Warnings: To spoopy for me. If you don't like Slenderman, this chapter isn't for you. And if you don't know what/who Slenderman is, look at the picture above. 👻

     ~Vikk's P.O.V~

     "Three left Vikk, you ready?" Lachlan inquires, his hand hovering over the seventh button.
     "The sooner the better, if I wasn't homesick earlier I'm definitely feeling it now."

     What I said is true. After a nice map like sonic, which we completed not too long ago, I have a wretched feeling in my gut that the next level won't be so easy. It's making me feel sick.

     As we step through the portal, my mind racing on the possibilities of what this level can be, I almost don't want to look. And for the record I probably shouldn't have.

     "Oh f*** no." Lachlan curses, gazing at the sign.

     'Level 7: Slender. Collect at least four pages. (Slender is hard game, I don't expect you to collect all eight.)'

     And before I can voice my own foul words of protest, we're standing in a dark forest, tall trees looming over us and covering most of the night sky. The path we stand on is only dirt and in all directions darkness covers the land. It's dead silent, no chirping of crickets or hoots of owls to disturb the silence. In each of our hands there is a flashlight, not very big but at least it's a source of light. I instantly click mine on, hoping to ward off the creatures of the night.

     "Sh-should we split up?" I stammer, using the flashlight to light up my surroundings.
     "Are you kidding me Vikk?! In Slender?! No way!" Lachlan harshly whispers, pressing to my side and nudging me to step forwards.

     I cautiously step forward, jumping at the sound of gravel crunching beneath my feet. Gulping, I slowly inch forward, wildly shining my flashlight about at the slightest movement, although it's just the grass silently blowing in the light breeze. Said breeze sends shivers down my spine, goosebumps forming on my arms.

     "Cmon Vikk, we aren't going to get anywhere at this rate." Lachlan whines, pushing me forwards gently.
     "Alright then Lachlan would you like to take the lead?" I retort, stepping to the side and motioning with my hand to the pitch blackness ahead.

     That shuts him up. He reluctantly shakes his head, resuming his position of cowering behind me. I roll my eyes continuing on, and picking up the speed lightly for Lachlan's sake.

     We continue along the path, the only sound our shallow breathing and the crunch of gravel beneath our feet. My flashlight is providing our only light source since Lachlan is storing his away for emergency and the moon hiding behind the overhanging leaves on the trees. Eventually we see a few large boulders jutting from the ground, just off the side of the path. The jagged rocks reach to the sky, breaking through the trees and I motion for Lachlan to follow as I step around them. Lachlan peeks over my shoulder as we spot the first page sticking to the rock face. Ripping it off, I shine the flashlight onto the wrinkly page.

     "Can't run... Well that's just great." Lachlan comments sarcastically as I hand it to him and he stuffs it into his hoodie pocket.

     Making a silent decision in my head, I continue around the boulders, away from the path and start into the dark maze of trees. Lachlan makes a small noise of discomfort but quickly follows after me, not wanting to be left alone.

     Now it's much more quiet, the crunch of gravel no longer sounding as the grass muffles our footsteps. It's dark needless to say in the forest. And around every tree I swear I see the looming figure of slenderman... But I realize time and time again it's only the trees. Or is it? I shiver at the though, regretting my decision.

     "We should have stayed on the path..." I mumble as we wander aimlessly around the forest.

     Behind me Lachlan scoffs as if to say 'yeah Vikk, great going.' Slouching a little bit, I try to follow my instincts and find the path again, that is until my flashlight gets dimmer. Of all the times to be running out of battery...

     "Let's at least let it run out of juice before we use mine." Lachlan suggests.

     I nod in agreement, picking up the pace slightly. I know Lachlan is watching me, but I can't help but feel he's not the only one.

     Eventually we come across a larger tree, and Lachlan removes himself from his place behind me to circle around the tree. A ripping sound follows and Lachlan returns with the second page in his hands.

     "Don't look or it takes you... Creepy." He reads out loud, stuffing it with the other page.

     Yet again we set off. Luckily we approach a small clearing and we step into it, both letting out sighs of relief as we stumble back onto the path. We begin to move on but suddenly I hear a rustle. I stick my arm out to block Lachlan from moving forward and he stops abruptly, passing a nervous glance to me.

     "Shhhh... Listen." I whisper, just loud enough for Lachlan to hear as I point the dim flashlight in the general direction I thought the noise came from.

     All is silent as I hold my breath. On the other hand I can feel Lachlan's breath is unsteady and knowing he isn't good with scary things, I wouldn't be surprised if he fainted. Tiptoeing ahead, I glance back at Lachlan for reassurance and he nods confidently, but his fear filled eyes say otherwise. And as soon as I turn around the slim figure of Slenderman pops in front of me. His blank white face directed at us and long limbs stretching out to grab us.

     We screech, tripping over each other as we bolt away from the monster, diving into a bush about fifty feet away. Crawling on all fours we move from behind the bush to a rock a meter or so away. Shaking and panting, fear tearing through my brain, I press my back up to the smooth surface with Lachlan, squeezing me eyes shut. And finally, gathering all the courage I can, I tap Lachlan on the arm and nod back towards the path signalling we should go back.

