It was gone.
Alexander sat upright, rubbing his eyes while he searched the last place he left it.
It wasn't his fuzzy vision from just waking up from a nap, it was truly gone.
He immediately stood up, frantically looking through the patches of grass where it should've been.
He then turned on himself, looking through the cave until his gaze fell on the girl sitting further.
She held the mask against her chest, while she hugged her knees sitting down.
What?
Alexander walked over, kneeling next to her.
He got in her field of view, yet her eyes remained distant, unwilling to match his gaze.
He waved his hand in front of her eyes, yet no reaction.
What's wrong with her?
Alexander exhaled, annoyed.
He reached toward her, trying to grab the mask. She slightly turned, keeping it out of his reach.
What?!
He inched closer, trying again, yet she repeated her previous move.
He then fully committed, quickly grabbing the mask.
Her hands grabbed it as well, her fingers clutching it as if her life depended on it. She yanked on it, lodging it between her thighs and turning her back to him.
Alexander got up, his steps heavy as he walked around her.
She was holding onto her legs again, making her grasp on it tighter.
Once in front of her, he kneeled down once more, grabbing the mask.
I'm not letting go, this time.
He gripped it with both hands.
She clung tighter, like it was the only she had. As it slipped from her fingers, she let out a soundless breath and shoved him.
She put her whole body into it, making them roll further in a plea more desperate than violent.
Alexander aggressively yanked on the item, while she held onto it with both hands, laying on top of him.
He tried turning on his side, to get it out of her reach, but she wouldn't let go, rolling on top of him once more.
Frowning, he yanked once more, pulling her on top of him while she clung tighter than before.
Her left hand let go. It didn't reach for the mask—it began patting his face, soft at first, then faster.
Her palms landed again and again, as if trying to speak through touch.
He used his legs to try and drag himself away, but she pushed the ground to stay on top of him.
Her left arm kept repeatedly slapping him, her nails scratching his cheeks.
"What is wrong with you?!"
She kept slapping, pulling, and pushing his face.
Through the slaps he could see her face, the first expression she ever wore.
Sadness.
It looked as if she was about to cry, as her hands kept randomly hitting his face with little force.
Each hit felt desperate.
"Okay! I'm letting go!" he said, finally giving up.
Yet the slaps kept coming.
He let go of it, and tried his best to use both arms to shield his face.
"What is it! What's wrong with you?!"
Her assault lasted minutes, the hits slowing while the strength in them diminished.
Until the hits could barely be called that, anymore.
"What is it?! Why are you hitting me?!" said Alexander, who slowly lowered his guard.
Her saddened expression made his heart skip a beat.
He had never even seen a muscle move on her face.
And her eyes.
They looked like they could tear up at any moment.
"What is it?" he said, holding her shoulder.
He finally noticed it.
She was matching his gaze — the first time in a while.
Is she done ignoring me?
Alexander felt like his spirit left his body, as the cold realization hit him.
"You're… upset that I didn't talk to you?" he asked.
Her eyes wouldn't leave his, and while she didn't move or speak, he felt he was right.
His eyebrows raised, surprised by the turn of event.
That's the reason she's been avoiding me?
He scratched his head, in thought.
"You never answer, I thought…"
He didn't finish his sentence, shaking his head.
"I'm sorry. I'll talk to you from now on. I wasn't ignoring you, just thought… Well, it doesn't matter too much..."
She finally got off him, letting him sit upright.
His eyes went toward the mask that fell on his side. Almost instinctively, he reached toward it, only to be under assault once more.
"Sure! Sure! Fuck! Take it! It's yours!"
He raised both palms up and watched her grab the mask with insane speed. She then got up, taking several steps back while keeping the mask hidden in her back.
Following her lead, he also got up.
The moment he did, she took another three steps back.
Alexander raised both palms once more.
"Don't worry! It's yours! I won't go for it again! I promise."
She didn't move nor react.
He took a few steps forward, but could tell she was on her guard.
"I… didn't know you even understood what I said. You do…?"
She simply looked into his eyes, a behavior that matched the first time they met.
"Are you unable to speak?"
She stood still, her eyes fixated on him while the mask was still hidden behind her back.
He rubbed his forehead, studying the strange girl once more.
Her saddened expression was still the same, something he couldn't help but feel responsible for.
Is she not a sort of puppet?
The thought that she could've been sentient crossed his mind, but despite how 'human' she looked, her behavior was everything but.
He took a deep breath, and nodded.
"I'll find you a name… It'll make it easier. You can always change it later…"
She didn't answer, something he expected now. However, her expression softened.
"But what?" he said to himself.
His gaze diverted to the ground, as he mentally juggled with name ideas.
The first ideas revolved around naming her after something she reminded him of, but that simply felt too detached.
"You'll need something that sounds normal…"
He then looked up to the ceiling, trying to think of names he personally liked.
"How about Fae? It's not conventional, but it's pretty nice…"
Her face slowly rid itself of sadness, and while she was back to neutral, he could see her eyes glowing.
"Alright, let's leave this place, Fae."