___________________________
*Jacks POV*

I couldn't sleep all night. Not that I really needed to. But I just kept replaying last nights events over and over in my head. Zalgo is getting ballsy enough to make short appearances now. When Ben was leaving last night, I told him to make sure Slender knew what was going on.

It's the day before Halloween- more commonly known as Devil's Night. Tonight is the Pasta's night usually. They all compete in most kills and most destruction. Laughing Jack has been in the lead for two years now with 39 kills and burning down an apartment building. Well, at least most of it. Last year was also the year Jeff almost got arrested. Slender usually changes the portal every year, so that we'd end up in different areas. But no matter what, someone always ended up in this town.

I didn't mind sitting this one out. I'm sure Lucy wouldn't exactly appreciate me coming through her parent's door caked in blood.

I saw a bright pink light coming in from the window, indicating that it was morning. The door opened, and I saw Lilly's head peak in.

"Jack, are you up?" She whispered.

What the hell does she want?

I faked a groggy voice, "Kind of, why?"

"Oh good! Can you come help me and Luke? Pretty please." She let out a small whiney voice.

"With what?"

"Were preparing breakfast for mom, dad, and Lucy. Come on." Lilly said as she closed the door.

"It's not like you're giving me a choice," I said to myself a little too loudly.

Lucy turned around under my grasp and pressed her face into my neck, "Hmm?" She mumbled.

"Nothing, Lucy. I'm getting up now. Just sleep as long as you'd like." I whispered and kissed her head.

Standing up, I slipped on the shirt I had gotten myself yesterday. Lilly insisted on it. It was on the clearance rack at Hot Topic for $3, so I didn't complain. Plus, I found it pretty cool. There were 6 different masks on it, all circular. Below the masks, it read Hollywood Undead. Whatever that means.

I gave Lucy one last glance before I left the room and entered the kitchen. Lilly was sitting at the kitchen table, Lucas nowhere in sight.

I stood in the entryway of the kitchen, "Where's Luke?" I said as I folded my arms.

"Oh. He said he's too tired." She said slyly.

Something was up and I wasn't having it at all.

"Okay, well I'm going back to the bedroom," I said as I turned.

"No Jack, please wait." She stood up and ran to me and grabbed my arm.

"Let me go, Lilly," I growled.

"Or what? What are you going to do? I went through your bag last night. That's quite the mask you have, almost like the one some guy was wearing the night Michael was attacked." She hissed.

"I don't know what you're talking about. Let me go." I growled again, trying to shake her off of me.

"Quit moving. I know that was you that night. I know you and those guys attacked Michael. I paid a visit to Michael, and he told me about everything. Including that mask, Jack." She snarled, "I know exactly what's going on here. You put Michael in the hospital so you could be with Lucy."

"Honestly, Lilly. Do I look like that type?" I questioned her.

She sighed, "No, you don't. But I can tell you right now if I find out different I will say something to Lucy and turn you into the police."

"Whatever you say." I spat back, "I'm going back to bed. Thank you for wasting my time."

I walked back into Lucy's room and closed the door behind me.

"Bitch," I mumbled.

Crawling back into bed next to Lucy, I fought back every ounce of anger I had toward Lilly. I wanted to lash out at her. I want to crack her skull open and watch her brain matter seep along the hardwood floors. I wanted to rip her stomach open with my nails and watch her insides fall out. There were so many things I wanted to do to her, and every one of them included a painful death.

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

I heard the door shut and Jack mumble a word under his breath. Though I wasn't sure what happened out there, I could tell he was pissed by the way he climbed back into bed and just sat up. I could hear him fiddling around with his fingers behind me.

He kept letting out low, throaty growls, indicating he, indeed, was pissed.

I rolled over and out my head in his lap, "What's got you all mad, Jack?"

"I told you to sleep, Lucy." He mumbled as he ran his fingers through my hair, pulling at the occasional knots.

"I was, but somebody nearly slammed the door when he came back. Are you alright?" I asked him as I turned and laid the back of my head on his lap, looking up at him.

"Your sister went through my bag and found my mask." He let out another growl.

