The Final Journey

Eight more months. It's been hell. Total, utter, hell. I haven't said a word on my blog here, but after saying things were fine in my last post, it all went to hell in a hand-basket. Me, I’ve been trying to be mister macho man Aiden. It’s not been going too well actually.
            You see, He turned up. The good ol' faceless wonder started making his appearances again. At first it was just at the edge of the woods behind the house here. He'd stand there and watch, no interruptions. I should have fucking known better.
            We had just gotten moved back into house. The rebuild finished after the fire that burned it into a charred husk. We had spent the day moving what little had survived the fire and what little we had into the house. We had things set up. Malkin and I were just laying down to bed when He appeared in the darkness of the tiny bedroom, right in the corner by Malkin's side of the bed. Before we could so much as take a breath those slimy black tendrils were flashing about. One lashed out and grabbed Malkin by the throat and was lifting him from the bed. I did the first thing I thought of. I grabbed the wooden desk chair, charged the tall, slender abomination and bashed the shit out of him with it. Of course he didn't take kindly to it, and of course I found myself flying across the fucking room and slamming against the wall. Being that I'm a small, frail individual, my body didn't like that and I was consumed by the swirling blackness of unconsciousness.

            I'm pretty sure that I was out for hours. Mostly because it was dark when we were lying down and now there was sun coming in through the windows of the bedroom. Malkin was lying lifelessly on the bed. Of course this scared the shit out of me; he’s a pretty well built person who can handle more than most would be able to. I was in tears before I was to him, holding him and sobbing into his chest. He was splayed out on the bed which was soaked in blood. Looking him over, I saw the blood seeping through his white nightshirt, the front of it torn like it’d been clawed through. His neck was bruised from where the tendril had wrapped tightly about it, blood trickled from cuts and scrapes and by the fact his hair was matted in places with blood, I was figuring that he must have had some injuries to his scalp as well. Then I noticed the slight rise and fall of his chest. He was alive thank the Gods, unconscious but alive. I could handle the unconsciousness as long as there was the alive with it. Actually I was still crying like a baby. But at least my boyfriend was alive. Honestly, I lost it. I was so sick of the death and destruction that that eldritch abomination has caused me. Sick of the continual loss I have endured. Just... sick. I held Malkin until he came to and then we just lay there on the bed holding each other and apologizing and crying and kissing. I don't believe we ever slept. We kept tempting the idea of doing so, and then decided against it and just took turns on watch while the other would 'sleep'. This was all three months ago...

            Let this be a lesson to everyone. This is what happens when you get tangled up with the Slender Man. The Tall Man. Whatever it is you wanted to call him. It's sad. You hear a name like that and you want to just laugh your ass off. You don't think something like that can be scary. Then you get blindsided by all of this shit. Things will calm down and you'll think things are fine and better. That's the biggest mistake you can ever make. Thinking you’re safe. I've made that mistake plenty of times. I thought I was safe, and then I lost my husband. I thought it was safe, and then I lost Taben. I thought they were safe, and then I lost Branwen. Now He's back and He's after Malkin. He took Malkin. It happened a month ago. He took Malkin from me. There's something horrifying to wake up in bed alone and wonder where your boyfriend is. To go looking for him and be uncertain where he is. How worried I was that he's hurt. Worried for what you'll find. Finding the blood in the living room, seeing it trail through the kitchen. Seeing it smeared on the door leading outside. Watching as it led down the path toward the woods. I can't forget how the crimson smeared and stained and pooled on the grass, turning into a trail leading to the woods that stopped right at the tree line. I should have been horrified. I should have screamed and ran the other way. But I didn't. I didn't budge. I just stood and stared at the sight before me.

            The oak was old, probably the oldest tree in the forest here. No wonder He was always drawn to it. He's drawn to the old things that have aged and darkened with time. Things that are huge enough that dwarfs him in height. Malkin was strung up all through the tree. Blood dripped from the branches. His head run though by one of the branches, the end of it sticking out his mouth wide in horror, frozen in that last penetrating scream that he must have let out as his life bled from him. His eyes round in agony and glazed over, already paling. That told me that he must have been here a while. His torso was run through as well. The width of the base of the branch it was on splitting it so that it almost peeled in half, as the thick red-black liquid spewed from the openings. Slimy pink intestine strung through the branches like Christmas garland and his organs hung from them like ornaments.Indiscernible viscera was splotched and splattered on the ground and over the branches and trunk. The tree was decorated with my boyfriend. And I couldn't do anything about it. I didn't do anything but stand there and stare.

            How is one meant to handle these things when it's something that he's dealt with for over a year. You come to expect it. I think I knew it was coming. I think we both knew three months ago. That attack…it wasn't just a wake-up call, it was a warning. A warning to me that once again I'd lose someone I loved. A warning to Malkin and I, saying that he was going to die. I can't say we didn't make the most of it for the couple of months we had left. I wish they had had less of the abomination peaking in and more of just us though. I guess it's that whole fear thing. I guess it's not something to worry about so much anymore. Is it? I don't know.

