Chapter Text
I was out taking my morning stroll with my dog in the woods. The birds were chirping, leaves were rustling in the wind, and I felt grounded. It was peaceful. The leaves crunched under my feet. I listened to every step, enjoying the quiet of the woods. I stared down at my f/c combat boots. They were my favorite shoes to hike in. They had a great grip and could easily be scrubbed clean. Plus, they were already scuffed enough for any damage not to matter. I had them since high school. I'm twenty-five now, that was almost six years ago.
I was pulled out of my reminiscing by a crack in the woods and my dog begins to bark. She was a large German shepherd so I wasn't scared, she would protect me. However, I was concerned. I follow the direction of the noise, letting my angry dog lead the way. As I turn around a tree, I spot a medium height, broadly built man walking about 10 yards in front of me, barely visible by the trees. I soon realized he was covered in blood.
I let out a shout. "Sir, are you alright?"
His head snapped in my direction, seemingly confused. He darted further into the forest. Sadie and I chased after him. He was fast, really fast, and hard to keep up with. But we managed, barely. He soon darted into an old building, it looked like a school or hospital of some sort. I cautiously approached.
"Hello?" I shouted, afraid that something could pop out at any given moment. But nothing did. Instead, I found the man kneeling in a corner, surrounded by some kind of symbol. A circle with an X on it. He stood in the center of the X. I could see him better now, he was significantly closed to me. He wore a tan jacket, blue jeans, and a black and white feminine mask. He had gorgeous deep brown eyes. His eyes shot open with panic and he whipped something out of his pocket. A knife.
"Stay back!" He screamed.
I nodded, pulling back Sadie's leash, keeping her out of his way.
"I'm not here to hurt you..." I said, clearly full of fear.
Suddenly he dropped to his knees, holding his head in his hands, screaming.
"IT HAPPENED AGAIN, GOD DAMN IT IT HAPPENED AGAIN."
He pounded a fist on the ground before looking up at me.
"Y-y/n? No, no, no, you can't be. She left. She moved."
I stared back in confusion and fear.
"How do you know my name?"
He dropped the knife and pulled up his mask.
It was Tim.
After all these years, it was Tim.
~~~~~~
Seven years ago...
I hugged my boyfriend for the last time, cradling him in my arms.
"I'm so sorry Tim, I'm so sorry it has to end like this. But I need to leave. Doctor's orders."
He nodded understandingly, beginning to cry, and buried his head in my shoulder.
"I'm... so sorry Y/n."
"It's okay," I assured him, petting his hair.
My doctor had ordered my parents to move out of town. My boyfriend had been acting out a few months ago, eventually to the point of almost killing me. The worst part? He had no idea he did it. His meds kept going missing until the last two months. I forgave him, but he hurt me, and my parents weren't as kind as me. I tried to assure them it was only temporary but they didn't listen. It being a small town, forced us to move. Both my parents worked from home so this was no problem for them, but this meant leaving the love of my life.
So, I was off, to finish high school in another district, another city, and almost another state.
For the final time, I pet his soft brown hair and told him I loved him.
I was suddenly yanked off him by a hand that could only be my father's.
"Get. In. The. Car. Y/n."
I nodded, glancing back at Tim, saying my goodbyes with the look in my eyes. My father glared at the poor boy before entering the car and driving off. I watched through the backseat window as Tim shrunk into the distance, seemingly never to be seen again.
~~~~~~
"Tim? What happened?" I questioned, worry filling my voice. I began to approach him but with no success. He shoved me back.
"Don't come near me Y/n, I'm dangerous."
"After all these years and that's what you're worried about?! Tim, please, I just need to know you're okay."
He stayed silent, bowing his head.
Sadie and I slowly approached him, ignoring his protests. I greeted him with a tight hug and pet his head, just like I used to.
"It's okay Tim..."
He slowly nodded.
After a moment of silence, I began to confirm my suspicions by asking a question.
"Did it happen again? Are they still missing?"
That was all that needed to be said before he started crying.
"Y/n, it's awful. I can't stop. He's ordering Brian to take them."
"Who's Brian? And who's ordering him to take them?" I questioned once more.
"Slender, he's telling my best friend to take my meds."
I nodded, listening to every word. "It's okay Tim... It'll all be okay."
He looked up at me with his chocolate brown eyes and gave me a small peck on the lips.
"Thank you Y/n," he said.
I smiled. "Now what have you been doing?"
"I-I don't know. I think I'm killing people Y/n. I blackout and wake up with blood in my hair."
"We'll get you cleaned up and talk about this some more, okay?"
He smiled up at me, agreeing with his eyes.
I stood up, sticking my hand out for him.
"Let's go back to my place," I said.
He took my hand, following me through the twists and turns of the woods until we reached a lakeside property. My home.