Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

January fifth.

Year 201M2020 BC.

Volcaldera Bluffs.

Weather conditions; cold as balls.

I see my reflection through the taxi's window. I was fighting the urge to sleep. Watching the forest fly by.

I turn to my left to see the driver’s eyes me through the mirror. Our eyes meet prompting him to speak. 

“You sure this is the right address kid?”

For fucks sake, this is the third time he’s asked me since the airport. He refused to believe me at first, but I’m pretty sure he knows at this point. It was starting to irritate me. But still, there was a feeling in his eyes. Like he didn’t want to believe it.

“Yes. 28th Avenue North.” 

He blinks. Something was clearly bothering him. But I was too tired to care. 
“Alright… we’ll be there in a few minutes…”

The driver continues to drive erratically, my body slides as he turns sharply. I hope that didn’t break my luggage. My shit in there is barely in working condition as is. 

I'm far away from home, I'm moving in with some distant relative, I think he was on my dad's side. great granduncle or something, so he's old as shit. Hopefully I don't have to take care of an ancient sack of farts while I’m there.

I turn back towards the window. Trees and vines blur past me as I look to the dark volcaldera wilderness. The setting sun still shining light off the tall mountains.

All things considered I should count myself lucky after Rock Bottom. My parents would probably throw me in that shitty apartment in Skin Row If they didn’t find out about our relative here. I read the statistics of that area before, Getting shanked on the way to school sounds like fun. 

All I need to do is survive the next 6 months, just lay low, don’t attract any attention and be like a ghost. Then… it’s college or the military. After that, I don’t really know what to do.

Maybe I can get rich off of that railgun I’ve been cooking up. 

Just when I think this ride would never fucking end, I feel the car roll to a stop. It interrupts my thoughts, I realize the forest turned into a set of walls at some point.

 "We’re here.” There was an a stillness in his voice, fear maybe. Like he didn’t even want to acknowledge about whatever he was thinking of.

Eager to stretch my legs I open the car door, I climb out and look at my new home. The sight was something I did not expect...

"Shit..."

Actually, maybe that apartment in skin row would've been better than this. There's walls surrounding the place, covered in vines. There’s a gate in-between, old bars decaying with rust and chipped paint. Beyond it lies a path, illuminated by old lanterns. As if the place wasn't creepy enough, there's writing on the wall saying...

'it's Eternity here'

Seriously. What the fuck? This is horror movie 101. Apparently the driver thought the same thing, the asshole refused to leave the car to help me with my luggage, as soon I was done, I realized I forgot to pay him.

I walk over to the driver's side of the car. Bringing out my wallet to give him some cash. He brought out his hand to stop me.

"No. You can keep it kid..." 

He looks around, his tense eyes come back to me. "I didn't think you actually lived around here... hell... I didn't think people still do..."

Now I'm just confused. what the hell did he even mean by that? I was inclined to. 

"What do you mean?"

I look at him through the open window, the air cool around me. “Is there something that I don’t know about?”

His snout turns to me, cigarette in his mouth as he speaks. “This place is an urban legend is all, you didn’t know?” His voice was accurate for a chain smoker, rough and scratchy.

“Not really…” I responded, I was tired as all hell but I was getting curious. “What happened here?”

”It happened back in the 70’s if I remember right. Bunch of kids went missing at a park when no one was looking.” He gestures to the walls. Cancer stick in hand. “happened in there, in what used to be a big neighborhood, was called Oakside.”

He puffs out smoke, the nicotine calming his nerves as his mind digs through the past. “It was a high profile case too” he added. “whole city was looking for em, there were choppers, hundreds of people combing the woods. Entire search teams. Nothing. Just up and vanished.”

That took me aback, I look away from the car and around the vicinity with uneasy eyes. what the hell is this place that I moved into?

“Then it happened again weeks later. Another group of kids disappeared. After that the place never recovered. Everyone moved out and stayed the hell away.” He sighs, despite decades passing there was still a heavy feeling to his voice when retelling what events occurred here. 

“A decade later someone bought the land, built walls and fences to keep people out.” he takes a long puff of his cigarette, sighing for a second before asking. "I assume you know him?"

I just shrug "not really... he's a relative of mine. that's all I really know." 