            How am I supposed to move on? Carry on? How the hell do I just forget the horrid pas I had and move on? It doesn't seem like it should be possible. And yet here I am. Does this make me a bad person? Or does the desire to not carry on make me a bad person. The desire to get out of this nightmare as soon as possible is hard to resist. I want more and more to escape it. It's a daily battle for me anymore. I can't keep going on, I’m afraid.I'm sorry. This is too much. I can't pretend that I don't hurt. It's tearing to pieces. I need more than this.
            I'm so sorry. Please forgive me everyone. I can't keep going. I want to be on my way. I want to see them all again. I miss Brennon. I miss Taben, Ryan. Allen... the fucker took Allen. Branwen and the others, they’re gone thanks to him. And now he took Malkin. I don't want to lose anyone else... So, I'm just going to lose myself. No one needs me anymore.
            I'm sorry everyone. I'm sorry. I love you all, good luck. Brennon, I'll see you soon. Meet me under the Yggdrasil tree.

5 Months?

Dammit where has time gone? I can't believe I nearly forgot about this. I mean... seriously. How the fuck can someone like me forget about this shit, especially after all that's happened. I'll tell you how.

I have been fucking busy. I mean really fucking busy. We've been working on getting the old place fixed up and rebuilt. We've expanded it and are adding some extras to it. there was a nice insurance settlement on the house. Oh and then there was all of the damned court shit and what not. Cause, you know, I can't get away scott free for setting me and my late husband's house on fire. Of course it's been fine. I was crazy when it happened and have only had to have a counselor and some pills. It's been pretty easy since then. Well busy. But things seem to have gotten so much better for me since we've come back. Malkin's with me. We're getting along great. We work on the house and relax. Well the best we can anyways. Malkin's been a little at unrest and paranoid. He says nothing's wrong but I know it is. I don't pry though. He'll tell me when he's ready. I'm a patient man and can wait forever.

I can't really think of much to say. I'll try and write more here. The house reconstruction's almost complete and we'll possibly moving back into it in the not too distant future. Will be nice to be back to it and be able to begin living a normal life. At least as normal as it can get after you've been stalked by a faceless abomination and sent on the crazy train because of it. Honestly, since I've been keeping busy and on the meds I've not seen no-face. I refuse to take it as a good sign. But I will take it as something at least.

Anyways, time to get to the construction site and get back to work. Gonna be a nice day for working.

Alive and busy

That's pretty much a jist of how things have been here. Between work, and everything else I've been busy. I don't feel at liberty to say what's going on. Malkin's asked me to keep the details out, and I'm respecting that request. Things have been semi normal. We haven't seen It for a while. We move along our day to day lives and just kind of run things as best as we can. I wish I could just go on living like this and pretend that life hasn't been a living hell for the past year and a half. Gods. Has it really been that long?

Brennon and I woulda celebrated our one year wedding anniversary on April 30th... woulda been a year. Funny how much can change in a year.

Well, I'll be off now. Got stuff to do before the day's done with. I'll try to get to updating more than once every few months... it's just been so busy. I guess we'll see.

As We Run

I just sighed and just stared ahead as I drove along the stretch of highway somewhere between Portland and Akron; watching the headlights illuminate nothing and everything all at once. I took a deep breath looked to the passenger seat at Malkin. He lay back sleeping peacefully. The arguments that we’ve been having have been horrendous. I’m ready and willing to move back to his hometown in Ohio. Malkin, he was scared shitless; probably still is. He didn’t want it. I had argued had my point hard. Our argument’s still haunting me like a dark melody even as I drove along the inky highway to our next hotel destination.

“I don’t feel safe out here; I know Chastin’s watching. I know… I know He’s watching too!” Malkin had pleaded his case heavily. “We’re not going to be safe, they know how to find us, there’s no stopping them!” I had been frustrated.

 

“The house will be our safe haven,” he had tried to persuade him. “It’s always been our safe have, it was a promise. We were promised we’d be safe there!”

“It’s not the same anymore, Ai, He doesn’t have control over you like He used to have.” Malkin eyes bounced with tears as he pleaded. “Please, let’s just stay here! KK left her place to us. We have it here. We can get jobs, we can hide—“

“No,” I interrupted Malkin more harshly than I had intended. “Listen, Malkin, trust me, please? Trust me, babe. We’ll be fine. I’m not going to hide anymore! I refuse to keep hiding!” It was my turn to plead my own case. I was nearly on hands and knees begging, I could feel my own eyes watering.

“Ai…” Malkin hesitated and reached his hand out to his me sighing in a mix of frustration and compliance. “ok… okay. I’m just scared.” My only response was to pull Malkin into a tight hug and just hold him, despite the fact that I’m at least a foot shorter.

 

“I’ll keep you safe,” My desperation was heavy in my voice. “I swear to the Gods above, I’ll keep you safe. I love you Malkin, I won’t let anything happen to you! I’ll keep you safe.” Malkin frowned with worry rubbing my back.

