Chapter Text
Heavy breaths echo through the vents, raspy though not weak. Sharp clanks dented the metal from above. Pieces of rotted, moldy metal fell off the crawling creature. The hunk of metal that was him, that felt like him , was uncoordinated and hardened by time, if the awful smell emitting from it was anything to go by. Whoever he was, he had long since forgotten. He wasn't sure he had a name. All he knew of himself was the word spring, so it must have been a - his name, right?
Spring forced his limbs to move through the narrow shaft. His eyes, metallic and glossy, blinked, though it was difficult to do so. Everything around him was quiet. The broken rabbit ears at the top of his head bounced.
He had not always been…well, rotting. At least, he thought not. Spring tried to think back to when he first became this, if ever. His memories seemed hazy, pieced together. He was unsure if he had family, or anyone that knew he was in such a state.
Where was he? He was in a vent, but why? Did he live here, in this vent? He knew the vent led to an office, where a security guard would be sitting in his chair, gripping a flashlight.
Something reached him, a smoky scent. He thought his nose would have twitched - rabbit noses had that habit - but it stayed where it was, and he swore the smell was registered from...farther than the button nose on his unchanging face, almost inside the head. Then he caught sight of the tendrils of smoke rising from the vent duct in front of him. Warmth surrounded him, and feedback spiked sharply in his ears.
“Connection terminated.”
…H - en - ry?
Warm hands, cupping his face. There were only the hands, only the hands and Spring. A soft chuckle reached his ears, and a swell of admiration flooded through him.
Was that…Hen - ry?
A sound between a wheeze and a pant forced its way from his broken throat. Henry. He had to-
“Hhhhh - Hhhh- He’ry -” He grew frustrated with himself. Nothing came from the attempt but bitterness and exhaustion.
“I’m sorry to interrupt you, Elizabeth. If you even still..remember that name.” So “Elizabeth” couldn’t remember its name, either. Guess that was something they had in common. “But I’m afraid you have been misinformed, You are not here to receive a gift, nor have you been called here by the individual you assume. Though you have indeed been called,” …Who were they waiting for?
The vent was still dark, and the warm feeling (hands, ever so gentle) grew. Spring crawled again, the light from the vent shaft illuminating his way. He would get to Henry.
“You have all been called here. Into a labyrinth of sounds and smells, misdirection and misfortune. A labyrinth with no exit. A maze with no prize. You don't even realize that you are trapped. Your lust of blood has driven you in endless circles. Chasing the cries of children in some unseen chamber, always seeming so near, yet somehow out of reach.”
He needed to get closer. Spring needed him near. Orange light, flickering and mesmerizing, licked at his paws.
“But you will never find them. None of you will. This is where your story ends.”
Who’s story? What…children? Spring didn’t catch the small voice in his head, yelling at him, yelling someone’s name.
“And for you, my brave volunteer, who somehow found this job listing not intended for you. Although there was a way out planned for you, I have a feeling that's not what you want. I have a feeling that you are right where you want to be.”
Spring thought back to the security guard in his chair. He must’ve been terrified at the moment. That didn’t matter, however. Henry had said this is where he would have liked to be, and Spring would believe anything he said.
He became aware of the dull pain somewhere on him. Looking behind him, he saw the vent had caught fire, and it had consumed his metal paws. He simply stared, silver eyes widened. It should have hurt, as he knew fire often did, but it was so warm, comforting almost. He had forgotten what that warmth felt like. All he knew were memories, and even then…
Once again, Henry spoke. Spring liked when he spoke. It was less confusing that way. He strained to listen.
“ This place will not be remembered and the memory of everything that started this, can finally begin to fade away. As the agony of every tragedy should.” Tragedy? What had happened? Spring wondered, somewhere deep in his mind, if that “tragedy” was what had turned him into what he was. It seemed the place was burning anyway, so that wouldn’t really matter now, right?
“As for most of you, I believe there is peace and perhaps more, waiting for you after the smoke clears…” Smoke, just like how Spring was caught in a fire. Had Henry set this place on fire?
“Although, for one of you, the darkest pit of Hell has opened to swallow you whole. So, don't keep the Devil waiting, old friend.” His voice was resentful and…angry? Metallic gears clicked in place as the rotting animatronic tilted his head as far as was allowed. How curious.
Then he heard pain. For who, however, the animatronic was not sure.
“My daughter; if you can hear me, I knew you would return as well. It's in your nature to protect the innocent. I'm sorry that on that day, the day you were shut out and left to die, no one was there to lift you up in their arms, the way you lifted others into yours.” He sounded so close to tears and, Spring, no matter how burned his body was becoming (wanting him to sink into the memories), wanted to reach out and console him. A name rang in his head - Charlotte . Who was Charlotte?
“And then, what became of you, I should have known, you wouldn't be content to disappear. Not my daughter. I couldn't save you then. So, let me save you now. It's time to rest, for you, and for those you have carried in your arms…” The flames reached his torso, and Spring had half a mind to panic, perhaps. Still, all he felt was warmth. There was no reason to fear.
“This ends. For all of us.” Would he…would he be freed from…here?
“End communication.”
Spring closed his eyes as far as they would, letting the warmth (of hands, gently holding him) wash over him, ready enough to be let go.