Nothing but Mistakes P2

 Over the next few days Jeff and Crystal had been texting like normal. The more Jeff talked to her the better he felt. Talking to her made him feel human, more human than he was. It was such a weird concept for him especially since he was really risking it talking to her. Something could come and she could find out he’s Jeff the killer. He made the mistake in using his real name and his face is pretty recognizable. Luckily any news of him is long past and he highly doubt when she was 16 she watched the news and saw him. Since he moved around with the murders they couldn’t link it with him since there was no proof. Jeff was a smart killer and they only really broadcasted his face on the local news.

    Crystal would mention going over to his place, but Jeff always brushed it off. He felt about not letting her come over, but he couldn’t do it. He would get another strike with Slenderman and he did want to get kicked out. Crystal on the other hand was very persistent about it, which Jeff didn’t blame her. It was normal to go to each other’s houses. Every day he thought about it and asked Ben for help.

    “You know, I’ve brought a couple girls here before,” Ben started. “Only got a half a strike per girl. That’s how I got my whole strike.”

    “Really?” Jeff was surprised, he thought Ben had killed someone. “I could handle only a half a strike.”

    “I mean, Slenderman doesn’t mind me. He’s always tough on you though.”

    “Yeah,” Jeff agreed. Slenderman never cut Jeff any slack, but he was pretty good at getting out of strikes. Except last time of course. “So you think I should let her come over?”

    “Why not, she seems pretty interested in you. She might be an undercover cop though, so you can risk that,” Ben laughed.

    “Don’t say that!” Jeff almost yelled. He didn’t want to have his mind start worrying about that too. Ben just laughed again and Jeff left to his own apartment.

    He texted Crystal and told her they could hang out tomorrow at his place. Jeff looked around his room, it looked pretty clean. He wasn’t a messy person, since he didn’t really have anything to make his place messy. Crystal responded to text with a lot of exclamation points and the word ‘yes’ in all caps. Jeff smiled, he was glad she was happy to come over. He was nervous though. He would have to sneak her in the best he could. If Ben could do it twice Jeff could do it at least once. Jeff went over to his closet and picked out an outfit so it wouldn’t take him forever tomorrow.

    Crystal came over a little after four o’clock since Jeff didn’t have to go outside they could hang out earlier. Jeff met her outside. “Alight, follow me,” he said to her. They walked over to the fire escape, since it was during the day. If anyone had their window open they were probably sleeping and wouldn’t notice.

    “Why do we have to take the fire escape?” Crystal asked Jeff.

    “Because, the front door is blocked off and the back is really annoying and hard to get in sometimes,” Jeff lied to her. “It’s quicker just to go this way.”

    “Huh, I see,” She said back to him. They went up to Jeff’s floor and entered through his window. Jeff was pretty sure that no one had seen them. “Your apartment building is really gloomy,” Crystal stated as she entered.

    “Yeah,” Jeff sort of laughed, “Maybe it’s the color.” It was all gray colored inside with some white walls. It really wasn’t meant to be an eye grabber.

    Crystal looked around. Jeff’s apartment was sort of small. It was one main room with his bed and it had a kitchen area in the other corner. Jeff didn’t have a kitchen table or anything though. Then a door to another room which was the bathroom. Crystal didn’t really mind the small space.

    “I like your room, it’s a lot cleaner than I thought it was going to be,” Crystal said to him.

    Jeff gave her a quick look,” What’s that’s supposed to mean?”

    Crystal just responded with a small laugh and smile. Jeff laughed a little as well. He probably does come off as a messy person. Jeff looked around his room and realized there wasn’t much he could really offer for them to do.

    “Um, do you wanna watch a movie?” Jeff asked Crystal.                                                   

    “Sure! I love movies!” Crystal approved.

    Jeff grabbed his laptop and looked around to find a place for them to sit. He was slightly embarrassed because he wasn’t prepared for this as well as he should have been. “Are you okay with sitting on my bed, because there is nowhere else to really sit,” Jeff slightly trailed off towards the end. Hopefully once they started watching something it would get better.

