Two days after Kiddy's visit to Ammy's place, Sam gathered the group during a break at school. His face looked unusually serious, which immediately caught everyone's attention. "Guys, something strange happened near my house," Sam began, his voice low and tense. He explained that two men had mysteriously gone missing from a cave nearby. The cave had always been a place of local lore—kids dared each other to explore it, but no one took it seriously until now.
Concern rippled through the group. Mando, usually upbeat, looked genuinely worried. "That sounds dangerous," he said. "Yes we saw a few people talking about it when we were coming to school." Lily and Ammy said sharing concerned glances. Sam, however, had a different idea. "Why don't we go and check it out ourselves?" he suggested, his voice carrying a hint of excitement mixed with nervousness.
Everyone quickly dismissed the idea. "Are you crazy?" Ammy exclaimed. "It's dangerous, especially after what happened!" Harry shook his head firmly, and even Mando, who usually went along with whatever Sam suggested, voiced his disapproval. But in the midst of their arguments, Kiddy remained silent. He didn't agree or disagree—he just nodded slightly, his eyes betraying a spark of curiosity.
The day passed, and while the others tried to focus on school, Kiddy's mind kept drifting back to the cave. There was something compelling about it—an itch he couldn't scratch, a mystery that begged to be solved. Later that afternoon, unable to shake off the feeling, Kiddy called Sam. "Let's go explore the cave tonight," he said quietly, making sure no one overheard. There was a brief silence on the other end of the line before Sam replied, "I thought you'd never ask."
Evening arrived, and Kiddy prepared for their clandestine mission. He packed a flashlight, some batteries, and a small but sturdy pocket knife—just in case. He also grabbed a thick jacket and gloves, knowing the cave would be cold and damp. When his parents asked where he was going, he lied and said he was headed to Sam's for a sleepover. They hesitated for a moment, clearly uneasy after hearing about the missing men, but eventually, they let him go with a stern warning to be careful.
Kiddy met Sam at his house just before midnight. Sam, who had also packed a few supplies, greeted him with a nervous grin. "You ready for this?" Sam asked, his voice betraying a hint of fear. Kiddy nodded, though he could feel the anxiety gnawing at his insides. The two boys waited until the town was quiet and dark, ensuring no one would see them as they slipped out of Sam's house and made their way toward the cave.
The journey to the cave felt longer than usual, the silence between them amplifying every sound—the crunch of leaves underfoot, the distant hoot of an owl, the rustling of branches in the breeze. Finally, they arrived at the mouth of the cave. It loomed before them, a black void against the night sky, its entrance like a gaping maw ready to swallow them whole. Kiddy shone his flashlight inside, illuminating the rough, rocky walls that disappeared into the darkness.
They ventured in cautiously, their footsteps echoing in the confined space. The air grew colder, and the smell of damp earth filled their noses. Despite the fear gnawing at their insides, they pressed on, exploring every nook and cranny. But after an hour of searching, they found nothing out of the ordinary. Just when they were about to give up, Kiddy sighed. "I guess there's nothing here after all."
Relieved yet slightly disappointed, they turned to leave. But as they approached the the fencing, something caught Kiddy's eye. A figure—tall, cloaked, and menacing—stood at the edge of the cave's entrance. The figure's face was hidden in the shadow of the hood, but its presence was undeniable. And then, it happened—the figure turned its head, and beneath the cloak, a pair of piercing eyes locked onto Kiddy's.
A wave of pure, unadulterated fear washed over Kiddy. His legs gave out beneath him, and he fell to the ground, his heart pounding in his chest. "Sam," he managed to whisper, his voice trembling. Sam, who hadn't seen the figure yet, turned to Kiddy in confusion. But the moment his eyes followed Kiddy's gaze, he saw it too. Without a word, they both scrambled to their feet and sprinted out of the cave, adrenaline fueling their every step.
The journey back to Sam's house was a blur of panic and fear. They didn't stop running until they were safely inside, gasping for breath and drenched in sweat. They bolted the doors, locked the windows, and double-checked every possible entry point. Finally, they collapsed onto the floor, hearts still racing. "What… what was that?" Sam stammered, his voice barely above a whisper. Kiddy couldn't answer. His mind was still replaying the image of those eyes—cold, calculating, and terrifying.
