___________________________
*Lucy's POV*

Just the night before we had made plans to leave and find Jack and Jeff. Papagrande still has no way to locate them and I wasn't waiting. Anything could've happened to them by now. I was still feeling the tingles throughout my body, but I wasn't too worried about it. Nearly convinced it was just the morning sickness giving me chills, I brushed it off.

Ben had slept in the recliner in my room last night after I had woke up screaming about Zalgo. He was worried; we all were. Not only were the two boys missing, but who knows what is to happen now with the new proxy on the way.

Ben and I stayed up talking for a while after he had calmed me down. He was still awake at that time searching through security camera in the surrounding towns that Jack and Jeff were supposed to be by. Of course, nothing came up.

I was seated in the kitchen drinking water and eating what I could of the liver Ben had willingly prepared. Devin was next to me, sterilizing a needle. I needed my blood drawn so he could do some tests on it. I didn't ask what kind; it's not like it mattered much anyway.

"When do we leave?" Rouge asked as she entered the dining area and pulled out the chair next to me.

I shrugged and let Devin take my arm. He wiped it down with some substance and slid the needle into my vain. The old me would've squirmed and freaked out, but I've grown used to being poked at; mainly punched. I guess you could say I've come a long way.

"I say we leave right before the sun sets. Slender and I just talked about what we could face and it doesn't seem like much. We just have to worry about a Brainchild showing up. In that case w-"

"In that case, we stay and fight. I stay and fight. I can't keep running away. I'm done with it. You expect me to fight Zalgo but how can I when I literally have no experience except for what you guys put me through in training?" I barged into her words, not caring how harsh I sounded.

Rouge leaned back and slowly began to nod. "If you would've let me finish I would've said nearly the same exact thing. Just as long as you stay close to us we won't have a problem. Papagrande swears the protection spell on you is working. We just have to take his word for it now."

I glanced down at my stomach. Lucas's plaid flannel loosely on me, not allowing me to see the small bump that had formed overnight. I know the protection spell is working and the spell to move this pregnancy along. I wasn't worried about that one bit.

"Are you doing okay, Luce? You seem out of it today." Devin said as he placed a band-aid over the small poke hole in my arm.

I nodded and looked up at the front door opening. "I'm fine."

Zero and Puppeteer walked in and glanced over at me. I nodded at them.

"Glad to see you're up," Zero said as she made her way over to the table and sat down with Puppeteer following close behind her. "We still leaving at sundown, Rouge?"

Rouge nodded and spoke up. "Where is everyone?"

"Most of us were out in the training arena. Slender pulled us all out there as kind of a 'warm-up' you could call it." Puppeteer chuckled.

"Why wasn't Lucy taken with?" Rouge asked, folding her hands on the table.

Puppeteer shrugged his shoulders. "I'm not the one in charge. Maybe that's why Slender said for her to meet him in the office in a bit."

I sighed and pushed the plate of food away from me. Ben walked over and grabbed my plate, giving my back a few soft pats.

"You ate more than I expected." He said quietly as he walked away.

"I'll just go to his office now," I announced as I stood up.

Puppeteer and Zero both jumped up out of their seats and ran over to the front of me, blocking my way. Puppeteer cleared his throat.

"Get ready first. You're still in your pajamas," Zero said, giving me a slight wink.

My cheeks turned a soft pink as I realized I hadn't even put clothes on for the day- just stayed in my black and pink striped shorts with my white tank-top and Lucas's plaid flannel.

Turning around slowly, I made my way up the stairs, taking it one slow step at a time. My mind was ready for the day while my body was still waking up. I hadn't stretched in ages and I'm sure that's what Slender is going to want me to do.

As I was making my way up the last flight of stairs, the feeling of dread washed over me.

What if we don't save Jack and Jeff?

I tried to brush off the feeling, but there was something about that question that just kept coming back to me. My parents, gone. Carmen, missing. Lucas... corrupted. Who else do I honestly have any more? Sure, I have all of the other's that are here in the Hideaway, but none that I trust as much as I do Jack and Jeff.

"Lucy?" A small voice quietly whispered as I took the last step on the stairs.

I jumped and glanced to where the voice was coming from. Silver was standing in the middle of the hallway with his head down.

"What's up?" I asked, making my way over to him.

