My Smiling Demon

Chapter II

Jeff's POV
I look up at Clara's balcony that leads to her bedroom. I am in the Jacksons' backyard, and I chuckle to myself as I remember what I did to Clara's old house. Maybe I should do the same to this one. No, I'll have a little fun with her first. I've been away for a few years, but now I'm back. Back for her, Clara Summers. My Clara, she's mine to kill. I'm the predator and she's the prey. I start to climb the tree by the balcony and think how I'd like to kill her. I remember Slenderman giving the rest of us the details to the Summers. He had told us that one of us would have to choose them as our next kill. That's what dear ole' Slendy does, he gives us targets and we decide who gets to kill who. It's a mystery how he chooses the victims, but I don't complain as long as I get to actually kill. Slendy gave us a picture he had stolen of the family and something about Clara caught my attention. Her smile was as beautiful as mine. I had decided that she was different, beautiful maybe, so I'd take my time with her. Everyone else seemed more than interested in Clara, also. I had to fight hard for her, but eventually, I obviously won. I smirk as I remember Jack wanting to taste her kidneys. I didn't even feel an inch of remorse when cute little Sally threw a tantrum over my victory. Clara was and is mine, and no one is going to snatch her away from me.
I'm on the balcony and am glad to find that the glass door is unlocked. I step in, careful not to make any noise even though I'm sure no one's in the house. I've been watching Clara carefully for days, so I know that she keeps my knife in a loose floorboard in her closet. She takes it out every morning, as if to assure herself that it's still there. I chuckle to myself, my knife won't be there the next time she checks, and I'd like to see the look on her face when she realizes I've been here.
I miss my knife, and I want it back, so I open the closet and lift up the floorboard. Smoothly, I take out my knife and sigh in relief. This is the first knife I've ever used to kill. I used it on my family as well as Clara's. I frown as I realize that all the blood has been wiped off. Oh well, at least I have the knife with me now. I put the floorboard back in its place and close the closet door. I stay there and take in everything I see. The walls are black, but they're covered in white and red words. Probably Clara's favorite quotes. The curtains are white and red, also, with black words. The bed seems to follow the same pattern. There aren't many decorations except for a few pictures of her new family here and there. Her room is neat, with only a pen sticking out of place on her desk. I pick it up and place it in the glass cup where the rest of her writing utensils are.
The room smells of her. Sweet nectarines and white ginger. I take a long whiff and grin. I love this smell, it makes me smile even more.
I hear a car coming into the driveway outside. That's my cue to leave. I open the balcony doors, jump down, and run swiftly into the woods.
When I arrive at my destination, I step inside the big, but old and defective, mansion I share with many others like me, I am greeted by the stench of dried blood and wet dog. I am suddenly pushed down by a red and black mess, licking at my face.
"Smile! I've missed you too, buddy," I laugh.
I shove my dog aside and stand up, only to be met by a tall man with no face.
"Slendy! How have you been, you good for nothing piece of-"
"Jeffrey!" I am cut off, "I know what you've been up to, and I don't like it."
I look up at Slenderman with a glare.
"Seriously? Do you really have to stalk all of us like that, you creepy bastard? I do what I want, whether you like it or not."
I walk away, leaving him speechless.
"Jeff! Where have you been?" I hear behind me.
I turn around and see Ben trying to keep a straight face on. I think he wants to scold me or something, the little jerk.
"I thought you weren't coming back. Sally thought you weren't coming back."
Sally? Oh no. If I care about anyone besides myself, it's little Sally. Right on cue, I feel a tugging at my pants from the side. I look down and see her shining face beaming at me.
"Jeffie! You came back!"
"Of course I did, I always come back for you, Sally!" I reassure her, picking her up and twirling her around.
She giggles and I would keep playing with her if I hadn't been stopped by who I saw next.
"So...the prodigal son returns," Laughing Jack says with a smirk. "Oh, leave him alone, LJ. You're always bothering everyone," Ben states in defense.
I raise a hand up, signifying that it's okay.
"Psshht, sure Ben-Ben," LJ retorts before he slinks off to wherever.
Ben calls after him as I walk up the stairs to my room, "Don't call me that you-"
I close the door. I sit on my bed and laugh. Yep, that's my family. Though dysfunctional, we understand each other, which is what truly counts. Yeah...gotta love them.