Tim entered the address on the gps. I watched his every move, wanting to memorize all the steps to start a car. He didn't seem to notice. All the better. We –well, I mean Tim– started driving to the place. First following the path out of the Slenderman's controlled part of the forest. In a way I found trips in the car at night cozy. They weirdly make me feel nostalgic. I cracked the joints in my hands, my neck, even my spine. Any pop in my joints I find satisfying. It has become a habit of mine.
''When can I finally drive?''
''Never.''
''Elaborate.''
''Where did you learn a fancy word like that?'' Tim teased
''I learned it f-from you– Wait, don't change the topic! Besides, it's not that fancy.'' I rolled with my eyes
''I don't think you're in a state to learn how to drive.''
''W-What can I do differently for that to change?''
''Don't use your reverse psychology on me.''
''Don't ignore my question.''
Masky snapped his head to the left to give me a death stare. It was a warning. I had to stop talking. Or at least stop talking for now. Most of the time I let him cool down before I continue. Because I'm never done with the conversation. I always get cut off, ignored or just verbally bashed. It was silent for a few minutes. My mind was too occupied for it to be silent though. I wanted to turn on the radio but Masky swatted my hand.
''What the hell.''
''No radio.''
''Boring.'' I mumbled
I wasn't in the mood for silence though.
''Why is Kagekao allowed to drive? I'm p-pretty sure he doesn't have a driver's license. He's a demon or something.''
''Kagekao is an adult that knows how to drive. Besides, he likes stealing more than driving.''
''Still I should be allowed to–''
''Stop it Toby.''
''But stealing a car is really r-risky, it could have a some sort of chip that will reveal the car's location.''
I didn't know that for sure, but did always fear it. Imagine stealing something or kidnapping someone and their location can be tracked down because of a small chip.
''Most cars don't have that. I hope you know even if they did have something like that, in this part of the forest the Slenderman's static interferes with the signal.''
''Oh.''
''The main thing you have to worry about is the license plate of the car and the VIN.''
''Vin..?''
''Vehicle identification number.''
''Never heard of that.''
''Well now you have.''
Wait actually– I just realized I can be tracked down at any time because of my Proxy mark. All the Proxies have that symbol forever scarred into their body. It's not a burn mark, the Slenderman has a special way to leave that scar. He always knows where you are, he's always watching. Creepy, also handy (maybe).
''Is our Proxy mark our vin?'' I randomly asked, thinking out loud
Tim burst out laughing. The last thing I expected was to hear him laugh tonight. He probably thought what I said was dumb. Perhaps he realized it was true and he's going even more insane. Deep down I'd like to think he found it funny. It made me blush a bit.
''In a way.'' He sighed
I stared out of the window next to me. I couldn't see anything and it bored me. I looked through the windshield. The headlights illuminated the path in front of us. I continued the thoughts I was having at breakfast. Why not go over almost everybody?
Clockwork is a sisterly friend, Jane sorta too. I see Tim and Brian, next to the other Proxies as coworkers basically. They're all older than me. BEN is alright, I can barely hang out with him which sucks. The Woods brothers are both assholes. Sally is too young. Slenderman..? He– Well it's a no for multiple reasons. Kagekao is a nuisance that tends to mostly speak Japanese and pull annoying pranks. Helen is silent and deranged, although rather pretty. Nurse Ann is just a professional nurse who gives off strict mom vibes. Don't get on her bad side basically. It freaks me out how obsessed Dr Smiles is with the fact you can see my teeth through my gash. His obsession with teeth in general and dentist stuff or something is not my thing. The Puppeteer's whole demeanor is untrustworthy. Laughing Jack can't be trusted anymore, maybe if he still had his colors... But I'd rather not get near him. Oh, and the other Jack... Eyeless Jack. The thing about him, there isn't that much known about him. There is mystery and unpredictability to that demon. His kidney diet alone is creepy. I've never even seen his face. I'm rather curious though... I wonder if anybody has ever seen his face. I let out an agitated sigh. You don't have a good amount of choices when you live with serial killers. Shocking.
''What's with that sigh?'' Tim asked
''Nothing.''
''We won't be long.''
I totally forgot I was in a car on the way to a mission– Well at least being lost in my thoughts helps pass the time. I stared at the gps. Then I leaned with my head against the window.
Now that I think of it, who would want to be friends with me?
I haven't even thought of that. I'm not that much better than all the freaks here, we're all messed up. I feel like most of, if not all of us are hurt in some way. Or perhaps still suffering. The last thing you'll be thinking about is making friends.
''If the Slenderman interferes with the signal, how is the gps w-working?'' I asked
''It doesn't interfere with our items. Only with 'unknown' ones.''
''Okay.''
I still didn't really understand. I've been here for more than 2 years now and I still don't know or understand everything. Nevermind, the last thing I have to worry about is signal, the Slenderman is already a huge mystery.
''You took the wrong turn.''
''Don't you dare to backseat drive in my presence. Especially you of all people.''
''Why'd you take this turn?''
''It's more secluded.''
I looked at the surroundings. We were in a neighborhood. All the lights in the homes were off. Expected, it's late. Tim was driving slowly until we were at the address. He put on his mask and I quickly did the same, putting on my mouth guard and goggles. We both had gloves on and were armed. I waited for the signal.
Masky checked the mirrors, I followed his lead and also looked around, checking the surroundings just in case.
''Mask off.''
I quickly took everything off. He started messing with the gps. I noticed the pair of headlights heading our way. I didn't want to stare at the car, so I just watched Masky mess with the gps. I scratched my eyelid, intentionally hiding my recognizable gash. When the car passed us he turned off the car and put his mask back on. I did the same and after one last check we got out of the car. We walked around back, through the person's garden to get to their backdoor.
Our mission was to neutralize the target, take anything related to the Slenderman with us and get rid of the evidence. A pretty standard mission. While Masky was messing with the lock I stood watch. It didn't take him long to lockpick the door. When we were inside we made sure all the curtains were closed before turning on a light. A tip I've picked up from previous missions. Even if the curtains are closed, if you shine around with a flashlight and somebody sees that, the first thing they'll think of is robbers. If a light is turned on people will most likely think the person is awake. Masky went to deal with our target while I started looking around.
The mission didn't take long. It was the Slenderman's orders to finish the mission as swiftly as possible anyways. Don't stick around in avoidance of getting caught. Our drive back to the mansion was silent. I didn't have any smartass remarks to throw at Tim, I didn't have any questions, at least not for now. Even when we went to bed neither of us said anything. I didn't really care. I was tired.