He shrugged his shoulders and looked up at me. You could tell he was upset about something... or was that just his normal face? I couldn't really tell. It's not like we talk much anyways.

"I'm sorry that I can't help you today," He gently whispered to me.

"It's all good, Silver. Basically everyone except you and Sally are going. Slender is even going to be making an appearance here and there. Devin and Papagrande are staying behind too for more research on a tracking spell. Just keep Sally company and her mind off of things for me, okay?" I asked, flashing him a grin in hopes of cheering the usual down soul up.

He nodded as his head and began fading away slowly. For a split second, I think I even saw the corner of his mouth turn up into a smile.

******

It was nearing sundown and we had set out just a few minutes ago. Ben and LJ were at my side while the rest had begun to scatter out. The three of us made the plan to follow Jack and Jeff's main course in hopes that we find something that Slender missed. The others were separating behind us, following their own trails.

"Have you tried to make another one of your visions happen?" LJ asked from my left side.

"It happened when I wore Jack's pendant. I don't know how to make it happen without it." I stated. "But then again, I haven't tried without it. I wouldn't even know where to begin anyways."

"The one proxy we had with visions would focus on the thing or person specifically. Like, if you were trying to channel me, you'd think about only me. The way I sound, look, you know, just things like that." Ben said with hope in his voice.

I stopped dead in my tracks. It was almost foolish of Ben to tell me to think of the way my own boyfriend sounds and looks. Doesn't he think that I do that already? Something would've happened by now. Hell, I could tell them whatever they wanted to know about Jack. The way he rubs his eye sockets in the morning, still half asleep and now slightly frustrated that the ooze is now caked to his hands. The way his one cheek dimples up when he smiles at me or the way his brows furrow when he gets confused or when frustration is settling in. Or the way his lips taste metallic after he finished a meal. All of which I don't mind and long for it to return. But what I miss the most is the way the corner of mouth would curl as I rested my head on his shoulder, feeling the tightness of his arms around me. I just miss him...

"Luciana?" Ben cooed, waving his hand in front of my face.

I shook my head and looked between Ben and LJ. "Sorry, I was just thinking..." I trailed off as I continued walking on.

"We'll find them, Luce. I wouldn't worry about it too much," LJ said as he began to follow me.

I spun around and cocked my head to the side, almost glaring at LJ.

"I'm not quite sure how many more times people are going to tell me that. You don't know for certain, so why get my hopes up?" I questioned him.

"To make you feel better." He quickly responded, pushing past me and continuing on.

I turned around and began following him, still irritated by the fact that he said that. I know they're just trying to make me feel better, but I can't just keep listening to the same thing repeated over and over; not when it's getting my hopes up as much as they are...

A few yards in front of us stood Slenderman. He had his arms crossed and was facing in our general direction. As we approached him, he began to speak.

"Still nothing on Papagrande's and Devin's end. Same with everybody else out here. I'll take it it's the same with you guys?" Slender asked as we came to a halt in front of him.

I shook my head. "It hasn't even been an hour. I wouldn't expect much yet."

Another surge of tingles coursed through my body again. The same ones from the night before, only stronger.

I ran my hands up and down my arms quickly, trying to rub the tingles away, as I let out a deep sigh. "We should continue on. I just want to find Jack."

Slender nodded his head and faded away. I could hear LJ and Ben's footsteps behind me, signifying them following.

The air was cool against my face. With every breath I took in, a knot in my stomach grew. I knew it was anxiety curling itself into a ball and resting itself in my stomach, but I couldn't stop now. Answers... I needed answers.

"Luce?" LJ said as he quickened his pace to walk beside me.

I let out a soft hum.

"Do you regret coming to live with us?" LJ asked, glancing over at me.

I furrowed my brows. "I've answered this before, LJ."

"I know, I know. But things since then have changed. I'm just wondering if you were still all in or hesitant on all of this." LJ began walking backward in front of me, staring down at me.

"LJ just leave her alone. She's got enough going on." Ben mumbled behind me.

"It's all good, Ben," I assured him before answering LJ. "My answer hasn't changed. I don't regret it. I may not have had a choice in the matter, but I don't think it was a horrible decision."

"But your par-"

"Stop." I quickly cut LJ off.

