Serena

An hour or so later, we arrive to a small clearing in the forest. We decide to set up camp here and set up a watch schedule of two people watching for an hour. Dawson and Eric offer to take first watch, so we all set up our sleeping bags. Everyone else whispers amongst themselves, but I can't even bring myself to move. I feel so sick. I put my head between my knees to keep the room from spinning. I feel someone sit down next to me.

“I wonder if she's ok," Kathryn says.

"I'm not," I whisper back.

"You're like him too? You heard my thoughts unlike Trenton jumping whenever he wants into other people's minds," she replies with a laugh. I looked up at her and give her a small smile. Her face becomes worried and she puts a hand to my forehead.

"You are definitely not ok. You're burning up and your face is ghost white. What happened back there with Slender?"

"Ask Trenton," I say, closing my eyes. I hear her footsteps walk away for a moment, then they come back with another pair.

"Look at her! He did something to her. Just feel her head! She’s burning up, but shivering. This isn't just a common fever. Serena, can you open your eyes for me?" Kathryn says worriedly. I obey and see Trenton standing next to her. He kneels down in front of me and stares straight into my eyes.

"Impossible," he whispers.

"What is?"

"Your eyes got... brighter, almost to an unnatural shade of green.  Did Slender touch you?" he asks.

"I-I don't remember," I answer shakily. Kathryn leaves to go get the first aid kit while Trenton sits across from me. He holds out something in his hand. I peer closer then jump back in fright. Even though I feel as I can barely speak, I react so suddenly to my newest fear.

"Get that away from me!!" I scream, tears streaming down my face. "Please don't hurt me!!"

Trenton puts the voodoo doll down, then motions for me to sit back down. He takes my bandaged hands in his and takes the bandages off to reveal my long identical scars on both hands.

"What else did she do to you?" he asks quietly, still staring at my scars.

"The first time she tortured me and then the second she did the scars. She's also been leaving me these really creepy and annoying notes. You can look at them if you want. They’re in my bag." He opens up the front pocket and reads the notes. His face seems emotionless.

"Her handwriting is still the same," he whispers faintly. I nod and feel the tears coming. Finally, I break and burst into sobs. I try to stop, but I can't.

"What are we going to do, Trenton?! We can't keep running anymore. I can't handle another death. Those deaths were people we cared about and now they're gone!" I sob into my hands.

"Serena. It’s going to be hard. We knew that going into this. But we have to find something to keep fighting for. I have and I know you have too. I see it when you look at Eric. No matter how much he annoys you or bothers you, I still see the love in your eyes when you look at him. It's crazy, but it's true love, which is rare. Keep holding on because we are going to make it through," he says, grasping my hands. His eyes shine bright in the starlight and he pulls me into a hug. "I can't thank you enough for keeping Kylie safe. Thank you for keeping her sane. Thank you for not giving up on me."

"I can't lose hope when it comes to that. I won't ever lose hope in you guys," I reply, my voice thick from tears. He lets go and Kathryn comes back with the first aid kit. She makes me drink this disgusting medicine and gives me an icepack to put on my head. She orders me to bed and I comply. We all get up and go to the others. Eric and Kylie are already asleep. I climb into my sleeping bag next to Kathryn. Trenton kisses Kylie's forehead before slipping into his own sleeping.

"You guys are truly extraordinary," Kathryn says in her head (I've finally mastered whether its a thought or said aloud). I smile and drift into a fitful sleep.