    “Yeah that’s fine,” Crystal reassured him. She could somewhat tell he was embarrassed but she also felt the same way.

    They sat down at the head of the bed and Jeff put the laptop in between them on their legs. Jeff rarely used his laptop, but when he did it almost always was for movies. He had some already download on to his computer so he opened up the folder with them in it. “What movie do you want to watch?” he asked her.

    Crystal looked over the movies and decided to go for an action comedy.

    “Good choice, this is one of my favorite movies,” Jeff told her.

    “Same here!” Crystal was really happy at the amount of stuff her and Jeff liked. They don’t really seem like the people who would have a lot in common.

    After the movie was over the talk about their favorite parts. Crystal liked it more for the actors in the movie where as Jeff liked it more for the storyline. They sat there for a few moments and it was bit awkward.

    “Um, what do you want to do now?” Jeff asked her.

    “I don’t know, I’m not good at these sort of things,” she told him. They stopped talking for a few minutes as Crystal examined his room. “So you just live alone?”

    “Yeah, like I said I do have one friend next door and we hang out a lot,” Jeff said.

    “Is that all you do then? Just hang out with him and go to work?” Crystal asked.

    “Pretty much I guess,” Jeff replied, but he didn’t even work. He didn’t realize his life was so bland now. “Maybe that’s why I took a liking to you,” he continued. Though that sounded a lot more passionate than he wanted it to. He noticed that Crystal blushed a little.

    “I’m glad we can hang out and such, it’s nice having a friend. I tried to make some on college, but living off campus doesn’t really help and the fact I’m actually not that social. I was really caught off guard when you kept talking to me that night,” Crystal confessed to him. Jeff was bad at eye contact and he had his eyes on the floor. He was listening with all ears though.

    Jeff looked up and smiled at her "I don't really talk to people either. I was just as surprised I talked as much as you," Jeff laughed a little.

    They were looking in to each other eyes now. Jeff never noticed how beautiful her brown eyes were before. He felt bad because his eyes went really the best to look at. Now they leaned in more, Jeff knew exactly what was to come next. He licked his lips in anticipation. Their lips met and they started to kiss. It was a bit hard to get used to at first because of Jeff's messed up mouth. Crystal moved more into him so she could deepen the kiss, though as she moved she accidentally bit down on Jeff's lip.

    "Ah," Jeff winced.

    "I am so sorry!" Crystal exclaimed. "I didn't mean to do that! This was my first time kissing and I am so sorry!" Crystal went off. She was extremely embarrassed.

    "No it's fine," Jeff said and licked his lip. The taste of blood really got him going. "It's actually pretty hot actually," he said to her. Even though he hated the taste of blood, it tasted so sweet at this moment. Jeff went in to kiss her again. He hope she didn't mind the small taste of blood between them. From the way she was going on him, him figured she was fine. Again they were still at a weird angle, so this time Crystal removed her lips completely from him. She moved to sit in his lap. In this position everything went a lot smoother. Jeff had his arms around her and moved them to the bottom of her hips. He slowly trailed them upwards. Despite how much Jeff and Crystal were enjoying it, they were cut off.

    "Jeff! You'll never believe who's here!" Ben shouted as he entered the room. Quickly realizing what was going on he said, "Damn Jeff. Niceeee."

    "Dude what the fuck?" Jeff yelled. Crystal was now on the other side of Jeff's bed completely red.

    Ben laughed and finished what he started. "Your ex is here once and for all. She's going to be living here it seems."

    Jeff's heart sank that's the last thing he needs. "I thought you said you never dated anyone?" Crystal asked Jeff.

    "I haven't, but it doesn't matter. Stay here," Jeff started heading out of the door. "I hate you, and make sure you keep an eye on her," Jeff said to Ben and left out the door shutting it hard.

    "You must be Jeff's girl," Ben said to Crystal.

    "You must be his friend," She said back. "Who's his ex?"

    "Some chick, before Jeff fully left home, he really liked this girl. They never dated but really damn close," Ben explained to Crystal.

    Jeff ran down the stairs and went to the back entry way. There she was standing.