Just the thought of my parents right now was enough to make that ball of anxiety in my stomach stir around. My time of grief was cut short and I haven't even fully coped with the fact that I'll never see them again. Ever.

"You're right. I'm sorry, Luce." LJ said as he turned around and began walking faster.

Ben walked by me and caught up with LJ. He punched LJ's shoulder and began scolding him. The two of them bickering only made me chuckle on the inside. But the playful punched turned into LJ shoving Ben slightly, only to have Ben retaliate with a shove back. Rolling my eyes, I slowed down my pace to make sure I wasn't caught in their argument. Why even try to stop it when they probably won't listen?

My amusement was cut short with a stabbing pain in my chest. I let out a loud cry and dropped to my knees, cradling my chest. Both LJ and Ben were at my side with a flash.

"Luciana?" Ben said in a concerned manner, resting his hand on my back.

LJ was at my side, too, whispering for Slenderman.

My entire body became hot and my head began spinning. Where the pain in my chest erupted from now felt like my skin was being torn away. I began ripping off my sweatshirt and pulling my t-shirt away from my body and sliding my hand onto my chest. My hand immediately became wet. I let out a shrill scream and in front of me. Slender had appeared and was holding both Ben and LJ back.

"What is going on?" LJ kept yelling, "We need to get her back to the Hide Away, Slender. She's bleeding!"

"You think I don't see that?" Slender asked. "We can't touch her. Ben's lucky I got here when I did."

"What the fuck is going on!?" LJ demanded.

I was gritting my teeth, trying to manage the pain that wouldn't stop...

"The link," Slender said.

Through the tears in my eyes, I looked up at the night sky. Don't say what I think you're going to say, Slender. Don't you fucking dare...

"The link has ended," Slender said.

I began staring at the brightest star I could find. Anything to take my mind off of this moment- anything.

"Okay? But why is she bleeding?!" Ben said, staring helplessly at me.

"Jack's gone, guys," Slender announced softly.

The lump from my stomach moved up my throat and out of my mouth. I was vomiting up what I ate earlier.

"You don't know that for sure!" Ben shouted, glaring at Slenderman.

I could hear LJ cursing and screaming at the night sky. So much for being stealthy out here. If there was anyone around us, our position was most certainly given away.

I fell over away from the pile I had just created and... just laid there. I know I should be crying right now... but I just can't. It's like I feel nothing anymore. Just... numb.

"Lucy, is it over?" Slender asked, inching closer to me.

I nodded my head and glanced up at him.

"Let's get you back to the Hideaway," Slender suggested, wrapping a tendril around me.

I shook my head and sat up. Slowly pulling my hair back into a ponytail, I looked at LJ and Ben.

"I'm not leaving them out here alone. Jeff still needs our help." I said, standing up and brushing the dirt from the ground off of me.

"If one is gone, there is no doubt the other is, too, Luciana," Slender suggested.

Shaking my head, I continued on, "They need someone alive for answering, right?"

"Not necessarily." Slender fought back. "We'll continue tomorrow. Everyone else deserves to know the news, too."

"But Je-"

"Luce." Ben spoke up, "Let's just go."

Reluctantly, I nodded my head and let Slender wrap his tendrils around me again.

******

Everyone was back at the Hide Away now gathered outside. Ben, LJ and I were ordered not to say anything and have Slender break the news to everyone. I didn't care. It's not like I really wanted to go parading around announcing the death of my boyfriend.

I was standing by Slender and Papagrande, who had already gotten the news. Everyone else was standing in front of us, confused as to what was going on. My eyes landed on Clock who gave me a questioning look. I just glanced away. My hand was pressed to my chest, holding a bloodstained white cloth.

"Slender, what is going on?" Candy asked.

Slender let out a sigh and began to speak. "Jack is dead."

Way to break the news.

I let out a scoff and rolled my eyes.

"What? Did you find him?" Candy's voice sounded shaken.

"Well do you see a body?" I asked, crossing my arms.

Candy raised his eyebrow at me.

"Ignore her. She's going to be a working progress." Slender sighed, shaking his head. "But no. Lucy experienced the unlinking of them two. That can only be done by the death of one or both."

"Can I go inside now?" I asked. "I want to get washed up and get some rest."

Slender nodded at me.

I pushed my way through everyone. All eyes were on me, but I wasn't making any eye contact with anyone.

