Candy stirred back to consciousness, her eyelids fluttering open—not by choice, but because of the sharp click of the entrance door.
She jolted upright and curled into herself, resting her jaw on her folded knees. Her body trembled violently as sweat and icy chills clashed against her delicate skin all at once.
What's coming in?
A snake? A python—just like the cursed name of this cave?
Fear wrapped tightly around her chest as she waited for whatever had come to devour her.
The door opened… then shut immediately.
Candy lifted her head slightly and froze when she saw a tall figure looming over her.
"Ahhhhh!"
A piercing scream tore from her throat, but a hand clamped over her mouth instantly.
"Shhh," the person hissed.
It was a man.
The voice sounded familiar—too familiar—but her mind was hazy, scattered with fear and exhaustion.
"Who… who are you?" she stuttered.
He was dressed entirely in black—black clothes, black cap, face mask concealing everything. Without answering, he crouched and dropped something in front of her.
"Eat," he muttered. "Some food."
Then he turned to leave.
"Wait!" Candy struggled to her feet and followed him slowly, her legs weak beneath her. He stopped.
She stared up at him, unable to see his eyes, yet feeling them locked onto her with unsettling intensity.
"Who are you?" she asked again.
Silence.
"Who are you?" Her voice shook. "Why bring me food? To poison me? Did the monster send you?"
This time, he spoke.
"Because I don't want you to die."
He turned away again.
"Wait!" Candy called.
He paused and looked back.
Summoning the last of her courage, she rushed toward him and stood inches away. They stared at each other—her breath uneven, his unreadable.
Then, in a sudden burst of defiance, Candy reached up and yanked his cap and mask off.
He sucked in a sharp breath.
She leaned closer, squinting—until her eyes widened in pure shock.
A gasp slipped from her lips.
How could she ever forget this face?
"Raymond… Monster," she whispered.
Her suspicion was confirmed when his lips moved slowly, chewing his bubble gum with deliberate calm.
He tilted his head to the side, wearing that familiar, dangerously seductive smile.
"Calling you Mosquito wasn't a mistake," he drawled. "Imagine having the guts to rip off my mask and cap."