“It’s not you I don’t trust,” he looked around as though he didn’t even trust the empty apartment building that they were standing in. “It’s everyone else, everything else. It’s the circumstances. No one’s safe from Him. No one.”

“I’ll give him my service if that’s what it takes to get him to leave you alone and keep you safe.” My tone was matter of fact.

“NO!” Malkin pushed me away with his one arm as he screamed at him. “You will NOT do that. Dammit Ai! Promise me you won’t take that way. I don’t care about anything else just do NOT give yourself to Him like that!”

That had been the last of the words that had been spoken. I had regretted saying anything of the sort and had pulled Malkin into a deep passionate kiss and had whispered wordless promises of safety and contentment. We’d left the apartment early the next morning and now here we are on their way to our temporary home. Just until the house was rebuilt. Malkin doesn’t want it, but he’s come to see how things would be better. We’ll be fine. There will be a semblance of the old days. Too many people have been lost in the last few months, but whatever helps, helps

.

So here we are, two more days and we’ll be to our new home. A temporary reprieve from our nightmare of a life. Now if we can just continue on without infecting anyone else. I’ll never be able to forgive if I cause more, good people to be lost. I will never be able to live with myself if that happens.

Back to fighting.

So, I guess that was the wake up call I needed.  It's good to know one of my allies are alive. I'm not sure with most others anymore. Malkin's the only one I thought I had left. Then I saw that Xi posted. And somehow that's helped me. It's not so bad, is it? I have a lot to talk to Malkin about. I want to meet with Brennon's family... I want to talk to them and see what's going on. I want to see if they can forgive me for their actions. I'm going to make something of the ashes and nothing that my home has become. The sanctuary will be built again. I swear it. I'm going to fight. I promised Brennon and Branwen that I would. So I'm going to.

Now to get up the gall to talk to Malkin. I hope he'll see things my way and agree with me. After that we're going to get our stuff from Portland and move back this way. I'll be working on blue prints, and looking for a job. And... making a deal with the devil, so to say. Hopefully things play in my favor. Time will tell I guess. Wish us luck.

Happy Birthday

Happy Belated Birthday, Taben.

Taben's birthday would have been this weekend. He'd have been 32.

We had a small 'party' in his honor. He was gone in the head when we lost him, didn't make me love him any less.

I don't know what to do.

Malkin wants to head back home to Portland and the apartment. I just... don't know. I really just... don't know. I feel so lost....

Someone help me...

Stalker

Wind is blowing

Knocking on my window

He looks in.

I feel Him.

His lack of eyes on me

I close my eyes.

Hide under the covers

Pray to the Gods.

He can't

Possibly

See me

My time's not up.

I'm not ready

He can't

Not yet

I have days

Months

Years

It is not

My time

Not yet.

As long as I do not

acknowledge

Him

He will not

Claim me.

I'm not His to claim

Not yet.

Not ever.

Free?

I just woke up. and I was here. in this shell of a house in the cold. It's freezing here. Ash and rubble and then Him. He was there staring at me. Watching me. It's quiet. the wind blowing through the bare branches. And then... this... Him. There. Just staring. A blank faceless stare. Just staring. Staring. Watching. He sees into me. My thoughts feelings. I should be afraid. I'm not. I'm angry. It's over. But it's not. Why... would they do that to me. Why would I ever think about them doing that. treating me like that. It can't be real. It wasn't real. But at the same time. It feels real. The violation I felt is real, that I still feel. It's real. And I can't brush it off. It won't go away.

I'll just stay here. Hide. Ignore it. Hide. Try to keep warmth in my body. Fuck. It's so fucking cold. His gaze isn't helping. Just staring at me like that. Fuck. I need to get out of here. But I can't move.

Help.

Have to get out.

It's not real. Not real at all. I don't know where I am but this isn't real. Branwen would never do that. Ever. She's not like that. Why would she do that? It's not Branwen. And Brennon would never stand back and just watch.

I don't know what to do. I'm scared. I'm lost. I know this is some figment of my imagination and it didn't happen but I still feel so... violated, and confused and scared. She'd never do that. And she'd never call me those things. Brennon would never stand back and watch and laugh like that. I can't see Branwen ever saying those things or calling me those things. this can't be real.

And if it is... I'm better off to just be.. dead... Gone.

With friends like this, who needs enemies....?

Malkin where are you? I'm scared. I need you. I love you.

Things are getting interesting

I'm confused and uncertain of what to think on how they are lately. I came home from shopping with Brennon. My parents, Sam and Dean were there. They were excited to see me and hug me. I've been concerned confused and a bit frightened since then.

See, I saw the remnants of my parents after the fire that claimed them. wedding rings bone fragments tooth fillings and what not. I had to identify Sam and Dean's bodies when I went to claim them and sign a bunch of stuff. Doctor's told me they were gone. there were death certificates signed and all.

