Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

Leaky pipes drip into shallow puddles. Or is it footsteps?

It’s warm and humid.

Your footsteps clack against the colorful tile, opening up to a large pool with lifeless ducks sitting around like they’re waiting for it to be full again.

“Bleh,” you walk around the side. You take some calming breaths.

Trash, mauled bloody toys, yup everything seems normal.

“I can ONLY imagine what’s next…” your hands tighten around your GrabPack controls and kick down the yellow door. Screw door handles!

You don’t have time to ponder the setting.

However, the small cluster of lit candles catch your eye and slightly ease your worry. Your flare gun-hand sure takes a while to replenish.

You shoot a couple flares.

Oh stars.

Cells?! In a playcare? Of course, of course.

The hall is narrow… yet you carry on. Despite everything. Because who else would, if not -

“You.” A voice on your left. You blink a couple times, your hands still gripping the controllers. You’ve prolly left a mark on them by now.

You squint.

“You’re Poppy’s angel.” It’s one of those mascots! A bigger version. DogDay. If the warm orange tones, ears, and nose weren’t already an indicator.

“Come to save us,” he utters. “Nothing left to save, not here...”

He doesn’t have any legs - there’s a belt tied around his midsection. With blood.

“You’re in CatNap’s home, angel.” DogDay’s arms are secured to the sides on the ceiling. “Their home.”

He doesn’t have those white pupils like the mini plushie ones do.

“A million pairs of eyes are on you now. Watching, waiting, hungry.”

CatNap can kiss your ass!

But those little guys are WEIRD.

“They want nothing more than to crawl beneath your skin and eat away at you bit by little bit-” DogDay catches his breath. His head moves, though it’s hanging down, like he’s given up hope completely. You would feel the same if you were tied up and kept in a dirty, humid dungeon, for what’s it - a decade?

“-fill what’s empty inside themselves. That…thing…CatNap. The Prototype is his god, and this is what he does to heretics.” His ears hide his face.

“These little toys follow CatNap to avoid that very fate - and in return, they are fed.” He catches his breath once more. Poor guy.

Okay, if he’s manipulating you, he’s doing a great job.

“We tried to fight it, the Prototype’s control. I’m… the last of the Smiling Critters,” he breathes, and it sounds so strained. “Listen to me, you need to get out of this place. You need to live.” he lifts his head up at you.

“You and Poppy can fix this,”

Fuck it!

“-end this madness,”

You shuffle in sideways, releasing the tension you had on your controls to mess with all the belts keeping him hostage.

“-the torment, the - angel...?” he falls onto the broken concrete beneath him.

There’s dried blood on it.

“Oh no… OH NO!” DogDay’s voice glitches.

You rapid fire a bunch of flares. You saw those beady white glowing eyes in the tunnels!

“Leave me. Please. Just go...! RUN!” He spoke like the mini demons could comprehend him. He tries to shoo them off from biting his hand.

Cue more shots to the tunnels.

You offer your hands. Your real hands.

He takes them quickly, desperately.

You give a small affirmative smile. “Lead the way, I got your back.”

Why make promises you’re not sure you can keep?

Chapter Text

DogDay navigates the incredibly anxiety-inducing, kids’ crawl tube area.

Occasionally, you shoot a flare in front of him, and the rest of your ammo behind you.

DogDay is pretty fast on just two arms.

Nasty toys screech, and squeal - overall noises of presumably hunger, as they chase both of you down.

Flare gun-hand for the win!

The crawl-area breaks.

Great, another terrible crawling space.

“Down here,” DogDay slides down the middle slide.

“Purple hand! Purple hand!” He warns while you skid on the tile. You catch a glimpse of him making a sharp left turn.

His words process. With a press of a button, the GrabPack hand switches.

You pant, resisting the urge to peer over your shoulder as you turn too. There he is at the end of the short hall. His head isn’t angled at you, it’s angled at the mass amount of toys behind you.

It’s a good thing you didn’t look back.

“Go angel, fix this!”

Does he really think you’re just gonna leave him - you look back as your foot hits a tile closer; “YIKES!”

More flares or they’re gonna get you!

Shit, you have your purple hand on.

“C’mere!” You’d like to thank your adrenaline for getting you this far in life.

You hook him under the arm (and with the help of the GrabPack) line up the purple hand with the glowing mat.

HUZZAH!

You two get thrown in the air, although much lower height with DogDay’s extra weight.