He seems disappointed by my answer. "well, just be safe in these woods kid. People still go missing around here."

Not even giving me the chance to respond. He speeds off. Leaving the trunk open as he did an illegal U-turn back towards the main city. leaving me alone in this shitty DOOM wad.

I turn and walk towards the gate, reading the words above it. old vines and moss cover them, making the words hardly readable.

'Slend R Mann. Estate'

I reach into my pocket and bring out a key. the same one that was sent to me in the mail. I put it into the key slot and turn it, the gate lets out a long groan as it slowly swings to the side.

I walk along the path that is lit up by the lamps. seems there's some signs of civilization here after all. my footsteps echo out from the lighten path and into the darkness. I can barely make out some structures in-between the trees and overgrown vegetation.

I would take a closer look at them but they are far away from the path, and I am not crazy enough to walk out into the forest where people go missing. fuuuuuccckkkkk that.

I can tell what some of these structures though as I walk along the loose gravel. Rusty cars, a few houses. some street signs...

a playground.  

The playground was way off in the distance, if it weren't for the bright colors that painted them I probably wouldn't have noticed it at all in the way darkness. Was that where the kids went missing? the driver did say it happened at a park...

I shake the terrible thought out of my mind, distracting myself by looking at the other buildings.

It looks like these were abandoned a long ago. all of them had cracks with vegetation growing around them. There was an uneasy chill growing in my spine. I should hurry my pace.

After some more walking. I see salvation, I quicken my pace with luggage in tow. The house actually seemed kind of nice, I don't know why it would be built here of all places. It was a two story, there were signs of it actually being maintained, no cracks, no graffiti.

It was behind some more walls, the yard was actually trimmed and nice, unlike the wild vegetation growing on the other side of the walls. The doorway and windows of the house were TALL. like really fucking tall.  

Upon approaching the gate, I can see why. There was a tall slender man on the front steps dressed in a suit. his skin was a pale white, despite being super old he actually looked pretty young. all things considered.

His suit was a stark contrast to his skin, it was a deep black with no color at all. The only color that was being offered was the lights illuminating him and the front steps, casting his long leviathan shadow across the grass and pavement.

His face was completely featureless, even more so than mine. It was impossible to tell what it his expression was, if he had one at all. His empty face was complicated with a completely bald head.

Yup. he's a human alright.

"Anon Mous?" he presumed, looking towards my direction with a cold, empty stare. Or what could even be his stare, considering that I couldn’t see any eyes at all.

"That's me..." I say, approaching the steps. 

"it's nice to meet you... Mr Mann." 

"Please. Call me Slend." He leans down, offering his hand. His fingers were long and bony, I couldn’t spot a single wrinkle on it.

Now that I’m thinking about it, I don’t see any signs of age at all. Isn’t he supposed to be my great granduncle?

I realize that I’m staring at his hand for a bit too long. I quickly take his hand to get rid of the awkwardness, shaking it.

”Thanks for letting me stay here. I appreciate it.” 

“I’m happy to help. Come, I’ll show you to your room.” 

Going inside, the walls and doorways were tall. Obviously to accommodate Slend’s height, I try to measure his height as I follow him, he was obviously around 8 eight feet. Dude was fucking tall, he must’ve made all his money by playing in the NBA or something. 

“Not that exactly...” 

Fucking mumbling…

We go down a long and looming hallway, the house looked fairly old, the walls looked hard and rough. Unlike most houses that had dry wall. 

At the end of the hallway I saw my room, door already open. As me and Slend walked in I got a very good look into the place. It was spacious, with a nice queen sized bed in the middle. Hell yeah. 

I feel a smile form across my face. Slend must of noticed. 

“I’m glad you like it, there’s a bathroom across the hall and a walk in closet to the left” 

I take my phone out to take some pictures, time to flex to those retards on the North Dakota Cooking board. As I open the screen my shitty device starts going haywire. A weird static keeps flashing across the screen, my phone buzzes and vibrates. Shaking like it’s convulsing. Slend looks down upon it, he doesn’t seem surprised at all. 