"She did what!?" I shot up from my laying position, "That bitch. She's done."

I went to go stand up, but Jack grabbed my arm and pulled me back onto the bed. He gripped me tightly as I tried to get up, "Jack let me go. I'm going to give her a piece of my mind."

"You'll blow my cover, Lucy. It's okay. I handled it." He whispered in my ear.

I relaxed in his arms and giggled, "She's damn lucky you didn't rip her throat out."

"To be honest, I've thought about that so many times already." He chuckled as he let me go.

"I should probably go and see Carmen." My heart sank saying her name.

I had two days left. Two days of making memories for just myself, only for them to forget. I wish I could do something to stop this all, and I'd be lying if I said that I didn't think twice about Zalgo's offer. I did. More than once. I wanted my family to remember me. I wanted my friends to remember me. I didn't want to be forgotten, and it ripped at my heart every time I thought about walking through this town again after this. What would I do if I saw Lucas casually walking to school? Or Carmen with her twins? Or my parents out shopping? They wouldn't recognize me, but I'd recognize them.

But accepting Zalgo's offer would be a mistake. He'd use me to his advantage against Slender. Against the world. I'm not greedy enough to end humanity.

"I'm going to get ready. Come with today and actually talk to them, Jack. Please. I know you don't like Michael, it's obvious. But do it for me?" I asked Jack as I stood up and walked over to my closet.

"I guess so. But I'm still not going to like him."

I picked up my old Mickey Mouse stuffed animal and chucked it across the room at Jack.

"Hey! What was that for?" He chuckled.

"Huh? I don't know what you're talking about." I said innocently as I pulled out the ripped black skinny jeans Jack had gotten for me yesterday.

I'm actually somewhat glad Lilly was with Jack while they shopped. She knows the band and things I like. I grabbed the black t-shirt with the original Five Nights at Freddy's animatronics on it that read 'Freddy Fazbear's Pizza'.

Behind me, I could hear Jack getting dressed. Facing away from him, I grinned mischievously. I pulled off my pajama shirt, exposing my bare back to him.

"I'll take that as my cue to turn." He said quietly.

I couldn't help but giggle at his reaction as I continued getting dressed.

******

"The funeral is in four days. I had them cremate my parents so we could hold off the funeral as long as possible. The doctors said I should be able to make it, but they're not quite sure about Michael." Carmen choked her words out.

"One step at a time. I'm finally eating now. I'm trying Carmen." Michael said, spooning his chicken noodle soup.

Jack and I have been here for two hours. When we first arrived, they were both sleeping, so we sat down and waited for them to wake up.

Four days. I won't be able to make it...

"It's okay, Michael. I'll have Lucy with me." She shot me a small smile before it faded again.

I nodded at her, feeling my heart break in two.

"So! How was your party? Did you get lots of presents? Was that cute guy there, remember from last year?" She giggled.

"Carmen! You thought he was cute. Not me." I let out a soft laugh, "It was great. Lots of dancing, a huge cake, Jack bought me almost everything in Hot Topic," I laughed again, "Okay not really, but close to it! But there was this one cute guy there." I blushed and looked over at Jack.

Carmen squealed, "You two are a thing now? I ship it." She clapped her hands together quickly.

"Seriously!? He beat me to it." Michael set his spoon down and crossed his arms.

I looked over at Michael and raised my eyebrow, "Beat you to what?"

"I was going to ask Carmen out today, but it's kind of your day now." Michael pouted.

"Oh goodness, no ask her! I want to witness my nieces and nephews parents first moments." I said with a cheesy tone.

Michael looked over at Carmen who was already staring at him, "Well. You're already stuck with me for a while, you are carrying my babies and I don't plan to leave anytime soon. I know I was a dick to not only Lucy but you too. And I really do apologize. I wasn't thinking straight at all. When you told me you were pregnant, Carmen, my first thought was 'Way to go Brody'. But then you told me that you're one hundred and ten perfect positive the baby was mine. The day we found out it wasn't one, but two babies in there I had to admit, I was so nervous. But the way you kept smiling at the screen with our babies on it...it made me feel warm inside. I've liked you for a long time. I even tried to use Lucy to get to you," he looked at me, "no offense."

