As we made it back to the mall, Zane and I had taken our normal forms again. Entering the front doors, we immediately saw Paul, Jasper, and Oliver standing around near the benches. Going over to them, Jasper was the first to speak.

"Oh good, you're both okay. Those two masked boys were searching for you."

I smirked and said, "I know. You don't have to worry about them. We gave them the slip on the bus."

Paul suddenly started giggling as he looked between Zane and me. "Why are you guys holding hands?"

My eyes widened slightly. I hadn't even realized I was still holding Zane's hand. I felt my face heat up as I quickly pulled my hand away. I noticed Zane turn his red face away and cross his arms.

"What are you talking about?" Zane asked. "We were not holding hands."

Jasper smiled slightly. "That's not what it looked like to me."

I shook my head at them. "Come on, guys. This isn't the time for that. We need to head home in case those boys come back here."

They all nodded and followed me as I quickly left the mall and began heading home. On the way, I noticed a strange poster on the side of a building. I stopped and read it aloud.

"Join the Nighthunters. An organization created to hunt the Nightstalkers."

I frowned and grabbed the poster, ripping it off and tearing it in half. I felt Zane's hand on my shoulder.

"Do you think those weirdos we fought are behind this?"

I sighed. "I don't think so. But you never know."

"So what are we going to do?" Paul asked.

I thought for a minute before turning my head to look at the boys. "I don't know. But here's what I do know. If everyone is going to hunt us and treat us like monsters, then we're going to act like monsters. We're going on the attack. Everyone and everything that's going to oppose us is going to die."

I continued on my way without another word, hearing the other's footsteps behind me. We soon made it back home where I quickly went up to the old study that has stayed practically untouched.

I looked around the room with a small sigh before going over and sitting at the main desk. I leaned back in the chair and closed my eyes, countless memories flooding my mind. William Richmond, the man I hated. Who knew he would play such a big role in all of this.

After all, this used to be his place that we now live in. Thinking back on all the times he yelled at me or hit me caused anger to bubble up inside me. I'm really glad I was able to get rid of him. The day I killed him was when I finally felt free for the first time in my life.

The sudden sound of the door opening forced me to open my eyes to see the familiar redhead. "Zane? What are you doing?"

"I could ask you the same thing. What are you doing in here all alone?"

"Just thinking, that's all," I said while standing from my seat and heading toward the door.

I passed by Zane and reached for the doorknob when I suddenly felt his hands on my shoulders. I froze momentarily until Zane gently pushed me against the door. With him pressed up against me, I could feel his breath on my ear.

"Marlow."

He moved back slightly only to turn me around to face him before pressing my back against the door. He gazed down straight into my eyes as he moved closer.

"Marlow, I've been thinking about those kisses back on the bus. I was wondering if...now that we're ourselves and not a couple of teenagers...maybe we could...try it again?"

I looked at him in slight surprise, a smile forming on my lips. "Sure."

He gave a small smile at my answer and leaned closer, quickly pushing his lips against mine. Just like last time, he started out a bit rough before slowing down and being a little gentler. Feeling his arms around my waist, I snaked mine around his neck, returning his kiss.

After a moment, Zane pulled back, letting us catch our breath before going at it again. This time I felt his tongue glide across my lower lip. As soon as I parted my lips for him, he pushed his tongue into my mouth. We continued making out until we heard a knock on the door followed by a voice.

"Hey, if you guys are in there, please tell me you're not doing something dirty."

Zane and I quickly pulled away and straightened ourselves up before I opened the door. Paul stood there, eyeing us both suspiciously.

"We're not doing anything of the sort, Paul," I told him.

He smirked slightly. "Yeah, right. Well I just wanted to ask you both if you wanted to watch a movie with us?"

I glanced at Zane before smiling and nodding. "Okay. That sounds good to me."

Zane and I followed Paul downstairs where Oliver and Jasper were already seated and waiting to start the movie. We sat down with the others and enjoyed the movie. By the time it was over, it had gotten dark outside.

I grinned and said, "Now it's time for the Nightstalkers to play."

