For All Of Eternity (A Sally Creepypasta Fanfiction)

Chapter 42 - Immortality Isn't For Everyone

When Sally opened her eyes, she saw that Ben is in the room again, reading a rather large book. He's sitting cross-legged at the end of the bed, and his expression is of pure boredom.
She sat up and her eyelids felt heavy. She felt like she was sleeping for weeks.
Oh yeah, she had.
That's when she remembered everything that had happened in her dream. Was it really a dream? It was so real.
Oh, wait, that's right. Slender Man was only testing her. But for what? And why?
Ben looked up when he saw her move and he sighed. "You gonna actually stay awake now?"
At first, his words only elude her; it was only sound. It took a few moments until she understood and nodded. "Um, yeah...I will."
Ben shut the book and tossed it aside carelessly, and it fell onto the floor next to the bed.
"Ben," Sally said softly and Ben looked back at her. "Why...Why did he make me go through all of that?"
Ben raised an eyebrow, but then he seemed to understand what she's asking. He turned so he was facing more towards her and he sighed again, keeping his legs crossed as he set his elbows on his knees.
"Well," he started. "Slendy needed to prepare you for your new life. He tested you to see if you were really ready to face it. The first part was to make you let go of your past life, because this-" He poked her chest where her lifeless heart hides behind, "-is who you are now. The second part was pretty much there to tell you to accept it."
She nodded, but what she just went through still feels too much. It's like a heavy weight is on her. Like a darkness inside of her, just waiting for the right time to consume her. Maybe that's what Slender Man wanted to prepare her for.
"I'm thinking you don't want to talk about what you saw and felt," Ben continued. "I understand. He had put me through the same shit. Toby, too. I'm not so sure about Laughing Jack and Jill though, they're different, so I don't know."
Sally knew Ben is trying to help her get her mind off of it, by the way he kept talking, ever so slowly changing the subject, but it's not really working.
"Did...Did it work?" Sally whispered. She couldn't raise her voice much more.
Ben's expression seemed to tell her before his words did. "I don't know, did it? I mean, it was you he was testing. Not me. The only one who would know the answer to that is you. And maybe Slender, but what do I know?"
Sally looked down as she fell deep into thought. Did it work? She doesn't feel any different, except that she feels more lifeless than she had before.
That dream...it was wonderful, and she wished it would last forever. The first part, that is.
But the other part...
Images of those eyes, her own eyes completely and purely consumed with insanity, flashed through Sally's mind.
Is that how she would be like if she actually 'let's go'? Let go of what? Her past?
"How...do I let go of my past?" Sally asked, looking back up at Ben.
"There's no way you can really let go of it," he said with a shrug. "It's who you are. You can't escape the horror; it's a part of you. Your past makes you yourself, nothing can stop it. The way Slender tests you is to make you understand that you can't go back to your old life. You can only look forward. Got it?"
Sally nodded, understanding that there's no going back, no matter how much she wished she could. But the second part, acceptance? Could she really accept the fact that she can't go back? Can she really accept her new life? Can she accept these new feelings, the bloodlust, the anger, the insanity, as a part of her?
No, she can't. Not yet.
"How do I accept it?" Sally asked quietly, this time, not meeting Ben's gaze.
"You accept it by letting go of who you were," he said hesitantly at first, but then he spoke with more certainty. "By letting go of your humanity. You're going to lose it anyway, over time. But it's best to do it yourself, and soon. It's better to burn out quickly than to fade away."
Sally swallowed hard as she remembered what Laughing Jack had told her a few weeks earlier. Can she let go of her humanity? How?
There's no way she can do that, not yet, not after everything that happened.
"You need more time, I know." Ben spoke up again after a silent moment. "But, and I don't mean to rush you, it's better to do it sooner than later."
"I do need time," Sally whispered, her bottom lip quivering, but then she bit it to keep it from doing so. She doesn't feel the pain from it, and she wouldn't ever again. It just made her miss being alive more than ever. Being alive means she could feel.
Ben nodded. "I thought so."
It was silent for a bit after that. Sally is buried deep into her thoughts as Ben sat in silence, feeling an awkwardness he isn't used to.
Then, to break the silence, Ben sighed and hopped off of the bed. "Well, c'mon, we gotta go."
Sally was confused, but she obliged and got off of the bed, too. The pink dress Malcolm had given her swayed around her knees as she did, and seeing it made her want to cry.