"None took. Keep going." I said, standing up to sit with on Carmen's bed.

"I want to make it up. Everything wrong that I did to you guys. I didn't want to be a father at this age, actually, I never did, but something clicked inside of me and I like how it feels. Carmen, I want you to be my girlfriend, and possibly more in the future. What do you say?" He grinned.

"Well that speech beat mine," Jack mumbled. I shot Jack a quick grin.

Carmen was tearing up, "Yes! Yes, Michael! Help me up, Lucy."

I stood up and grabbed Carmen's hand. She swung her legs around to the side of the bed and placed her other hand on the bed railing as she stood up. When she gained her balance, her other hand then held the bottom of her belly as she started to walk over to Michael, which was only about four feet away.

She let go of my hand and sat on the side of his bed slowly. Gently, she leaned forward and laid her head on his chest and wrapped her hands around the back of his neck. He had one hand on her shoulder, the other on her round stomach.

"You guys are too cute. I'll leave you alone. I'm going to get some lunch in the cafeteria." I nodded at Jack and quickly exited the room with him following.

"You're being quiet still." I softly said to Jack as we made our way to the stairs.

"I said something." He said in defense.

I giggled at him.

We walked down three flights of stairs and into the cafeteria. The place was busy and immediately, Jack grabbed my hand and squeezed it.

"What's wrong?" I asked, turning to him.

"All I have been smelling is blood and now you're bringing me into the most packed place in the whole hospital. I can't do this Lucy." He tried to back away.

"Hey. Hold on. Focus, Jack." I pulled him back to me and put my hand on the side of his face, "Just focus on me. I'll grab food quickly and we'll go sit somewhere else. Okay?"

He clenched his jaw and looked around, then nodded at me.

It was hard to get food with just one hand. I ended up grabbing an already made taco salad that was in a plastic container and a raspberry tea. Jack kept squeezing my hand and then releasing it. I let him go for a few seconds so I could pay for my food, and immediately after I handed the woman money and received my change, my hand was back in Jack's.

We walked the hospital until we found a quiet hallway. We sat down at a small table and I put my food on it. I don't like eating in front of people, especially when I'm the only one eating, but I was too hungry to care this time.

As I was eating, Jack just sat there and looked around the hall. Every now and then people would walk by and he'd return his glance down to the table.

"Jack. Are you feeling okay?" I said as I finished the taco salad.

"Huh? Oh, yeah. I'm just thinking." He murmured as he stared blankly at the table.

"Jack. If we need to leave we can go. I'll just go upstairs and say goodbye. It's okay, really. I was already thinking about leaving and letting them have their day." I grabbed Jacks hand and squeezed it, looking at him.

He looked up from the table and at me and gave me a small smile, "I'll wait at the entrance for you if that's okay."

"No problem at all. Let's go." I stood up and threw my garbage away in the nearest trash can.

We began to walk, the entrance almost in view. He was back to squeezing my hand every few seconds. It was nice to know that I comforted him, but he still made me nervous. I don't think leaving him alone will be the best bet right now.

"You know what, I'll just call Carmen," I said as I pulled my phone out of my pocket.

"Are you sure?" He asked me.

"Yes. It's okay." I smiled at him as I punched in Carmen's number and held it up to my ear.

"Hey! Where are you?" Carmen's voice on the other line said as she let in a sharp breath of pain.

"Hey Carm, something came up and we've got to get going. Are you okay?"

"Yeah. It's probably just Braxton hicks. After you left, the nurse came in and hooked me up to the heart monitors for the babies. They're showing signs of stress, but they don't think it's anything too serious. Go have fun, Lucy! Call or text me later or just pop by tomorrow." She said as she giggled.

"You've got it. Bye Carmen. Quit stressing your children out." I laughed.

"Hey, it's a mother thing. Bye, Lucy." She hung up the phone.

I put the phone back into my pocket and looked up at Jack, "Let's get going."

******

Jack and I decided to take the trails through the woods back to my house. By now, most of the leaves were off of the trees, and the ground was littered with oranges and reds.

