Misery Rose

Chapter Five - A Place To Call Home

I sighed, and began to speak. "I was very little when it first began. I was twelve years old, and a bright and chipper girl, as most were around my age. I was, however, considered a rebel by my former stepfather, Charles. He deemed me not fit to be seen as any child of his, whether step-child or not. This was because I wasn't what he wanted. I wasn't only attracted to those that would be considered the same 'race' as myself, as well as the fact that I am not attracted to men as he wished me to be." I take a shaky breath, and continued. "I used to love having my back scratched, and he used that against me. There was one night in which my mother, sister, and brother were all upstairs. My mother had been cleaning their bedroom, while my brother and sister had gone to bed already. I don't remember why I had stayed up that night. It might have been with the fact that I faintly remember him asking me to stay down there with him." I shiver, thinking about that, and cross my arms against my chest.

"I remember asking that thing to give me a back scratch, because however crazy this sounds, I still tried to view him as if a father. After all, my mother seemed to love him. I just wanted to make her happy. That man...did terrible things to me. I was never raped, thank goodness, but...I have yet to get over what happened. I remember him asking me...he asked me if what he was doing felt good. At that point in time, as I was quite innocent, I...I regretfully said yes, as I didn't realize exactly what he was doing. I-" I stop, and shudder, taking in shaky breaths, as my nails began to dig into my skin, once again. "I eventually told my closest friend, who gave me the courage to tell the parents that I lived with. I had a suspicion that it was..." I paused, thinking if I should continue. "I believed that it was something else, something was supposedly proven to not be. A few months later, I told my mother, and this led me to talk to authorities about what could happen." A tear slipped down my cheek, and I sniffled. "At the end of the summer, when I was informed that he would not be charged, I was terrified. I wasn't the only one at risk, now. My baby sister was at risk as well. I could never face myself if something happened to her."

"I arrived back at home, and the memories tormented me. I felt as if at any moment I would snap. It wasn't pleasant to be around me, especially if you knew nothing of my anger and emotions. I couldn't sleep for nights, and eventually that got to me, I guess. I heard voices whispering in my ear, telling me that he was coming for me. That he was going to make new memories...special memories." I paused, and softly smiled towards Sally, as I saw that there were a set of large, deep brown, double doors at the end of the hall. "With what I can recall, it only took a week, if not less for me to completely snap. I tried to control it, I really did. Eventually, however, it was too much. I needed to protect her, I needed to protect those that were like me. Innocent..." I looked towards my arms, seeing that there was a sliver of blood running down my arms.

"I had brought a knife to my throat, after inflicting many scars upon my skin, ensuring that I feel a different kind of pain before being taken away to a new land. I didn't reach what I thought that I would, though. I was 'reanimated', I suppose. ...I am rather glad for this chance, though. I've been able to help out so many that would have been in my situation, if not interfered with." I grinned, and laughed. "I can't tell you that I regret killing myself. In fact, I would much rather take this death, than have the voice tormenting me. He can't hurt me as much now that I'm dead. The one thing that I regret at this point in time is that I haven't had the chance to get my payback."

I picked up Sally and placed her on my shoulders. "So, uh, Sally, would you like to help me out with getting my payback on 'em?" Sally seemed to be in a rather bitter mood, but when I asked if she wanted to help, she seemed to go back to her happier self. "Sure, I'll help! In return, though, I want you to play with me more often." I laughed at her request. "Alright, Sally, dear." I paused for a moment. "Oh, right! Sally, I met you earlier today or yesterday, and I was wondering if I can, like, adoptyouasmyowndaughter?" I mumbled that last portion of the sentence rather quickly, and had to repeat myself once. "Does that mean I have an entire family, with a mom?" I looked back at her as best I could in confusion. "Wait, who's your dad, then?" "That would be me, child." 'Oh great...' I thought, as I just nodded. "Yeah, I guess it does, Sally. Now, why don't you go find something to do while Slenderman and I discuss the arrangements of my stay here," I say as we arrived in front of the doors. Sally giggled, and ran off to somewhere unknown to me.

We stepped into the room, and it looked rather comfortable to me. It almost looked like a larger version of a therapy room. As Slenderman sat down, I just stood in front of the desk, waiting to be told of what the arrangement would look like. "You can sit down, child." He paused. "Now, as for the arrangement for your stay here. You will be staying in a room that is separated from the rest of the household, due to your...conditions. You will have easy passage to reach Sally's room, however, and can choose to begin living elsewhere, as long as you notify before doing so, visit every week or two, and your new residency would be near the mansion." "Alright, and as to other responsibilities?" I questioned. "As for other responsibilities, you would greet guests if I ask for you to do so, you will maintain areas that you visit quite often, and will be a 'guardian' to Sally." "...Fine by me. Am I permitted to harm those who touch me unless I give consent for them to do so?" "Given your past, I suppose so, but that does not allow you to severely injure them or attempt to kill them. Doing so will cause you immense pain. Am I understood?" "Yes, Slenderman. Now if you don't mind, I am going to find Sally and find something to do to occupy my time."

I turned to leave, but was stopped by Slenderman. "You do have to be led to your room, as well as have my symbol ingrained into your skin as to protect you from the others." "I suppose that's fine, then...." 'Not like I have much of a choice.' Slenderman seemed to chuckle at what I said, but then I started piecing things together. '...The folklore never mentioned this...' "That would be because I make it seem as if I can sense their fear, not read their thoughts." 'So you can read thoughts. Well, fuck.' "Alright. Let's just get this over with." Less than a minute later, I felt something being burned into the skin of my throat. I wanted to scream, to scratch at whatever was at my throat, but it was as if I was in a trance. When I felt as if I could move, the burning sensation was not the largest worry that I had.

"Room...where will my room be?" 'I feel like I just want to sleep for hours...' Slenderman seemed to find it amusing of my reaction and top priority in my current state of mind. Slenderman walked out of the office, and as I numbly followed him, I noticed that the others had appeared to be around the corner of the office. I growled at them in warning for only a moment, and then began to follow after Slenderman once again. We walked through different hallways. twisting and turning throughout the building, until we reached a dead end, and I noticed a plain, grey door, with a silver handle. Slenderman seemed to motion me forwards, and as I walked in, I was amazed. It was...beautiful. It had a deep red carpet, along with a black framed bed, and a window behind the bed There was what appeared to be a vanity, as well as a small desk and dresser around the room. I turned to Slenderman.

"Thank you, Slenderman. This is very nice of you. I never would have expected a room such as this." I take a moment to admire the room a bit more. "May I be alone now, please? Thank you for allowing me to stay here, and with such an arrangement." Slenderman seemed to smile at my words and left to who knows where. I sighed in relief once he left. While I enjoy his company more than others, it's still hard to be around others. 'I guess I really have a place to call home, after all. At least...for now.'