She looked at her empty hands, then around herself. "Where's my knife?"
Ben shrugged. "I have no clue. Must've disappeared somewhere."
Sally bit her lip, but changed the subject.
"Why do we need to go?" She asked as she followed Ben out of the room.
"Well, before you woke up, Jack told me the S.W.A.T. had stepped in and they're looking everywhere for us," Ben explained. "Neighbors were suspicious about this house and the word spread, so they could be on their way here any time now. Jack had already taken Jeff to an old cottage outside of the city where we, hopefully, won't be found for a while. Don't know 'bout Masky and Hoodie though, we haven't heard from them for a while."
They walked down the hall, towards the staircase, but then Sally noticed that Jeff's bedroom door is open. As they walked past, Sally couldn't resist, and she looked in.
The first thing Sally noticed is that it's messy; old, dirty clothes here and there, beer bottles and trash littered the floor, the blankets and bed sheets are spread carelessly and the pillows are scattered along the bed.
But then she saw Jane.
Jane is sitting on the floor, leaning into the wall on the other side of the room. Her head is lulled against her limp shoulder, revealing a deep cut in her throat. Dried blood trailed from the open wound and from her mouth, which hung open. Her eyes are open to reveal her lifeless orbs. They're no longer pitch black, they now seemed to be a dull gray. Her cheeks are sunken and her skin is pale, almost livid. Her deep blue shirt is stained with old blood, and if Sally didn't know any better, it'd seem like Jane was there, dead, for quite a while, probably over a few days. That fact is proven once Sally noticed the flies zipping around her body, and she can smell the horrid aroma of decay.
"Oh, yeah," Ben said when he saw what Sally was staring at. "She was trying to kill Jeff again when we came in a while back, and so we just decided to end it. I can't say she didn't have it coming."
"Would she come back?" Sally asked, her gaze not leaving the body. "You know, as an immortal?"
Ben shook his head. "Doubt it. If she did, she'd already be here. Immortals are born when their soul is brought back into the body only mere seconds, minutes, or, rarely, days after they die. The body would be useless after too long. Don't want to live forever as a partially decayed corpse, right?"
Sally couldn't help but to cringe at that thought.
"Besides, Slendy knows better than to bring her back. It would only mean more trouble for us," Ben added, now walking down the stairs. Sally glanced once more at Jane, then she followed Ben.
"He can do that?" Sally asked once she heard what Ben said.
"Yep," Ben responded, "Who else could? I didn't know that until last week. I'm not very surprised, though. I already know Slendy's a powerful immortal. He could do all sorts of shit, so that probably means he's the one who brought us back to life."
Sally gasped and stumbled to a stop when she heard that.
Ben looked at her. "What?"
"Why...Why would he do that?" Sally whispered, shaking her head as she stared down at the floor. "Why would he bring us back and make us go through this?"
Ben fell silent after that. No one spoke for a while until Ben broke the silence.
"I don't know."
Sally looked up at him to see he's staring out of a window, obviously lost in thought.
Sally thought, too. So, Slender Man is the reason she's here right now, emotionally tormented and forced to live forever in agony? He had also put Ben through this, and Toby, too. But why?
Why is he making them to go through this? Living an eternity with their pain, regrets, memories, bloodlust, and soon, insanity.
How could he?
Anger swelled up within Sally and her hands clenched. Why must Slender Man put them all through so much torture?
"What about Laughing Jack and Laughing Jill?" Sally couldn't help but to ask.
Ben shrugged one shoulder, not looking at her. "I don't think Slender had anything to do with them, they were born out of a child's imagination. Weird that if imagination is strong enough, it could become real, isn't it?"
Sally realized how monotone Ben's voice is and she looked at him. His expression didn't betray anything that he may be feeling or thinking, and that just made her wonder what exactly he's thinking about.
"What are you thinking about?" The question escaped Sally's lips before she could stop herself. She shouldn't have asked that, because, knowing Ben, there's no way he would tell her.
Which is why she was surprised when he confessed.
"I'm thinking about how much of an ass Slender is for giving out immortality without our permission." Ben said, swallowing hard. His mouth twitched and then Sally realized that Ben is dealing with a storm of emotions right now. "I didn't want to be brought back. I especially don't want to live for fucking eternity. I'd much rather be in Hell than go through this bullshit!"
Sally's expression softened and she took a small step towards him.
