Chapter Text
No. No. No. No.
All her life she had been running. Her feet carrying her as far as they were able. Trying to exceed her limits, the girl forced herself to carry on despite her body screaming that it was ready to slow down. Her mind had other plans to get her the hell away from her pursuers.
”Come back, shorty!”
”We only wanna play~”
Amelie cursed whoever made up those fucking rumours. Running through a forest, she was glad to have the knowledge of knowing this place like the back of her hand. Navigating the paths from the trees, keeping track of the differences in patterns of the tree lines and ways the paths set off and began.
“Piss off!”
She was lucky to come here by herself often. The girl thought that Playtime Co. orphanages were meant to be a safe place for the children in need. She’d been in one before, under the creepy ass building she lived in until she was around six years old.
Thank fuck I used to play here.
She didn’t even know why they were going to beat her up this time. Whether for rumours, an accusation, or they were simply in a bad move, Amelie had taken to isolating herself to prevent any hurt. Be it physically or emotionally-
“We see you!”
Oh. Fucking. No.
Amelie dove for the nearest hole in the wall. The town they resided in was a shit hole anyway. Finding a spot, she lifted a plank of wood and stepped inside the back on an abandoned building. Several pairs of footsteps came to a halt. Right. In. Front. Of. Her.
Shit.
Amelie’s covered her hands on her mouth to prevent any loud breathing being heard. Her eyes blinked away any tears from not inhaling any oxygen. Only through her nose did she allow silent breaths, hearing chatter amongst the group before they disappeared up the road. Amelie slid down the fence she leaned against, her hands over her chest and panting as the avoided beating only just sunk in.
Well, I am screwed.
She would’ve been hurt again. Accused of hurting herself to ward any potential parents. Whilst Amelie hated the fisted care system with a passion, even she secretly wished for a family. The fifteen, yes, fifteen year old breathed out a sigh of relief, stood and looked around her location.
A huge ass sign displayed the following, ‘Playtime Co! A place where anything is possible, no matter the achievement.’ Amelie wanted to laugh and cry. She had some not so fond memories of her time in the factory. Leaving at the age of five, the times with the toys such out as one of the best days of her life. She remembered how nice they were compared to the people she tended to rely on.
Forcefully at least. Amelie learned how to take care of herself. Cooking, cleaning, even bandaging her own wounds. However, strength and being tall wasn’t on her side. As a short ass, she often was disadvantaged and had to depend on someone to help her throughout those times. Amelie peeked through the crack where she entered, groaning when she spotted the older kids often bullying and giving her the fresh new scars on her legs.
If she was traumatised, then her brain came up with a weird coping mechanism where her emotions shut down. She barely felt anything nowadays. Not even the anger, sadness, and overwhelming feeling of helpless which threatened to frown on every occasion it found. She allowed the piece of metal to drop back into place, rubbing her face with her hands as she weighed her options.
…I’m spending the night in a creepy ass place that used to develop toys. Fucking toys. Who gets toys now? Only those nostaglic for the classics or freaking merchandise collectors?
Amelie sighed, reluctantly picking her backpack she often took as a last resort. It contained essential for her to survive on the streets. She had been homeless for a few years before being placed in the Playtime Co. foster care system. Around when she was a toddler to four years old as she was moved to a new orphaned. In a way, she felt connected to this building. It certainly felt somewhat nostalgic to be back in the place where it all started.
My parents were assholes. That’s all I can say.
Ah, closed adoptions. You had to love them. It prevented her assholes of parents from ever speaking to her again! Haha!
Although it did nothing to help the fucked things she’d seen in this world. The girl was surprised she hadn’t lost her mind yet. If she had, then she was sure she would commit the unthinkable.
***
Her body then felt heavy, a sigh leaving her as she opened the door and closed it behind, double checking to make sure.
Why the hell was I so brave to run?
Her happy act diminished, her eyes watering as she slid down the door in the entrance of the damn place. She’d succeeded without these thoughts for a long time. But when she was alone, nobody was there to distract her from her own mind. To save her from her own self. She no longer had the energy to stand.
Should I have stayed?
Amelie frowned, her eyes losing the shine as the adrenaline emptied. She felt tired. So. Fucking. tired. Could she just fall sleep and never wake up? Would anyone listening grant her a wish of never opening her eyes again?