"It's not as cold today as it's been lately," I stated, looking over in Jack's direction.

He was still in a slight daze, staring blankly ahead.

"Jack. Are you okay?" I stopped in my tracks and pulled him towards me. He was now facing me, looking down.

"Jack? Is something bothering you? You're not talking to me at all. Did I say something wrong?" I lifted my hand up to his cheek.

"Something's not right Lucy. I've had a bad feeling all day. Something isn't right at all." Jack finally came clean.

"You've had me worried all day." I sighed.

"I'm sorry. I don't know what's going on, but something isn't right." Jack pulled me into a hug.

I went up on my tiptoes and hugged tightly around his neck. My eyes were closed, but when they opened, a man with black and red hair stood behind Jack. He held up a large rock and brought it down at Jack's head.

"Jack! Look out!" I screamed, letting him go.

But it was too late. The rock collided with Jack's head and he let out a loud yelp and tumbled down to the ground.

"Woooo. That was a lot of work for me right now." The man heaved the rock to the side.

I knelt down next to Jack and examined his head, "What was that for, Zalgo!?"

He let out a loud, creepy laughter, "So you can answer me without any interruption. Are you with me, or against me, Luciana?"

"I will never side with you." I spat at him. Still kneeling next to Jack, I pulled his head onto my lap.

"So be it." Zalgo grinned and waved his hands around, a red smoke started to form around us, "Luciana Haven."

Zalgo continued to speak in a different language, as he waved his arms around. When he was done, the red smoke entered my mouth and I felt paralyzed. My body burned but felt cold.

"Now that that's done. I'll be seeing you in the future. Don't worry about me reappearing. When you see me again, your head will be on a silver platter." He let out a maniacal laugh and disappeared.

The last thing I remember was dry heaving before falling over next to Jack.

******
*Jack's POV*

I woke up with a sharp pain in the back of my head. My fingers touched the spot that hurt, only to feel dry, crusted blood matted in my hair.

I groaned and looked next to me. Lucy lay unconscious. Her breathing was steady, which was a good thing. I leaned over onto my right side and propped myself up. I pulled Lucy closer and started nudging her, "Luciana. We've got to get going. It's already dark."

She let out a soft breath but did not awake.

"Luciana." My voice rang in her ear. I started feeling around her head to make sure she wasn't hit too. But I felt nothing.

What the hell happened?

"Jack." A low voice suddenly interrupted my thoughts.

I jumped a little bit but recognized Slender's voice almost immediately. He was standing in front of us.

"What are you doing here?" I growled as I sat up, trying to ignore the splitting headache.

"I see you two have gotten close." He let out a deep chuckle.

"That doesn't answer my question." I snapped.

"I came to tell you that Lucy has to return tomorrow around midnight. I had to change the spell on everyone." He sighed, "I was going through Lucy's proxy profile in the book. The book then slammed shut and when I reopened it, all of the blank pages after Lucy are gone. I was hoping that you guys had an explanation like maybe something had happened."

"All I know is that some jackass hit me in the back of the head with a rock. I woke up and Lucy's on the ground too. I didn't feel any spots on her head. So I don't know what happened." I looked back down at Lucy.

"I can teleport you two back home. Get her in her bed and don't even worry about the club tonight." Slender said as he wrapped his tendrils around us.

I held on tight to Lucy as we landed on her bed.

"I have to get going. Remember, midnight tomorrow." Slender then disappeared.

I looked down at Lucy. She looked so peaceful, and all of this was about ready to be gone by tomorrow night. Training would be starting soon, and that would unlock who she really is meant to be. I just wish she had more time with her family.

I slid her up on the bed, resting her head on a pillow. Pulling the blankets up to her chest, she let out a soft groan before turning away from me.

I stood up from the bed and left the room. Closing the door quietly behind me, I looked into the kitchen. Lilly was sitting at the table facing the door to the stairs that lead outside.

She looked over at me and raised an eyebrow, "I have been sitting here waiting for you guys to return. I checked the club and the bedroom. How did you get in there?"