    "Oh Jeffrey! I'm so glad you could met me here," Jane smirked at him. Jeff examined her closely. He knew her plans of to get revenge on him and he wasn't going to let his guard down.

    "What are you doing here?" Jeff questioned her.

    "Just living here. The benefits are so nice, two basically free killings with no cops on your trail? Sounds good to me," she said.

    Jeff heard someone else come down the stairs. It was Crystal. "Is that her?" Crystal asked.

    "Crystal you need to leave," Jeff said grabbing her hand and started heading to the door.

    "Shouldn't you introduce me?" Crystal asked.

    "Oh yes, Jeff. I'd love to meet this cute girl. Are you dating her?" Jane asked looking at Crystal.

    "Come on Crystal," Jeff whispered to her. He didn't want Crystal to get involved with Jeff and Jane's mess. It was bad enough he had to defend himself and he didn't want to get an innocent soul involved.

    "Hello, I'm Crystal," Crystal extended her hand to shake Jane's.

    "I'm Jane, an old friend of Jeff's"

    "That's what I've heard. It seems Jeff wants me to leave, so maybe talk to you later!" Crystal waved to Jane as she left with Jeff. Once they headed down the block out of earshot, even though once they were out of the building they were out of ear shot. They started to talk over what happened.

    "Don't talk to her! She's a crazy person and not safe," Jeff almost yelled at Crystal.

    "She didn't seem that bad. I just think you don't want me to talk to your ex," Crystal snapped back.

    "No, she's not even my ex! She's was a friend I guess when I was younger, but now she hates my guts," Jeff tried to explain himself.

    "Maybe there was a reason for that!" Crystal yelled at him. He didn't know why she was so mad at him. He was just trying to protect. She was luckily she was the first innocent person he actually liked and didn't kill or care if she was killed. Maybe that's why Jane was so mad at him, because he would have let her die.

    "Crystal please don't be mad. She's got nothing on you and I'm just trying to keep you safe."

    "Safe from what? What is she going to do? Kill me?"

    Jeff almost wanted to say yeah, but knew better. Even though he hated Jane he couldn't out her, saying she's a killer. Actually Jeff wasn't even sure if she has killed someone. Then again Slenderman doesn't let random people in.

    "Just, be careful okay Crystal?" Jeff said to her, looking in her eyes. He was trying to show that he cared.

    "Sorry. I guess you know more than I do." She gave Jeff a hug. "I do need to go home though, I have a lot of homework to do," Crystal told him. She said goodbye and gave him a kiss on the cheek.

    Jeff headed back to the apartment and now no one was in the lobby. As he noticed that though, Slenderman appeared.

    "Jeff," Slenderman started.

    "I get half a strike, I know, I know," Jeff cut him off. He didn't really want to bother with Slenderman right now.

    "That is right. You better be careful Jeff, you are running out of chance fast," Slenderman reminded him.

    Jeff just kept walking, he didn't really care. He headed up and went in to Ben's apartment.

    "Why did you say she was my ex? Why did you just come in to my room?" Jeff started asking Ben.

    "Why did you just come in to my room?" Ben mocked.

    "Seriously!"

    "I had to come in and tell you Jane was here. What if she just came in and killed you on the spot?"

    "She would never just kill me on the spot!" Jeff yelled.

    "I didn't know! Don't yell at me man. Did your girl break up with you because I said she was your ex or something? Why are you so pissy?" Ben questioned him back now.

    "Sorry, I just," Jeff began but didn't know where to go from there. He had no reason to be mad. "I think I'm just... scared? I don't want anything to happen to me, or Crystal."

    "Wow, you actually care for her that much?" Ben laughed. "I wish you cared about me like that." Jeff just gave him a look. "Does Jane really scare you that much?"

    "No," Jeff said. "Well maybe. I just don't know what she's capable of."

    "Maybe she's over all that stuff man. Maybe she's forgiven you," Ben suggested.

    "I highly doubt it. I don't think she's the forgiving type," Jeff said.

    "I don't know man."

    "It's whatever," Jeff said back heading back to his own place. Jeff just doesn't want Jane to target Crystal.