"Luce?" I could hear Clock say from the right of me.

I turned my head and glanced at her. "Yes?"

"Are you alright?" She asked, giving me a concerned look.

"Well," I chuckled. "The bloody rag is a little bit of an inconvenience, but I think I should be fine." I grinned at her.

She raised an eyebrow at me and nodded at me as I continued making my way up into the Hide Away.

Before entering the tunnel, I spun around. Everyone's eyes were still on me.

"Whoever is training with me tomorrow, I'll be up at seven in the morning. Be ready."

******
*LJ's POV*

I was watching Lucy as she walked into the cave, seeming as if she didn't have a single worry in the world. As soon as I knew she was in the home, I turned back to Slender.

"Please tell me she won't be like this forever," I muttered.

Slender hesitated for a moment, as if he were lost in thought, but eventually answered my question. "Possibly not. It's really hard to tell."

"Slender, there has got to be something." Clock said, still staring at the tunnel entrance.

"Guys, I don't know. The last linked members we had here, the one still isn't who he used to be." Slender said.

Candy hummed. "Thought you said they both died?"

Slender turned to Candy. "They did. Hence the reason why he still isn't the same."

"You said 'still' meaning he actually isn't dead." Candy corrected Slender.

"I'm not having this discussion. It's irrelevant to Luciana." Slender boomed.

I shrugged my shoulders. "I don't know. Luciana was linked and now isn't herself. I think it's relevant."

Candy glanced at me and nodded.

"I'm not having this discussion with any of you right now." Slender repeated.

"Well, I think Luciana needs that discussion soon. Possibly right now." Toby spoke up from the back of the crowd.

Slender sighed. "Whoever is training with her tomorrow, be ready and don't hold back."

"And the baby?" I asked.

"The baby is fine. Papagrande made sure of that immediately. Just be ready for training." Slender said before fading away.

"Typical." I scoffed, turning to Candy.

He was staring at where Slender was. His arms were crossed and the expression on his face showed he was clearly lost in thought.

"Any thought's Pinky?" I asked, trying to brighten the mood.

"Just a theory." Candy said as he began turning away to make his way back up to the tunnel.

"Well fill me in!" I chuckled, following him.

******
*Lucy's POV*

The bath was filled up to the top. I had the lights out with a single candle lit in the bathroom with me. The water managed to cover every inch of my body below the top of my chest. It was nice to finally relax after that outing, even though I wish we were still out there trying to find Jeff. Doesn't matter, we'll look again tomorrow. I wasn't stopping until we do find him. We failed Jack, no way in hell was I going to fail another.

I pulled my hair down out of the ponytail and flung the band across the room. Letting my hand sink back into the water, it rested upon my already swollen stomach. It was hard to think of how in the world I was going to raise a baby to become the next proxy-- let alone raise a baby in the first place-- especially here.

I knew I should be thinking of Jack right now, but for some reason, I don't feel worried. My anxiety hasn't gotten the best of me; maybe that should worry me. I just feel... nothing. Emotionless.

I slapped my hand on my forehead and sunk lower into the bathtub.

"Emotionless. One of Slender's wonderful qualities after his unlinking," I muttered, "Awesome. Now I have no emotions."

The door creaked open and I quickly grabbed my towel and covered myself up.

"Ever heard of knocking?!" I shrieked.

Slender stepped through the door and closed it behind him, flipping the lights on.

"I could've just popped in without warning." He said in a flat tone.

Rolling my eyes, I sat up in the tub, making sure I was fully covered with my now soaked towel. "Kind of like you just did?"

Slender crossed his arms. "I came to check on you. I heard you talking to yourself."

"Guess that makes me crazy, doesn't it?" I snorted.

He shook his head. "I don't think you're emotionless like I was-- am." He leaned up against the sink and continued speaking. "You're awfully mouthy and have a careless attitude going on. That's not like you."

I paused for a moment thinking of what to say next. I suppose 'Fuck off' would kind of be unnecessary.

Slender pressed his hand to his head as he shook it. "I can hear your thoughts, Luciana."

"Then stay the hell out of my head." I bit back.

"You act like I have a choice. I hear what you're thinking as if you're speaking to me. If your mouth isn't moving, then it's your thoughts." Slender growled as if that wasn't the first time he's had to explain his telepathy.