“My apologies. But devices have a history of behaving oddly around this area. Most of the time it will function normally. But it will still occur frequently I’m afraid”

“Uh… do you know what’s causing it?” He turns to walk away, as I hold my phone that’s going through a seizure awkwardly ”I don’t have the slightest clue…”

As he exits the room, my phone magically goes back to normal, I open the camera app to… shit, what was I gonna do?

…

I’ve nearly finished unpacking. Granted I didn’t bring a whole lot of shit with me.

All of my clothes are in the walk in closet, I got my Xrox set up… and finally… I bring out a large lockbox with a four digit code, I make sure to look around to check that nobodies watching. The door is closed. Curtains are blocking the windows… all clear. I can’t have anyone finding out about this… 

I open my box full of dark secrets to reveal…

My precious manga collection. All of them contained my waifus whom I had fell in love with over the years… and who I edited onto my pictures which got leaked back in rock bottom. 

I take one of my favorites, and begin reading my secret stash. I must hide these acts of debauchery from the rest of the world… or else I will never recover. These sacred artifacts must remain hidden. I’ve promised myself eons ago to never tell a soul and take it to my grave…

I read my precious art, eyes digging into the holy scripture and…

…what the fuck am I doing? What the hell was I thinking just now? I think my friend on snootcord is starting to infect my brain. 

I sigh and toss my book back inside the box, slamming it shut. I should try to hold back anime and manga for now, lord knows what happened the last time I didn’t… 

I flop on my newly acclaimed bed, it’s soft and fluffy. Staring at the ceiling as I monologue in my head. 

I’m so far from home. Completely on my own. I practically had to beg my parents to move here. Still, I thought they would still put up more a fight. As soon as they found out about Slend living here they instantly had me go on my merry way. 

They were eager to throw me out. Why not? I was a fucking embarrassment for them. My hard-ass dad definitely saw me as a loser. Growing up he always pushed me to be more active, but eventually he gave up. I was a lost cause. 

My loner ass has only had one friend, StegoStar on snootcord. It’s probably the closest I will ever be to a girl, if they even are one… With my luck its probably some dude named Chuck living in his mom's basement in southern Detroit. It’s getting late, I should get some sleep. Last thing I need is to be super tired on the first day of school. 

Shutting the lamp off, I yawn and close my eyes. 

…

January Sixth.

Year 201M2020 BC.

Volcaldera Bluffs.

Weather conditions; cold as balls. part two: Electric boogaloo.

I walk along the path, the morning sun glistens through the trees. The rays of light,  shine off the dew of the wet grass. 

Approaching the gate, I look around to see some of those structures I saw last night. They are way easier to see now. There’s no signs of any life, not any graffiti or anything. Just the slowly decaying structures as nature tries to eat it away.

Looking above the trees, I spot an actual cell phone tower in the distance, is that what’s causing the interference?

Opening the gate, I sigh as I pull up grungle maps to see the route to my new school.

My new place is in an tough spot… but I think I can make it work. It looks like an hour long walk, tops. 

Fuck. I should’ve brought my old dirt bike here. Too bad it’s sitting back at rock bottom…

…

My legs feel like jelly. 

At least I’m out of that creepy ass forest. I’m walking through the suburbs as I approach the school. It’s the sounds that reach me first. The chatter of people milling about.

“Bro."

“It’s been too long!"

“It was only three weeks” *giggle*

I can make out the building now. The fog shrouding gives the school an ominous vibe to it. I look at the name written on the arch over the entrance.

VOLCANO HIGH

I check my phone to see the time. 30 minutes to spare. Wonderful. 

I move to the entrance, only to see all of the steps occupied by students. Shit, I don’t the energy to move up them. My ass needs to rest. 

Commencing new Operation. Find a seat. I avoid the steps and go around the school to some alcove. The pavement is cracked to bits and the shrubs surrounding it are overgrown, and that’s when I see an old wooden bench.

hallelujah. I can feel my legs scream in joy at the sight of the precious bench. it was perfect. I eagerly sit on it, I feel like I’ve spent my whole life standing up and I just sat down…

*crack*

My heart drops. It was too perfect. I should’ve known this was a trap. My world goes through slow motion as my ass breaks the seat, tumbling down onto the ground surrounded by splinters. I lay wasted on the ground, my legs still too tired to carry me. Two silhouettes appear in my view as I stare at the sky. 

