Chapter 5
Tim's Cave

        "We're here," Tim informed Candice. Candice looked around and saw a very large cave. The entrance was on the side of the cliff and it was large enough for Tim. The cliff itself dwarfed the giant whose palm Candice sat on. The cave was just a large hole on the side of the cliff with a tunnel that stretched deep into the cliff. She could not tell how far back that tunnel stretched; all she saw was blackness that filled up the entire cave. The only light in the entire cave was a slim strip of slanted light from sun above, but being at the time of the day was noon, the sun was not angled the best for light to be in the cave. It was an irregular shape that looked like an upside down U that was pointed on the top and slightly slanting to the right. To Candice, it didn't feel too welcoming. Tim walked over to the entrance and Candice saw that the bottom of the entrance was level with Tim's waist. Even the giant would have to climb up to get in the cave. Candice felt the platform she was on lower and she looked up at the giant boy's face which was getting farther and farther away.
        When Tim's hand was lowered on the cave floor, Candice didn't hesitate to get off. She still didn't know Tim all that well and still feared what he could easily do to her. Being on solid ground was much more comfortable than being on a giant hand that could easily to whatever Tim wanted it to do. She shivered at the thought of all the things Tim could have done to her when she was in his hand. As soon as she got off, she fell to her knees. The rocks jabbed at her bare feet and the pointy hard surface continued to try and penetrate the thin fabric of her solid pink pajama bottoms. However, at the moment, she didn't care that she was on a very hard and uncomfortable ground; she was on actual ground and glad to be on it.
        The giant hand lifted away and Candice stared upwards. "I'm going to have to hunt some food," Tim informed her, "I think it is best for you to stay here and I'll bring enough for both of us." Candice was still too fearful to notice that Tim was avoiding direct eye contact with her, as if he was a little nervous.
        Tim was also nervous when he had been holding Candice. He had never held a human before, never had a living creature being carried in his hand. He was nervous that he'd do something stupid and accidentally drop her or something. He didn't want to hurt the girl. He never wanted to hurt anyone unless he had no other option. So, having someone's life in the palm of his hand made things uncomfortable to him. He had to make sure that he was extra careful and gentle with the fragile creature in his hand. He had been relieved when he put her down since she was now safe from any accident he might have carrying her.
        Candice nodded in agreement with Tim's decision on letting her stay while he left. She wasn't used to being so close to such a massive person and she was scared of him. With him gone, she might be able to convince herself that everything would be okay. "I'll get food and then we'll talk about what we're going to do with you while we eat," Tim said. Tim then turned and left.
        Candice watched as the giant walked away from the cave and deeper into the forest. Already near the edge of the cliff, she peeked over it. It was still a very long drop. Maybe I shouldn't stay with this giant. Maybe I should try to leave while I still can, Candice said to herself, having second thoughts about her decision.
        No, it's too late for that, Candice told herself, I asked the giant for help and my fate is in his hands now. I've already made my decision. Besides, I'm no mountain climber. I'm not going to be able to climb down that mess, especially with bare feet and only my pajamas on. I'm trapped in this cave and dependent on this giant. I can't live in the wild. I've never even been camping before, let alone hunting or something along those lines. The giant is my only hope of survival, and he seems like he's kind and gentle enough. I'm safe with him, even if he is a massive creature that could force me to do whatever he wants.
        Candice shook her head and continued to try and convince herself that the giant was a good and gentle giant. However, she knew she wouldn't be able to completely console her fear. The only thing that would be able to do that would be to stay with the giant long enough to realize the giant was a gentle giant.
        Candice turned around. She thought she heard a sound behind her, but she couldn't see anything. It sounded like the loud clack of a rock falling and colliding with the rock solid floor. That clacking continued as that rock bounced and rolled around from deep in the back of the cave. However, it was still close enough and loud enough for her ears to pick it up. If giants exist in this place, what other creatures exist here? Candice wondered. She was no mythical creature expert, but he brother was and he knew many different kinds of creatures. He would have known what kind of creatures lurked in dark caves. I wish he was here, Candice thought with tears starting to form once again, But I'll never see him again. I'll never see my family or friends. I never realized how important to me they are until now.

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        Tim was glad he was in one of the forests where giant animals still roamed. It was the only reason he came to this forest after he was left his home. He had been forced to live in human country since then. If it's a crime to see humans as equals, then so be it. I'm glad I'm guilty and not one of those monsters, Tim thought to himself.
        Tim witnessed a clearing of giant deer. Tim hadn't had deer in a long time and was glad to find some. He quietly approached a tree and silently climbed. Luckily, the deer hadn't noticed him. A lone doe began wandering to the edge of the clearing. Tim readied himself on a branch and waited for the deer walk right under him. He waited as the deer nibbled on the grass. When the deer had eaten under the tree long enough for it to feel safe, Tim jumped off the branch and wrapped his arms around the neck, slicing in one swift motion. The doe reared and bucked, but Tim continued to cling on. He may have been fourteen years old, but giants were strong beings. How else would they be able to defy the planet's gravity by being able to move like they do?
        The doe weakened from the draining blood and eventually just collapsed on the ground. When Tim was sure the deer was dead, he began dragging it to the cave. He was gladdened that he wouldn't be eating the deer alone, glad to finally have met a human that was willing to stay with him. It may be only because she's desperate, but I'm glad a human has actually decided to stay with me, even if it might be temporary, Tim thought as he dragged the deer, I thought that humans would listen to me and I'd be able to explain to them I'm not a monster, but it has been three years since I've made this place my home and this is the first human I've been able to talk to. All those humans the village has 'sacrificed' to me have been too frightened to realize I was just releasing them.

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        Candice soon saw the giant come into view with a giant deer. She was slightly relieved to see the giant since whatever might be back in the cave might not come out with the giant around. But the giant was a giant danger as well.
        Tim was glad to see that Candice was still at the cave. He had been getting worried that Candice would try to run away, but she decided to stay. Maybe there is hope that I can gain a human friend. Maybe she could someday see me as a friend and not some dangerous monster, Tim hoped.
        When Tim reached the cave, Candice called up to him, "Tim, how deep is the cave?"
        "It's very deep and full of maze-like tunnels. I've never seen the entire cave."
        "Could there be something else living here?"
        "There could be, why do you ask?"
        "I heard a noise and it sounding like something was moving down there."
        "I've heard noises when I was alone too. Whatever lives deep in the caves hasn't harmed me and I've never seen it. I think we're fine, but if it comes, I'll protect you. Now, could you move please? I don't want to hurt you as I get this deer up."
        Candice moved to the side of the cave, but stayed closer to the entrance. She thought she was safer with a giant that hasn't shown any signs of harming her than closer to something that could be living deeper in the cave. Tim lifted the deer in the cave and then climbed up himself, being very careful not to accidentally crush Candice. "I'm going to need two hands to drag the deer to the fire pit. Do you mind holding onto the deer while I do this?" Tim asked.
        Candice answered by grabbing into the dead deer's fur and climbing onto it. She had liked wild deer and never had any reason to fear them. This dead deer was massive though, bigger than Tim. She had never thought she would encounter a deer she would be afraid of, but even this dead deer was intimidating in this world.
        Tim dragged the deer towards the fire pit and started the fire. The fire was massive to Candice and the heat warmed her was a large radius. She had to get off the deer as Tim took up his knife and prepared the meat.