Jack's pov

I watched the green smoke that swirled around as if it were alive. Just what is in this thing? A knock on my door interrupted my train of thought. I stuffed the ring back into my pocket and stood, going over to the door.

I opened it to see Jeff holding a plate with a slice of pizza on it. "Hey, I was gonna bring Naomi some lunch."

"You're gonna feed her?" I questioned him.

He shrugged. "Someone's gotta do it."

"Then I'll come too," I said. "I have a question for her anyway."

We both headed down to the basement. Going inside, we were immediately met with low laughter. We slowly went down the stairs and over to Naomi. She was just sitting there, laughing.

"What are you laughing about?" Jeff asked with slight annoyance in his tone.

Naomi slowly looked up at us with an insane grin. "I was just imagining all the fun ways to kill you both once I'm free."

"Well that's not gonna happen," Jeff replied simply.

She chuckled. "Don't be so sure. Selene is still out there, and she will free me."

"Yeah, yeah, we've heard all this before," Jeff said while crouching in front of her. "Just shut up and eat."

He held the pizza up to her, letting her take a bite. I crouched beside Jeff and reached into my pocket.

"Speaking of Selene, I've got something of hers."

I pulled out the ring and showed it to her. Her eyes grew wide and she nearly choked on her food. She hurriedly swallowed, her eyes staying focused on the ring.

"H-How did you get that?" she quickly asked.

"It slipped off Selene's finger when I fought with her," I told her. "Can you tell me what it is?"

Her expression turned dull momentarily. "It's obviously a ring, you moron."

"You know what I mean," I said, unfazed by her remark. "How is this thing significant in any way?"

"The ring isn't important, it's the crystal embedded in it that Selene cares about."

"Oh? Why is that?"

She sent me a quick glare. "You sure are nosy. Just stay out of other people's business."

I slid my scalpel out of my pocket and wedged the thin blade in between the crystal and edge of the ring. "What if I just pry that crystal out? Maybe I'll crack it open and see for myself what that smoke is."

"No! Don't!"

I paused and looked up at Naomi. She had an expression mixed with worry and fear as she stared at me, which was a strange look on her face. She'd never shown emotions like that before.

"Then tell me what it does. What is that green smoke?"

She turned her head away and quietly answered, "I don't know."

Jeff seemed to growl slightly as he finally entered the conversation. "What do you mean you don't know?! She's your friend!"

Naomi immediately narrowed her eyes at Jeff. "Selene is very secretive. There's a lot that even I don't know about her. She prefers to keep things to herself and I don't bother asking questions."

After a moment of silence, I stood up. "Jeff, I think we should head out soon. We still need to find Selene."

His permanent grin widened. "Alright, sounds like fun."

"You'll never find her," Naomi interrupted with a giggle. "The only way you'd ever be able to find her is if she comes to you."

Jeff growled, annoyed with her comment. I know she's just taunting us, thinking that we'd never be able to find Selene. I let out a quiet sigh and left.

Naomi's pov

I finished eating the pizza Jeff had for me. I wouldn't have ever thought that he, of all people, could be so kind. He's actually kinda attractive.

Eww, as if! Get a grip, Naomi! He's a killer, your killer! There's no way I'll let myself get attached to this bastard!

"Well, have fun in here," he said, snapping me out of my thoughts as he stood up. "Gotta go search for the other bitch."

I narrowed my eyes after he left. "Just you wait, Jeff, you're dead the moment I'm free."

Selene's pov

My plan is coming together quite nicely. The only real problem is that Slenderman I heard about from Naomi. He's powerful, more so even than me. But... I do have a few tricks up my sleeve.

I looked over to where the vials of blood were. I'll just use them to my advantage. Perhaps this'll be easier than I thought.

Jeff's pov

Well look what we have here. Looks like I found Naomi's horse. I watched it from a few thick bushes. It walked along slowly, swishing its tail while occasionally sniffing at the ground.