"Sometimes I wonder if any of it is even worth it," more words kept spilling from him, and it seemed like he wanted to stop, but he couldn't. "Being forced to live like this, it pisses me off. I get angry, then I let it out on other people, and if not that, I use it to kill. Most of the time, I kill for the pure pleasure of it, but sometimes I do it because I feel like I have to. It's like if I don't, my anger will fucking consume me. And for some reason, seeing other people suffer makes me feel better. Like a pain reliever, and I don't know why. It makes me feel like...like a monster. Sometimes I get so disgusted with myself I can't stand it. I can't fucking stand it!"
Ben punched the wall hard, leaving the wood cracked and splintered. Then he looked at his hand, still clenching it tightly. "I look at those people as I kill them. I want to be like them, to be able to feel pain and die so easily. I wish I'd stay dead. But no, now I go around slaughtering people because I want them to feel what I feel, because I want them to suffer the way I suffer. Because I want them to die like I wish I could."
Hearing these words come from Ben made Sally want to go over and comfort him, but she knew well that it wouldn't help.
"I just can't understand why Slender would bring me back," Ben spoke through clenched teeth. "Is there a reason to it? If there is, it better be a damn good one. But I don't see how it's possible that any reason would be worth being brought back to life for. There's nothing that would be worth living forever for. Nothing! So why the hell am I still here?"
Ben's shoulders began trembling and he gritted his teeth. He looked up at Sally, and even though he doesn't have eyes, she can feel the pain from his gaze.
"Why am I still here?" He repeated, but it's a whisper this time.
Sally understood completely what Ben is feeling. Now that he's more open to her and that she knew a bit more about his emotions, she began to understand some of his past actions.
But not the reason why he made her kill Malcolm. Sally would never forgive Ben for that, no matter the purpose. But right now, Sally just wants to comfort him. It's a bit unusual to see Ben like this, but although he's immortal, he's still young, like her.
It's silent now between them and they're both in deep thought. It was like that for a few minutes before Ben turned to walk towards the back door.
"Come on, we need to go." His tone is emotionless, so whatever he's feeling, he's now locking it up and hiding it, but Sally knows it's there. It may always be there, because within that small body of a little boy must be a raging storm of so much pain, enough to drown the world in it.
"There's no other way to get you to the cottage other than walking," Ben said as Sally followed him out of the back door. "So we walk."
Sally nodded, looking downwards as she walked. She knows she can't just teleport to the place since she has no clue where exactly it is, and she knows Ben can't bring her along while using his powers to travel, so it made sense to walk.
The stealthy travel through streets is quiet, neither of them spoke.
Ben's words kept replaying in Sally's head, and then there's her dream, or 'test'.
She doesn't know how to feel about all of this. She still needs to process it, still needs to think.
So Slender Man is the reason Sally is immortal. Is he responsible of all of the immortals, other than Laughing Jack and Laughing Jill, for coming back to life?
Sally's eyes widened a bit when she realized something.
Slender Man had brought Johnny back.
Why did Slender bring Johnny back after helping Sally kill him? How could Slender do this to her!?
Sally's anger arose again, but she forced herself to calm down.
Maybe there is a reason Slender Man did it. But, as Ben said, would it really be worth living forever for?
Suddenly, Ben turned around and Sally halted to a stop so she wouldn't run into him.
"Can you run?" He asked without looking at her.
Sally felt confused at the random question, but then she shook her head. "No, I can't."
Ben sighed. "Get on my back."
"What?" Sally asked, feeling even more dumbfounded. Is he offering her a piggy-back ride?
"We can run fast since we're immortals, and it would get us there faster," he explained. "But since you can't run, that means it'd be best if I carry you. Now, hurry up."
Sally is hesitant, but then she reached and grabbed his shoulders, then Ben bent down and grabbed her legs, wrapping his arms around her knees, then lifted her. She couldn't help but to let out a small shriek at the sudden movement and pain, then Ben shifted her weight so she's more secure.
It's a bit painful for her, but then she immediately forgot about it when Ben began to run. It's such a thrilling rush and Sally gasped only for the air to get sucked right out of her. It's nighttime, so all of the lights are seen easily, but they're like shooting stars zipping past them in all sorts of different colors as Ben dodged cars and buildings with a speed too fast for the mortal eye to see.
Sally's mind felt as if it was left behind, because at this moment, she couldn't think at all. She felt as if she's flying and it's such an intense sensation that she couldn't help but to laugh.
