Chapter Text
Thursday
16 May, 1985
6:26:54 P.M.
(You leave the safe room once more.)
(You maintain your friendly persona as you look around.)
(...)
(Ah.)
(There.)
(A child–no more than a second-grader–with a woman.)
(Their sister, you think.)
(You waltz into the Arcade area and watch from the corner of your eye.)
(You strain yourself to listen.)
“–Bon, stay here, okay? I’ll be heading over to the Arcade!”
“But ‘Niwwe!!!”
“Don’t worry, I’ll win you that really cool plushie you wanted. Alright?”
(They deflate.)
“...Fine…”
(Just perfect.)
(You smile as you begin walking back towards your prize.)
(“Niwwe” runs past you towards the Crane Game.)
(You stop for a moment, though.)
(You observe.)
(...They squirm up out of their seat as they head towards the food court.)
(They look up at the menu, then back down at the pockets of their shorts.)
(They’re alone.)
(No one would notice.)
(Wonderful.)
(You approach your prey.)
(They turn around and look up at you as your shadow overtakes them.)
(They’re frowning, and their eyes are wet.)
“Oh dear, you look hungry, Bon!”
(They whimper and nod, silently.)
“Aww, don’t worry.”
“I’ll show you a place where you can have all the food that you’d like~!”
“…Follow me!”
(They hesitate for a moment.)
(...)
(They smile, slightly.)
(Excellent.)
(They take your hand.)
(You take them up onto the stage, behind the machines.)
(You open the door, Backstage.)
(You feel them shiver as they look around.)
(You show them to the Saferoom and lock the door behind the both of you.)
(The automatic lights flip on.)
(They freeze as they see your handiwork.)
“Don’t worry! I have another suit just for you~!”
“A—”
(They begin screeching.)
(No one can hear them.)
(You raise your blade.)
“—AAAA—”
(You shank the blade in their vocal cords.)
(They don’t shut up.)
(shut up, shut up, shut up!)
(why won’t they shut up!!!)
(you have to make them shut up!!!!!)
(you stab and stab and stab and stab and stab and stab and stab and stab and stab and stab and stab and stab and stab and stab and stab and stab and stab and stab and stab and stab and stab and stab and stab and stab and stab and stab and stab and stab and stab and stab and stab and stab and stab and stab and stab and stab and stab and stab and stab and stab and stab and stab and stab and stab and stab and stab and stab and stab and stab and stab and stab and stab and stab and stab and stab and stab and stab and stab and stab and stab and stab and stab and stab and stab and stab and stab and stab and stab and stab and stab and stab and stab and stab and stab and stab and stab and stab and stab and stab and stab and stab and stab and stab and stab and stab and stab and stab and stab and stab and stab and stab and stab and stab and stab and stab and stab and stab and stab and stab and stab and stab and stab and stab and stab and stab and stab and stab and stab and stab and stab and stab and stab and stab and stab and stab and stab and stab and stab and stab and stab and stab and stab and stab and stab and stab and stab and stab and stab and stab and stab and stab and stab and stab and stab and stab and stab and stab and stab and s)
(and finally)
(they shut up)
(you lift the child into the last suit)
(the foodie)
(how ironic)
(...)
(urgh.)
(they’ve gotten so much blood on this costume.)
(what a messy eater.)
(you take a new rag–the old one is too bloodsoaked to use safely–and wipe the shaded stains off of your suit.)
(you smile as you begin removing your mascot costume.)
(your work is done for tonight.)
(you’re careful to avoid rubbing against the machinery as you slip off the head and torso.)
(the legs and arms follow suit–heh–as you fix your tie.)
(this uniform isn’t the greatest fit, but it’s crucial.)
(you adjust the badge as you walk out of the saferoom.)
(...)
(On your way to the exit, however, the sister stops you.)
“Excuse me, Monsieur? Have you seen my sibling?”
(Urgh.)
(You plaster on your best fake smile as you look down at the woman.)
“Th- They’re young, they’re only six, and I- I..!”
“I can’t find them anywhere!!!”
“I looked all over the restaurant for them, and I haven’t seen them since I went to the Arcade!”
(You decide to humor the girl.)
“They were wearing a big hat, yes?”
“They were!!! H- Have you seen them?!”
“Of course~! I ran into them on my way to the Prize Counter, over there!”
(You point to the counter.)
“They seemed to be headed that way, towards the ballpit.”
“Oh, thank you!!!”
(The brat runs off, shouting for “Bonbon” on her way to the ballpit.)
(What an idiot.)
(You hurry out with no further incidents.)
(You open your car door and get in, avoiding most of the rain.)
(You check the time.)
(6:38 P.M.)
(You chuckle to yourself as you start the engine and drive away.)