WARNING: sexual themes

~

A couple of days had passed since the threat of an unknown force was announced. Most of the proxies had been on high alert, making sure that any suspicious activity was being reported. Some proxies didn't care, some were mildly worried, and some were downright paranoid, mostly the children like Sally and Charlie.

Two days after Clockwork was released from the infirmary, Kate the Chaser, Rouge, Wilson, and X-Virus were sitting at the dinner table, having some beers. Rouge and Wilson had already put their seven-year-old son to bed, as well as Charlie, one of the younger proxies. Rouge's pet wolf cub, Cobalt, was curled up in a corner.

"What kinda entity/entities d'you think we're dealing with?" Wilson piped up.

X-Virus stirred his beer around in his can. He was the kind of person who had a whole lab in his room with which he experimented with bacteria to use on his victims. Due to radiation, a few locks of his shaggy brown mullet had turned neon green. He was also Toby's older half sibling, but they had never met prior to proxyhood.

"My guess is we're dealing with some ghosts or undead creatures," he said. "I mean, a chick covered with bruises and scratches bathing in a freezing stream? We're dealing with motherfucking poltergeists."

"Yeah, I agree," Rouge added. "Besides, Clockwork said she didn't hear any footsteps behind her before she was hit in the head."

Kate remained silent as she looked down at her lap. She was a Native woman whose age Slenderman had frozen so she would be forever twenty years old. She was rather antisocial, and she only spent her time with close friends. Burn scars decorated her face.

"What's wrong, sweetheart?" Rouge asked.

Kate's head jerked up, blue eyes wide.

"I-I'm fine, Mama." she murmured. "Just nervous about - about this whole thing. I mean, if Slenderman isn't doing anything about it, how powerful are these things?"

The four of them exchanged worried looks. Kate went to bed early that night.

~

"Mmngh . . ."

Kate snuggled up to her lover's chest, still a little sweaty and her half-naked body still warm.

"I got you, baby."

Kate closed her eyes and breathed in the woman's musty smell as she stroked her hair.

"I'm scared, Lyra," Kate mumbled. She didn't enjoy being vulnerable, but she didn't mind at the moment - after all, this was someone she trusted.

"I know, babygirl." The woman kissed her head. "But everything will be okay. Slenderman knows better than to mess with me."

Kate giggled slightly at her lover's cocky tone. She had been seeing this woman in secret for a few years now, and she had thankfully never been caught. But she was constantly worried - still, she wouldn't give her up. She loved her too much.

"I promise I won't let anything happen to you," Lyra said gently, stroking up and down Kate's body. "You were such a good girl: staying so quiet. . . ."

"I mean, I didn't want anyone to hear us. . . ." Kate chuckled a little.

"I know," Lyra caressed the area in between Kate's thighs. Kate bit her lip to try and keep her moans muffled.

Tok, tok, tok

"Kate? Are you talking to yourself again?"

Kate felt as though her brain had been struck by a bolt of lightning. She quickly hid Lyra under the blanket and stayed silent until she could hear X-Virus walking away.

"Th-that was close," she whispered.

"It's okay, it's okay." Lyra kissed her forehead. "We're good."

Kate took some deep breaths as Lyra stroked her hair. There had been many near misses like this over the years, and Kate and her lover had gotten lucky every time. She just hoped that things would stay that way for the forseeable future. This love was twisted and dangerous, but just too good to give up.

After Kate had calmed down, she raised her head to look Lyra in the eyes. One of the craziest things about their romance was that Lyra was long dead, meaning that Kate was being railed by a spirit once or twice every two weeks. Her face had been mangled in the accident that had killed her, and there were many scars on her body. Her eyes, once a hazy sky blue, had gone white, and they glowed in the dark. Her sunflower blonde hair was messily cut chin-length, and her strong hands were rough and calloused. She had a muscular build, as she had enjoyed boxing in life, and she also had a handful of tattoos.

"Sorry my crew and I are causing so much paranoia," Lyra said softly. "Didn't mean to scare your little friends shitless."

"It's alright," Kate sighed. "You were just tryna protect Crystal. I mean, I probably would've done the same shit."

A short, rather tense silence fell between them. Lyra held Kate a little tighter.

"Whatever happens," she promised, "you're safe with me."

When Kate woke up the next morning, her lover was gone. But she had expected this. After all, Lyra could only visit her at night.