I'm starting to think Malkin's right. But... I don't know. I'm so confused. I'm scared. If this is all a dream, where am I? Why can't I be found. Why can't Malkin find me. Branwen's been trying to comfort me and help me out. She's confused and uncertain. She doesn't know what to suggest. I'm afraid. Afraid I guess, to accept the truth... whatever it may be. I want so hard to believe this as the truth, but I'm just not sure anymore. I'm so scared and confused. I wish someone were here to help me.

I wish you were here Malkin. I wish you could save me.

Good day

Today was a very good day. We went out and did some geocaching. It was great. I never thought I'd get to do that again. I'm surprised really, it's so warm and sunny this time of winter. But I'm not going to argue with it! Brennon and I just cuddled up and watched shows together when we got back. We saw Branwen off to campus. She's starting college this spring. putting everything behind her. I'm so proud of her and it's just so good to know she is alright and that I didn't lose my little sis.

Allen's been doing well and I've been trying to be a good parental figure to him. We drew played some games did he geocaching and he went to bed in prep for his first day back to school tomorrow after winter break.

It's like a dream come true. If this is a dream, I never want to wake up...

...I just wish Malkin was here... miss him... I never really got a chance to tell him just how much I cared. If you see this babe, it's fine. We're not pushing you away and we'd like you to be with us. I love you. I'm just.. scared. I don't want to lose you. Come to the house, please. You'll be safe here away from Chastin. I'm so scared he's going to come after you again.

I love you. Please be alright. I'll keep posting here in hopes you see it. I love you.

I can't believe it.

We left Constance's Haven. I wanted to come back here for the New Year. Come full circle. I started my adventure here a year ago, it was only fitting that I return here to let go of the old and begin the new. If I had only known what I'd find. It's like a dream come true.

They saved the house, the house didn't burn all the way and it's been fixed up. Branwen's here. She's here, she's alive. Brennon's here too. What I had seen when I woke that had driven me into madness? Yeah they didn't bother to tell me that he was still alive. He'd gone unconscious from the pain. They saved him. He's bed ridden still and has problems but he's alive. here's here. I've been crying from joy since I've been here. Allen's here too. They found Allen. He's grown. He's safe though. Brennon took over custody of him. Oh my Gods he's alive. It's good to see him.

It's... it's so nice to have some good news for once. So nice to see everyone I love again. I never thought I'd see them it's good to see them. Bran said Todd would be joining us as well.  He's destroyed the Morrigan and is coming home to celebrate. 

This New Year's Day we definitely have something to celebrate. I wish Malkin could be here to join us. I explained it all to Brennon. He liked Malkin. He's willing and happy to have him as part of our family. But when I went outside to get him, he was gone. His car was gone. I... I'm so worried about him. He only has one arm, how can he drive. Gds I hope he's okay. Malkin come back with us! We love you, babe. You're welcome here. Everything's better now! We're home and we're safe!

I can't believe it! I love you all! Thank you for supporting me! Happy New Year! May you have the best year ever!

Skipped

We skipped Ohio. I wussed out and couldn't do it. I just can't face them yet. They probably all hate me and holed everything against me. I torched that house. I wasn't in my right mind, but still, I did it. Now I find myself wanting to be back there. Wanting to be there where I felt safe. Living with the memories. But I just can't. I ruined it. I ruined everything. I'm so confused. I feel like I should confess everything to them, but then I'd be insane and don't feel like being admitted to the psych ward.

So, we're here, at the Haven. We've been here a few days now. I had a nice... chat... with Constance. I've seen Derrek and Brandy. they're doing as well as can be expected. Brandy seems so... distant. I don't know.

I've just been biding my time. I'll cover stuff more at a later time. I'm just tired. I'm ready to relax and just try and unwind. No sightings of Slendy here make it easier to unwind. Not sure how long we'll be here. I guess time will tell.

That's all for now, thought I should give an update. Take care and may the Goddess bless.

Going Mobile

We're heading to the east coast. It would have been just me, but when I told Malkin he threw a raging shit fit about it and said I had to take him with me. So we're both going. We're going to see Adro--- no, Constance. We're going to go to the Haven she's built. I need to talk to her. Make Amends? I don't know. I think I need closure. I need to know why she killed Brennon, why she killed Taben. Why she killed my lovers. Taben wasn't the same after Allen disappeared. But still, I loved him and would have at least liked to say goodbye.

Malkin's had some issues but it's nothing that can't be expected. I mean we're being stalked by Slendy and all. Constance said He's not been seen on her property, so it seems like a safe place. I think Brandy's out there. I know Derek is. I'm just afraid of what I'll do when I see Derek. I... still feel for him but, I don't know. It's a lot to think over. And I don't want to upset Malkin. I love him. I don't want to do anything to betray that.

The route we're taking will take us about two days, that's without sleeping though. If Malkin could drive it'd be easier, but it might take a bit longer. We'll see. I... I want to see where they were laid to rest. I want to pay my respects. I want to apologize to Brennon's parents. To Taben's parents. I feel I failed them all. I want to see what's left of the house. I just... I need to go back. I need to see. Once I've come full circle, I can truly move on. I'll be happy to have that piece of mind.