Thank goodness for GrabPack 2.0.

With said momentum, you land in a worker lift. The yellow railing automatically locks in place as you ascend.

The metal door you came from shuts immediately after purple-hand use.

A bit shakily, you plop DogDay down. The lift is trying to force you into some more possible trauma.

No.

You’re taking a moment to wait.

“How are…you doing?” you sit across from him.

DogDay’s chest moves ever so slightly. He doesn’t have the physical pupils, but you can still feel his gaze completely upon you.

A loud unanimous shriek echoes the walls.

“Scared.” DogDay’s breath is as shaky as your previous movements. “For you, angel.”

You don’t regret snatching him.

You huff; “I’ve survived this long.” your gaze trails down to his bloody end. You hold your knees with closed eyes. Your GrabPack hands bump against you.

The worker lift ride ends as quick as it started. Damn it.

“Angel...?”

You internally poo on yourself. You almost snapped at him. “Stop calling me that or you’re gonna give me a complex!” You… almost said.

No but seriously everyone needs to stop it.

You’re just some person.

It’s been so long, you hardly remember what your job even was at this place. If it was important, surely you’d remember. But alas, nothing comes to mind.

Blinking away your foggy mind. You have to lean on the metal railing to get up again; “Let’s go.” your words naturally slur together.

Your eyes dart to his bleeding midsection again.

Somewhere deep inside your mind, neurons connect after being so fried with adrenaline.

“I can stitch you up at the school if you want?” you offer, leaving when the gate opens. Are you good at stitching or hell, even sewing in general? Debatable.

DogDay catches you murmuring how you killed the teacher there.

“Crazy lady,” your voice echoes against the slide.

DogDay keeps up with you.

“CatNap lives for the hunt.” Ollie, your ‘guide’ warns. “Good luck, talk soon.”

You roll your eyes and GrabPack-grab the key.

Counselor's office be damned, Ollie! You got a mascot to sew up.

Chapter Text

“You’ve done more than enough, angel.” DogDay cautiously inhales, watching you scope out the dingy, abandoned classroom.

You could use thread from the leftover backpacks!

“It’s fine I got it.” Determination overpowers exhaustion.

For now.

A distorted sound leaves his voice. It sounds a bit labored, but it's not in pain. Is that his laugh? The first time he’s laughed in a decade?

You blink several times to focus; “There’s gotta be scissors in one of these desks...”

“So… you have organs?” NOTHING gets past you. Absolutely nothing. In fact, if CatNap were to jump out right now, you would be oh-so prepared.

“Yes and no.” DogDay answers. He isn’t frightful. If anything, he seems more curious.

You grab a bag you cut. You sit with him, revealing the scraps, “I’m thinking I could use these fabrics to patch you together?”

DogDay nods, “My limbs have fallen off before.” That was way too nonchalant. His comment had your gaze drawn to the black thread that bound his arms to his torso, and his hands to his arms.

Oh, so the sewing shouldn’t hurt him, right?

That could’ve been worse.

This is unreal.

His blood is on your fingertips, but at least now he doesn’t have to solely rely on that belt keeping his organs in place. You did the best stitching you could think of!

“Thank you.” DogDay’s head rested on your lap. His shaky breaths are more spaced out. Which is good, you think. That means it's less trouble for him? His lanky arms are crossed to support his head. Poor thing didn’t want to surrender you to all his weight.

Your back aches from improper posture. You sit up so you have a bumpy bookshelf to lean on. DogDay stays cozied up to you, no longer bleeding on the floor.

You absentmindedly pat him twice with gentle ease, right on his synthetic furred head.

DogDay breaks out of his stupor. He flips. His mouth and cartoon eye sockets, the same old completely dark cloth. But he isn’t scary.

“Angel...?” He addresses slowly, inquisitively, worried he might have crossed a line for being in your personal space bubble. “I apologize.” He shuffles away, to lean against the bookshelf next to you.

“How are you feeling now?” You asked with tired eyes. You blink like a frog.

“Fine.” DogDay’s voice is rumbly.

“Sorry for that.” You apologized vaguely.

Silently, he tilts his head.

“For petting you.” You absentmindedly trace your GrabPack hands.

“It’s no trouble at all angel.” DogDay inspects his new patchwork. He doesn’t have noticeable pupils, so why is he making an effort to not ‘look’ at you? He wonders briefly.