“Do you happen to be anon?” A peach colored parasaur with glasses looked down on me, alongside a ptero with the most hideous jacket I have ever seen. 

“Y- yeah… that’s me…” 

“uh… are you alright?” The ptero says. I immediately engage into my chill guy facade to hide how uneasy I am today. 

“Never better…” I groan.

It takes almost a second too long before the ptero offers his hand to help me up. I take it and grab it roughly

The force is enough for my feet to get under me, stumbling back up to stand before the pair of strangers. It felt like my arm was nearly ripped from its socket. I forget how strong Dinos are sometimes.

“So… who are you guys? How do you know my name?” 

Peach colored parasaur lights up, emitting a voice that sounds like it would give any listener diabetes. “Gosh! Where are my manners? I’m Naomi! And this is Naser”

”Sup” Naser simply says. When I turn to look at him I noticed his fucked up wing.  strange… well… I guess it’s not actually that strange compared to that forest. 

Naomi speaks again, grabbing my attention. “We are your welcoming committee! We will help you move in and answer any questions you may have!” 

She hands me a brochure, its filled with the usual crap. After school programs blah blah… student clubs blah blah… none of it matters. 

"Babe, I've got some things to take care of." I follow his eyes and see some people trying to life a large speaker up the stairs of the school. Some purple trigga was ordering two other dinos to pivot it. Naomi looked dejected, they kissed and Naser leaves, running quickly to assist with the heavy sound equipment. I turn back to Naomi. She smiles again, though there is a plasticity to it. normally I would be crept out by her obviously fake persona or whatever she is hiding behind. But I have seen plenty lately... 

"So, Anon. anything on that brochure interest you?"

Oh right. I scan the item. Scrambling for something to speak of. Lunch! Right! I am getting kind of hungry. wait... transportation? That might help. That means I wont have to take those long ass walks to and from school everyday...

"Uh... it says something here about transportation..? My place is pretty far and I have to walk so..."

Naomi didn't act surprised. She was already answering me before I can even finish. "Oh sure! I'm sure there's a way to solve that issue! All we need is your address!" Okay, sounds simple enough. "Alright. Do I need to sign something or...?" The peachy nerd nods "You will need to sign a paper in the office. I can take you there!" 

We go up the stairs, right by where Naser and three other dinos are still trying to carry the heavy sound equipment. "-m trying!" "You need to use your legs!" Naomi waves at Naser as we're passing by. He responds in kind. Before the sound equipment he was carrying promptly falls and crushes his foot, yelping in pain. "NASER YOU FUCKED UP WING RET-"

The voice was cut off as the door shuts behind us. I follow the parasuar through the hallway. There were anti-bully posters strung up on some of the walls.

Yeah... like anyone will actually listen to that shit. Everyone is so quick to say that they will always help someone out when they're getting bullied. Yet when the entire school is laughing at you. You see them laughing with them. it's all bullshit. 

I found out the hard way. Never again. This time I'm going to keep a low profile, it's going to be a challenge because I can tell that I'm the only human in this school. But I'll make it work. I glance at trophy and award cases. I actually see Naser in quite a few of them, Naomi too on the academic ones too. I bet those two will go to some fancy college and get some ritzy degree...

After some walking we make it to what I'm assuming is the principle's office. Entering the room, I see a hulking Neanderthal. I mean he is not homo sapiens, but it's nice knowing that at least SOMEONE with skin is actually at this school other than me. It looked like he was reading something. 'Hello Mr. Spears!"

wait...

holy shit...

HE'S READING FUCKING ROMCOM MANGA!?

I am left in shock as the cave man looks up. He is not even bothering to hide it... I salute you're bravery sir. It's obvious his power level outclasses my own.

"Naomi. I was in the middle of a really good chapter. This better be important." Naomi gestors to me behind her. "This is Anon. the new transfer student! He just needs some help with something regarding transportation." Ugh. I cant stand that cheerful demeaner. "I see. have a seat Anon." I walk over and plop down. My wobbly legs sigh in joy, before their celebration begins it gets cut off by a cheery voice sounding like nails on a chalk board.