I carefully began creeping up behind it. Surprisingly, it didn't even notice me. Once I was directly behind it, I got ready to pounce onto its back.

Unfortunately, a loud rustle from the trees above alerted the creature. Its head jerked up and it looked back at me. It let out a neigh and kicked. Its back hooves smashed into my chest and sent me flying.

I was stopped when my back hit a tree. I groaned in pain, knowing the collision probably broke a rib or two. In the next instant, two small animals dropped out of the tree and onto me.

They hissed while biting and scratching at my face. I managed to grab one by the tail and the other by the neck. I threw them off me, seeing the opossums hit the ground and getting right back up again.

The horse then snorted and charged toward me. With me slumped against the tree to catch my breath, the horse stopped and raised its hooves above me.

I quickly jumped out of the way, hearing the stomp of the animal's feet on the ground where I was. Instead of sticking around and trying to fight, I got up and darted back toward home.

I figured these zombiesque creatures would be as hard to kill as Naomi, therefore, I'd rather not stick around since I'm outnumbered. Unfortunately, I could hear the galloping of hooves not far behind me.

I glanced back to see the horse gaining on me. Damn it's persistent. I grabbed my knife out of my hoodie pocket and slowed my pace. I watched the horse getting closer and closer.

Before it could trample me, I moved to the side and sliced my blade across its leg. It stumbled and fell, skidding across the ground with a neigh.

With it down, I ran as fast as I could. That should at least give me enough time to get far away from here. Man, Naomi's gonna get a kick outta this.

Jack's pov

I wonder how Jeff is doing. Hopefully he's doing better than me, I can't seem to find a thing. I guess Naomi was right about not being able to find Selene. But where could she possibly be hiding?

"Eyeless Jack, how nice it is to talk to you again."

I froze in my tracks upon hearing the familiar voice in my head. "Selene? How are you doing that?"

She chuckled. "If I have a piece of something from someone, I can link my mind with theirs, allowing me to communicate with them. I have your blood, remember?"

I slowly nodded before asking, "What do you want?"

"A chance to speak. I have something I want to ask of you."

"What is it?"

"I want you to take me to your home."

"What?!" I half yelled with surprise.

Just what is she asking? Is she turning herself in? Does she not care if we take her captive? Or is she planning something?

"Please, I want to see Naomi again," she said with sincerity.

I sighed. "Okay."

"I do have a few... requirements though," she said. "You cannot tell anyone about this."

"Why not?" I questioned, confused by her request.

"Because I'm entrusting this task to you and you alone."

"But why me?"

"Because Slenderman seems to always be near Masky and Hoodie. As for Jeff, I just don't like or trust him. My second requirement, I want you to meet me at my home, alone. I will guide you there."

She wants me to keep it a secret and go find her alone. I think she's definitely planning something. Perhaps it's a trap for me, or maybe she plans on freeing Naomi.

I simply nodded. "Anything else?"

"Yes, it must be a time when Slenderman is not around. I do not want him near me."

I inwardly smirked. I think she's afraid of Slender. I suppose his power surpasses her own.

"Alright, I guess I can help you then," I replied.

"Good. But be warned, if you should go against anything I have asked, there will be a price."

She went silent momentarily. I suddenly felt a tingling sensation throughout my body. It steadily grew more and more intense until it burned. It felt like my body had been set ablaze.

I clenched my teeth, keeping myself from making any pained noises. I slowly felt the burning die down into a tingle again before fading away completely.

"Do I make myself clear?" Selene's voice asked.

So that was a warning, huh? Just what can this girl not do? Her power is amazing and somewhat terrifying.

"Yes," I answered with a nod.

It grew silent. Assuming Selene was no longer in my head, I turned and headed back home. I know she's planning something, I just don't know what.

I grinned to myself. I do have a secret weapon against her though. Judging by how Naomi reacted to that ring, I can only imagine what Selene will do to keep it safe.