Slendermane

The light outside was very dim, like it was either dawn or dusk. I glanced around uneasily, and I felt like I was being watched.

The sun was eclipsed. Why? Why now? I desperately thought, starting to shiver. I was interrupted when I heard a snarling coming from behind me. I spun around quickly, and I felt my heart skip a beat. The white menace was standing there, claws tearing into the ground eagerly as it eyed it's prey. I paused for no less than a second, and It charged me. I bolted. The sudden chase caught me off-guard, and I could feel myself slowing.

My own heartbeat was echoing in my ears as the edges of my vision blurred. I glanced back for a second, and the Rake crashed into me. I desperately tried kicking it off me, but it was of no use. It raised a claw and slashed down my chest. I screamed in agony, starting to thrash violently. I won't die here! Not now! I let out a screech and drove my feet into his hind legs, causing him to fall off-balance.

I wasted no time in grabbing it and throwing it off me... Quite far, strangely. It flew ten feet and crashed into the side of a large building, smashing through the wall. How did I do that? I quickly thought. I glanced back up to see Twilight and Fluttershy approaching me with Rainbow.

"Are you alright? What happened?" Twilight asked, sounding shocked. I didn't answer. I couldn't. Thoughts were running through my head, and It was impossible to pin them down. My mind was like a spinning wheel of ideas, never stopping on one thought. I heard a frustrated screech as the Rake leaped out of the rubble, shooting me a look of pure malice. He charged me again, and this time I kept running.

I swerved in between the houses, and made my way around the many areas in the city. I noticed something ahead with a feeling of dread.

The town square was crowded to the brim with ponies, and It was too late to change course. I started waving my arms, trying to get their attention. "Run! Get out of here!" I shouted vainly, hearing the Rake's menacing snarl slowly getting closer. My heart rate elevated to a violent proportion. I could see children in this crowd, and they broke into a panic.

They all started pushing and shoving each other to get away from the beast that was chasing me. I knew I couldn't just lead this beast into a slaughter. I quickly turned towards the beast, and I stopped. It crashed into me, unable to stop as suddenly as I did. I rolled with the impact, but I had him pinned now. I started throwing violent punches into it's face. My fists felt like they were grinding against stone, but I didn't care. I needed to make sure that the creature couldn't murder any of the innocent ponies. I quickly got off it and bolted away, hearing it's frustrated snarl following me as I sprinted to a path out of town.

I was running up a hill towards an apple orchard, of sorts. A large sign emblazoned 'Sweet apple acres' was hung above the archway I sprinted under. My thoughts were spinning faster than I could imagine. I glanced back and noticed the Rake had stopped at the gate, apparently making some sort of frustrated growl before slinking off again. He's not afraid of me... What could possibly have turned him away? I thought, but a quick look of my surroundings caused me to forget it's decision. The many trees lining the acres were covered in red apples, and it seemed peaceful enough. I started walking under the trees, attempting to get away from the town as fast as I could. There was no way I was going back. No way..... They knew I was there. How? I had too many questions and no answers, but I knew that when my adrenaline faded I would probably collapse from exhaustion. A small amount of moisture in my hair distracted me.

I felt up and ran my hair along it's line. When I pulled my hand back down, I noticed it was red with.... Blood?

My head isn't bleeding, which means...

I slowly glanced up and saw Applejack impaled on the tree. A large branch was sticking through her chest, and another one coming through her throat. I could see her blood slowly leaking down the branches and dripping on the ground. But that wasn't the worst part. Her eyes had been torn out, and black stones were inside her sockets instead. I vomited, falling back on the ground and laying there for awhile. They're all going to die! Only I can stop this... I quietly sobbed.

I felt weak, though. I needed to stop this. But.... I still don't want to die. I'm a coward, and all these ponies are going to die for it. I sighed weakly then climbed to my feet. I suddenly remembered something. I glanced down at my chest, and the observer symbol that had been stained there once was now effectively destroyed from three large claw marks going down my body. Strangely, though, my hoodie hadn't been ripped... But blood was still leaking out of the wound. I had all but forgotten the pain. I turned and looked at the forest that slender man had occupied.

I took a deep breath. Let's do this. I quietly sighed, starting to make my way to his domain. A shout coming from beside me stopped me in my tracks. The four remaining mares were running over to me. I felt tears filling my eyes, I knew that there was no way I could even attempt to explain to them. I broke into a sprint, overtaking their original pace.

"Stop!" Twilight shouted after me.

I didn't. I charged headfirst into the dense shrubs, not caring that they scratched me. I pulled out my flashlight and flicked it on, illuminating the dark space ahead of me. I heard sad sobbing behind me as I walked into the forest. They probably found their orange friend.

I hope it wasn't for me, because I sure as hell wasn't going back.

I shot one last glance over my shoulder. I have to do this. It's for them. I turned around and sighed. "Slender man, do your worst." I shouted before breaking into a sprint, deeper into the branching trees.