Oh dear, a month has gone by already.

Time flies when you’re having fun, I suppose, and I have indeed been having fun. My dear uninvited guests have turned out to be both entertaining and useful. The remaining proxy of their group has been an excellent guinea pig for my capabilities as well as that which lies beyond the room of my rebirth. This has left her a little… heh…hot under the collar, but at least she is no longer vomiting. The stitches that I have given her seemed to have helped in that regard…

On the subject of stitches, the two surviving men no longer need to be bound as their own flesh is doing the job. For the first one, I carefully cut and peeled the skin back on his chest, before breaking his arms and forcing them into place across the wound. Using the peeled skin like fabric, I stitched it over his arms, securing them to his chest. The effect was quite pleasing. Unfortunately, he was unable to appreciate it as I had already stitched his eyes closed. His friend, on the other hand, saw all and was moved to tears. His tears became screams as I began my work by breaking his legs. Made a nice long cut on each leg before stitching them together. The resulting effect made me think of a seal, so I decided to leave his arms free in order to keep this appearance intact. Broke his fingers to ensure that he would not pull at his new stitches. I then moved onto his eyes, delicately sewing them shut. They seem to be healing up well enough and I frequently tend to them in order to ensure that they continue to live. They wanted to stay with me, and they shall do so as my living works of art. It felt lovely to cut; to work with flesh again in such a way. It was good practice for using my tendrils as needle and thread as well.

Ah, I suppose you might like to know what happened to the baby. I have killed children before, but it is not something that brings me satisfaction. Discussed the options with my family. Fell was indifferent. Hart told me that, while he honestly did not want to kill it, he would not attempt to stop me either. Ultimately decided to dispose of the thing at a hospital; shoving it just inside the entrance before hopping back into the “borrowed” car and departing. Someone or something else can kill it, but it will not be me… this time.

As for the mother, I had been keeping her unharmed to care for her young while it was here. Since getting rid of the thing, I have continued to keep her in one piece and well fed. Planning a dinner, after all, so I am ensuring that the meat will be of high quality. Once I informed her of what I did with her child, she thanked me for sparing it and has since appeared to resign herself to her fate; sitting quietly in her bonds and obediently eating the meals we provide.

Heh… Merry Christmas

Uninvited

The sound of a vehicle alerted us to the fact that someone was approaching. Hart took position at one of the windows with a “borrowed” rifle as a minivan came to a halt just outside the building. I stepped out to greet them with Fell following close behind me. I could see the driver nervously staring at us. He kept the engine running as the man who sat beside him opened the front passenger door and stepped out. He looked exhausted and afraid, but he still walked forward, like a lamb to the slaughter, before falling to his knees.

Knew that we were going to have uninvited guests eventually. We are squatting in a proxy hideout, after all. I am a little surprised it took this long for someone to come sniffing around. What I wasn’t expecting, however, was to be met with an act of submission.

“Knitwolf, we know that you have risen from the dead with the power to kill the Slender Man.” His eyes which had been fixed on the ground, rose to meet my gaze. “We offer our service to you in exchange for protection and a place to stay.”

I found myself shocked into a momentary silence, before erupting into laughter at the absurdity of the situation. Once I managed to regain composure, I stepped closer to the man while analysing him. His face now bore a look of confusion and annoyance.

“Poor dear, you must truly be desperate to come to me. What service could you offer?” I smirked

“We can fight for you. The proxies will come for you and if they don’t, some other servants will. We can help you fight them” he replied

I took in a breath. With it, came a familiar scent. I leaned down towards him and sniffed again, confirming it was coming from him. He leaned away as much as his kneeling position would allow, clearly uncomfortable

“Forgive me” I straightened back up. “Heh, it is interesting that you bring up proxies, as you are one yourself. I can smell it on you. Ritter’s scent. Are your friends also proxies?”

His eyes widened as he decided how to respond “One other is, the rest are runners- but we only served because we had to! With you, we have a real shot at getting out, just like her!” He said with a glance at Fell “Please… I know you’ve helped people before, even as a proxy. With you, we have a chance to survive.”

Fell snickered. My smile widened into a grin “Yes… I have helped them. I take care of my friends and family. You, however, are neither. You are a stranger who has arrived without a word between us. You say you only served because you had to, then you come here offering me the same ‘loyalty’. You are a coward; too weak to survive on your own, so you seek to use me as a shield. Nothing but a stupid sheep who has come to hide among the wolves.”

He started to get to his feet but let out a gasp and fell back down. The same molten energy that had burned Ritter, I directed towards him. As his body twisted and spasmed, another door was flung open by one of his friends in the minivan. This one proceeded to lean out with a gun at the ready, only to be shot, himself. Well done Hart

The driver sent the vehicle into reverse as the would-be hero fell out.

Leaving the spokesman in a pained heap, I sent tendrils into the ground to thrust myself forward. I sent another tendril ahead, through the windshield and impaling the driver. I landed on the ground as the escape attempt came to a slow halt.

It was then that I noticed a noise, above the sound of the engine and the panic of the remaining passengers. The unmistakable wailing of an infant. My grin faded at this unexpected and unwelcome turn, but I quickly recovered.