    Jeff went over and grabbed his phone and texted Crystal. She didn't seem mad in the text or anything. Jeff just felt over exhausted from everything that happened. He decided to go to bed.

    Jeff and Crystal haven’t hung out in almost a week. It was weird to Jeff to actually have a girlfriend. In all reality he actually never expected to have one. He wanted one of course and he was glad he had Crystal. Crystal suggested that they head out of the city and watch the stars one night. Jeff thought this was a really cool idea because he hasn’t seen the stars since he arrived in New York.

    They decided to go on Saturday night, because Crystal wanted to go on the weekend. Jeff was a bit cautious because they had to take the taxi out there and Jeff didn’t want anyone to notice him. He made sure to wear a hat and put up his hood on his hoodie. Since it was almost the end of winter, beginning of spring it was still cold out, but warm enough to go outside and watch the stars at night. The taxi didn’t take them all the way out of the city, so they had to head on the subway for the last part. It was a quite long trip, but worth it in the end.

    Once they subway dropped them off, they walked a few city blocks and were out of the city limits. Crystal led him over to a park and they sat in the cold grass.

    “I was going to say we can’t see that many stars still, but it’s better than seeing none,” Jeff said looking up to the sky.

    “Yeah, it’s nice though. I used to come out here every other week when I first come here. It reminds me of home,” Crystal confessed to Jeff.

    “Home is such a foreign thought to me,” Jeff admitted out loud. Everything happened so fast back then. One moment he was at a birthday party then in almost a second he had killed at least 20 people in two years. Now everyday was something to look forward too and seemed to have slowed down.

    “Where did you come from?” Crystal asked him.

    “From some other state. I left home when I was 17 and just travelled the states. Then I ended up here in New York,” he explained. He felt like he could open up to Crystal. Even though he really shouldn’t. Jeff was basically setting himself up to get caught. As far as he knew though, Crystal hasn’t caught on to anything yet.

    “Wow, did you ever finish high school then?”

    “Yeah, I have a late summer birthday so I graduated before I turned 18,” Jeff lied. That was a bad habit of his to lie about his age. He didn’t want to sound like an idiot that never graduated high school.

    “Why didn’t you decide to go to college?” Crystal asked him another question. He wasn’t mad about this because he knew she was trying to be nice.

    “Just working seemed a lot better to me,” Jeff lied again. He felt bad about it, but he knew it was better to lie than tell the truth.

    “I don’t blame you,” Crystal started,” College isn’t really worth it. I’m thinking about quitting after this year.”

    “Why?” Jeff asked this time.

    “Because it’s not really working out for me. Plus my grades aren’t all that great either,” she told him.

    Jeff didn’t respond but gave her a hug. They continued to cuddle as they watched the sky. Nothing exciting happened in the sky tonight, even though Jeff was hoping for a shooting star. They stayed there for a while just listening to the nothingness in the air. It was very comforting and even a bit too relaxing. Crystal could tell she was dozing off a little and she didn’t want to fall asleep in the park.

    “We should probably head home. I’m feeling tired,” Crystal said to Jeff.

    “Yeah me too,” Jeff said with a yawn. He really enjoyed this time with Crystal. He was a bit sad it didn’t turn out like their last hang out, but it was still good. They both got up and stretched to get their body moving again.

    After walking, taking the subway, and taxi they were in front of Crystal’s apartment.

    “I’ve never taken a taxi before this. I normally just walked places I needed to go,” Jeff admitted.

    “Really? I take the taxi almost everywhere,” Crystal responded. “Do you want to come inside?” she asked him.

    “No, I’ll just head home,” he said back to be polite since she seemed tired, but he realized what she meant and felt bad saying no.

    “That’s fine,” she said giving him a kiss on the lips. It ended faster than Jeff wanted, but he knew better then to press on. They said their goodbyes and Jeff head home. He was actually really tired himself and this would be the first time in a while that he’s gone to bed before the sun rose.  

