Offenderman Chronicles

Chapter Fifteen

A/N: *Sorry for my absence, I've been... pretty stressed. Might write a status about it later, who knows.

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Charlotte's POV

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I stared down at the ground furiously as I clasped my hands together, very nearly trembling from a mix of anxiety and sheer reverence.

Sitting before me was none other than Zalgo himself. He who dwelt beyond the wall- a self-described king of hell. And he was right here, leaning across the desk as he eyed Slenderman with eyes half-lidded with boredom.

His voice was grating as he spoke with only one of his mouths, tracing a claw along the table. "You called me here, in the middle of my mid-decade nap, just for what- an immortal girl?" He asked, raising an eyebrow. Slenderman cleared his throat, adjusting his tie.

"I thought it might do well to notify you." He spoke, and I could just tell he was uncomfortable. "After all, I... thought it might be your work. Or I thought- it might interfere with your operations."

Lord Zalgo gave a snicker, but shook his head. "I knew, let's say, but it was far from my work. Nothing to be concerned about. One story out of thousands. Your new proxy, on the other hand..."

I blinked, pointing to myself. He gave an affirming nod.

"... Something feels... special, about her. I could take her off your hands-"

"No." Slenderman replied sharply, and for a moment- I felt wanted. I felt he was proud of me. I felt hopeful, I felt certain of my future here, I felt-
Brainwashed. "She's needed to keep Karelia happy. She's proven capable enough, too."

The girl next to me, who I'd barely noticed before, abruptly gasped silently, looking me up and down. I glanced away nervously, clearing my throat before trying to get her attention. "You... um..." I spoke quietly, tuning out mentally from the conversation between Zalgo and my master. "You okay there?"

The girl swept her purple-streaked hair back behind her ear, nodding all-too-eagerly as she grinned. "Sorry. It's just... so exciting."

"What is?" I asked, fidgeting with my sleeve as she perked right up.

"Lord Zalgo's taken an interest in you- a human, despite how vile they are. It's a rare privilege, you know! I'm one of the lucky few."

I gave an awkward chuckle, nodding along. "Oh- yeah, right..." Was she... was she humanist??

My reluctance was quickly met by a pout.

"Don't be like that. I'm sure you feel the same way about Slender, right? Didn't he sweep you right off your feet??"

"Not in- quite the same way-- I think-- but kind of?" I mumbled, awkwardly looking for a way out of the conversation. It wasn't that she didn't seem nice, but it was all too... familiar. Too strange. Unwanted.

"Oh, Zalgo... but you know, I've heard there's someone else here I like- right now..." She paused. "I hope he gets invited into the meeting. He almost never is. It's such a shame."

"... Who?"

"Offenderman. Isn't he so... sweet? I've wanted to meet him for so long-"

I couldn't help but snort, Slenderman's head whipping toward me as I quickly stood back bolt upright. I waited for him to turn away again before sighing, rubbing the back of my neck.

"You don't want to do that. He's fucking awful. You probably won't even remember it." I advised her, giving her a worried glance.

"Oh, don't worry. I've got Zalgo's protection- nothing's going to happen to me." She winked, sending a shudder through my body involuntarily. It wasn't that I was repulsed, but something about it all just felt so... very... familiar. Revoltingly familiar. Suddenly, I didn't want to be in the room anymore. I didn't want to be around Lord Zalgo anymore. I didn't want to see him- or anyone connected to him- ever again.

I was saved by Slenderman clearing his throat, calling out to me moments later. "Charlotte? I'll need you to send in Hoodie and Masky, thank you. You can take your break afterwards."

I didn't need to be told twice. I nodded, bowing out of the room as I quickly closed the door behind me, only to immediately yelp as I tripped over the person who had been- until now- pressing their ear to the door to listen.

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Karelia's POV

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I struggled not to scream as somebody stepped out of Slenderman's office, tripping over me at once. The door closed in my face as I rubbed my back, glancing whoever it was up and down. "Oh- Charlotte- please don't tell anyone..." I mumbled. "I just wanted to know what was going on."

Charlotte sighed, standing up and holding out a hand to me. I took it, and she helped me up. "I won't. Don't worry. But you should probably go back to the kitchen- the boss just asked me to get Masky and Hoodie, and it'll probably take a while to track them down-"

"The boss?" I asked. "You're calling him what now?"

"Oh, uh." She blushed with what seemed to be embarrassment, shaking her head. "Don't worry about it, Karelia. Point is- I've got work to do. They're talking about you, you know."

"About me?" I was doubtful. "Trenderman said it wasn't that uncommon."

"Well- yeah, but uncommon doesn't mean insignificant, alright? You- you could never be insignificant." She hesitated, seeming almost out of breath as she raised a hand to cup my cheek.

"... Never say that, alright?"

"Um..." I couldn't help but pause as I clasped my hand lightly over hers. She felt so cold now. I wondered if she had a coat. I wondered if I could learn to sew like she used to-- just so I could help.

"... Yeah, I won't." I told her, gently grasping onto her hand and pulling it away from my face. I could feel something fluttering in my chest. Anxiety, I figured. Her new job was so dangerous- what if she got hurt? Badly? "Just come back when you can, alright? I'll be in the kitchen- not that I know how to get back to my room, anyway."

She chuckled. "Okay. See you."

She pulled away entirely, starting down the hall. I grimaced as I watched the halls bend around her, wondering why the house was willing to accommodate her, and not me.

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Slenderman's POV

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It was dark before Zalgo and Angelina finally took their leave, and I sighed as I set my notes back onto my desk.

"... There was no hope?" Hoodie asked, and I tilted my head toward him.

"Of?"

"There was no hope of getting an answer- about her origin?"

I gave a heavy sigh, cracking my fingers as I shook my head. "No. Maybe I should do as Trenderman said- whatever she's here for should be apparent eventually, I'm simply-" I winced as I hit my head on the doorframe. Hoodie stared silently- ever faithfully, and never did I appreciate him for it more- but Masky snickered, glancing away as if that would help him avoid being scolded.

I ignored it. I had far too much on my mind to worry about how my proxies were behaving.

"... Anxious, let's say, about the future. These things rarely go well."

Hoodie gave an understanding nod, bowing lightly as I teleported away.

Maybe observing Karelia's home would provide more clues. I'd tried everything else with little luck. Maybe this was the missing piece.

... It was worth a try.

A/N: *Because I'm curious: What would you like to happen? I'm a little stuck atm, and I'm not likely to use your suggestion because there's a lot of stuff the readers don't know yet- but it might influence things! Edit cus I forgot to mention: New character belongs to Ladala_Shihiro!