“Where are you going?” I called out “You came looking for a place to stay and now you are trying to leave!” I stepped closer; gesturing to the snow-covered ground. “It is very cold out here. Much too cold for a baby. Why don’t you come out of there, so we can bring the little one inside?”

The sounds of a struggle drew my attention back to their spokesman. He now lay on his stomach with Fell perched on top of him, relieving him of a knife. Thank you, love.

Sudden movement in the minivan returned my attention to the passengers as a woman burst forth and attempted to run; carrying a crying bundle in her arms. I swiftly caught her around the middle with a tendril and dragged her back.

With mother and child in my grasp, I called to last three. Demanded that they should stop being rude and come out, lest they be forced to watch me tear the little one in half. The mother started wailing to match the infant, begging for its life.

This was enough for the three- another woman and two men- to stop stalling and emerge. As they drew closer, I caught the scent of Ritter again. This time it was coming from the woman. I smirked at her, before calling for Hart to join us and asking Fell to move from the spokesman’s back.

With Fell and Hart keeping watch on our guests, I decided to finish what I started with their spokesman. There were no distractions to save him this time, as boiling blood and Azoth started leaking from his nose, eyes, ears and mouth. His friends begged and screamed on his behalf. He no longer had that luxury as his flesh appeared to bulge. Had started to wonder if his flesh would rupture, when he gave one last gargling retch and died.

My curiosity sated, for the moment, I turned my gaze to his horrified friends.

“It’s cold out here. Let’s step inside.”

Despite my earlier… misgivings… I have given the uninvited exactly what they asked for. They have a place to stay where they are protected from Ritter. In exchange, they will serve as food and entertainment for a while.

In the meantime, I just need to decide what to do with that baby.  

My favorite time of year has come and gone again.

I never thought I would see another Halloween so of course I could not let it slip past without celebrating. 

Locating the appropriate keys, we took one of the cars that Osprey’s little flock had left behind and drove until we reached the nearest town. It was late enough in the evening that the local children had finished making their annual rounds and were likely enjoying the sugary spoils of their trick or treating at home. The thought made me smile as we drove past the decorated homes with their glowing jack-o-lanterns. Eventually we pulled over at a little bar that seemed to be taking part in the holiday, despite its unfortunate mid-week timing. Venturing inside, we were greeted by the sight of costumed patrons and the sound of someone’s karaoke rendition of “People are Strange”. Ordering some drinks, we settled at an empty table; receiving compliments on our “costumes” as we did so.  

It was a small celebration, but it was enough. My eyes went from the cheap decorations (spider webs, plastic spiders and “Happy Halloween” banners) to the costumes people were wearing, and I felt happy. As I have said before, it was not my choice or wish to return, but sitting there with Fell and Hart, celebrating this holiday… well… I was glad to be there. I reached out and pulled them both into a hug as silly, sentimental, joyful tears welled in my eyes. After a moment of surprise, they returned the embrace. If anyone took notice, they probably thought we were drunk.

Eventually we made our way back and spent the rest of the night watching classic Halloween specials. I couldn’t ask for more.

Other than that night of celebration, we have not been idle. Fell and Hart have been working hard to adjust to and compensate for the injuries Osprey dealt them. Their efforts show in their dramatic improvement. As for me, I have been continuing to test myself; to learn more about my abilities and limitations. Been noting the abilities of certain others, as well. That last post was quite informative, Calavera.

…

There is one other thing…

A curious thing in the room of my rebirth. I can feel it, like a draft under a door…  Like a crack in a wall… A half-closed wound. Wonder what would happen if I were to pry it open 

Hmm...

In a bit of a philosophical mood

Reflecting on what I once was; what I am now.

When does one cease to be human, I wonder?

Took some time to collect myself but, mentally, I am the same person I was in my previous life (as much as anyone can be with the effects of each new experience and the passage of time)

My body, however…

Thanks to Ritter, I’m not a stranger to… extreme modification, but even with Skein I thought of myself as human. I still had some understanding of how my body worked…

Skein… I don’t hear Skein’s voice anymore. I know it was with me when I died; when I was dead. Is it gone?

Maybe it’s too mixed up with whatever that “god” was… heh, just like I am.

Don’t hear Ritter’s song in my head either. I suspect he can no longer access my mind the way he once did.

Right now, if one were to look at me, I look human, albeit disfigured. I can still touch and feel things. I am breathing. Inhale, exhale, inhale, exhale. If I hold my breath, I can feel my body’s want of air. Placing my fingers to my neck I can feel something of a pulse. Yet… I have a mouth in my stomach that is capable of biting and consuming… Not sure what that means for the rest of my insides…

I am made of flesh. Feel warm to the touch. If I cut myself, something comes out. Don’t know what to call it. Even in my past life, I believe Skein had become part of me enough that it was no longer “pure” Azoth, thus allowing me to get into Father Brien’s little community. This seems… further removed. The substance I bleed is a vey dark red, but it is not blood. It smells wrong… sort of a burned scent

Heh… They don’t really write manuals for this kind of thing…

On the subject of humanity, Calavera, I have a question for you, if your hunt for Dimir isn’t keeping you from reading this. You mentioned that you no longer actually have emotions. I wasn’t together enough to ask at the time, but now I am curious. If you can only mimic emotions, then how do you know which one to mimic?

Things change; people change, so how do you properly adjust your reactions to these changes when you cannot feel anything about them?