"Learn to block me out then. I don't know." I groaned. "I'm trying to enjoy my bath before I get some rest. Do you mind?"

Slender stood up straight. It seemed as if he was going to say something, but he didn't. He just disappeared.

"And don't come back in without knocking! Just don't come back at all tonight!" I shouted, hoping he could hear me.

I threw the sopping wet towel into the sink, only to miss by a few inches and watch as it dangled over the edge, dripping water. Resting my head back on the bathtub, I rubbed my eyes in frustration.

So I'm not emotionless, just careless. I guess there's a slight difference. I don't seem to care that Jack died, though I know I should feel something at least. I don't care what Slender has to say to me about how I am acting or how to handle things. And I most certainly do not care about that towel making a puddle of water on the floor in the bathroom.

I just don't care.

******
*Luke's POV*

Zalgo and I were going over plans on where to set out our next wave of corruption attacks. I wanted it close to where I used to live. Just to make sure that miserable town suffered; especially the ones I went to high school with. But, Zalgo seems to think that setting it in the major cities and having it work it's way down is a better plan.

"Fine," I growled, "But next time don't ask for my help if you don't even consider my opinion."

Zalgo let out a dark chuckle. "I'm not considering it because your only motive is revenge." He stood up and walked around the table we were sitting at. "Think about it. You put it in a major city, more people become corrupted and it spreads fear into everyone's minds. Panic, chaos, fear. Not a good combination. Before you know it, not only will the corrupted be killing, but the humans will be killing other humans in an attempt to stay alive."

I spun around in my chair to face him. "Why are you killing everyone when you could simply just corrupt them and make them your slave?"

Zalgo squinted his eyes at me. "What?"

"Think about it man. Kill off like half of the population and corrupt the rest to do your bidding. May take a few months, but at least we know Luciana will be out of the way with the plan we have in store. That way you won't even have to worry about your day of reign. It would be more like an eternity of reign." I said.

Being here I have a lot of spare time on my hands. Zalgo usually sends out Scarecrow and the others to do his dirty work. I keep the corrupted creatures here in check and send them off at appropriate times. Zalgo has them pretty much wired to think of me as their God, just like I think of Zalgo as mine.

But with all of that spare time I do rack up, I just think of ways to ruin this world without completely destroying it. Sure, we could kill off all humans, as long as Slender and his followers don't get in the way, but what fun would that be? That would mean more work for us. So why not slaves?

"I see your point. I'll let it sit in my mind and stir around." He gazed off at the wall. "Quite a few adjustments would have to be made in the original plan on the Proxy, but I think I could come up with something."

For a moment there, it sounded like he was complimenting me and I almost felt accomplished.

The second I started feeling completely accomplished was when I watched the cult bring Eyeless Jack's limp body through the front doors.

"I thought I said not to kill him?" I groaned, attempting my best to sound disappointed when in all actuality I was glad he was out of the way.

"Kelsey got carried away." Liu snarled, glaring over at the girl.

She shrugged her shoulders and walked right passed us, heading into the basement.

In the basement is where the cult resides if they are staying here in Zalgo's world. They are not to leave unless they are told they can. Otherwise, the punishment is surely death. Especially with all the corrupted Zalgo has running around his woods.

"Well, someone is going to have to figure something out. We need him alive." Zalgo muttered as he began to climb the staircase.

"Unless someone here knows how to raise the dead, I think we're shit out of luck on this one, Zalgo." Liu chuckled, grabbing onto Jack's hand and waving it around limply.

Zalgo turned around. "So corrupt him."

Liu's face darkened as he glared up at Zalgo. "Do you not remember the last time Jack was nearly corrupted?"

Zalgo grinned. "I do. But now that he's dead, we have the upper hand in the situation. Take him to the holding cell and strap him up. I've got lots of questions for him."

The cult proceeded to carry Jack into the basement where the holding cell is. I grabbed Liu's arm and spun him around to face me as he walked by.

"What happened last time?" I asked.

Liu crossed his arms and frowned. "Because of how Jack died in his past life, he has the ability to fight off the corruption. He was attacked by a corrupted years ago and we watched as he transformed into his 'beast mode' and began shredding everything he came across with his nails. Quite literally, too."