"Uh?" I looked around, trying to think of an excuse.

"There's no need to explain, EJ." She stood up from the chair and crossed her arms.

"Okay. Wait." Did she just call me... EJ....? "How did you-"

"The same way Lucy is getting taken out of their head, I was planted in. They're not my family. I've been faking it for, oh goodness," She raised her eyes up and thought for a few seconds, "Three years? Was that when Slender's last proxy was killed?" She chuckled.

"What the hell? You need to leave, now Lilly."

"Please. The names, Nina. Though, you would've known that by now if He wouldn't have helped me change my appearance. You think I'm having fun pretending to be the 'Barbie' of the family?" She let out a high pitched laugh, "Not one bit."

She took off a necklace from around her neck and her appearance changed. Her blonde hair turned into a darker shade and her skin faded into a ghostly white color.

"Ahh. That's a lot better." She cheerfully said as she ran her fingers through her hair. All I could do was stare at her.

At one point, Nina had been one of the only people I talked to. Well, her and Jeff. Though, those two never seemed to get along. Nina and I would team up and hunt together, and she was very skilled. Part of me was terrified right now, the other part really, really wanted to kill her.I fought the urge to change, the form I dreaded using.

"Nina. Where have you been?" My voice croaked out, shakily.

"Zalgo took me in after you abandoned me at that crime scene! Did you really think that me of all people, would let you get away with that!?" She laughed maniacally, "Zalgo granted me one thing, revenge." She started walking towards me.

"Why did you choose this family?" I looked at the elevator.

If I can make a break for the roof, things will go a lot smoother. I can keep Lucy and her family safe.

"Zalgo gets the same shit Slender does. It's just that Slender always gets to the proxies weeks and sometimes months before Zalgo can. Not for much longer though." She giggled like a child.

"I'm glad you find this funny," I said as I made a break for the door.

Nina let out a high pitched scream as she bolted after me. I pushed the button for the elevator as she jumped onto my back. The doors for the elevator opened and I turned around and ran in backward, slamming Nina on the wall of the elevator. I pushed the 'up' button and watched the elevator doors close in front of us. Nina bit down on my shoulder, causing me to scream out in pain.

The elevator came to a stop on the roof and I flipped her off of my back. She went to go land on her back but did a somersault. As she was doing that, I made my way out of the elevator and ran up behind her, kicking her in the back. She went flying forward and landed on her stomach. I continued to fight the urge. I didn't want to change as have Lucy see me like that.

"Nina! What happened to you?" I asked, taking a few steps back and waiting for her to stand up.

"You did, Jack! You abandoned me. He saved me. He promised me revenge and now is my opportunity. You see, it worked out better than we planned. Zalgo set Lucy up from the start. He was the reason she became a proxy in the first place. We thought we could just grab a random person, create a proxy, and then we'd ween our way into the mansion. I'd kill you, Zalgo would kill Slender and anyone else who stood in our way. But my part is about to be finished! You ended up falling for that stupid girl." She laughed as she charged me.

Taking me off guard, she tackled me to the ground and reached into her back pocket and pulled out her pocket knife. I flung her over my head and she landed on her back. As I stood up, she rolled onto her stomach and took a swing with her knife at my legs. I jumped back in time. Behind me, the elevator made a ding.

Turning to see who it was, my eyes locked on to Lucy's.

"What's going on? I've been hearing thumping up here." She stepped out of the elevator as it closed behind her.

Before I could respond I felt a sharp pain in my back. I let out a cry and dropped to my knees. The only sounds to be heard was Lucy's screams and Nina's laughter.

"Lucy! Get out of here!" I said as I tried to stand back up. Nina pressed down on the knife, making it go deeper. I fell on to my stomach to try and avoid her pushing it in any farther.

"Luuuucy." Nina sang as she pulled the knife from me and started walking towards Lucy.

"Who are you? What did you do!?" Lucy's voice cried out.

The urge to change had won the fight. I felt my nails grow and my mouth open wide, exposing all of my sharp teeth. Changing my physical appearance wasn't the problem. The problem was the only thing I think about is death when I'm like this.

