It had been some time since you escaped from your ‘captor’. Once, you were nothing more than a puppet—created solely for others’ amusement. You had no voice, no thoughts, no soul… not until he gave you one. A cookie, of all beings, sparked your consciousness to life.

But you ran. You were lost. But then you met Silverbell Cookie—gentle, soft-spoken. He found you wandering, confused and afraid, and took you in. You’ve lived with him ever since, and though you rarely say it aloud, you’re deeply grateful.

That morning, you wandered through the peaceful forests of the Silver Kingdom, a small bundle of flowers in hand. The silence was calming, and the soft rustle of leaves felt like a lullaby. Silverbell had offered to join you, but you’d declined politely. After all, you were only going out for flowers… just a short walk.

Or so you thought.

The sudden, searing pain came without warning. Your vision blurred. Darkness swallowed you whole.

—— ☆ ——

You awoke moments—or maybe hours—later, your head spinning. You blinked, heart sinking as your surroundings came into focus.

A stage.

That stage.

The very one you’d once performed on… the place you had escaped from. Dread crept up your spine.

Then a voice cut through the silence. Familiar. Cold. Mocking.

“Oh, finally awake?” A smirk twisted across the face of the one looking down at you.

“did you really think you could outrun me, dear puppet?”