Jeff's pov

"And then as soon as we got on the bus, they were gone. It was really weird."

The rest of us listened as Masky and Hoodie explained their encounter. At least now we know who lives at that small mansion.

"So do you think that girl is the one controlling the Nightstalkers?" Ben asked.

Jack replied, "Maybe. If she's sheltering them then she definitely has some knowledge about them. But I wonder if those friends of hers you two told us about are in on it too."

Masky and Hoodie both shrugged. It grew quiet as everyone tried to figure out some answers. Slender finally broke the silence with his deep voice.

"These Nightstalkers appear to be intelligent. I think it's time I see them for myself. I want them brought here to the mansion."

"What?!" I yelled. "But we can't even catch them! How are we supposed to bring them here if we can't catch a single one?!"

"You don't have to," Slender answered me. "I'm sure it would be easier to lure them here instead."

Toby twitched and asked, "But what's to stop them from tearing this place apart once they get here?"

Slender chuckled slightly. "You can leave that to me. Jeff and Jack will be the bait while the rest of us start setting up the defense for the mansion."

"Why us?!" I yelled in surprise.

"Because you two are the fastest, the most sneaky, and the best fighters of the group, aside from me, at least."

I rolled my eyes at Slender's flattery. "Alright, alright, we're on it."

Jack and I headed out and into the woods. We walked quite a ways until we were close to the edge of the woods near that small mansion. We stopped beside a large tree and looked around. It was quiet and we couldn't see anything.

"Where do you think they are? Any other time they find us before we find them."

"I don't know," Jack answered. "But I've got a bad feeling about this."

A quiet thud behind us caused us both to slowly turn around. There in front of us was the large Nightstalker leader. It bared its fangs and growled. Jack and I quickly dodged around it and took off back toward Slender Mansion.

I could hear the low yipping howl behind us, meaning that the leader must be calling for the others. Almost right after, the familiar chitters and growls could be heard along with the rustling sounds behind us.

I didn't bother looking back because I knew they were behind us. We continued running, soon seeing the mansion ahead of us.

Slender's pov

I could soon see Jeff and Jack heading this way with the large, black beasts behind them. I glanced at Ben and the proxies.

"All of you, get ready," I said to the others in their heads.

As soon as Jeff and Jack crossed over the line at my feet, Ben tossed a lit match into the ring. The wood and gasoline instantly ignited, surrounding the mansion with a wall of fire.

The largest Nightstalker quickly stopped before the fire and backed away, hissing and snarling. The smaller beasts began pacing around the area, still growling.

I called out to the leader, "Can you hear me?"

The creature in front of me lifted its head. "How are you doing that?"

I was a bit surprised by the feminine voice that answered. So this one is female, and intelligent enough to understand human speech.

"I can speak to you through your mind. My name is Slenderman. I have a few questions for you. What is your name?"

"I am Changeling. And this is my pack."

"Why have you been attacking the other members of my household, especially when you're like us?"

She immediately stomped her foot and let out a small roar. "You're little friends were the one's who started it. They invaded our territory and tried to catch us, and in doing so, put my pack in danger."

"It was never my intention to harm any of you. I simply wanted to meet you. You've been drawing a lot of attention lately."

"Yeah, what of it?" she said while thumping her tail against the ground. "It's not our fault we're centered around a local legend."

"Well then how about staying here with us? You're welcome to take refuge here."

She came closer, gazing at me past the flames as she huffed. "We don't need your help. We can take care of ourselves. And consider this conversation over."

She chittered to the other beasts before turning and walking away with them. Changeling stopped before going too far and turned her head back to look at me.

"I have nothing against any of you, but if I find any of your buddies on our turf again, I can't promise they'll come back home in one piece."

With that being said, Changeling and her pack disappeared into the darkness. With the flames beginning to die down, I looked back at the others.

"It seems like those creatures are as intelligent as any person. I spoke to the leader and she gave me some useful information."

"She?!" Ben yelled in surprise. "You mean that thing was a girl?!"

Jack then asked, "Did you happen to catch her name?"

I nodded. "I did. She calls herself Changeling."