No, because whatever entity is watching loves to make me suffer.
Amelie stood up again, now feeling empty and just numb. Without much thought, she trudged over to a green tape, lifted it, and slid in the recorder. The voice of a man began to speak softly in the background, presumably acting as a warning to all intruders who dared entered the factory.
“Hi, my name is Leith Pierre! And I’m the head of innovation here at Playtime Co. Toy Factory. If you’re seeing this, you’re trespassing! Yeah, we play this little tape on play whenever we close for the day. So, trespasser, just to make you aware, while we pride ourselves on our toys and excellent childcare, we also pride ourselves on security. For example, this facility is filled with hidden motions triggers which once set off, will turn on the factory’s emergency alarms and will contact the authorities! And that’s one of the more…tame aspects of our security system. No spoilers! So, you’ve got my wanting, it’s not too late to turn back around. I just hope that you’re certain whatever you’re doing is worth it.”
Leith Pierre.
Why did his name seem familiar? Amelie scratched the back of her head, a sudden ringing in her ear as she thought back to a time in the factory where she may have met him. Or heard of him. Then, she screamed as the memory finally revealed itself, her kneeling down with her hands on either side of head to try and relive the splitting headache.
Shit. Fuck. Oh my God. Why is it hurting this much?
It was as if something was trying to block out the memory. Maybe it was her unconscious coping mechanism that even she didn’t know about. A few doctors had noted that trauma victims often didn’t remember the crimes of their assailants had done to them. In Amelie’s case, she was both afraid and curious as to why her own mind would block it out.
Let’s have a look.
Amelie’s scream faded as a sudden burst of white took her to the past. Her eyes rolled into the back of head, and she slumped to the floor, face first and her body no longer moved. She heard nothing and could see nothing.
Though, something heard her screams and witness the human fainting. Their hands picked up the humans and her belongings, essentially kidnapping the child. She was no longer in the factory entrance.
And it’s intentions would remain unknown.
***
He took the child’s hand into his own as they were on a tour around the factory. All the children giggling as they were led on another trip around the floor. They seen it before, but they were often new areas for their amusement. Boredom was a concept Mr.Ludwig forbade from the staff on shifts.
“And here we have the very beings who gave the shows you desire!”
The children were to remain happy. They cheered upon seeing the blue furred mascot lending out hugs and general affection. A child ran into the arms of the thing and it crooned, holding them close to himself and smiling down at the little one. The child giggled, nuzzling chest of the creature.
”Thank you, Huggy!”
The creature purred in response. Then it looked at the child hidden behind the man’s legs. Her hands shaking due the rising anxiety inside her. Although she would not know her diagnosis until the later future, she only shook her head and closed her eyes, the man’s hand stroking her hair in an attempt to calm the child.
Amelie never interacted with anyone during social events.
The mascot crooned in concern, about to get up and comfort the little girl when a hand raised stopped him. The man lifted the girl into his arms, allowing her to lay her head on his chest. Though a frown of discomfort was evident.
”Mr.Pierre!”
Another employee ran and stopped in exhaustion, hands on their knees and panting after having to find the man. An irritation expression appeared in Leith’s face, silently ushering the intern to tell him why they were here.
”She’s missing again! We don’t know what to do against Mommy! The damn Long Legs Family is on a rampage-”
Pierre’s hand covered the man’s mouth.
”Not in front of the children.”
A phrase meaning to shut the hell up.
He hadn’t thought that Amelie would remember this conversation in the future. He became reckless as he muttered the next part.
”Set up the bait. The mother’s instinct is always to protect the child.”
The worker nodded, running out of the room and shouting orders on behalf of Pierre. He smiled gently at the child staring in curiosity, pinching her cheeks to which she giggled at the teasing.
”Don’t worry, little girl. Everything will be fine.”
***
Since then, Amelie only relied on some people. Anyone willing to help her get off the streets for a night. Then a couple snitched on her when she agreed to some work in exchange for shelter during the night.
Assholes.
She thought as her eyes opened on a rather comfy surface. Her head ached from fighting her one mind to see the memory of a fine that almost felt like a past life. She was so innocent. So vulnerable. Not acknowledging the shit parts of the world she’d witnessed first hand.
I haven’t slept on a bed in years.
