Anyone in the tunnel to the cave will feel the heat of horses and stags, hear the call of voices and rich, hearty laughter. They will see lights like torches, maybe even glimpse something of the Hunt--creatures made of magic, the kind that laughs as it rides into battle and fights for glory and honor.

They sweep into the cave, more sound than vision, and surround the Slenderman.

He can do nothing against their combined strength, their combined ferocity, their combined joy.

As quickly, as noisily, as raucously as they came, hunters, mounts and hounds leave the cave, the Slenderman in their midst.


He will not be seen in these parts again.



Jack slowly lowers his hand.