“I’m procrastinating.” You whisper. You force your eyes open after a quiet second. “What did Ollie want? A fucking… key? Where the hell even is CatNap?” Mindless, exhausted, rambling mode activated.

You ball up your fists, punching at the air. “Mess with you? He mess with me!” You stumble up, against better judgment. You would’ve tipped over if it weren’t for your GrabPack hands helping stand straight. “Prototype is on my hit list...”

DogDay watches you meander from one side of the classroom to the next. Sharing all your thoughts.

You yawn for the fifteenth time, “Ollie might betray me, Poppy might, Kissy might not - actually, not sure with that one. CatNap… yeah not sure either. He saved me from a crashed, and burning train, if that counts for anything. But then he threw me in a trash compactor?? Then I’ve seen him around sometimes in the ‘dark shadows’ as Ollie calls it.”

Silly, crosses DogDay’s mind whilst trying to name what he’s witnessing. (In a cute way of course.) All so entertaining too. He’s listening completely, but you can’t tell with how engrossed you are in talking to… yourself.

All these challenges, chases, and near-death experiences - is it taking a toll on you?

Chapter Text

A toy Smiling Critter emerges from the darkness. Its floppy cyan ears follow its head. Confirming that nobody else followed it out of the tunnel. It waddles on all fours towards your voice that carries down the slide.

Down the slide it goes! No hesitation!

Flashing red and yellow colors blind it, till it faceplants into a red flat cushion at the bottom of the slide.

It springs up, completely unfazed and motivated.

It's dawn. There’s lots of shadows it could hide in.

This lighting is way better than the Playhouse’s lighting. It’s orange.

Why hasn't the critter escaped sooner?

Said small critter scampers after you two. Hiding behind various debris to make sure you don’t see it.

As if the Smiling Critter could fight back against CatNap on its own!

Nothing seems to scare you - so of course the little guy’s gonna follow you two blindly!

“-I don’t mind retracing my steps, DogDay. It’ll be gross passing Miss what’s-her-face’s body, but if there’s a chance to find your legs, there’s a chance.” You shrug. “You’re prolly part of CatNap’s weird ass shrine.” You offhandedly remark with a thinking face.

“When’s the last time you’ve slept...?” Not once did you mention taking a nap during your travels. No, being knocked unconscious doesn’t count.

You slowly blink.

“Well - uh -” you clear your throat. “Anyway, I’ll drop you off where Poppy and Kissy are,” Your throat is a little scratchy from all the yapping. “They’re on a lift by - ah shit-” You cough behind a fist. Screw your voice! So parched. Need water.

“Angel...” he sympathizes, moving the tiniest bit closer. “Please be gentle with yourself.”

“No- I got it, I got it. It’s just down a hall or two. I wouldn’t even have to redo the puzzles I think! It’s nothing. I got it, I got you.” You fail to force a yawn back down.

“On we go!” your voice carries out into the hall. What’s with you rushing off everywhere?

DogDay’s left perplexed in the double abandoned classroom… until you came back to offer him a ride.

“Your heart’s beating fast, which is crazy because we both have one.”

“...What?” DogDay’s arms are wrapped above your shoulders like you’re hugging him.

This is the compromise.

You didn’t want to drop him, and he didn’t want to exhaust you further.

“Your heart, is fast.” You spoke slowly.

Surprisingly, you’re steady, even uphill - even upstairs.

“Yours is too.” His voice rumbles again. It almost sounded sassy.

“Yeah.” Is all you reply.

You’re too focused ahead.

DogDay doesn’t utter another word besides a hushed, ‘careful’ in your ear every other step. Beyond that, his face lies next to yours. His breathing is quiet as to not annoy you.

Things actually feel fine.

Like there’s hope.

DogDay hasn’t thought of the surface in a long time.

There’s a fleeting thought. One that’s reoccurred since he peeked at you while your hands were stained with his blood. So focused you were, and you didn’t hurt him.

When there’s nothing left to fix here, would you leave with him?

You’d free everyone, including him. Anyone could go anywhere, do whatever-

But would you leave with me?

“DogDay,” you stall slowly.

Oh no! You can’t read minds, can you?

“When I get back, I’ll...nap, or whatever.”

But if you fall asleep, that's time wasted! The little voice in your ear harps.

In that case, why are you doing this extra effort for DogDay, huh? You’re backtracking for him? Apparently yeah. Why? Not sure. Maybe you’re just chill like that.

“A nap would be good.” DogDay tries not to melt in your arms.

