Chapter Text
Whenever you were little, you had an obsession with creepypastas. You were drawn to them after a childhood friend claimed to have "summoned slenderman". You went home that night, and did a little research.
You quickly became infatuated with the idea that slenderman was going to pick you to be the next proxy. Though, deep down, you knew he would never come.
You were seriously in love. Like a moth to a very bright flame that was hard to put out.
Relentless bullying never lessened your love. Ticci Toby was your favorite in particular. He was your all-time favorite. Like, birthday cake, fanfics, drawings, whatever sort of merch you could get your hands on. You loved him like nobody else mattered.
Every shooting star, birthday, double rainbow, everything that’s depicted as “good luck”, or a “wish”, you just wished deep in your soul, “Please, Toby! I love you!!!! Please come into my room and take me to the Slender Mansion!!!”
Just kidding. You didn’t actually think that. Although, you did when you were 13.
Why’d you randomly think of that? You think it's random, and quickly forget about it.
While doing some much needed spring cleaning, something slips from a top shelf and lands directly on your head.
“Ouch- what the-?” You stand there, dazed, and try to gather your thoughts. What could it possibly be that's that heavy?
“Ow… my head.. Who in their right mind would put something that heavy on a top shelf?”
You remember you’re the only one who could’ve possibly put it up there. You sigh to yourself.
Some things have fallen out of the box that so rudely fell on your head, catching your attention.
They’re all..notebooks? They’re oddly dark against the white carpet you got as an apartment-warming gift a few years back.
If apartment-warming is even a thing… Whatever. Doesn’t matter.
“Notebooks?” You mutter, confused. All the notebooks you own are in your backpack for college. A total of five.
You abruptly remember that you were an edgy teenager.
After standing there for a few seconds, it clicks. “Right. My old notebooks…my old notebooks??” You haven’t seen these things in years!
“I haven’t seen these things in like.. 12 years?” You lightly gasp to yourself, confused on how fast the time has flown by.
You immediately sit on the floor in a cross-legged position. Already getting comfortable after the relentless hours of cleaning. God, this is bringing you back to 8th grade.
You quickly swat that dreadful memory out of your brain, a sickly feeling suddenly coming up your stomach. You feel the urge to puke at just the thought. You take a deep breath, remembering you’re past that.
You pick one up. The cover has a few drawings on it. Jeff the Killer, Ticci Toby – of course, and a few others you don’t quite remember. Two people, side by side in some sort of mask and hoodie.
You try to remember some names, eyeing the very tall man in a suit, no face, and weird tentacle-like things coming from behind him.
“Oh my god, what was his name...” You try to rack your brain for this guy’s name.
“Was it Slenderman? Is that right?” You look around. Nobody answers except for a small meow coming from your left side.
You sigh. “I know, Charlie. You’re always so hungry.” You set the notebook down and step away to feed your oh-so-hungry cat.
Before you fully sit up, an orange-ish light shoots directly into your eye. Only for a second. You don’t think much of it, figuring it was a car passing by.
“Get that shit off your face. She'll see us!” “S-sorry..”
You return a few minutes later with a drink and your phone. Another one of your cats, Pumpkin, settles himself in your lap as soon as your butt hits the floor.
“Seriously? Alright, fine. I’ll let it slide. Only cause you're so cute.” You giggle to yourself and pet him. He purrs into your hand. You can’t stay mad at him.
You set your drink and phone down on your coffee table. Picking up the notebook, you observe the front again.
You set your drink and phone down on your coffee table. Picking up the notebook again, you observe the front again.
You can see hints of blue under the very streaky black and purple paint covering the whole thing. Typical, you think.
“Didn’t even bother to add a second coat?” You shake your head. “Guess I was too excited to draw half-naked men.”
When you open the notebook, a few loose drawings fall out. They hit your cat’s fat belly. “Ah! Sorry Pumpkin! Didn’t mean to startle you.” You chuckle as your cat shoots his head up, looking around.
Seems he was sleeping. You’re envious of him. Why? You’ve been having nightmares recently. It's mainly a forest scene, and some sort of mansion. They become foggy after you fully wake up.
It's the same nightmare almost every time. Someone chasing you through a forest, laughing.
Charlie walks over to you both and lays down by your thigh, his head leaning on you. “Huh. Guess I walked past some catnip on my walk earlier. You guys are extra lovey tonight. Not that I mind.”
You take the loose drawings and blow the dust off your cat and the papers.
You start flipping through them. Most of it is old homework you never turned in, with drawings on every single white space. You toss them to the side and pick up the actual notebook, flipping it open.
“More drawings.. Of half naked men and anime girls. Exactly what I expected.” You pick up another one of the many notebooks that fell out of the box, setting the black and purple one to the side.
This one is a dark-yellowy orange and black. Another sloppy paint job.
You open this one, and are immediately greeted by a wall of text. “PART 1 - MC AND TOBY”
The date reads 6/18/13. Your very first fanfic. “I’m not reading this.” You toss it carelessly to the side.
“Is there anything even good in here?” You’re starting to think this is a waste of time. You throw notebook after notebook to the side after quickly skimming through them.
You'll probably just put them back in that box and wait another 12 years to discover them again. Until one catches your attention. The cover is fully black this time, a large circle with an X on top of it.
You flip it open curiously. What kind of 13 year old draws this stuff?
“What the hell? Some kind of.. Seal? Ritual? Mark? Whatever this is, it’s definitely summoning something.”
You’re not sure what the contents of the notebook are. Looks like an attempted summoning of Toby. The edges are slightly charred.
“How did this even survive until now?” You question if the dates on these are correct.
You put everything back into the box except the fully black one. You slightly push the cats off you, trying to stand.
They seem to get mad at you and walk away. “Ugh. You’re not even that cute anyways…” you murmur to yourself. An obvious lie.
Lifting the box up, you slide it back onto the top shelf. Hopefully it won’t fall on you again.
You’re absolutely exhausted. You don’t even bother to shower and head straight to bed. “I had to wash my sheets anyway.” You think.
Placing the notebook on your desk, you quickly change and lock up.