He watches you, from afar, but
Close up...Camila climbed the stairs still holding her sister's hand. She wanted to get to her classroom right away.
“Wait, Camila, what's wrong with you? “Why did you act like that? “she wanted to know, letting go of her hand and standing up.
Camila looked at her, took a deep breath, thinking that maybe she was right, she shouldn't have acted like that, she didn't even know that boy enough to want to run away from him. But it was like an impulse that she could not avoid.
“Look, Nicole, I don't have time for explanations.... “he began to tell her, just as the bell started ringing to announce the start of classes. Just go to class, okay? See you on the way out.
Without another word, Camila walked down the hallway looking for her classroom. The other kids were starting to enter the school. Some in a hurry and others in a carefree manner. Camila found her classroom at the end of the hallway, walked in, a few kids inside, and looked for a chair in a corner, next to a huge window overlooking the forest.
The other kids started to enter, she noticed Carmen among them, she smiled at her, sitting down next to her.
“Are you all right? I guess I didn't quite understand what happened out there. “Carmen commented.
Camila was about to answer, but the professor's voice prevented her from doing so.
“Good morning, kids. “He greeted, and behind him they came in. The dark”haired boy with the blonde girl, and the black”haired boy. They walked to the end of the chairs in the other corner and sat down. “I think I should have a new student come today, don't you? “He looked at the group, stopping at Camila. At that moment she just wanted to disappear. “It's you, isn't it?
Camila nodded.
“Do you want to come forward? I think we all want to know who you are and where you come from. “he suggested. Camila, using all her willpower, stood up and walked to the front, feeling everyone's eyes on her.
She had never liked being the center of attention, sometimes she got nervous, the fact of knowing that many people are attentive to what you will say makes her like that. She turned around. Now she was facing them.
“Go ahead," said the professor.
She swallowed thickly as her gaze swept over each of them, stopping on that mysterious boy, his dark eyes fixed on her. But she couldn't decipher their expressions. Camila blinked and cleared her throat.
“Hi, my name is Camila Clear, I'm from New York and I have.... “She stopped dead in her tracks as she looked at something through the window. There, in the middle of the trees she noticed a man standing. She frowned, forgetting that perhaps everyone was staring at her in bewilderment, and narrowed her eyes to get a better look. That man was super tall and thin, wore a suit and looked like he had his back turned because she couldn't see his face. He was just standing there, doing nothing.
“Camilla?
The professor's voice made her jump a little in her place, provoking laughter from the others. She turned her gaze to the professor, who was scowling at her.
“Is that all?
Camila turned her eyes to where the man was supposed to be, but her biggest surprise was that she couldn't find him anymore, he wasn't there. And that seemed strange to her.
“Yes, that's all. “She answered, heading to her seat as quickly as possible.
Today couldn't have gone any worse for her, now they would think she was weird.
“All right, guys, take out the history book on page 169..... “the teacher's voice was getting lost, she was not paying attention to the class as her gaze was on the window, thinking that since she had come to this town the things that happened were not normal. First the feeling of being watched, the fear for no reason, then the figure of that man.
She just wanted a normal life and it seemed that she was far from it.
The hours passed, it was time to go to the cafeteria, she hung up her bag and went out thoughtfully in search of something to eat, although she was not hungry at all, she would just have a juice and that was it. The high school had a lot of students, you couldn't walk well in the hallways because they would push past you, there was no room. In addition, the murmurs on one side and on the other did not give any peace of mind.
When you got to the cafeteria you could see almost all the tables full, you could also see that mysterious boy sitting at the middle table with the others. Only the popular and wealthy guys. It was obvious that he belonged to that circle.
“Look at her, she's weird. “Veronica, the blonde girl who was the girlfriend of that brunette boy Camila had seen before, muttered. Adrien looked at her, she didn't look weird to him, quite the contrary.
“What do you think that girl could have seen to make her get stuck when it was time to introduce herself? “asked Veronica.
“Let her be, it's all new to her..... “said Chris, Adrien's best friend and Veronica's boyfriend.
She gave him a dirty look. Camila in the distance was looking for a juice and sat at a table in the back, Adrien didn't take his eyes off her.
“And he dresses funny," Veronica continued.
Adrien observed that she was looking through the window with some curiosity and some fear, he wondered what was going on in that girl's head so that she wouldn't stop seeing the forest.
“I bet she must be one of those easy girls, the ones that look like they don't break a plate are worse. “What Veronica said, made Adrien look at her completely pissed off.
“Stop talking nonsense, will you? “she spat, standing up and walking away.
Camila turned her face to the exit of the cafeteria, where that mysterious boy was leaving, looking angry.
“Hello, Camila!" Carmen appeared in her field of vision with a tray. He sat down in front of her.
“Carmen," he half smiled at her.
“Are you all right? You look pale. “said the girl, opening her juice and taking a sip.
“I'm fine," she replied confidently.
“Can I ask you something? “He asked her, Camila nodded, "What did you see that made you pale in the living room?
Camila looked away and debated whether to tell him or not, they might think she was crazy or who knows what, but it was just a man, a man who was too tall and too thin. A man whose face and hands she could not see. Just a man whose back was turned and who disappeared when she took her eyes off him for a second.
