Alexandra


I sat in front of my laptop staring blankly at the screen. After finishing composing my online advertisement telling the world about the recent events in my town, I hovered my cursor above the "Submit" button. It was an invitation to other people who were convinced that the recent disappearings in my town was related to the urban legend that has haunted human civilization for centuries. If I was lucky, some experts in paranormal activities might consider coming over to our town. Or, maybe even people like me, whose lives have been scarred by the monster. I knew I would even get some prank calls and people making a joke about this, but I'm dead serious about this. I want to know the truth about what happened to my father when I was 8 years old. I clicked on the "Submit" button and waited for phone calls and emails to arrive.

Alexandra

After closing my laptop, I pulled out my binder full of scraps from the local newspaper.
One of them read:
15th August
6 year old boy goes missing during hiking trip with family
... Between about 5 PM and 6 PM... the Busch family and several others were hiking through the forest covering south-east Gainsboro Hills...
The sudden disappearance of the boy prompted the family into several hours of frantic search through the dense forest. By 8 PM, the local sheriffs and Gainsboro police department took the lead on the search but produced little to no leads so far. The following day, a man by the name of Herbert Craigswell (53yo) who was driving in his pickup truck from work, testified that he witnessed a highly suspicious man in the viscinity of the forest. Spotting the man around a quarter to 9 PM, he described the man as a very tall, skinny, caucasian man. He also described that he was wearing a dark suit and appeared to have a fully shaved head. Craigswell reported that when he drove a little closer towards the man to get a better look, the man crept away into the dense forest. He told the police that it was too dark to get a better look at the man's face at the time.
If you, or anyone you know have witnessed anything suspicious on 15th of August or the following days, please call the Gainsboro police department. (272) 125-XXXX.

Alexandra

I highlighted the part on the newspaper article about the sole witness. Mr. Craigswell. I decided I would try and contact this man somehow. I got the feeling that he might be hiding some critical details about his encounter. I laid on my bed and stared at the ceiling. The sun was crawling over the horizon and cast a darkness in my room. This used to be the time of day when my father came home from work and I would jump into his arms, telling him I missed him since that morning. And then we'd have dinner, cuddle on the sofa and watch movies, then he'd read me bedtime stories beside my bed until I fell asleep...

I shot up from my bed at a loud noise from my laptop. I had fallen asleep for half an hour. I went over to my laptop and saw that a message arrived from a person named Genevieve. Clearly she was interested in the recent happenings in my small town. I gave her the details on the directions to visit my town...

A frigid gust of autumn's morning air lifted the thin, pale curtains in a graceful yet eerie manner. The silence was unnerving. For once, I actually wished the birds would start chirping already. As if somehow answering my internal plea, a couple of goldfinches began to strike up a bright, cheery tune, announcing dawn's arrival. Feeling the heavy weight of tired in my eyes, I rubbed them, my vision reluctantly sharpening my laptop's blinding screen into focus. I had pulled an all-nighter again, not for grading my students' papers nor preparing today's lesson plans but for finding answers. After desperately sifting through endless collections of related articles and police reports released to the public, I came to a dead end, empty-handed.

Just as I was about to climb out of bed and get ready for work, the site I was on refreshed and posted a fairly reccent update. My eyes widened at the search tags: "Gainsboro Hills", "mysterious kidnappings", "help and information wanted". I hastily pulled my pen out from behind my ear and quickly scribbled down the submiter's contact information. Without hesitation, I dialed their number and waited anxiously as the rhythmic tone on the other end blared in my ear. "Come on. Pick up. Pick up."

I hit another dead end, the urban legend of the bell witch has no solid leads. finally back home in New Orleans Louisiana, I head straight back to my uncle's study to sift through a few more case files... "Humans can lick too, no".. "the ghost under the bed. no."... "wait...this sounds promising" I said looking at my tabby cat holly, we hadn't actually been home yet so she was still in her carrier. "The slender man, according to uncle Jamie's case files, the slender man is mysterious figure who kidnaps children. It says that not much else is known about him." Holly tilted her head inquiringly, I swear that cat understands every word I say!
After returning to my apartment, I made some fresh spaghetti, gave a little to Holly too, and got to work on my laptop studying the slender man. Then I came upon a string of disappearances in a town called Gainsboro Hills...
"Well Holly, looks like we're going on another trip!"

Alexandra

I received a phone call from a man named Derrick. He was interested in joining the investigations with me. He had a nice voice and seemed just as determined as me for the truth. Shortly after, I got in my car and drove to the place where we decided to meet. I parked my car in front of the town hall building and waiting for this person to show up.