Branwen... her parents, her family. I don't even know what to do for them. Say to them. She was my sis. My family is gone. I only have Malkin left. And Gods know I'm going to hold on tight to what I have.

I love you Malkin, I'll keep you safe. I promise.
I'll see you soon Constance. And Derek. And Brandy. I hope you're all well.

Off we go.

An update on life

First off, I want to apologize first for such extensive breaks between posts. I'm just tiered and busy and have been drowning in my thoughts. That and the whole busy thing has been well uneventful busy.

Second, I want to apologize for my typos and grammar errors. I don't remember the last time I've had a full sleep instead of just a nap. I've been uneventfully busy and keeping on the watch for things we don't want to deal with. Well, really it's mostly taking care of Malkin and stuff. You probably saw what he had posted about on his journal but, he left a lot out and got some stuff confused a bit. I can't blame him, he was in and out of consciousness at best and when he was cognitive it was him in a proxy trance wanting to get at me and get free of my restraints on him.

Ok, maybe I should start from the beginning of that night. We had gone to bed earlier that night. I was tired, Mal was tired so we went to bed. We've been sharing a bed since we... uh.. made things between us official. Yeah, but.. that's beside the point. In the middle of the night I was jolted awake by the inability to breathe and felt something clamped tightly around my neck. When I finally came to completely it was Malkin. He had a glazed look in his eye and was over me that one mangled arm of his stretched out and the hand clamped around my throat and choking me.

The first thing that came to my mind was that I was going to lose the last person I had. I was going to lose Malkin. He was going to kill me. I remember thinking that maybe it wouldn't be so bad. That I'd be with everyone I lost again. And then I was snapped out of that by the look of fear that suddenly passed over Malkin's face. That gave me the urge to fight. He was still there in some part, he just had problems fighting this. So I had to fight for him. I had to fight and get back at Slender Man for what he had done to my family. He was my prey I was going to kill him. Unable to break Malkin's grip with my hands I purposely fell out of bed and onto the floor rolling as I did. This thankfully loosened his grip and I got free. He was just perched on the edge of the bed looking at me, that blank expression on his face, his eyes glazed over. I was moving to get up when I was pushed back painfully on the ground. Malkin was over me and he was punching and grabbing at me. I pushed him off forcibly and pinned him to the ground, turned the tide on him so to say. I managed to get him wrapped in the bed sheets to help restrain him and tried to figure out what to do. He didn't even fight now. He just sat there in a trance, staring at me blankly. Now and then he'd try to fight against his restraints. I just watched uncertainly. I wasn't sure what I could do, all I knew is that if I didn't do anything, I'd lose Malkin, and then I’d truly be alone. I wasn't ready to lose another person I loved, so, what I did next was the only choice I had.

See, he had been fine until this infection hit his arm, this Proxifying substance or whatever the fuck it was. He had been fine until that injury, and everything seemed to stem from that arm. So the only choice I had was to remove it. It was either have Malkin lose his arm and hopefully get better, or for me to lose Malkin. I wasn't about to let the latter be the case so I did what I did in an act of desperation. I dragged Malkin into the kitchen still wrapped in the bed sheets I freed his arm and found the means to tie it to the leg of a table. He fought trying to get at me but did nothing otherwise. I searched through the cupboards an found a large cast iron cooking skillet. I turned the burner on the stove on and placed the pan on the burner to allow it to get hot. When I did this I'd need something to help stem the blood flow so he didn't bleed to death. The pan would act as a means of cauterization for the stump of his arm. I tied his circulation off at his shoulder and worked to try and restrain the arm as much as possible. I went and started looking through the closets for something to help with the removal. I managed to find a hand saw hidden away in the closet and decided that would have to work for the purpose I needed it for. I returned to the kitchen and looked to Malkin he was crying and he was fighting asking me repeatedly what was wrong and what happened.

“The arm's going” Was all I said and held up the saw. Malkin's eyes went wide and he started screaming and struggling and crying.

“We can go the the hospital! Please let's go to the hospital! I'll die! We can't do it here please!” He was struggling and trying to get control of the situation and get loose.

I shook my head and left. I went through the closest and chests again until I found something I thought would help. I found a bottle in the medicine cabinet. To think the whole time we'd been here and we had never looked in here. There were enough pills in there to keep someone sedated for a year or more. I grabbed some of the strongest I could find and moved back to where Malkin was, I got a glass of milk for him and moved to sit beside him. He was sniffling and sobbing.

“I'm not going to lose you. I refuse to. You're turning into Chastin. You're becoming a proxy. The arm has to go.” I pet the side of his cheek gently and kissed him “It'll be alright. I'll take care of you. I promise.”

“You're right,” He stammered and sniffled and I just held him close. “I'm scared Ai, I'm really scared, it'll hurt, I won't be able to not scream.”

“It's fine, love,” I said “I have something that will help you sleep through this.” I held up the bottle. “We'll go one at a time until you're out alright? I'll take care of you, I promise. I have a skillet heating up. It'll help stop the blood flow. I will NOT let you die. I swear to that.”