Eventually, exhaustion overtook them, and despite the fear that lingered, they managed to get a few hours of sleep. The next morning, Sam's mother woke them up for school, oblivious to the terror they had faced the previous night. Kiddy, who had been awake for some time, nudged Sam, both of them still haunted by what they had seen. As they dressed and prepared for the day, they silently agreed—whatever had happened in that cave, it was something they would never speak of to anyone.
Sam and Kiddy set off for school together, the events of the previous night still weighing heavily on their minds. They walked in silence for most of the way, each lost in their thoughts, until they were just a few blocks from the school. Without any warning, Kiddy suddenly broke into a sprint, dashing ahead without saying a word. Sam blinked in surprise, struggling to understand why his friend would take off like that. He realises, then decided to give chase, determined to catch up with him.
But no matter how fast Sam ran, he couldn't close the distance between them. Kiddy was simply too quick, his figure growing smaller as he turned a corner and disappeared from sight. Out of breath and frustrated, Sam finally gave up. He slowed to a stop near a small shop, panting heavily, and plopped down onto a bench. "Almost found out the time!" Sam muttered to himself, shaking his head in disbelief.
As he sat there, trying to catch his breath, he spotted two familiar faces in the distance—Lily and Ammy were walking together, chatting and laughing as they made their way to school. Sam raised his hand and called out to them, and they soon joined him by the shop. "Hey, Sam! What are you doing here all alone?" Ammy asked with a curious look.
Sam sighed, still a bit winded. Tells them that Kiddy and he had a sleepover and today were walking together to school but he suddenly took off.
Lily chuckled at that, nudging Sam with her elbow. "Well, that's Kiddy for you. Always in a rush to be first, even when there's no need."
The three of them walked the rest of the way together, enjoying each other's company as they joked around and talked about their plans for the weekend. The tense atmosphere from earlier in the morning seemed to lift, and by the time they arrived at school, Sam was in much better spirits.
When they reached the school, there was Kiddy, casually leaning against the wall as if nothing had happened. He waved at them with a smile, seemingly unaware of the trouble he had caused. Sam, however, was not going to let him off the hook so easily. "You could've waited for me, you know!" Sam grumbled, crossing his arms. "I'm gonna catch you some day"
Kiddy grinned sheepishly, scratching the back of his head. " I guess, but not this time."
Despite his annoyance, Sam couldn't stay mad for long. The playful banter quickly returned, and soon the four friends were laughing and joking as they made their way to class. The strange and unsettling events of the past few days were pushed to the back of their minds, replaced by the simple joys of spending time together.
Throughout the day, they stuck close to each other, enjoying their classes and sharing lunch as usual. Sam and Kiddy had made an unspoken pact to keep their midnight adventure a secret, and they both did their best to act as if nothing out of the ordinary had happened. But every now and then, Kiddy would catch Sam's eye, and they would exchange a brief, knowing look—a reminder of the mysterious figure in the cave and the silent agreement to never go back.
After school, Kiddy returned home, his nerves finally starting to settle. As he approached his house, he noticed his parents standing at the door, waiting for him with worried expressions. "Kiddy! You're home safe," his mother exclaimed. "We were so worried about you, especially with everything happening around Sam's place."
Kiddy's father nodded, his face serious. "You need to be careful, son. We don't want anything happening to you. Stay out of trouble, okay?"
Kiddy nodded, giving them a reassuring smile. "Don't worry, Mom, Dad. I'm fine. I'll stay safe, I promise." He didn't mention the cave or the figure in the cloak—there was no point in worrying them even more.
That evening, the family sat down to dinner together, the tension of the day slowly melting away as they talked and laughed over their meal. The warmth and comfort of home helped Kiddy push aside the lingering fear from the night before, and by the time he went to bed, he felt almost like his old self again.
As he lay in bed, Kiddy reflected on everything that had happened. The mystery of the cave still haunted him, but for now, he was content to let it remain unsolved. He was safe, his friends were safe, and that was enough. Whatever secrets the cave held, they could stay buried—at least for now.