As Slender Man slithered back into the darkness, the paladins formed a ring around everyone else, keeping Capsella and Ginger at the center, surrounding them with the nuns, and making sure they stayed safe.
But for a whole ten seconds, Slender Man didn't attack. He just retreated into the darkness and waited, watching them and counting his chances. He didn't need to fight them all; he didn't need to make it long. All he needed to do was snatch Ginger and leave.
Attacking the nuns or paladins was a bad idea; if he did that, he'd open himself to retaliation from Ginger and Capsella, and if he attacked those two, he'd also open himself to attacks from everyone else. There was no easy way in, and that is expected.