After recieving the location where to meet the submiter, a young woman named Alexandra Valliere, I hastily grabbed my coat and a meager slice of buttered toast. I was surprised they were so willing to meeting so early in the morning, but I couldn't have done it any other way: Faculty must promptly be on campus by nine o' clock. Besides, Ms. Valliere must be as concerned as I am, to be so dedicated.

Once I arrived in front of the town hall building, I got outside my car, pulling up my scarf against the chilly air. Seeing a young woman in front of the town hall steps, I broke out in a slow jog towards her. Before I could greet her, I suddenly realized the slice of toast that I still held onto in my mouth. I turned away, hastily devouring it before facing her more properly. "S-sorry about that. Good morning. Are you Ms. Valliere? I'm Derrick Maple. It's nice to meet you."

Alexandra

I didn't have to wait too long for Derrick to show up. I greeted him and shook his hand.
"Nice to meet you too sir. Its great to know that there other people in this town who seriously wants to get to the bottom of the recent events. As you probably already know by now, the Gainsboro police department practically gave up on their efforts. If they made any." I said.
The autumn air was chilly. I suggested that we get some coffee at the local diner where we can talk about the heart of the matter.

Slightly lifting my wrist, I glanced down at my watch: I had about an hour and a half until I'd have to clock in. "Likewise," I replied, in regards to her polite gratitude. Although I was hesitant, I concluded that it would be rude of me to prematurely excuse myself for work. Following Ms. Valliere towards the local diner, I flipped up the collar of my coat, bracing myself against a brisk breeze that burned my cold face. I held the door open for the two of us. The warm aroma of coffee and sweet, pancake batter coaxed us further inside.

Alexandra

After I had ordered some coffee for the two of us, I asked Derrick, "You're a teacher at the elementary school right? In a small town like this you end up knowing everyone who lives here. I've heard that many of your school's students have gone missing. It must be very stressful for you. But, I'm sure we can get to the bottom of this... "
I took a sip of my coffee. "So, you believe that the strange events that have been going on in our town has to do with, you know, the Slender Man myth?"
I leaned closer to him and looked him in the eyes. "Have you ever... seen it?"

I nearly sprayed a mouthful of coffee at Ms. Valliere, at the mentioning of witnessing the mythical Slender Man. Swallowing hard, I regained my composure. "No, I've never seen it. I don't believe anyone has, and that's what frustrates me more: That we could be chasing after something that doesn't even exist." My tone remained calm and steady, but I knew my eyes were intense and fierce, burning with desperate optimism and vengence for the children and other missing victims. "There isn't much information out there in circulation. I've looked into it. Believe me." Flashes of sleepless nights that dragged on into a blurring morning surfaced from my memories. This had gone on for too long, and we needed to bring an end to all this madness. "Unless there were any witnesses, we don't have any leads..." My voice trailed off spitefully, as I sipped my coffee, staring blankly into the swirling foam of dissippating creamer.

Alexandra

"I have." I said sternly with my eyes glued to the table. "I was 8 years old when I saw him. The monster. I was walking to my aunt's house after school after the school bus dropped me off at the usual place. She raised me ever since my father suddenly disappeared the same year. I remember everything clear as ice. It was raining that day. I was wearing my yellow rain coat and boots. There was no one on the streets but me. As I was walking, I had a strange feeling. Like something was crawling up my back. I turned around, and, there he stood. Staring at me from across the distance. He was just like everyone described him to be. No eyes, no nose, no mouth, no ears. Just a blank face... Yet he was clearly staring at me. The moment I saw him, I felt as though I was dropped in a pool of ice-cold water. I turned back around and ran as fast as my legs could carry me."

Alexandra

"There has been more witnesses in our town in recent times. Theres a man named Herbert Craigswell who was in a newspaper article recently. I'm going to try and contact him."
I shuffled through my hand-bag and took out a binder. I took out a piece of paper and handed it to Derrick, which had the following contents:

00a(23)8a5(25)8aaa(14)
a(20)(23)Saaaaaaa9a
aaaa010A1(19)aaa
aaaa(12)0A100I3G

"This is a copy of some kind of cryptic message that was given to me by the violent criminal named Samuel Zoric when I visited him a couple months ago in prison. Remember he was sentenced to life for murdering his wife and children several years ago? Also remember that he mentioned in his own words, "The Faceless One" when he was questioned by the media? I'm pretty convinced that he might know a thing or two about Slender. Now, when I tried to get him to talk, all he would do is make a sinister laugh and hand me these strange messages. I've spent many hours trying to solve this but I still don't have a clue. I think the numbers correspond to letters, like 1 = A, 2 = B, and so on. But it still doesn't make any sense. Can you try and figure out what it says?"