    Jeff and Crystal found it hard to hang out during the week since she was in school and Jeff ‘worked.’ He kind of wished he didn’t make up that lie about how he worked during the day. Maybe one day he’ll learn his lesson about lying. Jeff could say he got a day off though, but any day he said he had off Crystal had a lot of homework. They made sure to text a lot though which Jeff’s cell phone usage has really gone up. It’s just a simple track phone that Ben steals cards for. Jeff’s lucky to have Ben as his friend. Jeff and Crystal would talk and text non-stop, it was weird for Jeff but at the same time he loved it. It felt so good having someone to care for.

    This Saturday Jeff asked Crystal to come over to his place, since he still had another strike to kill. He could technically could have her over two more times since there only a half. Plus Jeff had spent the last few hang outs over at Crystal’s so he felt it was he turn. One time he even slept over at Crystal’s, but only on her couch. They’ve only ever made out. Jeff hasn’t heard or seen Jane in the past couple weeks since she’s moved in, which has made Jeff completely forget about her.

    Crystal arrived and Jeff met her in the back alley. He led her up to his room and they crawled through the window. “You know I used the back door that one time,” Crystal mentioned.

    “Yeah, but that wasn’t really the best option. Make sure you leave out this way,” Jeff said to her.

    “Don’t want me to run in to your ex again?” Crystal mocked him.

    “No, no she’s not even my ex,” Jeff said. Dating Jane would have been a huge mistake. They headed up the fire escape and into Jeff’s room. “So what do you want to do?” Jeff asked.

    “I was kind of thinking…” she trailed off and started to kiss Jeff. Jeff welcomed her completely.

    Jeff pulled away. “Hold on one sec,” he said as he went to lock the door.

    Crystal laughed, “Nice thinking.” Jeff went over and sat on the bed, Crystal followed him.

    Afterword once both of them had showered and gotten re-dressed they sat down on Jeff’s bed. “You know for a first relationship I think this is going pretty well,” Crystal said to Jeff.

    “Yeah,” he replied looking lovingly at her. He grabbed her hand and held it.

    Crystals phone rang and she looked at it confusingly, “Sorry I have to take this.” Jeff watched her, she started getting anxious while listening to whoever on the phone. Jeff perked up now. “Okay, Okay. Thank you so much,” Crystal finished on the phone. Her eyes started to tear up. Jeff quickly got up off the bed and put his arms around her.

    “What happened?” he asked her.

    “It was a doctor saying my mom and dad were in a car crash,” Crystal told him with tears now streaming down her face. “He said they were in critical condition, but still alive.”

            “Oh no I’m so sorry,” Jeff said to her. He honestly didn’t know how to help. He’s never had that sort of relationship with someone of when they died he cared. “At least they are okay.” It was so odd to him. For the past couple of years he was always so welcoming to the idea of death.

            Crystals sniffed, “I think I’m going to head home.”

            Jeff nodded, “Yeah that is probably best for you.” He led her out and offered to walk her home, but she said no. Jeff respected that and headed back to his own apartment. Once inside the idea hit him, maybe Jane did this? Maybe she was trying to get Jeff back through Crystal’s demise?

            Jeff ran over to Ben’s apartment and opened the door. Ben was simply playing video games as he normally does.

            “Yo, what’s up?” Ben asked and Jeff sat down next to him.

            “Would you ever try and kill the parents of your ex’s new girlfriend?” Jeff flat out asked.

            “That’s not oddly specific or anything,” Ben laughed but Jeff did not. Ben shrugged and actually answered, “No, I don’t think Jane tried to kill your girl’s parents.”

            Jeff nodded, “Yeah, I guess you’re right. Her parents got in a car crash and I was worried.”

            “Wow, lame,” Ben said and Jeff glared at him. “It’s weird that you actually care about her.”

            “I know,” Jeff agreed. “I was thinking about that too. I never have feelings like that, and to be honest I’m not sure if I do.”

            “Well, I know you don’t feel that way about me,” Ben said sadly, but jokingly.

            “I’m sorry buddy,” Jeff said standing up. “I’m sure I’ll fall in love with you at some point,” Jeff laughed and winked at Ben. Ben rolled his eyes and continued his game.

    Jeff went back to his room and yawned slightly. He was quite tired after all that had happened. His sleep schedule has been all weird since he is trying to adjust to Crystal's. Jeff laid down on his bed and closed his eyes.