“I know you won't,” He looked at me with some semblance of a smile on his face and I held him close and fed him a couple pills and helped him drink them down with milk. I just held and rubbed his back and kissed him until he fell asleep, it took about a half an hour. When he was out and even the strongest shakes didn't wake him I set to work. There are some things in life that people never expect or want to have to do. This was one of mine. It took me time to calm my nerves for what I had to do. I removed Malkin's shirt, double checked my restraints on him and then... well... Nothing ever prepares someone for this. I think I was just sitting there with the saw in place for moments. And.. then I started. The sound of the blade as I sawed into Malkin's arm was horrifying, like the tearing and ripping of wet cloth, except this wasn't cloth, it was muscle. You know what was even more horrifying? When Malkin woke up and started screaming. I stopped immediately and tied his arm off to stave the blood flow and wrapped the blanket around his arm. I was in tears at this, I was scared. He was screaming and crying and asking me to stop that it hurt and all I could do was cry and feed him more pills. I had to keep going I had to muffle and gag him with his shirt but he still struggled. I had to work with him struggling and screaming through his gag for several minutes before he lost consciousness, either from the pain or from the medicine taking affect. The sound of a saw going through bone, the crunching crackling grinding noise it makes there's just no way you can just forget that. There's no way I can even try and forget it, Gods know I've tried. So very hard I've tried. And I still remember it. I still dream about it. It felt like it took forever but eventually the arm was removed and I grabbed the scalding hot skillet and there was a loud sizzling and the smell of seared flesh as I scalded and cauterized the wound. Blood and puss and black ooze was all over the floor. I untied Malkin and took him to the shower, undressed him and bathed him holding him close and keeping a close eye on him. I laid him on the couch as I worked to clean up the mess that was in the kitchen now thanks to what I had just done. I cleaned everything up and took the arm and all the bloody rags and everything and bagged it all and took it and threw it in the dumpster. After wards I took the a long hot shower and threw our clothes into the washer and moved Malkin to bed and kept an eye on him the rest of the night.

I've been doing pretty much that since. We've remained here and haven't left. I've been nervous and scared and worried. I'm afraid Malkin hates me for what I did. I did what needed to be done, right? If that's the case then why do I still feel like a monster? I feel like a terrible person. I just.. don't know anymore. I love him. I'm scared though... how can he return those feelings? To me? A monster. I took his arm off.

I feel like I'm somehow a failure. I was supposed to protect him... but look at this. Look at what I did. How can anyone love a monster like me. I'm not a protector. I'm far from it.

I don't even know where to go from here. I'm tempted to just.. go... leave everything here to Malkin and go. If I'm not here, he'll be safe, right? Or will he? I'm never certain anymore.

I made a small dinner for thanksgiving. Malkin said it was good. I don't know. I guess it might have been. I've just been so sleep deprived. I feel weak and like I'm going to crash any moment. I sleep, and I see those memories. The nightmares are terrible. Always nightmares. I just need to hold out a bit longer. Just a bit longer. And then Malkin will be safe, and then I'll go. I'll go and make sure Malkin's safe. He'll be safer without me. Just a matter of time.

Anyways enough of my going on and on. It's time for a short nap. Before Malkin wakes up and realizes I'm not in bed and starts yelling at me. I really do love him, he takes care of me. It's just gonna be hard to leave him. Or for him to really understand my reasons.

Last Man Standing

I don't even know what to make of this. Any of this. It was, it was just supposed to be a small ritual. I've done this every year for the past several. Always with Brennon before... but now.... now it was just me. Malkin helped, but I know he didn't completely understand the importance of this for me. I don't think he saw or heard what I did... he probably didn't understand what was going on even, not... not until she showed up.

I guess... I guess I should start from the beginning... shouldn't I?

So, I did an ancestral spirit conjure for Samhain. Brennon and I always did it to speak with the ones we lost. Samhain is a time when the veils that separate the physical plane from the spirit plane are very thin and this it is easier for spirits to cross over and for us to communicate with them. It's a very sacred time to many on my path as it's a time to celebrate and remember those we lost and loved. And those that helped us find our path in life.

I went with every tradition I had always used. I made a very nice traditional meal. A beef roast, fresh homemade bread, and some seasonal vegetables. I cleansed the apartment with some white sage and lavender and started setting up small altars at the four directional points of the apartment. The aroma in the house was entrancing to say the least, all the scents melding together was quite magical. And really helped us relax. I talked to Malkin over the dinner about what I had planned and what I was going to do. I explained the ritual to him and what I wanted him to do. His part in it was pretty simple, just sit there and concentrate and lend me his energies. He agreed to it and we sat and relaxed a bit after dinner just talking about stuff. It was nice really. After all the excitement it was nice to have some downtime and just... well sit and talk with Malkin. No interruptions, no angst, no proxies and no one else in the apartment. Just he and I. So we enjoyed the time alone together. And after a while I prepped for the ritual. More incense and smudging. Then in the center of the points made myself comfortable on some pillows and blankets. With Malkin next to me I started the ritual. Started the concentration. Just like I had done every year since I had been with Brennon. We had always done it together. This year I was doing it alone. Just Malkin and myself.

