Slender

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I'm Slender.

That has sort of a double meaning, because for one, it's my name.

For two, I actually am slender- in the sense that I'm thin.

It's midnight.

Most folks are in bed by this time. For me, the day is just beginning.

I pack my lunch and set off for work.

My job is scaring people.

It's harder than it sounds...

A really good scare is all about surprise.

In this day and age, though, it's getting harder to be surprising...

A good old fashioned "boo" just won't cut it any more.

You've got to be weird.

You can end up going too far...

The harder I try to be weird, the more I wonder...

Why am I doing this?

What do I really want?

Who even am I?

I head to a parking lot.

Parking lots are usually good for a scare. It's all about the atmosphere.

An hour goes by, a Volkswagen draws up.

Out comes a woman, mid-20s.

I just sort of stand around, to begin with. It's scarier than it sounds, trust me.

I've picked just the right spot this time. Location is important, you know. You've got to place yourself somewhere where you will get noticed, but only just... You can't just start out right in front of them. That would be desperate. Desperation is not cool, and it's definitely not scary.

The woman looks around her shoulder a few times. We're off to a good start. She's definitely a little creeped out... Like I said, atmosphere..

She walks through the empty lot, the click of her high-heels echoing and echoing.

She's close now. Any second now she'll see me. The timing, the lighting, the distance - everything is perfect. If I had a face, I'd be grinning...

She'll see me, but only out the corner of her eye.

At first she'll think....

"Did I just see that?"

Then she'll think....

"No way... couldn't have."

Then she'll look again, even though she knows she shouldn't .... and that's when I'll have her....

But what's this...?

The woman rummages in her handbag and takes out a sparkly looking phone. Immediately my heart sinks.

She's texting.

Walking and texting.

She walks right past me.

She doesn't notice me at all.

She doesn't even shiver or anything.

Then she's gone, leaving me all alone...

It could be hours before the next car comes along.

I kick a lamppost in frustration.

This job really isn't what it used to be...

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