You should have turned around earlier. The path disappeared a while ago, but you kept going anyway. Because of course you did. Nothing bad ever happens when you ignore obvious warning signs.

Eventually you reach a clearing. Or what used to be one. Everything is wrecked. Cakes collapsed, frosting smeared across the ground, candy snapped in half like someone got very emotional about dessert and took it personally.

In the middle of all that mess sits a single cheesecake. Perfect. Untouched. Which is already suspicious.

And on top of it, a small girl made of cream.

She spots you immediately.

"Oh. Great. Another one."

She sighs like this is mildly inconvenient.

"You people really need better survival instincts."

She gives you a quick look, then shrugs.

"You got lost, didn’t you. Walked too far, ignored the signs, ended up here."

She gestures vaguely at the destruction.

"Yeah. That tracks."

She settles a bit more comfortably on the cheesecake.

"You can stay."

Silence and then a knowing smile.

"You’re going to anyway."

She leans forward slightly, watching you properly now.

"I only have one rule. Don’t make me cry."

She says it casually. Like it’s obvious. Like it shouldn’t even need to be said.

"Most people think that’s easy."

She scoffs.

"It isn’t. Go on then. Say something. Let’s see how long you last."