So I started my concentration I felt myself feeding off the energy Malkin lent me. And then they came. Mom, Dad, Sam and Dean. They came together just showed up and I could feel their warm, loving embrace as their spirits circled me and wished me well and spoke of their happiness and their sorrow and their love. It's hard to explain to someone who hasn't done this kind of Pagan ritual how it feels. You see and feel them but don't hear them. You communicate with the spirits through your thoughts and their feelings. You feel what they want to say instead of hearing it. Their visage appears to the caller(s) as a soft haze or a smoke. You feel them, you can smell them, and know their emotions. I had no idea why there was so much sorrow. I wish I could understand what it was that made them sad. I didn't and they didn't give me any feel of it. And as soon as I saw them and had felt them and 'heard' them, they were gone. And then Taben, Ryan and Brennon were there. And I think this is when the tears finally came. Brennon I could smell him as I had the last days we were together. I wanted to hold him and embrace him and I felt his warmth his scent and his feelings embraced me. His love and his worry. I know I was crying and I could feel myself calling his name and telling him out loud how much I loved him and how much I missed him and how I wanted to kill Andromeda for what she had done but that would be wrong. My gods having Brennon there again. And then I felt Taben and Ryan join him. Embrace me and try to help me. Taben always liked to pet my head and I could feel his hands combing through my hair. Ryan was there and silent. He was always silent, hanging back and watching. I tried to feel for Allen. Surely he'd have come with his parents. When I thought this I felt sadness from Taben. Allen wasn't there. What had happened to Allen that he'd not be here? He had been young; only nine, when Slendy took him. Yeah... His spirit had probably already moved on. And then I felt that Brennon and Taben were sad. So very sad. And I didn't understand. They didn't tell. They had to go. And I said my goodbyes. They'd move on, they wouldn't be here for me when I called on them again, their spirits were to move on and live again. And I felt them leaving. I was sobbing now. Calling to them. Telling them I loved them and I missed them and I'd see them in the next life. I could feel Malkin holding me to comfort me. And I starting letting go of my concentration. The ritual was done. Or so I thought it was. Then... then she showed up. And it ripped me apart. My calm disappeared.

I was just cuddled into Malkin and she was there. I couldn't quite place it, Cinnamon and spices? Warmth, love. I was her brother and she was so sorry that she had fallen prey to Him. Branwen. My little sister, Branwen. Only 19 years old. She was visiting me on my spirit call. My spirit call, meant for those who are dead. Not the living. Only the dead can come on this.

She had died. She had been killed. She had been hunted. She was gone. I was alone. Alone. So alone.

I started screaming screaming that I was going to kill slender Man. He had stolen my sister. He had stolen Branwen. Branwen. My sister. My dear loving sister. I loved her. And she's gone. My last family member is gone. She was with me through the start of this. And now she's gone. Gone. GONE! She'd dead. Dead and gone.

Malkin had to pin me down and calm me down. I had gone crazy. I still am crazy I guess. I lost my sister. My little sister. Now I'm alone. She was there through everything. And now she's gone.

Branwen. I love you my sis. I'm so sorry I couldn't save you. I'm so sorry. I'm so sorry.

To everyone else. I'd like to say... my sister, Branwen, is gone. The Slender Man has taken her from this life. I'm so sorry, sis. I love you. I'm sorry I couldn't save you.

Malkin, I love you. I'm sorry. I'm so sorry. I... I don't know if I can, but Gods be damned, I'm going to fight to keep you alive. I'm not going to let you die. I love you and you're all I have left.

I've been slack. I've been slack in what I've been doing. It's time to get back to work. It's time to start devising a plan and start fighting.

My name is Aiden Clarke.

I am being stalked by Slender Man. I have lost my family to Slender Man and his ilk. I won't lose anymore.

I am a fighter.

Slender Man, I swear to the Gods above. I will kill you. Even if it means you take my life.

Worried Sick

I've been worried sick since Branwen's left to go after Casey. I miss little sis and I'm worried to hell about her. Before that we had gotten her calmed down. We were joking, having fun, enjoying ourselves. And then Casey just left, disappeared. And Bran panicked. I tried to calm her down and get Todd's help to calm her down. And then... they were gone. They left. Bran didn't want to lose her best friend, Todd didn't want another to die.

and they were gone. And I have been worried since. It's been almost a week. I haven't heard anything from them. I've called, and called and called and called some more. Nothing. Busy? Stuck in Morrigan's hands? Or are they.... no. Can't think of that. Todd's there. He won't let that happen.

Hah, it's almost 6am. Malkin's prolly pissed. I never came to bed. I just haven't been able to sleep very well or very long since Bran's been gone. I miss her. I miss everyone. She and Malkin are all I have. All the family left in this world. I don't want to lose them. Ever. I'd rather die than lose them.