“You saved him.” Poppy deadpans from atop Kissy’s shoulder. There’s so many emotions to unpack from that. Why did it sound like a question? Why were there hints of shock?

Or maybe you shouldn’t overthink when you’re sleepy.

“Yeah!” Your reply is slurred with tired flair.

“If you die,” Poppy calls your name, “-all of this - everything we’ve accomplished was for nothing.”

“Guess I won’t die.” You strain your words with a shrug, setting DogDay down onto the worker lift. “You mess with him, you mess with me.” You break from your usual, sleepy demeanor to squint-glare at Poppy and Kissy.

Never mind, you can’t bring yourself to glare at Kissy.

It’s Poppy you’ll glare at!

“You were serious?” DogDay breaks you out of your one-sided staring competition. You’re going to find his legs?

“Huh?” Back to the not-a-thought-between-those-eyes look. The frog blink is a giveaway. “Yeah!” you sputter. “In case I do die, let me say my goodbyes,”

“Angel,” DogDay’s voice is low. Even without the pupils to give you a ‘be for real’ look, you still catch the message.

“I’m just joking, but Poppy... I wanted to let you know.” You lean against the yellow metal railing for support. You’re gonna need another adrenaline shock or else you’re gonna fall asleep walking the way back. “You always scared me a little. No, no, no - little is an understatement. I had fear… that you would bite my ankles when I wasn’t looking,” you quickly admit. Your words almost slurred together.

You wear an exaggerated mournful expression.

“Kissy?” The fuzzy pink overgrown sour patch monster looks at you from her slumped-over sitting position. Poppy looks completely unamused sitting on her shoulder.

“You were always a real one.”

“Angel,” DogDay stresses with more conviction. He drags himself closer to the edge of the worker lift. “You can’t fall.”

Why are you arguing with a mascot about finding his missing legs? Wait is this an argument-

“I wouldn’t go if you’re this tired...” He isn’t getting through to you, is he?

There’s that frog blink of yours again.

“I’ve only known you for about an hour I think, but I would walk all the way - the front - the back - the front doors - for you if you were on the other side.”

Once more DogDay questions what?

“Boop.” You poke his nose. “Okay see you guys - I’m going to go live!” You jog away into a sprint.

You pause for breath because your GrabPack is heavier than usual.

Darn sleepiness.

Also your back is starting to hurt.

Chapter Text

"Why do I hear pitter-patters?" You can't stop yapping.

The talking only intensifies when you’re alone! (Plus it helps everything become less scary.)

Your poor throat.

You travel by purple hand. “Look at that! I’m already here again!” You happily get on the worker lift after the puzzle activates successfully. “I am on a ROLL!”

After a couple drops, you’re back at the intersection. The left leads to the shrine, and the right leads to those ankle-biting toys. Forward leads to certain death.

Left I go - oh shit. There’s a gap. Forgot.

You could get over there since the GrabPack has tiny jets to soften the fall, but how would you get back? What if DogDay’s legs aren’t even over there?

Intuitively you squint, trying to find sense in the darkness when - DogDay’s legs!

There’s a huge pile of dead (dead?) shredded-up toys on top of it.

You hop off.

Oh isn’t that joyful and fun! A human skeleton, inside that caterpillar-dog-thing’s mouth!

You yawn and avoid looking at their blank eyes.

What are the odds that finding DogDay’s missing half would be so easy??

You send out your GrabPack hands to grasp the toys on top of it. Yanking them off.

Onto the next layer.

Wondering where they go, your gaze tiredly dips down to a lifeless CatNap toy sliding down the rocks. It nears the edge until it’s caught by a bigger purple paw.

“How whimsical.” You mumble and turn. And it didn’t process. “Wait a minute.” Oh did something process?

You turn on your heel. “How am I gonna get back up there?” That’s right, the platform is broken and only descends, you couldn’t get back up there if you tried! You’ll have to do that whole thing again with the plushies - but didn’t that door close?

“Shit… maybe he was right.” you contemplate for half a second. Do you think so?

“Leave.” An airy, whispery voice warned as heavy steps got closer.

Your GrabPack hands sink into the final layer of shredded-up toys. For a minute you think about taking some of the stuffing from the dead(?) toys to give to DogDay, but you have no way of carrying it all.

“What-?” You turn.

Shiver your timbers!

Your heart rate accelerates.

The purple monster cat himself. Notably tall, even while walking on all fours.

He has claws.