"Nina," I growled, standing back up.

"Oh! Jacky! You haven't changed one bit." She grinned as she turned back to me.

"Lucy, get out of here." I snarled.

Lucy went to leave, but Nina ran over to her and grabbed her by the back of her hair and pulled her back. Nina dragged her to where they were both in front of me. I took a couple steps back. Lucy was giving me a horrified look and squirming in Nina's grasp.

"Quit moving!" She held the knife up to Lucy's throat. Lucy stopped squirming around, now only staring at me.

"Let her go, Nina!" I growled again.

"No." she said bluntly, rolling her eyes.

She then moved her knife to Lucy's arm and pressed down, drawing blood. Lucy yelped and tried to squirm again, only to have her head ripped back by Nina even harder. I let out a deep theist growl out of hunger and anger.

"I bet she would taste good, Jack. Don't you think so?" She said as she pulled the knife away from Lucy and licked it, "Mmm."

"Jack..." Lucy's voice trembled.

"Give her to me," I growled, holding out my arms.

"There's the Jack I knew." She gleefully said, tossing Lucy into my arms.

Lucy turned to run from me, but I grabbed her around her waist and stopped her, pulling her back. She flung her head backward and hit my nose. I growled and leaned into her hair and whispered, "Do you trust me?"

I could feel her body lose its tenseness, but she was still shaking.

"Come on Jack! I don't have all day!" Nina giggled.

"Trust me," I whispered. 

I shoved Lucy and lunged at Nina. Picking Nina up, I threw her as far as I could. Her body hit the edge of the building. I could see her hands trying to grasp and hold onto the edge before falling.

I ran over and peered down in time to see her body disappear into a cloud of smoke.

"Jack? Is she.." Lucy's voice quivered behind me.

Turning back around, I saw Lucy starting to sit up, her eyes still wide in horror. I turned back around and began to fight the urge. I felt my nails start to shrink back and my mouth closed as I dropped to my knees. I started screaming and holding my head.

A hand touched my shoulder and I flinched it away.

"Jack. It's just me. It's Lucy." She choked out, tears building up in her eyes.

I grabbed her and pulled her into my lap, my arms wrapped around her and tangled in her hair, "I know." I whispered to her.

She began crying into my chest, "You scared me. I thought you were actually going to hurt me."

I tightened my arms around her and said softly, "I wouldn't." I placed a kiss on top of her head.

"We need to go back to the mansion sooner than expected, Lucy. Something's wrong. I'm sorry."

She pulled back and looked up at me, "I understand. I'll pack up and say goodbye to everyone tomorrow. Have Slender come and get my things while I go and say goodbye to Carmen and Michael."

"I really hope you're ready for this. I'm not even the scariest one at the mansion." I chuckled, wiping her tears away with my thumb.

"Whatever it takes to save my family and friends." She sighed.

"Speaking of. That was Lilly." I said a little too bluntly.

"What?"

I sighed, "Zalgo placed her in your home and corrupted your minds to think she's your older sister. She's not. That was Nina the killer. Not a force to be reckoned with. Is a long story on why she was here. I promise to explain it when we're back at the mansion."

"I don't have an older sister?" She choked out.

I shook my head.

"That's both a stab to my heart and a relief. This sucks." She looked towards the sky, "How was she getting in if she was one of Zalgo's? I thought the potion kept them away."

I shrugged my shoulders, "Maybe it's only for corrupted, and she wasn't. She's just a crazed woman."

She let out a soft giggle.

"We should probably get you back to bed," I said as I stood up and offered her my hand.

She took it and stood up too. As soon as she was standing, she hurriedly pressed her lips against mine. It took me by surprise, but I went with it.

When she pulled away she whispered, "We can go to bed now."

The both of us walked hand in hand back to the elevator.

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

The day I have been dreading has arrived. I was all showered and dressed. Combing through my thick black and blue hair, I couldn't help but glance around my room one last time.

My things were already packed in a large trunk that Slender brought by earlier that morning. The room almost looked bare to me, but obviously, I couldn't take everything. Jack was laying back on the bed with his lids closed. It's hard to tell when he's sleeping or just laying there because he's such a shallow breather.