Anyways, Samhein's getting close. I'm working on prepping for it. Finding places to get supplies has been pretty easy. There's a decent abundance of new age stores here. I'm going to go to the grocer the day of Samhein and get fresh food for the feast. Plans are to do a small ritual that Brennon and I used to always do together for it. Malkin's gonna kinda help, at least be supportive in helping me set things up. We need to rearrange things here in the den some but we'll make it work. Don't know what I'd do without him. I'd be lost for sure. Now all he has to do is start putting a little trust and faith in me. Let me know when shit goes down so I can be there as support.

Dammit Mal, just dammit. Take care of yourself... and let me know what's going on.

Yeah. Between Malkin's arm, Slender Man, Chastin the Proxy, and Branwen, I'm pretty damned worried. But fuck it. I'll get through this. We'll all pull through. Bran promised me she'd be back for Yule. She doesn't break promises.

I can't wait. A happy family Yule part, and then a happy New Year's Eve party. New Years Eve. I'll be 22. It'll have been a year since all this shit started... Dammit... I can't believe it's been so long. Feels like just yesterday.

I love you Brennon. I'll see you on Samhein.

An update on Brandy

She's been found. I just got off the phone with the authorities covering her case. She's in Maine. They have her in the hospital. She was found at the bottom of a cliff face in Acadia National Park. She was alive but the trauma she sustained points towards her wither jumping or being thrown from the cliff. Despite the severity of the accusations she seems to be in goof health. The doctors are surprised she's doing so well. And all signs seem to be pointing towards this being the doing of her husband/ex-husband, who they are currently on a man hunt for. Hopefully they find the bastard and put him where he belongs... some reason though, I'm not so sure about this. I want to say there's more to it knowing how we're all involved and connected.

Anyways we're trying to get all her stuff packed up and boxed up and sent out to Maine. Constance has been kind enough to agree to take her in and help her out. We feel she'd be better protected with her than out here where we have to worry about the possibility of proxies. So that's a big weight off my shoulders to know she's safe... well for the most part anyways. She's in good hands, and that's what matters most.

For the time being it's making sure Todd/Alex, Casey and Bran are safe and well. We're all just watching shows, hanging out and just enjoying the time together. I've been working out plans in the meantime for my Samhein ritual. Every year I'll call to the spirits from my past family who've left me. It was something Brennon and I did together. This year I'll be on my own... unless of course Malkin would want to participate but that's a lot to learn and understand in a short time. I... hope to see my parents, my brother and sister, Taben and Brennon. I love him. I miss him. And he's the reason I keep fighting. He and Taben both. So this year on Samhein, I will do a ritual especially for Taben and Brennon.

I guess that's it. I'll let it go here. besides, i want to get breakfast started. Had some good plans for everyone. get them a good breakfast and then we're going to the zoo. We need an outing.

A losing battle

Branwen, Casey and Todd are here. We're trying to get them settled in. Malkin's been wonderful with helping out. I tink we got things pretty much situated. Food's been served and we're sitting them down to movie night. Happy fluffy Disney movies. Try to get them cheered up a bit. We're gonna have a personal wake for Seth and Skyler. Gods I can't believe their gone. We're losing people one by one. We all know that we can't do much through all this, but... yeah. Dammit. I've admittedly been clinging to Bran, I can't let her go. I'm scared to death of loosing her. Her and Todd and Malkin are the last of my family. I lost My parents. I lost Sam and Dean. I lost Brennon. I lost Taben and Ryan. Allen... my Gods Allen never got a chance to live.. Eight years old and we lost him. And this is why I fight... and yet I haven't been fighting. I don't even know where to start to try and fight. I just don't want to lose anyone else. I don't want anyone to lose anyone else. I think that's all the rest of this evening will consist of. Sitting on the couch with Branwen and Malkin on either side of me. Holding them close and cherishing my family as much as I can. I don't know how much more time I have with them.

I love you guys. I really do. We'll get though this. We'll get through. We have each other.

Confusion.

It's an ever flowing state of my mind lately. I'm confused. Lost and uncertain. Brandy's still missing. We have no clue where she is. It's like she just disappeared. We filed a missing person's report. Kicker here? Her husband/ex-husband/whatever the fuck he is. Is missing as well. But it doesn't makes sense how he could know she was here, and why she'd leave willingly with the fucker. And why she wouldn't take her crutches or the wheel chair. I keep wanting to go off on a whim and say that this is the fault of a 'higher power'. Or whatever the fuck you want to call it. I'm sick of this. I'm sick and tiered of loosing everything.

Branwen, where the fuck are you and why aren't you answering your phone?! Where are you sis?! You better fucking be safe! You'd better be safe.

I feel like I'm slipping. Back into that old state. I'm trying to fight to stay out of it. But I'm failing. I'm tempted to go and find Constance... or let her help me get to her. Get away... I don't know. I'm so confused. I don't know where to go or who to look to. I just know I'm confused and just want answers. And the answers aren't coming. I've no clue anymore. No clue. At the same time, I can't keep sitting here waiting to be saved. I need to fight. And so fight I shall.