered the thick coating of blood covering his.

Her face scrunched up a bit as she noticed too, but she just shrugged and said, "Perhaps we should clean you up first, you do look quite awful."

Estrella led him to a small pond where she helped him wash the sins from the previous night from his skin, her kind face never showing an ounce of fear or even distaste. He was in awe at her bravery and compassion. She handled him as one might handle a wounded wild animal, and she continued to care for him in that way for the months that would follow.