The girl swerved her legs, got off the bed, then stretched with her arms behind her head. After looking around a while, she found her backpack and slung it over head shoulder onto her back. The straps wrapping around both arms. She briefly felt the front of it. Everything seemed to be in order. Amelie took out a switchblade from a part of the bag, storing it in her pocket.
I love when people leave things unlocked. A bunch of stupid motherfuckers.
She was more calmer than even she expected. Humming to herself, she noticed the room buzzing with a white wall vibe, some closets, and an exit. With only a bed, some IV fluid table thingies, and herself in the middle of the room. She decided to explore. The place seemed cool.
She excitedly went to open the door, only to pause as her heart began to pound at the thought of interaction. Talking to someone who may judge you for who you really were-
Curse my social anxiety.
She made herself swing open the door, stepping into the hallway to explore this new area-
“Ngggggggaaaah…”
A low, guttural growl emanated through the corridors. Amelie flinched at the sound, it sounded too much like someone either in pain or about to commit a crime. A predator keeping an eye on the prey before their moment to strike came. She cupped her hands over her mouth to lessen the echo and sound it would make.
”Hello?”
”Grrrrrrrrmmmmmm…”
Was that their fucking stomach or a groan? She couldn’t tell the difference. If this was a human, then they could fuck right off. Amelie knew the trick of pretending to be injured and then stealing your valuables.
…I’ve spent way too much time on the streets.
Damn, she was paranoid. Amelie adjusted her jacket, deciding to venture done this hallways first. Setting off sat a steady pace, she lifted the hood over her head, tying her head into a ponytail so it was hidden better than it would if let down. Amelie walked at her own peace, ignoring how her instincts said to hurry up and help whoever may be hurting.
Who ever helped when I was?
No one. Absolutely fucking no one. Amelie hummed as the feeling settled as it was intentionally ignored by the mind. Opening a door, Amelie flinched as a couple of things rolled out. Some scissors, a couple of baseball bats, towels-
A baseball bat.
Amelie grinned, picking the thing as her hand felt it up and down. Good as new despite not being used for a couple of years. She attached it to the side of her bag through a rip hatch she used for any weapons against anyone who pissed her off or were looking to give her a beating. That’s right, people actively looked to beat the ever living shit out of the girl. She had the scars and the sanity to prove it. And the record since the police even knew her by her first name.
Hell to the freaking yeah.
She had somewhat of a reputation-
“NNNNNNGAAAAAAAAHHHHH!”
The groans continued to become more louder as time passed in. For some reason, Amelie’s instincts caused her to run to the exact location. Her hood fell to her shoulders, her hand slid on the wall to keep herself afloat. It felt like someone was guiding her. Enhancing her speed to that of the light, flickering on and off, she was in tune until the affect wore off. Her glazed eyes fading to normal.
What. The. Ever. Loving. Fuck?
The next sight was abnormal to say the least. And yet, she wasn’t running away in fear for her life.
Perhaps she didn’t care about dying anymore.
”Well, hello there.”
The giant ass fucker turned his head. His curved head and glassy eyes stared into hers. He had dark blue fur, yellow gloves hands and feet, his long arms were bent in off positions, and his legs were close to his chest. Blood covering his face, leaking down to where a nose would’ve been, puncture holes in its stomach and chest. And some other injuries Amelie wouldn’t bother to describe.
”I remember you as the blue sour patched kid. That was your nickname. I see you got your ass kicked by someone.”
The thing growled, knowing it would have been able to kill the human if it had the ability control it’s limbs. However, the circumstance from a mere few hours ago proved otherwise. He didn’t trust the human. Not. One. Bit. He grew tense as the girl walked over, catching onto his hint and dropping the baseball bat.
”I’m not here to hurt you.”
Amelie raised her hands as she approached the mascot. Kneeling down on one knee, she inspected his injury. He tensed as her fingerless leather black gloves traced his scars and torso. When they went to his belly, he flinched from the sensation. The girl blushed, looking away from him.
”Is it alright if I touch you, Huggy? That is your name, isn’t it?”
This girl was asking for permission? The mascot blinked, thinking on his options. He huffed, looking away and the girl took that as his permission. A prideful, wounded creature. Those were never the best combinations. She gave him a smile.
”Thank you.”