He clawed up DogDay.

Your brows furrow when all your reason goes out the window, “Shoo! Go!” You GrabPack grab DogDay’s other half, slowly dragging it (due to its weight.)

CatNap’s visible pupils waver on you. He trudges unreasonably slow. Every step he takes is a step you take back to the metal platform. He wouldn’t chase you through the Playhouse, would he?

“CatNap lives for the hunt’ my ASS Ollie.” You mumble like they can hear you.

You... left the phone at the school.

Shoot.

Guess they really can't.

You yawn into your shoulder as a defense mechanism. To self-regulate your poor body to lower your stress.

Your smart brain cell keeps zoning in and out.

You could run away, but what if that triggers him into chasing you? On the other hand, you could fight, but all you have are your GrabPack hands.

Red Gas. He exhales it from his void-like mouth.

Not good - not good - “I have a ball of yarn!” You shout from the depths of your soul. In your head, you shook the whole building complex.

CatNap continues exuding the red smoke.

Why didn't you bring a backpack from the school to help carry things?

You struggle to find the ball in your pocket. When you do, you pinch it between your fingers and hold it out. It’s the thread you were going to use to fix DogDay… boldly assuming that you’d make it out alive with his legs to do so.

You accidentally let go of DogDay’s other half.

CatNap halts about an uncomfortable foot from you.

Your brain hurts, like it’s gearing up to deal with a lot of hurt so the hurt you do receive, hurts less.

The purple cat mascot sits on his knees. His eyes are staring into your soul. You are sweating for sure.

Your brain cells ache. The hand holding out the small deformed ball of (what you could call) yarn shakes under inspection. You can’t bring yourself to move. It’s either jump forward onto the metal platform and run down that long hall again, back to the entrance of the Playhouse, or…

Why’s everything getting wiggly?

You gaze at CatNap. Has your hand always had eight fingers...?

His tail flicks.

“Ha...ha... cat.” You drop the tiny ball of yarn to point out dryly. Your eyes suddenly seize open. “No!” Fuck the red smoke!

“Give me a two minute head start!” You miss at first, but you quickly carry DogDay's other half with the help of the GrabPack arms and skedaddle back down the hall. Your footsteps thump against the metal flooring. Everything in your head hurts with a small ringing in your ear.

“Make it five!” You shouted back, traveling down the familiar route. You don't need to scan your blue hand again. The door is already open.

Down a tight turn, you speedrun this shit!

Life’s a blur when your life’s in danger!

“Damn it!” You forgot all about crawling. You went ahead, then GrabPack DogDay’s other half to pull along with you. The flares you shot are thankfully still around. That’s likely why the little menaces aren’t giggling after you.

May the universe be on your side.

These damn play tunnels! Still stressing you out years later!

Your eyes widen and joy floods your spirit.

Those two yellow doors at the end of the pool room!

You’re almost there!

You jog through the doorway.

Just a little-ish more to go!

Chapter Text

No, the candle flames shouldn't be as wiggly as they are. Wiggly fire-worms in the corners of the play jail.

Your chest seizes.

"Ow, ow," you try to breathe through it.

There's the broken floor-

Behind locked jail doors.

Well, I'm fucked.

CatNap sways into the room, ducking under the doorway in the process. On cue, he exhales red smoke.

You cough, trying not to look at Dog's blob of miscellaneous organs. Actually, it's saturated stuffing. No organs.

Poor DogDay. You set him down for a moment to ease your sore back.

Your adrenaline is freezing over from the red smoke entering your lungs. You especially cough when a cloud of smoke covers CatNap.

He walks through it. However, instead of revealing some sort of nightmare fuel... he looks brighter and fluffier. Like if his creators actually knew what approachable and cute looked like.

"Cat." You pat him square in the face with your GrabPack hands. He blankly stared at you, exhibiting more red smoke.

Your pupils dilate, yet you're still up from leftover adrenaline. You trip and manage to stagger another step closer.

"Are there five of you..." Your voice slurs together. "You're so silly." You point within his personal space bubble. "You know, why you gotta," you stutter, trying to think. "Why do you gotta be mean?" You lean against his arm before pacing.

"Did you actually do that? Or did," you gesture at DogDay's other half sitting there. "Or did you know who frame you!" You're forgetting whose company you're in.

"Excuse me other CatNap." You step around nothing to ponder at a candle in the corner.

