A N G U I S H ➵ Jeff The Killer x Reader (Dark)

Memory 1

A/N - Before you begin, just a quick warning - this is absolutely not going to end up becoming an absolute cringe fest - creepypastas are meant to be scary, that is all (:

I remember, vividly, when Jeff and Liu arrived on their first day, both bright and full of positivity without a speck of madness in sight. They were the definition of a normal family really, similar to anyone else in this boring neighbourhood.

However with time, this ordinary image faded, like everything else with a sense of normalcy in the small community we all called home. Home, a familiar word that now lacked meaning.

I remember, vividly, the pent up anger directed in Jeff's gaze when Liu got sent away. The start of a tragedy we all would remember for decades to come. I watched Jeff, the old Jeff, spiral into a completely different image of himself. He was similar to a caged animal trapped within his own mind.

I remember, vividly, the last daunting conversation I had with the shell of a boy named Jeff. The anguish, the self-loathing involved with the boy simply gone, vanished without a trace.

It was a bright, Friday morning when I arrived at school half an hour earlier then expected. I was sat perched just outside of the entrance, boredom plaguing my thoughts. I remember my simplistic anxiety on struggles I wish I had now, my fingers often intertwining and creating an annoying fiddle in order to pass time.

I had only had to wait five minutes until my eyes caught on the skittish figure of Jeff. His shoulders hung backwards, his brown locks a mess filled with self pity. I remember his eyes, the crestfallen emotion of despair seeping out the crevices of denial.

He hadn't noticed my presence, or if he did he didn't care about giving any greetings on this particular day. Normally, I would notice Jeff walking to school and just watch from afar, as did all the other curious and nosy individuals here, but this time was different.

"Jeff," My voice was filled with hesitation, a deep foreboding settling into my chest. His stature turned towards my general direction, eyes shadowing the emotion we have all seen present these past few weeks, "H-how are you?"

It took Jeff a second to reply, his fingers fiddling uncomfortably, "Um, I-I'm good, thanks." Lie. We both knew it, however, I didn't call him out on it either. I honestly didn't know what to say; my throat was parched with words I wish I had said.

"T-thats good.. Uh, look, I'm sorry about Liu. Randy's always been a no-good bully from the beginning." I rambled, nervousness controlling the inspirational speech I wish I gave which was replaced by the sickening feeling of anxiety. My cheeks were covered in a red flush, embarrassment overwhelming my senses, "I would just ignore him if I was you, eventually he will get bored, sod off and turn into a distant, vile memory."

Jeff looked taken a back for a second, eyebrows furrowing in thought as his hands found solitude in the safety of his hoodie pocket, "Maybe you're right."

"..Yeah?"

"Yeah, Randy will eventually be a distant memory for all of us, I'm sure." His statement was solid and echoed confidence, and at the time, I didn't question his words. I beamed up at him as for a second, the negativity clouding his eyes was replaced by a growing ambition.

At the time, the conversation was completely normal to me, just a lost boy seeking redemption to his struggles of the present, but we were all wrong. All of us watched like naive  bystanders, we watched, observed and believed everything was how it was suppose to be - normal, but we couldn't have been more wrong. If only I knew the ambition had an ulterior motive.

I remember, vividly, the day Jeff never turned up to school. I assumed he was ill, however the continous whispers and side glances towards Jeff's empty seats suggested otherwise. At the time, I was completely clueless. My judgement would never steer from a positive route which ultimately lead me into a nightmare.

I remember, vividly, the sheer amount of disbelief I felt after learning about the tragedy had occured. Shock was the main feeling shrouding my questioning and illness in the pit of my stomach. That day, my mother suggested we baked food for Mrs Woods and at the time, I agreed wholeheartedly.

I remember, vividly, the hammering feeling of nerves battering against my emotions as I stood face-to-face with the daunting image of their front door. I waited patiently, shuffling as I heard exasperation behind the door,

"Give me a minute!" A minute I did wait, until eventually, the door began to open, "Look, I told you before I don't k-"

"Good evening, Mrs Woods," I politely stated, gazing into the eyes of confusion. "We baked you some food."

The hesitation across her face was clear as day, "U-uhm thank you, do I know you, sweetie?" The question was laced heavily with confusion, yet filled with gratitude at the same time.

"O-oh, um- I'm one of Jeff's friends- a friend from school."

She beamed at this, hesitation long forgotten, "Well, would you like to come in, then?" Mrs Woods seemed to ignore my awkwardness, either out of politeness or lack of care which I decided the latter of.

I shook my head hesitantly, not wanting to intrude as me and Jeff were more akin to acquaintances then friends, "T-that's okay, I promised my mom I'd be back straight afterwards anyway," I lied, smile wavering slightly, "How's Jeff holding up?"

"That's a shame! Maybe we can raincheck for another time then?" She questioned, which I nodded at quickly, "The doctors said Jeff's recovery is going a lot better then expected. They said he could very much be home next week and I'm sure Jeff would be very pleased to hear that you stopped by." Despite all the hardships faced, she still seemed to smile. This woman was an epitome of greatness confined within a human.

With a brief smile back to her, she gratefully took the baked goods from my hands before disappearing behind the protection of the front door. I stood for a second, my mind wandering the expanse of the character of Jeff, however at the time, I was unknowing towards the devastation that would occur here in a weeks time.

Looking back, people could easily call it a travesty, but I knew it was much, much more then that.

It was simply a boy left to fend off the demons of his mind completely alone.