My Black Forest Nightmare

God, I hate Black Forest gateau.

I used to love eating it, but now it's just a bad joke. Before I went on an exchange trip to Germany, I had no idea.

No idea at all.

 Exchange of Schools and Stories 

I was at school back then. I wasn't exactly popular, but I was noticed. The class bully was put in detention, the teachers had to put up with chaotic noises from everyone, all was normal.

Well, until the next German class.

Teacher: Ok, before we start, I have an announcement to make.

Girl: Boooring!

Teacher: In two weeks time, there will be an exchange trip to Black Forest, Germany. Now, what is the Black Forest known for?

Boy: It was used in a scene for the new Fantastic Four movie!

Teacher: Ahem, well, anything else?

Me: Well, there's Black Forest gateau...

Teacher: Correct! Yes, Black Forest gateau is a delicacy there. And unless anyone else has any information, I will move on. Anyone?

Boy: There's that old fairy tale.

Everyone turned their heads at him.

Teacher: Ok then, what is this story about?

Boy: It's more of a fairy tale really.

Everyone sniggers.

Boy: It's a story about a fairy in the Black Forest who would take people away if they were bad. In fact, it has inspired art over the last few centuries.

Teacher: If we're quite finished, I was a bout to say that if you wish to go on the exchange, you should sign your name on the way out.

 Arriving and the First Case 

We were there at last: the Black Forest. The few people who went (me included) weren't staying in houses. We had to sleep in tents outside of the forest.

Not before long, we had a tour of the forest. It was all good. Well, apart from having to stop on the way. One of the girls had a nose bleed for no reason.

When the tour had finished, we had dinner and went to sleep.

After 10:15,  me and the boy who brought up the fairy tale heard footsteps. And I found out the boy was called Jasper.

Jasper: It must be him! The fairy!

Me: Whoa, man! It could be a bear. And the fairy doesn't exist, it's a fairy tale!

Jasper: It was a fairy tale, but it's more serious than you think.

Me: What do you mean?

Jasper: Well, y-

A shrill scream pierced the air. Everyone rushed out of their tents to see what was wrong. It was coming from one of the girl's tents.

Teacher: What happened? Where's your partner?

Girl: Sh-sh-she was t-taken! It came for her!

Teacher: Who took her?

Girl: A-a man. He h-had a black suit and l-long arms that reached to h-his knees!

Jasper: (whispering) It's following us.

Teacher: What did this man look like? This is important!

Girl: Faceless, no face. No hair, no eyes, no mouth, nothing!

At this point, the teacher was deathly white.

Teacher: No, no it can't be him...

Boy: Sir? What is it?

Teacher: Someone look behind the tent for anything! Is there a symbol behind it?

Sure enough, there was.

Teacher: Children, we're in danger. Everyone will die if we don't leave soon.

Jasper: Is it about the fairy, sir?

Teacher: It's more than a fairy, boy. It's a demon. My father told me a story once. It is the most terrifying experiences in my family..

 The Soldier, the Demon and the Forest 

During the Second World War, my father and his regiment were sent to a forest in order to attack the enemy and capture their base. My afther was nicknamed 'The Mountain', as he could not tremble in the face of terror.

Well, that changed.

Him and his men stayed in the forest for a week, gathering information about their defences and location. Everyone who went came back with a nosebleed and a sweaty face, mumbling about a creature.

The night before the regiment went to the base, one of the corporals went into the forest. He had been into the forest the most and had been feeling ill. Before he went into the forest, his friend told him to go outside and get some fresh air, as he had coughed up blood. He never cme back the next morning.

The next day, they marched to the base, expecting to be attacked. Apparently, no-one was guarding the base or even patrolling the area.

As my father opened the door, he could see dead soldiers. He knew that they were genuine. Before they decided to leave, he noticed a diary with a strange symbol on it. He decided to take it away, so that someone could translate it.

Just as thewy left, one of the soldiers was screaming. He said there was something on the roof, staring at him.

???: Your time is up.

The man continued to scream, as a blood-curdling sound filled the forest. By the time the others got to him, there was a carving on the soldiers' flesh: the same symbol on the diary.

 The Diary Translated 

12/3: We have set up camp at last. One of our colleagues said it wasn't a good idea, as it had something to do about the old fairy tale

19/3: He must be here. Many of our numbers have fallen. He must be coming for me

29/3: The Great Man is here

9/4: The Great Man

11/4: The Great Man

''' Leaving so soon? '''

I packed my bags and headed towards the bus. But no matter how far we got, the forest still surrounded us.

???: Why must you struggle?

Everyone screamed. I could see a man on the road, and had a featureless face.

???: ''Your time has come children. Give me the adult and I shall spare your lives for now.''

We couldn't do it. He was the only person who knew how to drive out of this forsaken forest.

Slenderman: You shall all perish in this forest, with no-one knowing of your disappearance.

He was bluffing. We managed to drive out of the forest and get back home

 Epilogue 

I barely slept that night.Hopefully, he would stay in Germany. But I was wrong.

Slenderman: The end shall come.