Alexandra

I took out another piece of paper, scribbled my contact information, and handed it to Derrick. I also showed him a newspaper article relating to the disappearance of a 6 year old boy named Daniel Busch.
"You've probably heard of this news already, but when you have the spare time can you go talk to the Busch family? You seem like you would be good with people so I'm sure you would be able to get some interesting information from them. Ask them what hiking trail they took, when and where they were last with their son, the type of people they saw during their hike, what they were doing specifically when their son went missing, and so on. Meanwhile, I'm going to try and get into contact with Craigswell."
After finishing my cup of coffee, I got up and said goodbye to Derrick.

"Very well, Ms. Valliere. I'll try decoding the cryptic message during my free time at work. I'll try to interview the Busch family after work. Their son was enrolled in the school I teach at." I took Alexandra's contact information and folded it into my coat pocket. "Well," I took on last sip of my coffee, before standing. "I'll contact you, if I find anything new. Enjoy your morning, Ms. Valliere." I nodded with a smile, as I bid her farewell.

Although it was bright outside, the sun's beams failed to penetrate through the grey overcast looming overhead. Glancing down at my watch, I let out a dreadful groan. "Ugh, I better hurry." Making haste, I quickly climbed into my car and drove to the elementary school.

Beatrice.

I never really liked tea. I sat at the kitchen table drinking ginger tea which my mother has created for my headache. It tasted awful. I was allowed to stay home today since my mother said I had a fever. I won't complain or add any sarcasm to that comment, but additionally to my mind, it was indeed something created by the mixture of ale and rum from last night. I finished the tea with an awful taste left amongst my mouth. I walked to the living room and sit on the couch staring at my hands. I brought my laptop amongst my knees and opened the browser. Yesterday I had watched countless videos of urban legends, and since my mother didn't believe in that nonsense I was forced to delete the history of my laptop daily.

I scrolled amongst the search bar, looking for topics that I have not discovered. Something caught my eye. It had been a new report. Usually I try to stay away from the news reports as they tend to become false photo-shopped images of a person with white scribbled over their features. As I read the information I became more interested in contacting this person. I write down the phone number amongst the palm of my hand and lay down. I fall asleep quickly, as the tea has made me drowsy. I fall asleep listening to paid programming but it almost sounds like it is far in the background of a crowd. Almost like focusing on something in the image of a camera, while the background behind the image is blurred out.

Alexandra

After I said goodbye to Derrick I got in my car and drove to the hospital where I work. Derrick seemed like a nice guy. I hoped that I could see him again soon. But for now, I had to focus on the investigation. At work I couldn't get my mind off the things that had been featured in the newspapers. I felt like the town was becoming more and more depressing and melancholy. There was fear in peoples' eyes. During the middle of my shift at work a young man was wheeled in with some serious injuries. Apparently he had been in a dangerous car accident, was bleeding heavily, and was unconcious.

"Mr. Maple, are you okay? You don't look too good." I glance up at the small squeaky voice and manage to smile for my student's peace of mind. "Thank you for being so thoughtful Emerald, but there's no need to worry. After all..." I grin and strike a heroic pose from one of my childhood comic books. "...I'm super Maple!" Emerald's giggling fit uplifts my heavy heart. These innocent children, who haven't even ventured into the world to judge it for themselves, are surrounded by the town's misfortune and if not become victims of these strange happenings cower in fear at every shadow. Confidence fueled and purpose reestablished, I felt as though my mere actions would determine the fate of the town and its future. "You're silly, Mr. Maple." Her innocent remark became tainted with my adult perception that matured from exposure to reality. "Hopeful what I'm doing isn't silly..." Emerald tilted her head curiously at me, confused by my vocal thoughts. "Come on, Emerald. Take your seat. I have to take attendance."