"He's dead though. How does this bring him back?" I asked, watching as a cult member closed the basement door behind them.

"The same way Zalgo brings most of us back. If he wants us saved, he can do it. Granted, it will set us back a few days, possibly a few weeks with our planning because it drains him. He chooses not to do it half the time because he's an asshole." Liu said, making sure the last few words he said we're audible for Zalgo.

"I don't want to say it, but I'm going to." Zalgo shouted down the staircase, "We need these answers. Which means we need Jack. Especially if there's another proxy."

An idea sprang to my head. "Zalgo, I have an idea...."

******
*Lucy's POV*

My legs were switching positions as fast as they could as I ran through the brisk morning air. I had my work out shorts on and a thin hoodie, knowing I was going to break a sweat today. I know heavy lifting was a huge 'no' from Papagrade, just in fear that I could pull a muscle or strain myself with the new weight that keeps adding on around my stomach.

I don't seem to have made much progress since the night Jack died. That was three days ago. I have kept to myself. Nobody wanted to train with me after the incident a few mornings ago when I nearly tore LJ a new asshole for accidentally bumping into me while on a morning run. Slender had tried to explain to them that I'm not me right now, but they all still avoid me like the plague.

As I slowed down and came to a halt, I noticed the area I was in. My hands were on my knees as I let my breathing slow down, staring up at where the mansion used to stand yards in front of me. But I wasn't here for those memories.

"Hunter...?" I softly spoke as I stood up.

He may not have been here physically, but he promised to be here for me- even if he couldn't respond.

As I began to walk over to his grave, my right calf began to cramp up.

"Ow. Ow. Ow. Ow." I repeatedly muttered to myself as I continued to hobble over to where he was laid to rest.

Flopping down in the grass, I rolled onto my side, placing my left hand over where he is.

"I miss you..."

The words rolled off of my tongue softly. If he were here, he would know what to do.
"I'm a mess. Things aren't right." I spoke up again, closing my eyes to picture how things were. "I'd give anything to go back to the end of October. The night in the club when Jack and I went as Harley and the Joker for the Halloween dress-up nights. Or my birthday when I dragged Jack up to the rooftop and..."

My chest grew sore just thinking about mine and Jack's first kiss.

"The same night Jack explained some of the issues he went through being one of Slender's followers- telling me about each and every scar I traced my fingers over."

I curled my hand up over Hunter's grave and let it rest there. There was a slight breeze in the Slender Woods today, causing the grass on the ground to run over my skin gently. It wasn't bright outside, and it rarely ever was here, but it wasn't dark either. I suppose it doesn't help the sun was still rising in the sky.

I bit down on my bottom lip and released as I continued speaking. "The first day I saw you. I... I didn't even know what to think. I wanted to slap you for being in hiding all of this time and making a whole town grieve for you. Yet at the same time, I wanted to wrap my arms around you. Never letting you go. It was because of you I wasn't overly nervous about living in the mansion. Even if you were with Jane- who is doing alright by the way."

I rolled onto my back and stared up at the sky. The things I would give right now to hear birds tweeting or insects buzzing. But I was in the Slender Woods. Nothing was going to happen.

"Luciana?"

I glanced over at the tree line and sat up quickly. Jane was standing there, leaning up against a tree. Her hands were folded in front of her as she stared back at me.

"What?"

Jane walked over and took a seat in the grass in front of me. She was adjusting the short black dress she was wearing as she spoke up again.

"I didn't know you were here. If you needed company, you could've asked."

"If I wanted company, I would've Jane." I shot back.

She quickly turned her head to face me. With that look in her black eyes, I knew what was about to be said.

"You don't have to be a bitch, you know. I actually come here quite often. I wasn't meaning to follow you." She sneered.

I nodded my head. "Followed me or not. You're still here because why?"

Jane squinted her eyes at me. "I am here to visit Hunter. Can we not argue right now? Or is that just a specialty of yours at the moment? Snapping at LJ, Ben, Slender, and Papagrande all in one day wasn't enough? Or how about the way you treated literally everyone yesterday- want me to elaborate on that?"

I shrugged my shoulders. It's not like I'm meaning to do half of the things I do. I'm acting on my first instinct and it's getting me in trouble. But I really don't care.

