2 WEEKS LATER...

Candi decided to make very good use of her inheritance money. She knew that if Donte were truly dead, as Erin was, then the money might be the only Earthly comfort she had. She was looking forward to developing her centipede skills, but knew that couldn't be her first priority.

She had lost so much so soon - and had nightmares about losing even more! She actually envisioned Donte's death in her dreams! It had become too much. She decided it was about time she spoiled rather than tortured herself.

She was about to observe the new house that she was about to purchase, to make sure everything was in place as she had ordered it. It didn't take long to get herself a new car and a new wardrobe. She knew she would have to save whatever she could of her fortune. But it was also about time she made a name for herself in the world.



It didn't take long for a strange man to be immediately in her face.

Ramin: "Hi there! Raymin London here! You must be Candi Stevens!"



Candi: "Well...er...yeah."

Raymin: "Well...no need to be shy!"

Candi: "Believe me, pal...you have no idea!"



Raymin: "One of the few lakes in this area, besides Gerosha's lake! And it's right in your back yard!"

Candi: "Yeah. Good to know. I don't know how much time I'll have for fishing though."

Raymin: "I used to have a car very similar to that one you've got over there. Well, since we're here, what do you say we take a look at the house?"

Candi: "I suppose."



The location seemed perfect. There was a garden on the side, a small place to go fishing in the back, and it was very close to school. She knew she'd need a dorm room for her first semester, but that didn't concern her. In a year, she could waive the requirements to stay in the dorms and live wherever she pleased. Her roommate wouldn't mind the free space at all. The house seemed just right.



Candi: "It's...really dark in here!"

Raymin: "I know! That is one of the mysteries of this house...why it has all the windows it does, and yet, remains so dark all the time!"



Raymin: "Well then...shall I show you around?"

Candi: "That's okay...I think I can find everything on my own."

Raymin: "Suit yourself! I'll just use the bathroom real quick and call up Susie. I'll be out of here in no time!"



Darkness - Even the bedroom was dark! Candi was nevertheless thankful that it was so luxurious. She may have preferred something less ornate, but the dark provided her a solace. It was missing the necessary desk for her to place her laptop on...but she felt she could make due without for at least a day or two.



Candi knew she had nowhere near explored all there was to her new house. But she didn't care. Her mind was still anything but at ease. She decided to lay down for a bit, seldom wearing high-heeled shoes until that point. She almost never bothered with skirts before either. Miriam's plan for her was working so far, but she wasn't ready to embrace the new red hair entirely.



She rested herself in the knowledge that at least with her false glasses, she would look different enough from her true self to avoid the Meethlites for a time.