Amelie knew when to be polite. Though she preferred rudeness and to be brutal when standing up for herself against the bitches and bastards who her only the daily. She could tell the mascot wasn’t anywhere close to trusting her, and for him to heal, she would have to do some things that he may not like.
And as to why she wasn’t running? Amelie felt oddly comforted by Huggy’s presence. If it went unrequited, then okay for him. But she witnesses his performances and he had been protective of the children. The closest thing to a brother figure she ever had. She was well aware that he may kill her, but she wasn’t afraid of death. If nothing else, she would welcome the feeling of leaving this God forsaken planet.
Have I really given up on humanity?
The girl took ahold of his arm, needing Huggy distracted for the process. As there was nothing around, that plan wouldn’t work. She’d have to try it the old fashioned way. Warning the mascot first.
”Huggy? I’m going to pop in your arm. It’s been dislocated from the impact.”
The mascot shot his head around, shaking it to the side wildly. Genuine fear in his eyes of the having to go through anymore pain. He didn’t talk, but his actions proved enough what he was trying to say. He tried swatting the girl, and she caught his wrist in response. A dark look in her eyes stopped him in his tracks.
”Don’t even fucking try it you ungrateful prick. I’ve had experience with being hit to know when one’s coming.”
To know when one was coming?
The mascot crooned, wishing to know more information. The girl huffed, standing and folding her arms as she used a hand to pick up the baseball bat.
”Like I’d tell you anything, you wanker.”
In act of desperation, Huggy’s hand wrapped around the girl’s ankle as she turned to leave. His only hope of interaction and healing was about to leave him. His instincts wouldn’t allow it.
Amelie froze, her own body tensing. Then, she was at Huggy’s throat. Digging the knife into his neck past the fur, her eyes were dark, especially with the hood covering any light. She truly looked like she would kill him if given the chance.
”Don’t ever touch me again.”
Huggy’s hand hesitantly loosened its grip, the girl next to him shuddering as she hugged herself to regain her composure.
No physical contact.
Her only rule to any friends, family, or anyone knowing her. She would explain that she was an orphan anytime, but she wouldn’t explain why touch was forbidden. It just was. If anybody asked, she just wasn’t a touchy person.
For reasons that still haunt me.
Snapping out of her violent trance, Amelie slowly lifted the knife away from Huggy’s furred neck. Then she looked at with a question that her pride wouldn’t allow her to ask. The mascot simply stared her down to determine if she was genuine.
Let me help you.
He pushed himself to sit cross-legged, growling lowly as she put a hand on his leg. Amelie raised her hand to look into his eyes, giving Huggy a soft smile. He thought that he saw an emotion pass in the girl’s empty eyes. He dared say that she was a child-
“You know, I trust you as far as I can throw you, Hugster. But you know what? I’m gonna tell ya a secret-”
The giant toy snarled at her for that. Amelie remained unaffected by the gesture.
”-Almost no one likes me. I dare say they hate me enough to want me dead.”
She lifted her sleeves and presented her arm out to the mascot. Both knew she was testing him to see if he would take a bite. There was another reason. Amelie wanted the monster to trust her. He tolerated her presence and hadn’t tried to run or beat the ever living shit out of the girl.
On her arms were so many scars. Not self-inflicted, but by stab wounds, cuts, even bruises. She had thought about taking the blade to herself, but her mind always changed at the last second. Those thoughts hadn’t come for a while.
She let the sleeves drop, turning to her attention to Huggy. His face now wearing an expression of shock, concern, and little bit of anger. Whether at Amelie or someone else, she wasn’t able to deduce the difference.
”Trust me, Huggy. I’ve faced about as much injury as yourself or any others. I was hated by parents, my fucking foster assholes, or parents are they’re called. And it seems children aren’t my biggest fans.”
She knelt on one knee, grabbing his chin and making him state her directly in the eyes. For the first time, Huggy was afraid. This tiny human was more frightening than the previous one who beat him. She wasn’t afraid of death, would willingly surrender to the mascot, and perhaps even be claimed by him.
“If you want to kill me, then be my fucking guest.”
Amelie spread her arms wide, standing stock still. Waiting for the inevitable blow that would ease her pain.
