Edited.

Groaning, I forced my body to sit up as I rubbed my eyes gently, trying to get rid of the lingering sleepiness. I looked over my clock and it read 8:30. A pang of hunger suddenly hitting me.

"Breakfast, it is." I grumbled, a little hesitant to leave my precious bed but I stood up nonetheless.

My fingers combed through the strands of the wild beast that nested on my head; my bedhair. I tried to slowly yet gently straighten it. Keyword: tried. I ended up yanking my hair downwards rather forcefully, making the certain yanked areas sore. It's my everyday morning battle.

I took a quick glance at my nightstand and proceeded to grab my necklace, putting it on. I went downstairs once I looked 'nice' but seriously, the only ones who lived here was me and my father. I have no one to impress, to talk and to have fun with.

Well, except my father but that doesn't change anything, does it? I sighed heavily and took my time inside the kitchen. Humming softly, I walked towards the living room as I carried my cereal in one hand.

My foot froze mid-step as soon as I entered the living room. I was half expecting my father, but not all of this. In the middle of the room stood my faceless dad, holding out a birthday cake and behind him was a banner that said 'Happy Birthday, Serenity!"

I looked up my father and gave him a confused look "Ummm... Dad?" I started, motioning to the banner with my free hand. "What's with all of this?" He sets the cake on the nearby table and went his way towards me.

"It's your 17th birthday sweetheart! Happy Birthday!" He excitedly proclaimed. "Oh right. I forgot" I thought to myself as I mentally face palmed.

How could i forget my own birthday? Stupid Serenity, so so stupid.

I scanned the things that my father prepared. A cake, a pretty little banner and other stuffs you use on your birthday. I placed my untouched breakfast near the cake and hugged him.

"Aren't I a little too old to have birthday parties? Besides we're the only ones celebrating it" I said, quietly mumbling the last part. He hugged me back and tenderly patted my head.

"It only comes once in a life time. Enjoy it" I only sighed in response as I walked to the table, where the food was. Dang it, I made cereal but there's cake!

Unsurprisingly, my father baked it. Well, considering that he just can't stroll to the town and casually buy one. He'll probably give the bakers a heart attack if he did.

But on the contrary, he's a very good cook. I swiped my finger and tasted it, the smell of strawberries took me in and the taste exploded in my mouth.

I internally moaned in delight as my hand gripped a small knife. "Your favorite" I nodded, smiling thankfully while I sliced another one.

He immediately shook his head and brought his hands up, shaking them. "Oh no. It's all yours, not min-" Before he could protest, I shoved the plate into his hands.

"Dad, do you really expect me to eat all of this?!" I gestured the cake right beside me rather manically to prove my point. "You made this and you deserve it." He sighed in defeat and took a seat on the couch with me following suit.

I leaned on his shoulder as we ate in silence. Well, it was mostly me doing all the eating while my father just stared at his plate. But nonetheless, just enjoying the precious time we're spending together. He always comes home late or never comes home at all. I guess today is special.

"Sorry dear, but I have to go" I spoke too soon. He stood up as I quickly followed him towards the door. ''Happy Birthday Serenity" His voice rang softly inside my mind as he embraced me once more.

"Thanks, dad" I replied, coiling my arms around his tall figure. He nodded as I slowly escaped from his warm grasp. Before his hand could touch the doorknob, I asked.

"C-can we go to the city? Just this once?" My father stopped, not daring to face his body towards me. "When I get home, we will" With that, the door opened, letting a gust of wind inside as he went out, going to who knows where.

I deeply sighed and plopped down the couch while my hand snaked towards my half eaten cereal. "You always say that but we never do." I whispered sadly to the cold air, not expecting that a certain father actually heard me.

_______________

I spent the afternoon doing the usual thing; Nothing. All I do here is eat, sleep and watch television. Sometimes I go out in the woods and hang around the tree where me and my mother used to when she was still alive.

Mom. How I missed her. Ever since my mother died, my father became very protective of me. I wasn't allowed to go into the city. I can't talk to people, much less see them. Sure, I was content with having only my mother by my side but now that she was gone, I wished for someone.

He ended off all of my interactions to the humans around me—not that I had any from the start. All I have right now is my father and this woods is like my prison.

I sighed for the hundredth time today and started noticing that it was getting dark. I dusted my clothes and as I was about to jump off the branch when suddenly, something caught my eyes.

"Humans! I mean people!" I exclaimed excitedly as I properly stood up on the branch. I was trying avoid myself from jumping up and down, cause the branch might snap if I did.

As weird as it might sounds, I was fangirling because of these 'humans' Hey, it's been like 7 years since I saw one. I never really tried breaking into the city. Cause for one, I had absolutely no idea what to do once I get in and second, my father might catch me. So here I am, stalking two lovely people.