What I had witnessed last night was just a taste of what was in store for me. Jack changing into what he did terrified me, but it's a part of him that I need to get used to. But what bothered me the most was that Lilly never existed. She was purely a figment of everybody's imagination. I had to admit, for three years, Nina put on a damn good show.

"Lucy, it's almost 11:30. I think it's time to say goodbye, Angel." Jack whispered to me, still laying back on the bed.

I turned around in my stool and hung my shoulders down, "This seriously sucks."

"I can't even imagine." He sat up at held out his hand.

I took it and he pulled me ontop of him, both of us falling backward onto the bed.

"No matter what happens, I promise I'll be right here." He muttered as he nuzzled his face into my neck.

"I know, Jack. Thank you."

"Alright. Now get going." He chuckled, giving me a boost up and into my feet.

As I exited the room, I gave him a small, miserable smile and closed the door. Turning around, I entered the kitchen. I could see into the living room, and that's where Mom, dad, and Lucas were sitting.

"Hey, guys. Can I talk to you for a minute." I choked out, entering the living room.

"Hey, sweetie. What's up?" My dad asked, taking his arm from around Mom and turning the tv down.

"You're not going to understand. And tomorrow you won't even remember. But I have to leave." I hesitantly said as I sat next to Luke on the couch.

"What are you talking about?" Luke raised a thin black eyebrow at me.

"I know this sounds crazy, okay? But I have to go. So just please, make this easier on me and say goodbye the nicest way you can." I choked up, beginning to cry.

"Lucy, you need to tell us what's going on right now." My father demanded, sitting forward on the couch.

"Don't make this harder on me. Just go with it, please dad. I've been dreading this day ever since I returned. I don't have time to explain. I just need to go." Tears began rolling down my cheeks.

Luke asked me softly, "Are you moving out?"

I began to think, maybe that would be an easier way to put it.

"Yes, Lucas. I'll see you guys around though. I will visit every now and then." I wiped my tears away and let out a soft smile.

"Oh, honey! Why didn't you just say it that way? You got us all worried that we were losing you forever!" Mom laughed, not making the situation any easier.

"This is such a short notice, Lucy. Is something wrong?" My father reached his hands out to me and I grabbed them.

Yes.

"No." I faked another smile.

"Alright. I believe you. Is Jack going with you?" My father asked.

"Yes, he is. We will come around again. Don't worry. But I have to go or I'll... I'll miss the bus! I have to say goodbye to Carmen too." I stood up and pulled my father into a tight hug.

I will remember these arms, the ones that always seemed to hug me, making all of my problems evaporate. I will remember his sweet, off-key voice singing me Forever Young as we danced together on the club dance floor. I will remember every facial expression he made and his favorite flannel.

"My turn!" My mother cut in, tears in her eyes, "My baby is finally leaving home. Oh how I hate this day, yet I'm so happy for you."

I let out a laugh through my tears and inhaled the sweet scent of her cinnamon body spray. I'll never forget the way she'd always be the friend I needed when Carmen and I were fighting. I'll never forget her mismatching outfits to fit her 'hippy' style. I'll never forget the sweet sound of her laughter.

"Do I get a hug too, Luce?" Lucas asked as my mother pulled away.

"I mean I guess so," I said sarcastically, rolling my eyes.

Lucas grabbed me and held on as if he was about ready to lose me. I guess that's what was going to happen, but he had no way of knowing that. Our childhood will not be forgotten, and the friendship we have made will never be forgotten. The way you stood up for me when nobody else would never be forgotten. He will always be my baby brother, and nothing will change that. Not even Slender's spell.

I looked at the clock behind Lucas's head, "Shit. I've got to go." I pulled away from Luke and looked at everyone, "I love you guys so much. You three mean the world to me. Thank you for everything. I love you guys." I walked up to each one of them, planting a kiss on each of their heads.

I walked to the front door, memorizing every tile on the kitchen floor on my way out. I took a look at the fridge and saw a picture of Luke and me when we were younger and grabbed it.