"Let me know if you need anything Anon! I have some duties to take care of. but it was so nice meeting you!" sweet raptor Jesus. please make this stop. I turn and face Naomi on the chair. Trying my best not to sound pissed off. "Okay. Thanks Naomi" The peach bitch finally makes her exit. Thank god. 

As I watch the door behind her slam shut. Spears speaks. I forgot he was there for a second. "So. Anon. what transportation issues are you facing?" I'm a little late to respond, seeing Spear's manga on the table has really surprised me. does he really read that in public? "um... well my issue with it is that... I kind have a lack of it. My place is really far away and I have to walk all the way here. Is there any way to help with that?"

Spears nods in understanding, the light gleaming through his glasses. "Very well. Depending on you're located I can make some arrangements for you. What is your address?" 

Fuck. I totally forgot. I scrummage for my phone and look at the note's app. Where I copy and pasted the address earlier. I read off it. "It's uh... 28th Avenue North." I look up to see Spears typing the address on his computer. I figure he is probably looking it up on grungle maps to see where it is actually located.

A few seconds pass. I see an annoyed look on his face. "Anon. please give me your actual address. Now is not the time for jokes." What? of course it's my fucking address. why would he assume I was joking? wait... I think back to what that taxi driver said yesterday. Was this place really that infamous? "No sir. That's where I'm actually staying." He still gives me that unimpressed look, thinking I'm spewing bullshit. I need to actually provide evidence. "My great grand uncle owns the estate there. I moved in and got this..." I fashion that old key from my pocket, I dangle it above the desk so he can have a closer look.

He scans my face once more for any lying. After a few seconds, he seems surprised when he found my claim to be genuine.

"Well I'll be damned... nobody has ever passed my stare before. You must be speaking the truth." Wait what? that stare was a fucking lie detector? Spears rests his hands together on the desk as he continues. "Well... your residence is a bit out of the way from any available routes." He stares at the screen again in contemplation. "I believe the best solution is to have one of our buses make a quick detour and stop at your address. although some of the parents might have a problem with that."

I figured the problem those parents would have is that same place where I'm crashing in now. After that conversation with the taxi driver and now this conversation with Spears I'm starting to get the idea that my new home with Slend has a lot of lore to it. 

"Sir. I know my great uncle's place has some history to it, But why would people still have a problem in it?" Spear's sighs a little, leaning back in his chair to get a little comfortable. "It's a long story Anon... But that isn't my Job. My job is to provide this school and it's students a great learning experience. And telling camp fire stories won't help with that." 

Did he just dodge my question?

He goes back to typing on the computer some more. after a few seconds he stops and looks at the screen. "This should be a practical solution. We can have one of the bus drivers come and pick you up before it's time to go to the usual routes. Although, you may have to wake up earlier in order to get ready for the bus." Well, I already had to wake up at the crack ass of dawn in order to walk here and show up on time, so not much of change for me. "Sure. that sounds good." I nod, keeping up my chill guy facade. "Great." he responds, before typing some more. It's oddly funny seeing his giant fingers pressing on the tiny keyboard, he can only type with two fingers at a time. "You'll be picked up by bus 08 starting from tomorrow."     

I begin to plan my exit before realizing I still have one more question I need to ask. "uh. sir? Do you know of any soup kitchens around here?" Spear's just looks blanky at me for a second before giving me a pitiful look. "Anon, that won't be necessary. We have a lunch card for students who are less fortunate." I sigh in relief at that. "Okay, can we do that while I'm here?" Spear nods. "Yes. I can set you up with that real quick."

...

After signing for the lunch card and my new bus pickup. I went to my classes. They were mostly uneventful. Now it was lunch time. I walk into the crowded lines and pick up this multi-purpose pizza that can both be eaten and used as a weapon. Avoiding the tables I make my way to the hallway, hopefully there was a nice spot where I can-

a hand out of nowhere went on my shoulder, I nearly dropped my pizza as I twirled around. It was Naser.

"Whoa there! Nearly dropped your food Anon!" I glared at him a little, he looked at me apologetically. "Yeah, whose fault is that?"

"...Yours?" I swear to all that is good and holy. "Wanna sit with us?" I reply confused "What?" Naser spoke again more clearly. "Wanna sit with Naomi and me? Since you're new and all." He points to a table where the living pink sugar rush is waving. God damn it. I don't want to make a scene. "Suuuure..."

