Mistakes (Jeff the Killer X OC)

Peace, For Real This Time

When I finally woke up, I found myself tied to a chair. There were various figures in the room, I counted three at least. They were barely recognizable, dark silhouettes in the room.

"BEN?" I asked. My voice sounded strained and weak, foreign to my own ears. I was exhausted, every muscle in my body burned, my head felt like it had been blown to smithereens and then fused back together. The wounds on my legs throbbed. Even if I wasn't tied to the chair, I wouldn't have been able to get far. Not with the figures that were Slenderman and Jeff so close by. Plus, I couldn't even see an exit.

"I'm here." The third figure said quietly, standing further back than the other two.

"What's going on..." I still felt groggy and disoriented. Were they going to kill me? To torture me for information and then dispose of me as they saw fit?

"You attacked Jeff... We, uh... Well we couldn't just let you kill him..." BEN explained. I tested my bonds, hoping against hope that there was a way for me to escape them. Of course, I would have my useless legs to deal with, but I'd cross that bridge when it came to it.

"He deserved it." I muttered, tugging at the bonds. Finally, Slenderman stepped forward.

Alright. Do any of you three want to explain what happened? He asked, but his attention was mostly on Jeff and BEN. BEN hung his head like a scolded puppy, Jeff wouldn't look at anyone.

"Do you want to untie me?" I asked in response, since no one else was saying anything anyway and I was sick of being tied up. Slenderman turned to me.

Are you going to attack Jeffrey? He asked. I contemplated it for a moment. I did want to punch him again, just for the satisfaction. Sadly, I also wanted to get out of my bonds, so perhaps if I behaved...

"Fine, I won't." I muttered in disdain. Slenderman nodded towards Jeffrey who grabbed his knife and walked over to me. "Hell no, keep that shit away from me." I said, and when he still approached I began to struggle. "No, stay back!"

"Chill, you big baby." He muttered, beginning to cut my bonds.

I froze. I could only stare, and hope against hope that he wouldn't change his target and bury that knife in my chest. Thankfully, he made quick work of the bonds and once he was done, he retreated back to his spot behind Slenderman. I finally unfroze and rubbed my sore wrists. I did not stand, for I knew that any attempt at doing so would be useless.

"Fine, I'll tell you what happened." I said, glaring at Jeff, who was pointedly avoiding my gaze. "I got Jeff to escort me to my house so I could grab a few things- Yes I am aware it was stupid, but hey it's not like I forced him to do it, he agreed so it's not entirely on me. Anyway, we were attacked and he was taken away. I called my friend Skylar because I had no way to get into contact with you guys, and stayed with him until I figured something out. Well, Jeff and BEN found me first. Jeff was... Well he was pissed, and I still don't understand why, he was going to kill Skylar, he-" Talking about the event was so much different than thinking about it. I thought I'd be pissed, but I was confused, I was upset and hurt. "He told BEN to take care of Skylar and then took me out to... I don't know, it was the middle of nowhere, handed me over to some men and left. My mother... She's..." I groaned, hating what it all had come to. "Dammit, I can't believe her."

Jeff glanced at me for a moment before speaking. "I thought Astrid was a spy, that's why I handed her over. It turns out it was her mother all along."

Katherine. The way he said her name, I couldn't exactly place any emotions.

"Astrid also neglected to mention the fact that I didn't just hand her over..." Jeff twirled his knife in his hands nervously. "I might or might not have stabbed her a few times..." It surprised me that he would confess about that, especially to Slenderman who had been pretty clear about his command of keeping me safe. Another tense moment of silence.

What was the message? Slenderman finally asked. I figured BEN and Jeff hadn't told Slenderman the message yet and were instead waiting for me to do it. Useless.

"They're setting up a bomb of sorts. To wipe you all out." I said simply. The static in the room heightened, I felt the hair on the back of my neck stand on end. Apparently it was big news because Slenderman teleported away without another word.

Jeff, BEN and I stood alone in the room awkwardly.

"Where's the exit?" I finally asked, breaking the silence. BEN pointed at a tapestry. I tried to stand, but apparently the Spirit of the Protector was on vacation, because the pain came rushing in and my legs immediately buckled, sending me sprawling to the floor. "Fuck." I muttered angrily. I tried to stand, but it was useless.

"Astrid..." Jeff said quietly.

"What!?" I yelled in anger, glaring up at him. This was his fault. Had it not been for his actions, I wouldn't be so utterly useless. Unable to walk, fated to protect these monsters, what a joke.

"Let me help you." He made a point of leaving his knife at the desk and approaching me with his hands empty. I stared at him warily, wanting to disagree but knowing that if I did, I wouldn't be leaving this room. I didn't say anything as he gently picked me up, bridal style and carried me to the tapestry. BEN pushed it aside to reveal a wooden door. He opened it for Jeff and once Jeff had walked through, he closed the door behind us.

I tried not to think about anything as Jeff carried me to our room. My anger at him was fading away with every passing second. And as it faded, I realized that it was just masking the sheer betrayal I felt at his actions. The pain in my chest as I realized that he wouldn't have hesitated to end my life then and there.

We made it to our room and Jeff gently set me down on my bed and took a few steps back, crossing onto his side of the room. "Do you need anything?" He asked. It was awkward, like it was a question he didn't ask often. I opened my mouth to say no, but no words came out.

There was an awkward moment of silence, broken only when I finally spoke.

"Jeff?" I stared forward, not meeting his gaze.

"Yes?" He hesitated, not knowing what to do.

"Come here." I said. Not a question, hardly even a request. More of a command. He stepped forward, coming at a stop beside the bed.

"What do you need?" He asked, still confused.

Without a word, I reached up, grabbed onto his hoodie and pulled him towards me. I wrapped my arms around him and buried my face in the crook of his neck. At first he was tense, like he expected me to attack him as soon as he lowered his guard. But eventually, he relaxed slightly. He returned the embrace a little awkwardly, but honestly I was just grateful that he didn't push me away.

"Fuck, Astrid, I'm so sorry." He said, tightening his embrace. "I'm so fucking sorry. Please, forgive me, I just... I didn't-"

"Don't fucking do that again." I finally said, pulling back so I could look at him in the eye. "Don't-"

"I won't. I won't." And he sounded so earnest too.

"Good." I replied. "I'd hate to have to kill you."

Jeff stared at me for a moment, studying my face. "You're doing it again." I tilted my head in confusion. "You're so forgiving, it's so... Odd..."

I laughed. "Oh please. It's no use being pissed at you, not when we can all die any second. I'd love to start planning but my useless legs just..."

Jeff walked over to the door. "I have an idea. Stay here."

"Not going anywhere." I replied.

"Right." He said and left the room.

Thankfully, letting go of my utter rage was much more satisfying than trying to get revenge.