During lunch break, I examined the cryptic code from Ms. Valliere more closely. Deep in thought, I hadn't noticed the additional presence of someone else in the faculty lounge. "What's that?" Startled by the sudden break in silence, I hastily turned my head. "Oh, it's just you." I exhaled a sigh of relief, at the sight of a female teacher who was a friend of mine. "What do you make of this?" Nudging her glasses up the bridge of her nose, she peered over my shoulder. "Looks like a code of some sort." "Thanks for stating the obvious. What does it say exactly?" "Beats me. What's it for?" "Nothing," I reply a little too quickly, shoving the slip of paper into my pocket. Exhaling a frustrated sigh, I scrolled through the contacts of my phone. As the droning tone of the other line dragged on, I anxiously hoped Ms. Valliere would answer. I didn't want to interrupt her from her work, but I wanted to know how successful she was at solving the code.

((Hint: I dunno what it says. XD ))

Alexandra

I left the hospital feeling worried about the young man who had survived a life-threatening accident and was still lying unconcious. When I got home I cooked myself some dinner, settled myself in front of my laptop, and took out the cryptic message. It certainly didn't make any sense even when I substituted the corresponding letters for the numbers. I was about to give up on it, remembering that it was probably rubbish from a psychotic murderer. As my final attempt on it, I tried moving around the numbers by the magnitude of each number backwards...
To my astonishment, the numbers were forming words and sentences! When I read the entire message after it was decoded, a shudder of fear ran up my spine...

Alexandra

After I had rearranged the message it read like:

HEaaaaaaaaaaa
aaISaaaaaaaaa
aaaaALWAYSaaa
aaaaaWATCHING

It clearly displayed the quote "He is always watching". I didn't know what to make of it. After I had finally solved the puzzle all that was left was a useless piece of paper without any usable information. I felt irritated and disappointed. Derrick called me later asking me about it.
"Just a piece of rubbish from a psychotic killer..." I said on the phone.

I flipped my old phone closed, before letting the call transfer to voicemail. She was probably busy at work.

I proceeded with my lesson for the remainder of the school day. My students were energetic and compliant, and I tried to reply with equal enthusiasm, yet I fully couldn't. My mind was elsewhere, scanning old, irrelevant information, scanning for something significant I may have missed.

As promised, I visited the Busch residence to gather information pertaining to the unfortunate disapperance of their son---Daniel, a former student of mine before I reassigned myself from kindergarden to the second grade. Before I could even ring the doorbell, the door swung open. "Mr. Maple, we've been expecting you. Thank you for calling ahead of time." "Thank you for accepting my request." I bowed my head respectfully, in condolence of their son. After polite, small talk over a cup of tea and cookies in the living room, I eased into the matter at hand. "Mr. and Ms. Busch," I started. The wife inhaled a wavering breath, as though bracing herself. Her husband gingerly placed a reassuring arm around her in response, his delighted expression wilting to a more tense, serious one. "We'll tell you all that we know," he interrupted stiffly, perhaps wanting to get the conversation and my reminding visit over with. I nodded. "During our annual hiking trip last summer, Daniel became quite rambunctious. Despite promising to not let work interfere with our precious time together, we both were called, from work, to report back to work due to an unexpected decrease in available workers. You see, at the time, we were financially struggling and couldn't turn them down, especially since they offered a permanent wage increase." His wife choked back a sob, sensing the inevitable down-turn of events in the account. "The entire time, I felt as though we were being watched. We hadn't come across any fellow hikers or anything suspicious, so I thought nothing of it. I should've noticed. Why didn't I notice?" The veins at his temples buldged, as the tone of his voice rised with burning frustration. His wife embraced him gently, whispering consoling words into his ear. He kissed her forehead, gazing into her tearing eyes, then turned to me. "Sorry. Where was I? ...oh. When we told him the disappointing news, he ran off into the woods beyond our campsite. While looking for him, we came across a barbed, metal fence stretching across an endless span of thicket. Just before our flashlight died out, I caught a glimpse of it---a tall shadow facing us in the distance. I thought it was a man, but...its face was so pale and featureless. I hate to admit it, but I was scared. We both were. Without hesitation, we ran back to camp. I reassured myself that Daniel couldn't have climbed over the fence or seen that...thing. I kept making up excuses and telling myself he'd come back crying for us. That..." He paused, biting his lip and digging both hands into his knees. His knuckles whitened painfully. I swallowed, unsure whether politely coaxing him to continue was rude. After several brief moments of composing himself, he saved me from making such a pressing decision in the already tense situation. "That was the last time we saw our Daniel." He lifted his head, eyes seething with vengence and bitter hatred. I shifted uncomfortably in my seat, despite knowing such boiling anger wasn't directed towards me. "Please Derrick. May I call you Derrick?" He continued, before I could respond. "Please find this sick bastard. Please put everyone's souls to rest and for everyone's missing loved ones to find peace. If he's still alive-" "Mr. Busch, we can't conclude that he isn't-" "Whether he is or not, please bring our Daniel home. I beg of you!" He humbly lowered his head. My insides twisted at the man's low, pathetic state of desperate pleaing. I quickly stood and placed a firm hand on his shoulder. "Don't you worry. I'll find your son. I won't let this guy get away with this."