"If anyone tries to talk to you now, you chew them up and spit them out. If someone even looks at you, you do the same. We understand that the night Jack died was rough on you and the unlinking is making you act like this, but you need to control it. We're backing you up one hundred and ten percent of the way, but you're shutting us out. We kind of need our proxy, Luce." Jane rambled.

I grabbed a strand of my hair and started to twirl it around my fingers. Old habits die hard I guess. 

"I know," I mumbled, unsure of what she wanted me to say.

"That's all that you have to say? That 'you know'?" Jane scoffed. "You're lucky I haven't tried to put you in your pla-"

"Lucy!" 

I could hear Ben's footsteps approaching fast. 

Glancing at Jane, she quickly shrugged and shook her head. We both stood up as Ben approached us.

"Je-Jeff! We know where he is! They sent us a location on him!" Ben spoke quickly. 

"And we know this is real how? You're trusting the enemy as of this point. Are we really stooping this low?" Jane asked, glaring at Ben.

"She's right. This could be a trap." I spoke up, thinking of how Jeff could be doing at this moment.

Ben shook his head. "We don't have a choice but to give it a chance. This is Jeff we're talking about! You know he would do it for any of us!"

Jane laughed maniacally. "You may want to phrase that better next time. I doubt No-Brains would lift a single pinky to help me."

Ben squinted his eyes at Jane. "So Jeff has never helped you once? Ever?"

"I'm not having this conversation. What I'm getting at is it's not a good idea to just trust Zalgo and them." Jane retorted. 

They both looked at me. I was staring blankly at the treeline in front of us, thinking of the best option. We trust the enemy, this could be a trap and we could lose more of us. On the other hand, we trust them, get Jeff back and everything is all fine and dandy. Something is not right.

"We can't risk losing more." I finally spoke up, glancing over at Ben.

His facial expression darkened. 

"I figured you of all people would be the one to side with me on this. Jeff was there for you when you needed someone and Jack wasn't around. Jeff has saved your ass more than once. This isn't the Lucy we know." Ben responded coldly. 

"And I'm sorry I'm not who you want me to be. I'm only acting on what I know right now!" I argued back, throwing my hand off to the side. "How many of us are left? Hmm? Why don't we keep it that way!? Or are you trying to lose more of us, Ben?"

Ben was quiet for a few short seconds before nodding his head and turning around. He began to walk away as he spoke up. 

"I'm going to save Jeff with or without you guys. He needs us." 

And with that, he disappeared into thin air. 

I looked over at Jane, who was staring at the spot Ben had just disappeared in.

"You can't be thinking about going with right now. Are you?" I said in complete amusement.

Jane shrugged. "I mean, Ben does have a point. Jeff is one of us. Jeff saved all of us at one point or another. We know where he is, why can't we attempt to save him?"

"Something is going to go wrong and you know it, Jane. Anybody who hears that plan knows it's too simple for Zalgo and his followers." I shook my head, placing my hand on my forehead, trying to ignore the throbbing pain from over thinking the situation.

Jane started walking down the path to the Hide Away. I watched her slowly disappearing passed the trees until I could no longer see her figure anymore.

"See what I mean, Hunter? She's fine. Still snobby. Still dumb. Jane's fine." I muttered, glancing over at Hunter's grave.

"I say you should go." 

Jumping from fright, I spun around to see Hunter standing behind me. 

"Wha-"

"Don't question it or even think this is going to happen again." Hunter chuckled. "The Plague Doctor is already mad I begged him to show up. Tried to get here while Jane was here, but it took quite a bit of convincing. Damn near had to sell what was left of my soul." He joked.

"Yo-"

"Shut up for once and listen, love." Hunter sighed. "Jeff needs you, alright? Before you wouldn't have said no to this. Before you would have been the first to jump and rush to his aid."

"Am I the only one who sees the issue with this!? They gave us his position. Anyone could be there when we get there! We could be far outnumbered with Corrupted and Zalgo's followers!" I argued back, still in shock that Hunter was standing right in front of me. 

He just shrugged. "Then be ready. If I could, I'd be there fighting right by your side. But I can't Luce."

"We don't need to lose more, Hunter. We need everyone that we can have for the day Zalgo decides to show up." 