“I just thought I saw someone, that's all.
Carmen hesitated whether or not to tell him about the legend of the town.
“Was it a tall man? “she asked in a whisper.
Camila looked at her expectantly, how did she know, had she seen him too?
“Did you see him? “she asked.
Carmen denied, but, looking all around, leaned a little closer to her.
“Don't you know the legend?
Camila denied.
“What legend? “she asked nervously.
“This town has a legend from many years ago, they say that a tall, thin man stalks weak and vulnerable families, disturbing them. “Camila frowned. She didn't believe in legends. “His name is Slenderman. They say Slenderman takes children deep into the forest, keeps them there for a while, then kills them mercilessly and takes their faces. Because he doesn't have one.
Camila thought that this story was ridiculous and that there was no such thing.
“You don't think so, do you? “Carmen continued. “Do you know who looked at him and nobody believed him? “she asked, Camila denied. Adrien.
“And who is Adrien? “she asked.
“The boy now, the one who got out of the van. The one dressed in black and so on," he explained.
Camila recognized him, he was the mystery boy. And his name was Adrien.
“What do you mean nobody believed him? “Cami wanted to know.
“Yes, they say that when he was just a kid, he and his younger brother, decided to go to the forest to confront Slenderman, they also thought it was lies and wanted to prove it, but they say that the younger brother named Sandy disappeared that day. Adrien swore and swore that the Slenderman had taken him. They searched for Sandy for a whole year, but he never showed up. Months later he was presumed dead. Adrien has since become like that, quiet, lonely, expressionless, wild. A real bad boy. Now he lives in an apartment in the city and his parents live in the same house. He moved away from them. I think he blames himself for his brother's death.
Camila couldn't believe the story, yes, she had seen a similar man, but it could have been anyone, there are tall people. And about Adrien and his story, maybe she had seen him, or maybe she just mistook him for a child”stealing thief and he misunderstood everything.
“But maybe Adrien mistook him for someone else who might have taken Sandy? “he muttered.
“Maybe, but when the officers asked him for a description of the man's face, Adrien replied that he didn't have one, and that instead of arms he had tentacles. Imagine that, anyone would say he was crazy, but he was a child and that's why they dismissed that.
Camila thought about it, Slenderman? It was ridiculous, and kids obviously have big imaginations. However, she felt bad for her brother's disappearance and for everything Adrien had to go through.
“It's all so... Unbelievable. “She whispered more to herself.
Next to her Carmen was finishing her lunch.
“Take care, Camila, I know you live in the forest house.
Camila frowned and looked at her.
“How do you know?
“Your sister told me when I met her when I came here," he answered. “And you know what's worse? That that was the house Adrien and his family lived in before the incident.
Camila's eyes widened in astonishment, now that the house they were living in was Adrien's. What a coincidence. But the more she thought about it and the more she wanted to convince herself that none of it was real, something inside her, like a hunch told her she had to believe. And that drove her crazy.
A message arrived on her cell phone, she took it out of her jacket pocket and read it:
From Mom:
Everything okay? Camila, do me a favor, will you? Before you go to the second hour of classes, take a cab and go home, I want to see that Bea is ok and that the nanny doesn't mistreat her, ok?
You know I don't trust them.He cursed between his teeth and stood up.
“Carmen, I have to go out for a while, I'll see you later.
Camila walked at a fast pace towards the exit, she had to find a cab right away. As she went out to the parking lot she could notice Adrien leaning on his car, he was smoking. His gaze was lost. Camila continued on her way, Adrien noticed her. She stopped in front of the road, flagging down passing cabs, but none of them stopped. She opted to walk, if she kept waiting she wouldn't make it in time, besides it wasn't far. She walked at a fast pace along the sidewalk, in the distance Adrien watched her silently, that road she was following was to her old house and she honestly did not want to relive memories, but she would go alone. Through the woods. And she didn't like that at all. He knew what the forest contained, and, without knowing why, he wanted to keep her protected. Safe.
Without a second thought, he climbed into his car, started it up and hurried to catch up with her.