Real-life CatNap blocks the other exit. He sits on his knees. His irises glow and trail after your pacing. He glances at the floor.

Waiting.

"What?" You interrupt your own monologue of theories. You catch him looking back up at you. Your brows furrow. "Wha - are you sad?"

You stumble back into his vicinity. "Hey... cat... it's okay. I might... " You touch his arm, then slowly refrain. His silence is confusing. "Wait, I can't. You hurt DogDay. I like DogDay. You're kind of growing on me though. You know who I don't like? Poppy!"

You plop down. "She -" You lower your volume. You can't squint, or else you'll fall asleep. "Not a thousand percent sure - not entirely remembering it - but I feel like she crashed the train on purpose. Why would she try to kill me -"

Despite there being no way to track time, it's been thirty minutes of disorganized chatter.

CatNap remained someone to lean on.

"You look like you have a lot of wisdom." You lay on the floor next to him, your GrabPack to the side. "What are you planning in there..." You look up at him. He hasn't moved from his sitting position in front of the doorway.

"You don't talk much." He watches your hand raise and pet his lower arm. Fluffy, your mind is hazy from the red smoke. You're still trucking along!

Woah. You yawn, "Did your ears move... You're sillier by the minute."

You slowly blink; "So about your eyes, are they able to be grabbed?"

CatNap hesitantly moved his paw, and tapped the side of your face with his absolute talons. Reminded you of a cat knocking something off a shelf.

"Hey." You remain on the floor.

You don't feel in control of your body.

"Can you say something?" His voice is kind of cool.

CatNap looks at the locked doors ahead, then back at you. Pretending to be unaffected by your silliness. He looks forward. After a minute, he replies; "Something."

"HA!" You make the mistake of closing your eyes. You sit up. "No, I'm not sleeping. I'm not sleeping man," you turn and impulsively grab CatNap's face. "I'm not - oh stars your head is huge. Wow." You let go and crawl back some steps. "Sorry I got in your face."

CatNap stiffly stands up. He investigates the doors.

You chat with a hallucinated CatNap.

CatNap slowly turned his head, puzzled. He nudges the door open with his paw.

It wasn't locked.

For some reason, the red smoke is taking longer to affect you.

When CatNap 'revealed' your escape, you scrammed and nabbed DogDay's other half. You pushed him ahead of you. The correct kids' tunnels remained open, and thankfully the Smiling Critter toys were away.

CatNap shadows you with his tail wrapped around the GrabPack you forgot.

You go down the slide... and close your eyes for a long blink.

It's cozy.

Perfectly dim and warm.

Perfect for a short, long blink. Not a nap.

CatNap's claws scrape against the plastic to slow his descent. He steps around you.

The scratching noises startle you awake. "Where are they - I'll shoot them." you blurt and look around. "Oh hey." Any normal person would shit their pants upon seeing CatNap this close.

You will yourself up. You sluggishly follow behind him.

Follow the leader, you are SO functioning properly.

"Hey cat," you yawn. Everything's hitting. The need for water, for food, everything. It hurts. "Do you have canned food?" Why would he-

He stops walking. You bump into him.

Instead of the usual way out, he ducks into the far left tunnel.

Oh, there's your GrabPack!

"What?" your voice cracks with a confused sound. "You're leaving?"

You prop DogDay's other half at your feet.

You glare at the GrabPack, then subconsciously wear it and switch to the flare gun-hand, your brain not fully there.

You hear the stupid footsteps and the pitter-patters.

It's hard to keep your eyes open. Your eyelids are heavy.

Giggles.

You rapid fire. The flares coexist with the old ones. The giggly shits are trying to get to DogDay.

"Pew, pew," you narrate the flare gun. A cyan one sits down in front of the tunnel CatNap went in. "Pew."

It doesn't retreat.

You tilt your head. "Pew?"

It tilts its head back.

You look up for a moment. It's disturbing how many toy corpses are hanging from the ceiling.

The mini elephant looks cleaner compared to the other ones. Less weird. Slightly more approachable.

Those big, expressionless voids for eyes.

You flinch when it wobbly stands upright.

"Don't bite my ankles..." You scold, standing your ground. You continue to shoot around when the flare gun replenishes.

The plush daringly waddles towards you, still upright.

"Are you mean or not?" You nudge it over with your shoe. It gracefully falls, then gets back up. It holds its arms at you like a toddler wanting up.

Your brain clenches for information. You shoot it with a flare just in case. It's startled, but it gets back up and looks down at the flare.

