The smell of chicken filled (Y/N)'s nose as she walked down the hallway, taking her mind off whatever she had heard at the window. She was about to investigate the random noise when her mother had called out, so she gave her dog, Harry, a pat on the head and left the room. It probably wasn't anything anyway, a bird or a bug or something.

It was a shame whatever it was had distracted her from her research, she had just come across an interesting story about a very popular urban legend. The Slenderman. (Y/N) had been obsessed with Slenderman for the past few weeks, his creepiness had caught her interest, and the thought of such a monster existing was terrifyingly exciting.

Which is why she was out to prove he did. If Slenderman was a real, living creature, then that left many doors unlocked, unopened. What else could exist out in the world if something as strange as the Slenderman did?

She shook her head, before walking into the bright kitchen. The orange light glowed brightly over the yellow-toned benches, make the room look sickly. A large pot on the stove caught (Y/N)'s attention, and after she spooned up her meatballs, the girl headed into the dining room.

A quick glance at the table made her shoulders sag in relief. Her mother sat along one side of the small rectangular table, her brother across from her. The seat at the end was empty, which was the cause of (Y/N)'s relief. At least she won't have to listen to his degrading complaining tonight.

The girl took her place next to her brother, he was already digging into his dinner, clearly hungry. His bleached white hair was hanging over his face, threatening to bathe in the meaty brown sauce of his bowl. His eyes looked lazy, tired almost, a dull blue to them as he mindlessly ate.

(Y/N) gave a light chuckle towards her older brother, he was always in this state around dinner time; exhausted and done with the day. She wasn't entirely sure what he got up to, as he was either out or locked away in his room with his books and music.

But even though he was hardly seen, the girl was certain she had a close bond with her brother. He'd always help her when she needed it and stand up for her against their father. She wasn't sure where exactly he was in his life, but she knew she could trust him.

"So..." Slowly, her brother raised his gaze from his food, turning his pale blue gaze towards their mother, "When's dad getting home?"

The lady across from him flashed a glance towards him, her bright hazel eyes quickly turning back to focus on her food. She cleared her throat, before moving her (h/c) hair behind her ear,

"He's working late tonight. But he should be home soon." Was all she said.

(Y/N)'s brother nodded, before giving a look of concern her way, "I'd eat quickly then (Y/N)."

"That was the plan..." She let out a sigh, before moving a meatball with her fork. She didn't feel all that hungry knowing her father would be home soon.

"Ethan, it's your turn to do the dishes tonight." Their mother cut into their conversation, her eyes flashed a warning towards the two, "Have it done straight after everyone has eaten."

The boy let out a sigh, before nodding, "Alright mum..."

"And (Y/N), sit up straight. You spend too much time slouched in front of that laptop." Her mother took another fork-full of meat, "Don't think I don't see the way you talk about your father."

"What would you know." The girl leant on her hand, finally eating her dinner.

"He's your father, he loves you very much." Her mother's stern look washed away as she let out a sigh, now looking tired, "He just doesn't know how to show it."

Just as she finished saying that, the front door clicked, and dread settled in (Y/N)'s stomach. She lowered her head slightly as a tall, burly man stepped into the room. Hard (e/c) eyes ran over the room, before he let out a huff and walked into the kitchen.

A moment of silence passed as he returned, a bowl of dinner in hand. He took his place at the head of the table, leaning over and setting a kiss on the older lady's cheek.

"Hello Molly." He whispered, before setting his bowl down. The older man then nodded towards Ethan, who nodded in return. (Y/N) refused to look up at the feeling of his eyes on her. Another huff left his lips and he started eating.

"How was everyone's day?" He asked, smoothing back his shortly cut (h/c) hair.

"It was good." Molly smiled, "I got a lot done today, the shopping is up to date and the clothes are hanging outside."

"And I see you put a lot of love into these meatballs." Their father said, (Y/N) didn't need to see his face to tell there was a sly undertone to his remark. Some chewing later, and a mumbled 'delicious' made her feel almost sick.

Their mother, Molly, gave a small giggle, before lightly pushing on her partner's shoulders. The two teenagers felt rather uncomfortable in front of their flirting.

Aside from that, their father then turned to Ethan. A raised eyebrow at the white hair seemed to be enough question.

"I felt like trying something different." Ethan shrugged, "(H/c) is so common, and the main character of this novel I'm reading has white hair, and he's badass."

"I see..." His father gave a chuckle, before patting him on the back, "I'm sure you'll want normal hair again soon enough though. It will be hard finding a job with hair that looks like it would melt in the sun."

"Right..." (Y/N)'s brother rolled his eyes.

And then all attention was on her.

"And what have you done today?" Her father's voice sounded accusing, "Hopefully not sit in front of that laptop all day. Have you helped anyone around the house at all?"

She didn't want to respond, but she knew she had to. Not talking resulted in yelling... Somehow.

"No one asked for my help." She mumbled, "I did all my chores for today this morning."

"So you did sit in front of that laptop all day again. What were you doing on it?"

"Wouldn't you like to know." She huffed.

"(Y/N)." Her mother let out a sigh, before rubbing her head and turning to her father, "Honey, she did her chores today. Just give her a break, please? At least she did them today."

There was another silence, the tension felt heavy on the girl. She didn't want to put up with this any longer. Her father only watched her, his (e/c) eyes scanning her face, trying to get a response from his daughter.

"Fine." He said, before he started eating again, "At least you're not completely useless."

Even Ethan let out a sigh, giving (Y/N) an apologetic look, before standing and taking both his mothers, and his own bowl into the kitchen. Molly only stared at the table, before a smile played on her face,

"I was thinking we should do a movie night!" She grabbed onto her husband's arm, "They have a bunch of good films on tonight, I could cook the popcorn and we could all watch them!"

"No thanks mum..." (Y/N) let out a sigh, before standing, "I'm not feeling too well. I think I might just go lay down..."

The older woman blinked, before giving a slow nod, "A-Alright... Ethan?"

"I've got plans with Cooper and Ashley." He called from the kitchen, "Maybe another time."

Her nodding sped up slightly, before she turned to the man at the end of the table, "Date night?"

He nodded quietly, though he sent a glare (Y/N)'s way. She stuck her nose up, before grabbing her half empty bowl and rushing into the kitchen. Once her remaining meatballs were away, she said goodnight to Ethan and took off towards her room.

God, she hated her father. Just his presence was enough for her to want to scream. Every time he looked at her, or talked to her, it was always so condescending. Like she was never good enough. Every. Single. Time.

'He loves you very much. He just doesn't know how to show it.' Her mother's words rang in her ears.

Yeah right, yet he can shower her in love and at least treat her brother like a person. She let out a growl, before walking into her room and slamming her door. Leaning against the door, she let out a sigh and rubbed her eyes.

At least she had her research to keep her sane.

Until she turned the light.

Her walls had never looked so bare.

She screamed.