Huggy was…disturbed to say the least. This child as his sensors now scanned her body type, gender, status of the factory, and her age. Oh God, her age. She wanted him to lay his hands on her body and rip her heart so she wouldn’t have live anymore.
His old instincts screamed at him to wrap her in his arms and never let go. This girl, child, orphan from what he gathered would not be slaughtered by his hands. As for the others, that would be different story. Instead, he raised a hand and almost flinched alongside the girl when she did. She smiled brokenly as she interpreted his movements.
”Oh God, you are going to do it.”
She waited for the darkness to arrive. A moment later, and Amelie felt herself being scooped up and lifted in the air. She opened her eyes (when had she closed them?), and stared into the now unguarded eyes of the monster she thought was bleeding to death on the ground. She didn’t kick, she didn’t raise her fists, she simply stayed as still as a ragged doll. When Huggy made no effort to end her life, she rose a brow and asked her questions.
”What are you?-”
He placed the girl on his back. Amelie instinctively wrapped her arms and legs around his shoulders and waist. Huggy would not harm a child. The other human he would hurt to kingdom come. It wasn’t his fault that his childish half was a sore loser. The girl on his back actually whimpered, her own childish self afraid of what could lay in the shadows. Amelie never liked the dark. It was where the monsters loved the hide and stalk their prey.
”…We’re going in deeper, aren’t we?”
Huggy had no choice but to nod. He whined in frustration suddenly, sick of naming the child on his back as just ‘the girl.’ He needed a name.
”By the way, name’s Amelie.”
A pleased croon erupted from Huggy’s throat. A very unexpected name. It sounded vaguely familiar, but would worry about it later.
“Where are we heading to?”
Huggy pointed to a sign on the wall. Amelie’s breathed hitched as she read the two words she dreaded to hear and see. Even in the outside world, she banned the use of them if anyone were to be around.
Hanging innocent on the wall was a promotional poster for-
The Game Station.
Amelie’s jaw dropped. She glanced at Huggy, the poster, then at Huggy again.
“Are you telling me we’re heading to the crazy spider lady bitch?”
Never had Huggy heard such blatant insults of Mommy. His chuckle covered as a growl came out before he could stop it. He could see the point that child was making. Mommy tended to be a bit…over protective. Especially of the other toys.
Though, from what Huggy heard, there wasn’t many of them left. The main reason why decided the Game Station as their best route. Amelie whined, letting her head fall on the back of Huggy’s neck. A move that shocked the mascot. From the child who hated to be touched, this was a bold move on her behalf.
”…Let’s get a move on then, big guy.”
Just because they were somewhat friends now didn’t mean that Amelie wouldn’t stop annoying the ever living shit out of him. It was fun and he didn’t slap, taunt, or lay a single hand on the child. She decided that he was fine with it.
She was in shock when Huggy clung to the pipes, lifting himself onto the walls on all fours. Without breaking a sweat, he descended to the level above. Amelie was impressed with that level of skill. Her fists banged on his shoulders and she couldn’t help but freak out in excitement.
”Holy shit, Hugs! That was amazing!”
The mascot tilted his head with a questioning croon. A compliment from anyone was rare nowadays. He created the same sound, pointing to most of the dead toys and then himself. Who was her favourite amongst them?
”My favourite was Poppy, no doubt. I don’t know why, she was just interesting. You were second obviously. No kid could resist Huggy Wuggy.”
If that didn’t feed his ego, then nothing would. Huggy flinched as Amelie traced the wounds from his arm to his shoulder, hand curling around throat.
”They’re fresh. A person before me must’ve come in. Well, not come in per say, but beat the crap outta you before heading to who knows where.”
Such an observant child. Huggy grumpily mumbled something, through it sounded like a couple of grunts to Amelie. Something else caught her attention.
”Let’s just go. I can’t wait to meet the crazy family. Damn mini lot of ya, the fucking caterpillar, and the Bunny-”
Amelie shivered.
”That God damn Bunny. He was more scary then Mommy…She was just insane.”
A true statement in the eyes of Huggy. The mascot ventured forward, his new companion weaponless and alone. They both found that wasn’t bad thing. Together, something good might come out of this partnership. Huggy never felt the need to travel with a human, but a child was someone who needed their help no matter what.
Can’t wait to meet whoever is alive.
Now he was travelling with someone who would make the journey worthwhile.