You hear more evil giggling.

You shoot them.

You looked away for one second. The elephant critter stood at your feet. It waits for your attention before poking DogDay's side. It flaps its arms again.

CatNap emerges from the same tunnel. How do you know? The scraping sounds.

As a result, the evil toy critters back up for good. The Bubbaphant (you think) toy critter is now clinging to your pants leg. Great.

"Okay fine." You cave. You squat down. The Smiling Critter toy jumps up onto your shoulder. "I shall call you… Bug."

Bug climbs into the hood part of your hoodie, which you totally forgot you're wearing.

"Cat guess what!" You give him space to get out. "I got a friend. Well two of them-" You finger gun at him with your sixteen fingers.

As CatNap exited, he pushed out a couple things. They drop on the padded floor.

"Is that… canned corn?" You hear something crinkly hit the floor. "Is that bottled water?" you'd read the labels, but they're blurry. You step away from DogDay to get the items.

"CatNap I could kiss you - I'm not consuming this yet though." You blink like a frog. "I got my buddy down here, and a buddy on my back." you turn left, down the hall. CatNap notices Bug chilling in your hood.

You walk past all the dead things with DogDay, back in your GrabPack arms.

"What a conundrum." You spend a second remembering how to pronounce the word.

CatNap strides ahead. He digs his claws under the metal garage door.

"Woah!" The red door scrapes against whatever lock is installed. The ceiling's rather short, so he can't stand up all the way.

You watch him open it. Your mind's drifting to sleep. It's favoring sleep!

Thinking about it.

Considering it.

"Huh?" you make a funny noise. Your feet can't touch the ground- "Oh." You squeeze DogDay's other half to yourself. You stashed the canned food, and water in your hoodie's singular pocket.

The door breaks and lifts up. CatNap stretches and leaps across the square abyss with ease. Your legs collide with the shiny gold moon pendant.

You don't know what you'd do if the worker lift didn't automatically come down. CatNap's claws reappear on your sides and set you down.

You whip around, nearly smacking his arm with your GrabPack hands.

"So we're friends now?" You can't help but sound smug. You turn away to yawn.

Bug, the Bubbaphant plush makes itself known by climbing out onto your shoulder. CatNap resists the urge to smack it off you.

"This is Bug." You try to introduce them, but Bug climbs on the opposite side of your face.

Away from him.

You shrug, "Mkay." you frog-blink.

You force yourself up. The ride reaches its end. You hoist DogDay's other half onto your GrabPack arms.

"You're not on my hit list CatNap, congratulations!" Your words tie together. "You either, Bug! Congrats to all of you!" you sound joyous. You yawn for the millionth, trillionth time.

CatNap stares silently at DogDay's cardboard cutout. He's crouched like he's about to sprint off at the slightest sound.

Bug wiggles out of your hood. It shakes its head, tossing its cyan ears around, then scampers down the two-tone slide.

With care, you help DogDay's half slide down too. Maybe Bug will help move him out of the way?

Your eyes are still dilated.

CatNap's only crouched to have eye contact with you, is what you would realize had you not been essentially drugged.

You slowly blink, "Boop." You did indeed poke the CatNap's nose.

He looks at his nose. Then back at you, with the slightest tilt of his head.

"Hug?" you ask first.

You hug him?

He can't believe he actually thought about it.

Would it kill him? No.

CatNap slowly sat on his knees and leaned back with his arms open. He stared expectantly at you.

Is it the red smoke, or did his demeanor almost seem... scared for a split second?

You shrug off the GrabPack and tackle the mascot into a hug! He's not as fluffy as he looked. More boney.

Your arms grow slack around his torso.

He's warm though.

You slump against his shoulder with closed eyes.

Odd.

CatNap tilts his head at an angle. You look... more at peace than he's ever felt before.

He calls your name with the same whispery voice.

"Huh - what-" Your eyelids are gluing themselves together. "Sorry - you smell like lavender, and you're WARM." you blink twice. "I like you CatNap." you nod. "You're right, I do." you verbally agree with yourself.

Glad that's taken care of.

Your blinks are closer together. "Are you going with me - are we saying goodbyes?" You put on the GrabPack. You sit inside the slide, prepared for takeoff.

CatNap headbutts you. The unexpectedness plus the exhaustion, took you off guard. You weren't given time to hold onto the edge of the slide. "See you later I guess..." Your voice echoes all the way down till it's silent.