"You're a good man, Derrick," he called out to me as I started towards my car parked against the sidewalk. I looked over my shoulder, grinning modestly. "I'd like to think so."

After returning home and feeding Max---my German Shepard---and myself, I recieved a phone call from Ms. Valliere, while grading my student's homework. I informed her of what information I gathered from the visiting the Busch residence, as she filled me in on the unsettling yet useless note.

Cole Finnegan

As I walked down the unlit street looking down at my phone on the information given by this girl "Alexandra" i kept wondering about her has she ever met the long thin freak. As i was walking down the road I kept think of when i was younger when he came for my family and took them one by one until i was left alone in the world, as soon as he had everyone i ever loved he just left me. I never new why he left me just that he was taunting me and hoping i would be scared for my life when he finally come back for me. "I need to contact this girl and find out what she knows about him and if she knows anyone else who has been effected by this creep".

Nicholas D. Keller

I let out a rather large sigh as I entered through the front door. I'd been in the body shop until about eight thirty, I don't know when I got to the bar or what time it even is now. If I had to bet, I'd put some money on eleven thirty-ish. Doesn't matter anyway, Meghan came over and made Alex dinner. So all I have to do is make it to my bedroom without falling over. I started walking through the living room and tossed my keys onto the coffee table, they made a loud clatter, but I could care less about that.

I flipped on the bedroom light and looked in the tall mirror that sat on top of my dresser.

"You're shitting me." I moaned as I noticed a huge stain of epoxy primer on the shoulder of my blue car hart. "Well, nothing I can do about it now."I unbuttoned the top two buttons then pulled it over my head. I stood and stared into the mirror for a few moments, I couldn't help but think that I look like a stereotypical bad guy from an action flick. I can count four scars on my chest and stomach. There's also the one on my face, but I didn't include that one.There's a few more on my back, but I don't know how many.

I walked over to my bed and lay down.

I've already decided that I'm heading to Gainsboro tomorrow. But what is it that I'm gonna find? That there really is some 'Slender Man' who hides in the woods and takes people who never get found? I'm not sure, but I have a bad feeling that I'm not gonna like what I find. I thought before I passed out.

I woke. My mother was not in the kitchen leaning against the counter drinking or cooking food so I crept over to the door and opened it. My goal wasn't very purposeful, in fact, the purpose was for a walk. Before I leave I look at the time. It is two in the morning and my nap had become more of a dreary sleep. Then I see numbers on my hand and remember that I am to contact the author of the article of this unknown figure. I take two steps at a time on the stairs and see my mothers television is left. With haste, I rush to my bedroom and forgot of the nonchalant morning walk. I close my door and sit on my bed which creaks of age and pressure. I have dialed the number. I have never thought about calling someone I do not know in the early morning but as I wait for a person to pick up, my expectancies lower and common sense is all of what I think of currently. Why would someone pick up the phone at two in the morning, obviously sound asleep? I leave a message, but my tone is whispered.

"Hello. This is Beatrice Dealia. I am contacting you in furthermore interest in your current article and if anything, would like to learn more of this man. If you happen to have any more detail or would like to talk with me, please go the 44 Main Street." It was an awkward message, but I do not have any further thought over it. I sit on my bed and pull the laptop from the side of my blue bed and see I have left it running from earlier today and my mother has left it on. I am bored, so I watch videos and read more articles to pass time and learn more of this man.

Alexandra

After my phonecall with Derrick ended, I felt a dark forboding sense that the existence of Slender in and about our town can very well be true. Why exactly is he so interested in our town of all the places he could rather be? Of course, there has been many other disappearances around the World, but the prevalance in our town alone is well above-average. Derrick told me that the Busch family witnessed Slender around an area full of shrubery and a barbed metal fence. I decided I would travel to that location soon. It was also mentioned that the missing boy was emotionally distressed. I had heard that many of the disappearees associated with Slender were depressed or emotionally unstable. When I woke the next morning, I had received a message from a person named Beatrice. She was interested in joining the hunt for Slender. I drove to 44 Main Street and knocked on the front door of the house that stood on that address.