Then the lights began to fade away as they sped out of the city. The cool night air blew back their hair and the stars in the night sky shone brighter than Sally has ever seen them shine before. She stared in awe at the sky above them, and at that moment, she felt peaceful. She wishes this would last forever.
But as always, her wishes failed her.
Too soon, Ben began to slow down as they quickly approached a lone, stone cottage not too far from the civilization.
"Here it is," Ben said loud enough for Sally to hear him over the roar of the wind in her ears.
The cottage is surrounded by a small group of trees, and there are power-lines swooping from pole to pole over their heads, but surprisingly, there are no streetlights.
Sally has to admit, she likes this place already. There's little to no civilization, it's quiet, and even peaceful.
The fields surrounding the area are flashing with lightning bugs that lit up the night to replace the city lights. There isn't a second when fireflies didn't glow, and they just seemed to make the night even more beautiful along with the millions of stars and the soft, silver glow of the moonlight.
"It's so beautiful here," Sally whispered. Ben didn't reply.
Sally felt so at peace that she feels as if she were to cry, but she doesn't want to ruin this beautiful scenery.
Ben stopped in front of the cottage and set Sally down. She couldn't stop staring at the sky, at least until she heard the crunching of feet walking away and she looked over to see Ben walking on the gravel road towards the small cottage. Sally looked out towards the fields once more before following him.
The cottage probably has no more than one or two bedrooms within it, but it seems nice here. There are some vines decorated with white rose buds growing against the stone walls, and Sally can smell lavender.
There are no lights coming from any of the windows except for one, and it's a soft glow, like from a flame or an old lamp.
Just as they were about to walk in, the wooden door opened and stood there is Eyeless Jack.
"About time," he muttered, stepping aside to let them in.
Ben snorted as he and Sally walked in. "Nice to see you, too."
Jack closed the door once they entered and Sally looked around.
The living room has a fireplace, which is lit with a small flame, but it's enough to give the room a soft glow. There's a couch, which Ben sat lazily on, and a coffee table, where Ben kicked his feet onto.
There are nails in the walls, probably where pictures had once hung, and there are a few old and dusty shelves, letting Sally know that this place hasn't been used for a while.
Sally immediately became comfortable with the warm and homey cottage. There isn't much noise other than the soft crackling of the fire.
"Is Jeff okay?" Sally asked, now noticing that she doesn't see him.
"Yes," Jack answered her. "He's resting. Jane had left more wounds on him, but hopefully, he'll recover. Though I don't think he's ever going to walk again."
"Heh, just don't tell him that," Ben muttered.
"He won't?" Sally asked, her eyes widening.
"By the looks of his paralyzed and shattered legs, that's the case." Jack said, stuffing his hands in his pockets. "Other than that, he should be fine."
Ben grunted, but it sounded more like a sarcastic half-laugh.
"He's not gonna like it when he finds out that he can't walk," he said.
"I can walk just fine."
The three of them looked over to see Jeff, standing shirtless in a doorway to a small hallway. He had put his weight on a pair of crutches that are set under his arms and he seemed to wobble a bit on them. Bandages are wrapped around his torso, and blood stained them from the recent wounds. His lifeless legs are dragging behind him, nothing more than dead limbs, and that's when Sally noticed that he's wearing...pink pajama pants with unicorn designs?
"Pfft!" Ben snickered and then covered his mouth in an attempt to stifle his laughter, then he spoke between chuckles. "Nice pants, Jeff. Where did ya get them, at the end of a rainbow?"
Jeff's expression showed his irritation. "Shut it. Now who the hell put these on me?"
"I had to remove your old clothing to put the bandages around your waist and legs," Jack explained. "Your jeans were torn and dirty, and that was the nearest thing to dress you in."
"I'd rather run around naked," Jeff muttered, but then he leaned against the doorway so he could release one of the crutches without falling, and then he brought his hand down and grabbed the front of the pajama pants to pull the waistband out and looked down, then released the waistband so it snapped back around his waist and he glared up at Jack with an irritated expression. "And a fucking thong!?"
Ben could no longer hold back his laughter and burst out, grabbing at his stomach.
"That I did just purely for my amusement." Although Jack has a mask on, a smirk is heard in his voice.
"Dammit Jack," Jeff growled, shaking his head. "What else did you do to me, huh? Did you touch me while I was helplessly passed out and underdressed?"
"No," Jack answered simply. "Why ask vulgar question?"
Sally didn't really understand, but Ben is still laughing and Jeff glared at him.