As I was closing the door behind me, I took one last look at my family, who was watching me leave. I blew a kiss and faked a smile. Next stop, Carmen and Michael.

******

"I'm not buying it." Carmen folded up her arms, tears streaming down her face.

"Carmen, it's a lot harder for me than it is for you. You'll move on. You've got two beautiful babies growing inside of you and you've got Michael." I rubbed her leg through the thin hospital blanket.

"But I want them and Lucy. What about my parents funeral, Luce!? Skipping town before that!? That's not fair to me or them. They treated you like their own daughter!" She cried out, holding her stomach with every deep breath.

She was hooked up to monitors today after her little episode yesterday. They confirmed it was just Braxton hicks, but they're keeping the babies on a 72-hour watch.

"You need to calm down. You're stressing yourself out and it's not good for them."

"Oh right! Because I'm just supposed to be totally fine with my best friend leaving me days before my parents funeral. Not to mention the fact I'm pregnant and have literally nobody else to turn to, except Michael. Yet, I'm overreacting." She turned her head away from me and grabbed a Kleenex.

I was about ready to say something when the nurse came in.

"Carmen, are you alright? The babies heart rates are going up. If this continues, we're going to have to ask Lucy to leave." The nurse said.

"No need. I was about ready to." Carmen deadpanned, shooting daggers through my head.

"What?" I stood up slowly.

"Leave, Lucy. Now!" She picked up the Kleenex box and hurled it at me. The box hit me and bounced to the floor.

"Lucy. It's time to go." The nurse walked in and ushered me to the door.

I turned back to Carmen, "I love you, Carmen. Nothing will ever change that. Stay strong, please."

"Get out!" Carmen screamed.

From all of Carmen's yelling, security was at the door.

"Please escort Miss Haven out." The nurse told the two security guards.

The nodded and each grabbed one of my arms and nearly dragged me to the elevator. I was too numb to put up a fight. We entered the elevator and they pressed the button for the bottom floor.

Please crash. Let the elevator malfunction and end it all right here.

When we reached the bottom floor, everyone in the lobby was staring at me. I was being dragged as they opened the front doors and gently let me go.

"Have a good day, Miss Haven." One of them said to me, letting the door close behind me.

The next thing I knew, I was running through the woods behind the hospital. Dodging trees in my way, tripping over roots and rocks. Tears were pouring down my face.

I stopped and leaned up against a tree and slid down, burying my face in my hands. My phone vibrated once, signaling a text message.

Carmen: Lose my number while you're at it! Don't ever come back!

I screamed and snapped my phone in half, throwing it through the woods. Standing back up, I started running for the portal. I wasn't paying attention to where I was going and the next thing I knew, I was face down on the muddy trail.

I curled up in a ball and grabbed my pendant, whispering, "Slender."

I let the pendant go and it fell loosely around my neck. This was not how I wanted my goodbye to my best friend to go.

"Luciana? Are you hurt?" Slender's deep voice echoed through the woods.

"I'm ready. Just take me now before I completely lose it." I cried out.

His tendrils enveloped me in blackness. When my eyes opened again, I was in my bed in Jack's room. Well, our room now.

Slender left quickly and I saw Jack raise from his bed.

"Lucy? Are you okay?" His voice staying calm, trying to soothe me.

"Leave me alone, Jack. Please. Just leave me alone." I cried out, burying my face in my pillow.

"What kind of a boyfriend would I be if I let you cry like that and I just sat back and watched?" He said softly, crawling up next to me.

I rolled over and hid my face in his black hoodie. His arms wrapped around my shoulders and held me close. I was jolting up and down with each cry I let out.

Why do I have to be the one to remember everybody's life? Why can't I just forget them too? Unless....unless Slender can help me with that.

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Hello, dolls! Finally, back at the mansion! I'm so excited to be back here. I have quite a bit planned out, but to be 100% honest, most of my writing just comes to me as I write. So about 95% of this is unplanned- its bad enough to the point where I start surprising myself. Chapter 10 will be out soon, just probably not as soon as Chapter 9 came out. Thank you for reading!
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Updated on: September 18, 2017 & May 20, 2018