He awoke a few hours later to his phone ringing. It was Crystal calling him. "Hello?" He answered.

    "Jeff I need you to come down the area where we watched the stars that one night," she said to him. Jeff looked out his window to figure out how late it was. As far as he could tell it was the dead of night.

    "Why do you need to me to go there?" he asked her. "Why are you there in the first place?"

    "Don't worry about it just get here as fast as you can," Crystal nearly yelled back. She hung up right after it. Jeff gave a gross look, but he decided to go. It probably had to do with her parents, Jeff didn’t like emotional people like that. Though he was pretty much an unemotional person himself.

            Jeff left his apartment and took a taxi out of the city to where he and Crystal first were. He noticed a figure out in the field. He called out to it and it waved its hand back... Jeff head out to it and it was indeed Crystal. “Hey,” Jeff said to her. She started to cry.

            “Why did you come?” Crystal asked starting to cry.

            Jeff started looking around, “Why? What’s wrong Crystal?” He heard a laugh behind him and he quickly turned around.

            “Hello Jeffery.” It was Jane.

            “What are you doing!” Jeff yelled as loud as he possibly could.

            “You know, I didn’t hurt her parents. I just called her and got her out here. You girl is too easy,” Jane laughed. Crystal was crying very hard at this point, almost to the point of hyperventilation. Jeff pulled out of knife, there was no way he’d leave his house without one, especially when he thought something like this would happen.

            “What do you plan on doing with that?” Jane questioned him. “You’ll do more harm than good with that.”

            “Yeah right!” Jeff laughed back and swung at Jane and she dodged it. Jeff and her started to fight. She was quite good at weaving, but Jeff had more speed. When Jane turned to the left Jeff thought ahead and hit her in the side with his knife. Jeff smiled, “Ha, see.”

            “See what? That you stabbed that silly girl?” Jane asked. Jeff turned to the voice to see Jane was actually a few feet away from him. Then he looked back at Crystal. She was stabbed by his knife. A little ways from the heart. Jeff was in awe, he couldn’t take her eyes off her.

            “Jeff…” she said quietly. “Why…did this...it’s okay...I...” she took her last breathe there. Jeff left the sadness pour in to him.

            “Jane!” he yelled again turning around, but she was gone. Jane was nowhere to be seen. “Jane!” Jeff called out, but no one was there. He went to Crystal and looked her in the eyes. “I knew I shouldn’t have been talking to you. Nothing good would have come out of it.”

            Jeff waited there for a few minutes, then felt a very cold breeze come by. “Jeff” the deep monotone voice said. It was Slenderman. “I was going to let you off for you last half of a strike, but as I can see you did indeed kill this girl. That equals three strikes Jeff.”

            “No,” Jeff spoke. He couldn’t even yell at this point. “No, it was Jane, not me.”

            “Is that not your knife in her?” Slenderman asked him. Jeff looked at it and pulled it out of Crystal. Jeff frowned, it didn’t really matter if it was in her or not, she was dead. Blood oozed out of the wound.

            “I didn’t to hit her, Jane tricked me,” Jeff tried to explain.

            “Jeff, she is nothing but a human girl,” Slenderman said back.

            “Yeah, but…” Jeff trailed off. There was no point in arguing about, Slenderman’s rule were set in stone. “When will the police arrive?”

            “They will come once someone calls or sees you here,” Slenderman reply. “They won’t come just yet though.” Jeff gave him a look. “I’ll give you a proposition Jeffery. I can reset your counter to zero strikes or I can bring this girl back to life.”

            Jeff was taken aback. Slenderman would never do this sort of thing. “Why?” he asked is pure confusion.

            “You are a good heart Jeff, which isn’t good for the apartment. You could have wasted your strikes better. Don’t make the same mistakes again. Or you can bring this girl back, and no longer have my protection. What do you love more?”

            Jeff looked back down to Crystal and her lifeless body. “I love her,” Jeff said quietly. “I choose the three strikes though.”

            “Good choice Jeff, I knew you would do well.”