"I'll kill you!" He exclaimed angrily and moved forward, only to then fall flat on his face and Ben laughed harder. Sally couldn't help but to giggle a bit, then hoped Jeff didn't hear.
"Shut the hell up, you stupid elf!" Jeff shouted, however, that didn't cease Ben's laughter.
Ben took a few deep breaths with a wide smirk on his face. "God damn, I haven't laughed like that in years."
"Glad you enjoyed the show, fucker." Jeff spat as he tried to pick himself up, but since his legs no longer complied with his actions, he had trouble.
Jack walked over and grabbed the crutches Jeff had left behind, then dropped them at Jeff's side.
"I don't need your help," Jeff growled, not looking up at Jack.
"Looks like you do," Jack responded.
Although as cheerful as this moment is, Sally still couldn't keep her mind off of something.
When no one was paying attention, she turned and quietly opened the front door, then stepped out, closing it once more.
It's quiet outside except for the chirping of crickets and the faint laughter from inside the cottage.
Sally walked around the small cottage and now she faced the dark trees. The small woods is shadowed from the moonlight overhead and it seemed to make the view somewhat eerie despite what a beautiful night this is.
She looked into the trees and she doesn't know how long she stood there until she felt something watching her from those trees.
Sally spoke up. "I know you're there. Come out, I want to talk to you."
It took a minute, but then she blinked and once she reopened her eyes, the familiar figure known as Slender Man is standing about a yard away. She almost didn't see him within the dark trees,
"You wish to speak to me?" His voice rumbled in her head.
She nodded. "I want to know...I want to know why you brought me, Ben, and the other immortals back."
"You dare to question my actions?"
Sally's hands clenched into fists. "I want to know."
"Who says you have the right?"
"You owe me an explanation," Sally said. She doesn't know when this courage came from, but she didn't think about it.
"I owe you nothing. I gave you immortality and I can take it back. You should show me some respect," Slender didn't raise his voice, but his tone became more powerful and Sally couldn't help but to shiver, but she will not show him fear.
"Then do it!" Sally challenged.
This is it. This is her chance to finally be at peace.
"I did not say that I will."
She gritted her teeth, now becoming angry. "Why not? What's the reason you're keeping me alive? And why did you bring Johnny back? Do you know what you're making us go through!? You-"
"Enough!"
Sally jumped a bit and immediately silenced herself.
"I will not tolerate your ignorant questions. I do as I wish and I expect not to be questioned."
Sally swallowed and the atmosphere is tense, she could practically feel Slender's anger radiate from him.
It was quiet after that as Sally thought.
So Slender can give and take away immortality...
Sally was thinking for a moment, then it hit her and her eyes widened.
She looked up and asked. "Could you bring Malcolm back? "
There was a pause.
"I can."
Sally couldn't help but to smile. She could see Malcolm again!
"But," Slender continued. "You must trade something of value to you in order to grant your wish."
Something that's valuable to her?
Maybe she could...
She blinked. Wait, it's been two weeks since Malcolm died. Wouldn't he have begun decaying?
Slender answered her as if he read her mind. "The boy is embodied. His body is still fresh enough for his soul to use."
Sally didn't understand the word 'embodied', but she knew what he's saying.
Malcolm could come back!
Her head became full with thoughts of him. His eyes, his laugh, his smile, the nice moments she had with him. She wants him to come back, and she has the chance to get him back.
But then her smile faded.
No, wait. This is wrong.
Sally doesn't want to force him into this. She doesn't want him to go through the torment of immortality.
It would be selfish of her to do that and not give thought to how he would feel about it.
He'd hate her, he'd wish he stayed dead, and worst of all, he'd go through the same agony Sally had gone through.
It would be wrong of her to give him immortality.
Sally looked down at the ground.
Then maybe, she can ask for her own immortality to be taken?
Or maybe...
If Slender can take away immortality, as he had just said he could, then...
She looked back up at Slender. "Can you take away Johnny's immortality?"
"I can."
That answer brought satisfaction to the girl.
Now she just needs to think of something valuable to her to trade for.
She definitely won't trade her mother.
But what else is valuable to Sally?
Should she sacrifice herself?
That thought brought another to her. She felt torn for a moment, but the answer is obvious.
Sally wore a stern expression and spoke with a strong voice.
"In return to take Johnny's immortality..."
Sally took a deep breath and looked on with determination.
"I trade my humanity."