The depths of the forest It's his home, you don't want to To disturb him...Camila noticed a car coming behind her, but she didn't want to turn around. Gray clouds were beginning to cover the blue sky, a cold blizzard made her skin crawl, the trees in the forest began to move back and forth slowly. He kept his eyes fixed on the road, somehow he didn't feel like looking at the forest.The car pulled alongside him, Adrien rolled down the passenger seat window.“Do you want a ride? “he asked, not giving up driving to keep pace with her.Camila looked at him totally confused, how come Adrien wanted to drive her, she thought. She didn't understand.“I'm sorry, but I don't know you. “She replied, not looking rude. She stopped, as did Adrien's car. He just smiled sideways and nodded, it was true, they didn't know each other, but this was a good way to do it.“I'm Adrien," he answ
When you want to escape, it may It will be too late...Camila looked carefully at Adrien, who was staring at the bustle of people downstairs, wondering what he was thinking. She felt a strange tingling in her stomach, something unusual and new. Chris noticed the look on Camila's face, so he smiled sideways. Carmen observed the surroundings with a smile on her face. There were tables all around her, lights of all colors and the music was blaring.-We are in the VIP area! -Carmen exclaimed. Chris hid a smile.-Do you want something to drink? -He asked the girls, "If you want, you can sit at a table and I'll get the drinks.Camila took her eyes off Adrien and looked at him, she didn't like being among wealthy people, looking at them funny. They belonged down there.At that moment, Adrien's gaze fell on her and he frowned seeing her there.-Hey, it's not necessary, but we have to be down there," he let her know. Carmen looke
He remembers the souls he couldn't He could not keep, that's why he does not Stop looking...Adrien drove in silence, not far from Camila's house. He was pensive, attentive to what might happen at that moment. Camila didn't know what to say, if he didn't speak, she didn't either. But she was curious, she wanted to know about that legend, she wanted to know what happened to her brother, but she didn't know how he would react.Biting her lower lip she looked at him.-Adrien... -she started saying, the boy gave her a quick glance. Carmen told me about an old legend. Slenderman.Camila noticed that he tensed up at that moment, squeezing the steering wheel a little hard. Then she knew it hadn't been a good idea to ask.-I don't know what legend you're talking about," he answered seriously.-Well, I don't really believe anything about it either, I just thought that since you lived here you might
Try not to be alone at home.He likes you to be... The gossip that Hector had disappeared had spread throughout the town and high school, everyone was whispering things, saying that the disappearances were coming back. Saying that now they wouldn't be safe. Camila and Nicole were sitting in the school auditorium, along with everyone else, listening to the principal's speech. Nicole didn't know about the legend, no one had told her about it, the only one who knew about it was Camila, she was pensive, oblivious to the conversation, until the principal said a few words that brought her back to reality immediately: -We will all join the search for Hector, he is part of the high school and part of us. We will go to the forest along with some people from the town and the sheriff. So that's it, go out in pairs to look for him and don't split up. The other students began to stand up, looking for the exit. Adrien and Chris stood at the end of the auditorium with their arms crossed. -He
He always listens to your Conversations, no matter Matters How Much You Want It Avoid...Camila was pensive in Spanish class, she couldn't get the voice that had called her in the forest out of her head. She couldn't help but think that she had been imnotized and she didn't have the slightest idea who. The things that were happening were not normal. There was something else. People were disappearing.-Camilla? -Carmen's voice brought her out of her thoughts. She turned to look at her.-Tell me.-Are you all right? You haven't paid attention the whole class and the teacher won't stop looking at you.Camila turned to look at the teacher, he was a young man of about 24 years old. His hair was blond and he was wearing a T-shirt that fit his body very well. Sh
It is everywhere... To say that Camila was frozen was an understatement; there was a macabre silence in the kitchen. Jesse looked very frightened. Having said those terrible words, Bea went back to her business. As if nothing had happened. Camila couldn't believe that her little sister, who was only three years old and didn't speak, had opened her mouth just for that. Her voice, her voice didn't sound like her voice. She knew something was wrong.-Bea? -the girl called out to her.-Something's wrong with her. I know," whispered Jesse, "You have to help her, Camilla, your sister is being influenced by the thin man.Camila looked at her. Now she knew she was right, she couldn't let her family perish, if she had to do something to stop that from happening she would.-I have to go to the library. -She let him know in a whisper, as she was still not assimilating what had happened.-Okay," Jesse nodded, glancing sideways at Bea, "What if he talks again?-I don't think he will. But just
As Camila tried to process what had happened, a car parked in front of her house. It was Adrien, who was in a bit of a hurry and worried about finding her. When Adrien arrived he rang the doorbell three times in a row, so many times that it made Camila a little scared because who was ringing in such a hurry? It was at that moment that Camila thought it was Jesse and that he was back. So she rushed to open the door, but her surprise was to find Adrien.-Camilla, are you okay? -Adrien hugged her.Camila was puzzled because the most popular boy in school was hugging her and they barely knew each other.-I'm fine, why? -she pulled away.-I'm sorry," the boy apologized. He was sorry for what he had done. "It's just that I thought maybe something had happened to you," he scratched the back of his neck nervously.Camila hesitated a bit whether or not to tell him what she was reading about her brother Sandy, however the image of a frightened Adrien boy branded as crazy invaded her mind. Deep
CAMILASometimes I think that everything I lived here was a dream. That Bea never went through what she had to go through. That Jesse was never about to die. That Hector is still hanging out with his friends that he's fine. That Sandy is a teenager and has a girlfriend. But nothing was dreamed, everything was real. This is the real world.When we left that cave, Jesse, Adrien and I came straight home. Mom was outside in the driveway, bringing with her a family pizza ready to spend a girls' night with us, but when she saw us coming out of the woods dirty, revved up and scared she made us tell her the truth.I had to.There was no other choice.Now Nicole, Bea, Mom and I are boarding the car that will take us back to our home away from here. The news had spread around town. Jesse was in a hospital recovering. I said goodbye to her just as we were on our way home, we had made a stop at the hospital. Just as I was about to get into the car, someone taps me on my shoulder.-Were you planni