The Man in the Blue Mask

Chapter 5: The Slender Man

Jack led me to an open clearing deep in the forest. Slightly confused, in looked at him. "Um... Why did you take me to a clearing?"

"Just follow me. There's a barrier to keep it hidden." Grabbing my hand, we went through the clearing, and there it was. A purple light flashed before me and there stood a tall dark mansion. I guess the barrier was to keep curious people away.
Walking through the door, Jack called out. "Slender, we got a problem."

"I hope you're not calling me the problem." I rolled my eyes.

A tall pale man with no face appeared before us. "Yes Jack? What's the problem?" while jack spoke with slender, I ended up wandering around to explore. The place was rather huge despite how it appeared from the outside. Walking down a hall, I bump into a little girl wearing a pink nightgown. She looked up at me and smiled. It reminded me so much of my little sister. I felt a tear fall down my face.

"Are you okay miss? Why are you crying?" Her smile became concern as she asked her question. Quickly wiping away my tears, I smile to let her know everything I fine. "It's nothing. What's your name?" I kneel down to her height, giving her a head pat.
"I'm Sally!" she giggled. Just then, another little girl ran up from behind Sally. "Hey! Are we gonna play hide and seek or not?"
Sally looked at the other little girl. "Don't worry Lucy! We just gotta find Lizari and Lulu then we can play!"
Watching them run off, I walk back to Jack and Slender. The tall pale man moved his featureless face towards me. "Charlie, Jack informed me of everything. And I've come to a decision. You will be staying here for the time being so that we can keep watch of you. Zalgo won't come anywhere near here, you you'll be perfectly safe."
I stood there. Stay here? But what about Jack? I didn't want to leave him alone.

"Why can't I stay with Jack?" I demanded. Jack sighed. "It's not safe for you out there."
I glared at him. "I'm not helpless, if I have to fight then I will!"
"Fine! Then get yourself killed for all I care!" he stormed off out of the mansion.
"Fine!" I stomped off in another direction.
Sally had been watching and walked up to Slender, a curious expression on her face. "Are they married?"
Slender sighed. "No- they aren't."
Sally tilt her head, looking off to where Jack had left. "They sure act like a married couple." she then skipped off to play.
Slender face palmed.

×××

A few days had passed since I had started staying at the Slender Mansion. I was given my own room, which ended up being Jack's old room. It still reeked of bloody kidneys, but I'm sure I would fix that soon. Laying on my bed, I stare at the ceiling. I still felt bad for yelling at Jack.
"I'm sorry for being such an idiot..."

"I suppose that makes two of us."

Startled, I jumped up from my bed to see Jack had been sitting by the now open window. "Jack! Geez- don't scare me like that. Next time knock before you come in." I smiled. I was actually happy to see him.
He smiled back. "Sorry I kind of ignored you for the past few days. Slender had me out on patrol to make sure Zalgo wasn't still snooping around."
I nodded, remembering the events of before I had arrived at the mansion. I was Zalgo's target. He had killed my family, and now I was next. Looking back at Jack, I realized he was now holding the drawings I had made on him on my desk. "What are these?"
Blushing I quickly grab them from him. "They're nothing!! D-don't worry about it!" I know he was eyeless, but I knew in a way he could still see. And I was hoping to every god in the universe that he didn't notice what the drawings were.
"Anyway..." he continued. "Slender says it'll be safe for you to return to the cabin in a few weeks. There's been no sign of Zalgo."

"That's great!" I smiled. I could be with Jack again. Just thinking about that made me smile more. No! I can't think about that right now! Besides, he probably only sees me as a friend. Frowning again, I lay back down. "So what will we do til then?"
"Not sure. I guess just wait it out."

There was a knock at the door, then Ben appeared. "Hope I'm not interrupting you two lovebirds." he teased. Jack threw one of my throw pillows at him. Ben just laughed and tossed the pillow back to me. "Slender wants to speak to you, so I suggest you go see what he wants."
I nodded to Ben then got up to walk to Slenders office.

"You wanted to see me?" I knocked on the door to let him know I was there. The office had a bunch of bookshelves and files. Probably files on the 'pastas. Slender beckoned me forward and I walked over.
"Yes, I wanted to speak to you." He seemed serious. "Charlie, would you like to become one of my proxies?"
The question was sudden, and I wasn't sure how to respond. "I- what?"
Slender explained further. "You can become a proxy and work for me. You will be on better watch here and Zalgo won't be able to harm you. But you will not be allowed to be around the others. You would remain with the other proxies. However, there is another option."
I was more interested in the other option. He clearly knew what choice I picked before I had said it out loud.
Clearing my throat, I spoke up. "What's the other option?"

"You can become like the others and become a 'pasta. But it won't be an easy task converting from the human world. You will be giving up your will as a human, and you will never be allowed to go back."
Go back to what? My family was dead and I didn't really have any friends. So I didn't care if I was leaving humanity behind.
"I'll be a 'pasta. I'll take the risk."

"Very well. There will be a ritual you will have to perform at midnight. If you are truly content with your choice, then you will no longer be connected to the human world."

"Whatever it takes. I'll do it if I means I can keep the friends I've made here."