Again, I apologise for large gaps in updates. I had severe writer's block... (sweat drop)

I wish to thank everyone who has actually stayed with this story. I enjoy writing this fic, but then think what I've written is total BS... (laughs awkwardly) However, you guys have convinced me that this fic is good enough, so I keep writing. To be honest, I think the second and third fics will be better. This is more of a background, plot developer fic than anything else, in the trilogy. It just sets the scene for the other two, to be honest.

Either way, as soon as this fic is finished, I'm starting immediate writing on the second fic. Be sure to check for updates!

-JJ

Jeff wandered down the street. He rarely went out in the day. He often slept through those hours, attempting to catch up on sleep. But he could never sleep more than an hour or so. Nightmares plagued his mind, causing him to wake up in cold sweats and panicked states. He'd never admit it, though.

The raven entered a convenience store, scanning the products in each isle. He didn't particularly know what to buy. He had a fair amount of money in his pocket, but he didn't really want anything. He was adjusted to eating very little, so had a lack of appetite.

Sighing, he finished exploring the isles. He glanced up at the front desk, cigarette packets catching his eye. He'd never smoked before, but he'd trashed his body plenty of times. Besides, it could help him to forget the awful memories of his past and the last few nights of forced sex from Kevin. He gave it a quick thought, then went and purchased a few packets. If he didn't like them, it didn't matter. Along with the packets, he purchased a lighter, then stepped outside.

The weather was fairly mild. Jeff kept his hood up, leaning against the wall of the store, opening a packet and eyeing the sticks inside. He withdrew one, holding it between two fingers and examining every detail. Some teenagers nearby were staring at him, but he paid no interest, pulling out his lighter. He watched the flame form on the contraption, staring into the fiery depths of its hell. Fire. He loathed it yet couldn't get enough of its beauty.

After a moment, he lit the cigarette and placed it into his mouth. The poison and toxins began to enter his system and he gave a faint shudder at the sensation. He took a long drag, much like he'd seen television gangsters do, and blew out the smoke from his charred mouth. He mulled over the feeling it gave him, taking another drag. After the third drag, he concluded that he liked it, the sensations helping him to relax.

Jeff walked home, not really paying attention to his surroundings. Before he reached the apartment, he realised his cigarette was now at his fingertips, the killer having smoked it completely. He groaned, throwing it onto the ground and crushing it. He looked at the packet, wandering if it was safe to have another, when he saw the folded paper taped to the back. A frown formed on his lips, despite his permanent smile. He took it off the packet and unfolded it. On one side was written "DON'T LOOK OR IT TAKES YOU". He flipped it over. Jeff read the red writing. "Smoke is bad for you, Jeffrey. Do you like to smoke? Do you enjoy inhaling it? Good. Because you're going to love your surprise!"

"...What the fucking hell...?" the killer growled. He took out his lighter and set fire to the note, then tossed it onto the ground, angrily stomping on it. How in the world could it have gotten on his cigarette packet that he literally just purchased?

After the note was gone entirely, Jeff was a little shaken up. He pulled another cigarette from the packet, no longer caring about his health or safety. He lit it, taking quick drags, his body soon relaxing once again, as he continued back to the apartment.

However, when he got back to the apartment, everything went downhill. He entered the room, locking the front door behind him, only to be face-to-face with Kevin.

"Hello there, Jeffrey." Kevin smirked. The raven froze, completely. A part of him told him to run, as fast as he could. Another part told him to withdraw his knife, and exact his revenge. Jeff said nothing, the cigarette slowly disintegrating in his hand, the ashes beginning to pile up on the floor.

"What do you want, Kevin?" the raven snarled, examining the lithe form in front of him. Kevin smirked, clicking his tongue. He moved forward, gliding through the air, placing his hand on Jeff's cheek. The killer shuddered, recoiling. "Where's Slenderman?"

"So many questions, Jeffrey." Kevin's grin stayed. "There is so little time for me to answer them. However, I can assure you that he is in safe hands… for now" Jeff growled at the response.

"What do you want from me?"

"Now, now, don't fret. We're just going to take a little train journey. That's all."

"The time and date is for the train…? On the note, I mean…"

"Of course. I was foolish enough to leave that out, but perhaps it doesn't really make a difference."

"Cut the crap, Kevin. Get out!" Kevin's grin widened.

"But, my precious, there is a schedule to run by." At that, Kevin picked up a metal crowbar from the ground (one that he'd been concealing the entire time), and stuck Jeff. Jeff's body crumpled, collapsing to the ground, as everything faded to black, for the billionth time.