Darkwood Chapters: Chapter 2: Keys and Killers

Previously...

I summed up how I moved to Darkwood, a town in the middle of a forest. I said I made friends, but there are so few kids around because many have been going missing. It's possible that Slenderman is responsible, but everyone knows that he's just a story, right?

THE STORY
I arose from my bed, still tired from the storm last night. It was more of a wind, but the rustling of the leaves kept me awake all night. I barely got any sleep. Another reason I was awake was because of my theory. You know, the theory about Slenderman existing.

I know that it sounds crazy, but there's honestly no other explaination. Unless... No, that theory is useless. I have to focus on the more important stuff, like school. It was tomorrow, and that gave me little time to prepare. I had breakfast, changed clothes and set off into the empty town.

It was generally quiet because most of the town was at church at the time, but anyways, on with the chapter! I looked around, hoping to find any open shops. The only things to be heard were the chirps of birds and the rustling of leaves. Ahead I could see...

"Toby?"

Toby turned around. He was the first other kid I had seen since I moved here, and he was the one who piqued my interest with the rumor of Slenderman roaming here.

"Hey..." He was deathly pale, his dark hair clashing with his white skin. Eyes bloodshot and red, he struggled to look at me in the afternoon sun.

He collapsed.

"Toby? Toby?! Somebody, help!"

I could see no-one in the empty street. It may have been my imagination, but I could hear faint footsteps against the pavement. Toby was running out of time. He was breathing faintly, the air weakly slipping through his lungs.

"What's going on?" A man in his late twenties was running through the street, talking panicky.

"My friend... He just collapsed. I think he's ill. Please, please help him!"

Without a moment of hesitation, the man lifted Toby onto his back and speed-walked towards the clinic.