  ...

back in the noisy lunchroom, I timed my bites so I didn't have to speak while Naser and Naomi were conversing. She was trying to include me, but she was no match for my timing. But eventually, I ran out of food and was now getting bombarded with questions. "So Anon! you mentioned earlier that you had to walk a long way to get here. Where is that exactly?"      

Eager to get miss sugar rush off my back, I answer before thinking. "I sorta live by the mountains in the forest, next to Oakside." Naomi and Naser both stared at me. Fuck... I should've kept that to myself. Naser was first to break the silence "...Really...?" great. Now you are going be known throughout the school as a hermit who lives in the haunted woods. You failed on your first day Anon. Awesome job. I sigh. Admitting defeat. "yeah..." I didn't know what Naser was expecting, but he definitely wasn't satisfied with my answer. "You do know what happened there right?"

"I know about those kids who went missing, but not much else." I shrug, not like I had much to give "I only moved in like yesterday with my relative who owns the estate in there." Naser lit up at that "Whoa. like for real? are those remains of Oakside still in there?" Fuck, now Naser was bombarding me with the questions. "I've seen a little bit. not much." 

Naomi wasn't saying anything. Just looking at me... Naser was really interested for some reason. why was he? I think Naser realized that too, he toned down a bit. cooling his demeaner "Sorry, it's just that my dad is obsessed with that place. He just rambles on about it while we're eating sometimes" I expected Naomi to say something at this point, but she's still silent. Weird. "Why is he?" I decide to ask him.

Naser scratched his chin or... snout??? in thought for a second. "Well... Dad said that he was a kid when all that stuff happened, and from there it inspired him to join the force I guess..." There seemed to be a lot more to that, but I didn't want to pry. I sorta forgot that Naomi was there when she finally said something. "So why did you move here Anon?". Oh shit... quick Anon! emergency maneuvers! 

"Uh... to help with my relative...? he's kind of old and lives by himself so..." Nailed it. Naomi seemed satisfied with the answer enough. "So your relative is the same one who owns that estate?" Naser asked. "Uh yeah, he's my great grand uncle apparently. Dad’s side." I reply, sipping my carton of milk, I recoil when a sludgy substance hit my lips. That milk was not in the right state of matter.

Setting the milk carton aside, Naser asks me another question. "Huh, so do you know the guy or?" I try to get the ugly taste out of my mouth as I speak back. "Barely. I only talked to him once yesterday" 

Naser looked like he wanted to say something else before the bell rung. Thank god. I begin to make my exit before Naser puts his hand on my shoulder. "Wait, Anon." I turn around to face him. "Yeah?" 

"If you need a bit more extra chow, there's going to be free pizza at my si- uh... At fang's concert after school today"

...

I waited outside the auditorium with Naser after school for a little bit. We had a conversation about his sister... or sibling in his words. But that concert was a total disaster. The band was the three who were carrying that sound equipment this morning. Their story would become another tragic tale about how no band can yield the double bass. Walking out of the school with two cardboard pizza boxes in hand. I head my way home. The sun is starting to set now.

"You are not the only person in the world."

pfft. Like I don't already know that. There's like... The classmates that all ignored me today. Naomi's annoying ass. That fucking caveman of a principal. Naser, whose been a bro. Although he was a bit weird at lunch...

oh...

oh fuck...

I am going to have to walk the whole way back... god fucking dammit... I begin my trail of tears. I'm sorry legs, and it's probably going to be completely dark by the time I come back. 

HONK HONK

"Holy Fuckin Shi...!" The loud car horn makes me jump, I stutter my words in pure surprise. I look over to see Naser waving over to me from a car that was just getting out of the parking lot. "Hey! Anon!" I walk over to the driver's side. "What?" 

I didn't even noticed Naser's sister in the car until she spoke "Who's the skinnie?" First of all, rude. Second of all, you are talking a lot of shit after that disaster of a concert. I was about to give the perfect comeback before Naser spoke up again. "This is Anon, the new transfer student. He has a long walk back home so I figured he would need a ride." Fang just sighed and said "Can't he take a bus or some shit? I'm not exactly in the mood for carpooling today."

