Candy's Sweet Tooth

Not My SweeTart

Twenty minutes later, Candy stood before a black tarp as it covered a human-shaped figure. Her heart pounded heavily in her chest, and the thick jacket Dr Sweeting had given her wouldn't take away the chill. The mortician pulled back the tarp, and Candy stared down at the chocolate-clad and screaming figure. It's Gob.

'I'm sorry, Candy.'

She turned to Dr Sweeting confused. 'Whaddya mean, Doc? That ain't ST.'

'I know.'

Candy lowered her eyes, and saw a large silver gun being pointed at her stomach. 'Where is he? Where is Sweet Tooth?' Dr Sweeting demanded, shoving it hard into her stomach.

Candy cringed at the agonising pain. 'I don't know! He fell into the vat, he has to be dead! No one could survive that heat!' Unless... he turned it down, just in case he failed. Candy mumbled under her breath, just quiet enough that no one could hear her. 'He always has an escape plan... For me.'

Dr Sweeting smiled at her. 'If this isn't Seth, you better go find him. Or else you and that little demon spawn brat of yours will be the ones melting inside a large vat of boiling chocolate.'

Candy's eyes shifted down to her stomach. 'The baby's still alive?'

She was grabbed roughly by Dr Sweeting and led out the corridor down to a car. He snatched back his jacket, and once again aimed the gun at Candy.

'You don't know what you're dealin' with, Doc,' she hissed, glaring harshly at him.

'I need Seth dead, and you are the only one who can find him. He trusts you. I mean, you're still alive! He had so many girls bending to his will the whole time you were safe under my care with no memory. Each one of those daft bimbos disappeared without a trace, until their completely battered and blackened bodies washed up. I thought for sure that you would wash up sooner or later- I mean, I know that devil better than you think you do. He is my son, after all.'

Candy backed into the wall as Dr Sweeting ran around the car. He gestured to it, and Candy reluctantly climbed in. He drove for a while, but Candy knew exactly where he was taking her.

But what if he really is dead? I'll be all alone... except... She gingerly held her stomach, and suddenly flew forward into her seatbelt as Sweeting slammed on the breaks. The doctor thrust Candy's costume into her arms, and pointed out the door.

He aimed the gun at her with a cruel smile. 'And it's strange. He asked Batman to get you out of here and back to Arkham. To "help" you. He must really have you under his control. Go, find him, bring him back, you have one week. Otherwise....'

Candy nodded and scrambled out of the car, barely getting out as he sped off. She stood for a moment, staring up at the large warehouse. 'Oh SweeTart... please don't be dead. I need you. Please, baby...'

Candy slowly walked into the building, staring around at the police tape and ripping it away. She pressed a button, and the large silver wall slid away to reveal the hidden side of the building that was once her home. Candy saw a flash of bright pink just to her left, and quickly flicked her head.

There was nothing there, and she sighed. She made her way up the stairs, stopping at the top. Once again, she saw a flash of pink and raced into the room, but it was empty.

'Come on, SweeTart- stop playin' games,' Candy mumbled quietly, looking up at the roof.

'I thought you liked games,' answered a harsh whisper, and a hot breath tickled her neck.

She flipped around, but there was nothing there. 'I do! I love games! Let's play hide and seek. Where are you?'

There was no response, until a snide cackle rang through the factory. 'Save me, Candy.'