Hunter took a few steps towards me. His usual lime green, skin-tight shirt wasn't torn anymore. He was as if the attack on him that took his life had never happened. But it did, otherwise he would be here now. 

He reached out his hand and placed it on my cheek. His hands were cold and almost airy. I reached my hand up to put it over his, but my hand just went straight through.

"You can't touch me, love," he chuckled, "I'm not here."

"You're touching me though," I said quizzically.

"I'm imagining I am. You?" He asked, cocking his head to the side.

I nodded. I would give anything right now to wrap my arms around him and never let him go. To keep him in this world and away from the Plague Doctor. 

"It's almost time for me to go. Change your mind, Luce. If this were Jack, I know you would've barely hesitated. Jeff needs you, love." Hunter sighed, taking his hand away from my cheek.

I nodded. "Fine. But the second things start going south I'm not sticking around."

Hunter glared at me. "Don't abandon them. Are you scared to lose more of us? Then fight until there's no more of them."

"Good joke. You know they'll never stop coming." I scoffed. 

Hunter glanced behind me quickly and then back at me. 

"I have to go now. Don't do something you're going to regret. I love you, Luce. Hang in there." Hunter said as he began walking passed me.

He quickly spun around and nodded down at my stomach. 

"Took things a step too far again, I see." He chuckled and winked at me.

I covered my stomach with my arms and stuck my tongue out at him. "Shut up."

"Love you, Luce." He chuckled again as he slowly faded away.

I don't know how long I was standing there staring at the spot Hunter had just left vacant. Did I imagine all of that? Was my mind playing tricks on me? It couldn't have been. If it was, I have an extremely vivid imagination.

"Thank you, Plague Doctor," I muttered as I began to make my way back to the Hide Away. 

******

The walk back was long. So long that the sky was filled with sunlight, showing that it was now midday. I left as the sun was rising and now here in a few short hours, the sun was going to be going down. 

Slender was standing outside of the tunnel entrance, staring at where the portal was just a few feet to my right.

"Did they leave?" I asked, quickening my pace to climb the slope up.

Slender nodded. "Almost everyone did. I'm kind of disappointed in you."

"You wouldn't be the first." I sneered. 

He began to shake his head. "Are you headed in or not?"

"Yeah. I was just going to throw some sweats on quick and grab Lethal Caress."

Zero walked up next to Slender, holding my katana in her hands with a pair of sweats.

"I figured you would change your mind." Zero smiled. "I knew you wouldn't just leave them to go alone."

I smiled at her and grabbed the sweats. Slipping them on over my shorts, I fastened the tie around my waist. With slight hesitation, I grabbed my katana. The surge that courses through my body every time that I touch my weapon is still beyond words. 

"You coming too, Zero?" I asked, pulling up the hood on my sweatshirt. 

She nodded. "I was only going in if you were."

Unsheathing the katana to check on the blade, I quickly slipped it back in and nodded at her. "Let's go then."

She grinned and carelessly started jumping down the rocks. I was still climbing down slowly as she came to a halt in front of the portal.

"How far do we have to walk until we're there?" I asked Slender, who was still standing in the same spot.

"You'll see Ben and the others immediately. It's less than a half mile in front of you. Be safe out there. There's no telling what is there." Slender responded. 

Even he sounded hesitant about this. He knew something was up, too. This is all too simple.

I spun around when I got to the bottom of the slope and nodded at him. Slender was staring down at me. I wish he at least had a face so I could read his facial expressions. Instead, I just have to guess on how he is feeling about all of this.

"Just ask, Luciana," Slender said. "If you must know, I am just as hesitant about this as you are."

I took a deep breath in and let it out slowly. "I know. I'm going to do my best to get us all back here safely. I'm not coming back unless we all are."

Slender nodded. "I think I can get used to the new you." 

"I'm not new." I let out a soft chuckle. "Just less chicken shit."

"We have to get in there, Luce," Zero said, grabbing onto my arm.

I nodded at Slender and turned around. Zero and I both took off running through the portal... and I was not prepared for what I saw in front of me...

************
Heyyoooo Dolls :D I'm back... AGAIN. Trust me. I'm way too stoked for this next chapter! I hope the cliffhanger wasn't too much for you guys! The next chapter is on its way and shall be here soon, I really do promise this time! <3 

Updated: June 12, 2018