     Lachlan shakes his head violently, probably thinking I'm crazy but regardless I slowly start to creep out from behind the rock, forcing Lachlan to join me. Flashing the light where we saw Slenderman I hold my breath, carefully scanning the area. Thankfully he's gone. I let out a long sigh of relief. And for the first time I see a large tunnel stretching out I front of us.

     "Do you think there's a page in there?" I whisper, looking back at the still shaking Lachlan.
    "Maybe... B-but more importantly, do you think Slendy is down th-there?" Lachlan stammers, reluctant to go inside.

     The odds are stacked against us right now to be honest. Lachlan did have a point, we just saw Slenderman and who's to say he's not lurking in the dark at the other end, waiting for us to creep into his little trap. But... A page is a page right? One step closer to freedom. I glance at the flashlight, it looks like it might go out any minute. Then I study the darkness ahead. The tunnel probably isn't that long right?

     Inhaling deeply, I take one cautious step forward, peeking my head into the cement tunnel. I don't see a page, and I don't see Slenderman either. Lachlan comes up behind me and grabs onto my arm with a death grip. I yelp in surprise, shooting an angry glare back at him before inching further.

     The gravel, once again under our feet, casts creepy echoes that bound off the wall back to us. If you weren't listening carefully you'd think there's another person. And then of course the flashlight flickers and burns out. Lachlan seemingly forgets he has a flashlight of his own and whimpers, stepping a bit closer to me. What we hear next might give me nightmares for awhile. A gurgling sound rings through the tunnel from where we started, and it wasn't just a normal gurgling sound. Lachlan and I stiffen, hearing heightened in the silent tunnel.

      Thud.      Thud.       Thud.

     "Nah I'm out!" Lachlan exclaims, running away from the sound.

     I don't waste a second in dashing after him, not daring to look back into the void of darkness. Ahead I can see the end of the tunnel, outlined by the faint moonlight. Lachlan's figure is running ahead of me, and just ahead of him, a small sheet of paper sticking the the tunnel wall. Lachlan passes it, probably too terrified to notice it. I in the other hand rip it off the wall as I run by, trying to keep pace with Lachlan.

     We run another few yards and while doing so I glance down at the page, to shaken to call out what it says, Lachlan would have to look for himself. 'Leave me alone'

     Skidding to a halt we whip around looking back at the tunnel for the first time. No black slender figure emerging from the shadows. We lost him. Panting too heavily to speak we just collapse onto our knees. It's not so much of how far we ran that's draining us, but fear itself. Finally I brave up and manage to find a few words.

     "Th-that makes three Lachy... If we c-can find just one more we win..."

     Lachlan nods, his eyes darting around as we scan the area while we rest. Eventually we know we have to continue if we want to survive so with Lachlan switching on his flashlight we start down the path. As we go on I see the outline of a structure in the distance and I point it out to Lachlan. With words unspoken we silently agree to approach it, hoping there might be a fourth page somewhere close by. By the looks of it I guess we might need to go in, which I'm not to keen on.

     "I don't really feel like getting trapped in there so how about we just peek inside and see if there's a page. If not let's get the fudge away from this building." I suggest, happy to see Lachlan agree.

     I lay a slightly shaky hand on the door handle, slowly pulling back the creaking door, its hinges squealing loudly from lack of maintenance. Just as I proposed I stick my head into the room, Lachlan handing me his flashlight. That's when an all to familiar expressionless face appears directly in front of me. I scream, stumbling back and falling into Lachlan as a boney white hand extends from the shadow. Lachlan manages to catch me without falling and he pushes me back onto my feet.

     "RUN!"

     I don't need to be told twice as Lachlan and I turn on our heels, racing away from the slim figure tottering out of the doors. We run, and run, and run. We keep going, not minding the burning sensation in our lungs or our aching muscles until we see an old abandoned truck in the distance. Adjusting to run to it we dive behind its large crate, finding another truck behind it. Shaking we once again hide from Slenderman, backs pressed to the truck and not daring to make a sound.

      A few minutes pass before I'm finally convinced he's gone. I click back on the flashing which I had switched off after we reached the truck as to not draw any attention. By now the flashlight has gone dim as well.

     "That was too close..." I breathe, placing a hand on my forehead.

     Lachlan silently nods in agreement, following after me as I circle around the truck behind us. And I let out a small sound of content. There on the side of the truck is the fourth page, and there is our ticket out of here. I exchange a look of victory with Lachlan, letting him do the honours of approaching the last page we need. But then he screams. A long arm, devoid of any bones seeing the way is snakes around his leg, pulls it so he's hanging upside down. Slenderman is on top the truck, Lachlan dangling and kicking trying to free his leg, which is trapped in Slendermans appendage. A second appendage reaches towards me and without a second thought I dive towards the page, ripping it off just as the tentacle skims my back. And we're at the portal.

     "Wh- did we- what just- huh?" Lachlan rambles, trying to find the right words.
     "We did it Lachlan!" I exclaim, watching his face brighten up.

     He realizes what happened, letting out a little laugh of joy.

      Not wanting to waste any more time, for I don't really don't to stay another night, I do not hesitate to punch in the eighth button.
     "I swear if we get something like five nights at Freddy's I'm DONE." Lachlan mutters, stepping up to the portal.

~~~