'Well... Anon's place is..." Naser rubs his neck, trying to find the nicest word for it. "... Cut off?" Fang just raised an eyebrow at that. "What? does he live in Skin Row?" Naser quickly corrected that. "Oh! no no no... not there, he kind of lives at..." Naser looks at me, his face asking for permission. Well. At least he was kind enough. I sigh and nod at him for the go ahead. 

"You know Oakside? Y'know. The place that dad always talks about?" Fang rolls her eyes as she scrolls through her phone. Her makeup was all messed up by what seemed like crying. Huh... 

"No shit sherlock. Everyone does..." She growls. Then her pupils goes wide as she realizes what Naser was really talking about and looks up from her phone. "...what? that's bullshit. He actually lives there?" Naser confirms. "Yep. He's in at that estate." Naser looks back at me. "Well... Fang if you want I can just drop you off first then I can take Anon-" She interrupts him "Fuck that. I want to see for myself." 

...

I was now in the backseat of a very shitty car. Naser was driving me back. Fang was just staring blankly out the window. her eyes didn't seem sad or angry just... lost... Well. I guess they did have to go through a lot today. I kind of feel terrible now... I need to distract myself. I look around the car, my eyes find something odd in the wind shield. 

"Is that a bullet hole?" I ask, sorta concerned for my safety. "Dad gave it to Naser from the impound lot, was a part of some crime scene." That explains it. Did Naser's jacket come from the same one? 

Fang suddenly laughed, what? oh... god damnit mouth.

Naser speaks up to defend himself. "What? no! this is highly fashionable!" Fang's snout turned to Naser, that lost look seemed lost on her now. Instead there was a smile. The suburbs we were going through were now starting dissipate, giving way to old forest. A heavy fog masking the trees. The light atmosphere suddenly began to feel heavy. The tension rolled over us like a thick blanket. 

I instinctually held the pocket knife in my pocket. I didn't even realize until I felt the cold metal rub against my palm. Naser was tightly gripping the steering wheel, his arm's stiff. Fang was wrapping her wings around herself from the sudden cold. 

Naser spoke, trying to break the silence. But the still quietness was deafening. "Anon. Please tell me you won't be walking through here everyday..." I take a gasp, I didn't even realize I was holding my breath. "No. I had a talk with Spears and I will be taking a bus for school." He simply nodded at that, eyes on the road. 

After what felt like eternity, I saw the familiar gate come into view. "This is it." Naser's car rolls to a stop on the cold asphalt. The gate was on the passenger's side of the car. Fang looked up at the sign. "Slend R Mann Estate, huh? Never thought I would actually see it in person." 

"Me neither..."  Naser sighed. then his eyes go wide as something clicks in his brain. He then proceeds to groan loudly before laying his face against the steering wheel. "Dad is going to kill me if he finds out I got this close..."

"You just realized that now?" Fang scoffed, leaning against the window. I see them both glance at me. what? 

...

...oh yeah...

I grab my backpack and scooch out of the car, holding the door open. "Thanks for the ride Naser."

"No problem man." Naser waves as I shut the car door. I turn back to the old gates, I scrummage my key out of my pocket. I realized I haven't heard Naser's car drive away yet, I looking behind me I see Naser and Fang looking at me. Did they still not believe I actually lived here? I insert the key and twist, the metal gate screeches and groans as it slowly swings open. 

I look back again, upon seeing that I did live here beyond a shadow of a doubt. The siblings looked at each other, speaking telepathically. After a second Naser drove off, leaving me alone. 

I walk through the path quickly, it was already dusk and I wasn't waiting for it to get any darker. My mind goes through the events of today. 

Spear's thought I was joking when I gave him my address.

That weird look from Naomi when she found out I lived here.

Naser's sudden interest when he found out too. 

And Fang calling bullshit when she heard it from Naser.

I finally spoke to myself about what my mind has been wondering ever since I set foot here. 

"Just what the fuck is up with this place?"

...

Chapter Text

Sorry but there's nothing here. I just needed to update my work so it wouldn't stayed buried because this was a draft I made back in September. Or maybe it's something else idk. I'm still trying to get accustomed to Ao3.