"H-hey, let's go out of here. I'm scared" The girl visibly shivered as she leaned in more closer to the boy. The man looked at her for a quick second before holding her hand.

Awww, now that's sweet.

"Don't worry. Let's go find this pages or something" The boy looked around, carefully inspecting nearby trees as his eyes darting from one place to another. I concealed myself behind a tree, waiting for the right moment.

"What the fu-?" The boy grumbled as they started going to my location. I took a deep breath and jumped to the side, revealing myself. "Hi there!" I smiled happily while waving my hand.

"AAAAAHHHHHH! IT'S FREAKING SLENDERMAN!" The girl's shriek almost made my ears bleed. I covered my ear with my hand, closing my eyes shut.

Once the shrieking stopped, I hesitantly opened my eyes.

"Chill, I have a face" I pointed to my face, annoyance evident on my features. The girl was shaking more than before as she hid behind the boy, who was looking at me with wide eyes and a confused face.

"Soooo, How you doing?"

"Uhhhh... Collecting pages, I guess?"

I raised my eyebrow. "Pages?" I asked as the boy nodded slowing. As if he was processing the whole situation. "Yeah. We're trying to find and prove that the thing called 'Slenderman' is real"

"Oh. They want to see dad?" I thought, tons of questions racing to me. "How about we go wait at my house?" I smiled, content with my new decision. The boy smiled in return as he tugged the girl beside him.

"Yeah. That's a great idea. We're a bit lost and tired"

"Jake, we don't even know her!"

"Hey, this girl seems harmless. We're just going to rest for a bit, okay?"

I look harmless? I didn't bother joining in their conversation. I mean, it's about me their talking about and i'm honestly right in front of them so, not a smart choice.

"Hey, they want to see dad. I guess the most fastest way is my house" I reasoned in my head instead. Once they were done talking, I held out my hand and led the way.

"What's your name?"

"Serenity"

"Cool. I'm Jake and this is Vicky" He replied, his finger pointing to the girl beside him.

"Nice to meet you... Serenity" She joined in, unsure of what to say and do.

My face cracked a small smile as we finally reached our house. Gesturing to the couch, I went to the kitchen and proceeded to slice them some cake from the fridge.

"Here. You must be hungry" They took the plate from my hands and eyed it suspiciously. Vicky was the first one to take a bite and as soon as she did, she closed her eyes for a moment, savoring the strawberry taste in her mouth.

"You baked this?" She asked, studying the food in her hands.

"Nope. My Dad did" I sat casually on the chair in front of them. "Where's your Dad?" Jake questioned in the midst of eating. "He's going to arrive later. You guys could meet him" I reassured them, smiling as I remembered their objective.

A  few hours passed and I learned a few things about the city outside the woods. It was kinda fun while they talked about school.

I wish I could go there. I couldn't help but silently thought as I listened to them talk about it more. "You never been to the city?" Vicky asked, putting the plate aside together with Jake.

"No. I'm not allowed to go there, I've been here for almost I could remember"

The sun already vanished and it was already pitch black outside.

"Sorry 'bout that. You're missing the fun, Sety" My eyes went wide at the new nickame. Don't blame me, it's not everyday I could meet new people and call me that.

"Nah" I dragged out my words as I hid my face behind my hair. My fingers parted my hair from my face and as I was going to open my mouth to say something, they suddenly dropped to the floor. A familiar red liquid seeping from their necks.

"What the hell, dad?!" I instantly stood up, angry and horrified at the same time. He glanced at the now dead bodies and looked at me. "Who is this?!" He slammed the door shut as I cringed at the sudden sound.

"Well, they were my new friends! Nice way to greet them, hitting them by the neck!" Sarcasm and venom dripped from my voice, mixing it together as my eyes narrowed down into a glare.

He gave me the slenderman-stare but unfortunately for him, I'm already immune to it.

"What did i say about meeting humans?"

"They got lost! What did i supposed to do? Kill them? Oh no, It's been 7 years since I saw one. Can you please let me hang out with them. They seemed to be nice beings and from what I heard they had fun" I huffed, crossing my arms as I was having none of this. If he wants to argue about my freedom, then I am on.

"Serenity, my child. They are dangerous and they could hurt you"

"Well looks who's talking" I grumbled angrily but I'm pretty sure that he heard me. He was about to say something back but I interrupted him.

"Dad, I know it's hard for you but you got to understand. I never been to the outside of these woods and I never met people like them. Did you really expect me to be happy all alone?"

I hastily went my way upstairs, biting the insides of my cheeks as I tried my best to not let tears fall down. He just stood there, his hand dropping down slowly as he looked at the bodies laying silently on the floor.

I closed the door of my bedroom, locking it in the process. I plopped down my bed as I felt the pillow under my head, comforting me in the most subtlest ways.

"Happy Birthday, Serenity" was the last thing I heard before the darkness enveloped me and took me to the only place I could escape; My dreams.