Now that you're out of his metaphorical hair.

Time to go carve some cryptic messages in the Counselor's Office for you to find!

Chapter Text

CatNap hesitated and lowered his head down the slide. His ears flick.

No movement.

Damn it.

He thought you were out of his metaphorical hair.

He stares straightforward for a moment, then clambers down the twisting slide. Inadvertently pushing you out onto the floor. Which can't be comfortable.

He stays low, in the shadows, eyes darting around the dim environment.

Your little group has to be nearby somewhere.

Why is he even – He can't complete the thought. Wait, are you dead?

CatNap tries carefully swatting at your back.

Bug shrinks into your space at his sudden appearance.

You are completely out.

Does it count as sleeping? Is the question.

CatNap tilts his massive head. His half-moon pendant glistens in the light as he sits by you.

"I think I see her!"

CatNap's ears and himself turn to the sudden shout.

Poppy...

CatNap slowly stood on four legs, while Bug tried pushing you over onto your back.

Kissy...

And would you look at that:

Half a DogDay.

CatNap stares intently from afar. He can't quite see the group in detail, but their worker lift is descending.

You know what would be hilarious?

CatNap glances at DogDay's other half, and your GrabPack spread out on the floor.

Then down to you.

You're breathing.

But would it be worth the amusement?

The worker lift settles to a stop.

DogDay's the first to crawl out.

Yeah. CatNap struggles to scrape you off the floor. It's like trying to pick up a card with long nails.

He lifts you onto his shoulders and you flop forward with your arms dangling. Any sudden turns, and you'll be thrown off.

DogDay calls your name.

Bug tried to cling to your shoulder as CatNap moved you, but he swatted it away.

CatNap waits until DogDay can just barely see you, then sprints to the Counselor's Office. His claws scrape against the various textures. He leaps over the mountain of stone stairs, and with momentum, pounces through the initial wooden door.

He slides to a halt around the corner. Your face is heavy against his head. He readjusts you.

CatNap strolls around the second corner while extending his claws to simply break the next door instead.

"What is CatNap doing!" Poppy shouts at your discarded GrabPack and DogDay's other half. She hops down from Kissy's shoulder. "What is she doing?"

Poppy's at a loss.

"You..." her accusatory tone startles DogDay from mournfully staring at the Counselor's Office.

Kissy looks between them both.

Poppy sighed, "She just had to go back for you."

"I didn't ask her to." DogDay's ears lower.

Poppy crosses her arms and turns around. Not noticing something cyan disappear into the Counselor's Office.

"You had every chance to stop her." Poppy mutters with resentment. Stop you from retracing your own steps.

DogDay takes the calm approach; "So did you."

"Like she would listen – " she snaps before realizing that truth. She groans and stomps back to Kissy.

She's lifted back onto her shoulder.

"She didn't look very... lively." She switches the topic.

DogDay inspects his other half. Can't believe you actually got it back for him! "The fact she made it through the Playhouse is a miracle of its own." he grumbles.

"We need to find her before she's killed." Poppy interrupts. "For all we know, CatNap could be taking her to the Prototype right now."

Kissy loosely gestures at DogDay's other half. Diffusing the tension with confusion before DogDay could object. She side-eyes Poppy, then turns her head at the school.

Poppy glowers at him; "We'll leave you at the school to fix yourself," she sits on Kissy's shoulder.

Emphasis on leave.

It's obnoxious how many battery-powered doors there are. Too much scratching, and clawing – CatNap doesn't have time to leave cryptic messages on the walls!

He creeps down a lit hallway. He sits and looks up at the end. He needs to jump up into the vent, but he's not sure how to keep you from falling in the process.

Your group is probably far enough.

CatNap swats some trash, and toy corpses away, attempting to sit you down against a wall.

He felt the outline of the canned corn through your pocket the entire time against the back of his head.

Your lips are dry.

CatNap sits by your side. Taking in the particularly vibrant red-orange lighting at the end of this hall.

Why is he doing this? He could've let you die on the train, and it'd all be over.

Yet the Prototype didn't even punish him for saving you.

CatNap detects tiny footsteps. It could be Poppy.

Or not.

It's just Bug, jumping and falling down through every broken door CatNap broke. Trying to get to you. Where did the toy's loyalty to you come from?

CatNap didn't realize his tail curled around you until it got closer. He flicks Bug away.

Bug flies back about a foot, before springing up, and waddling back. It clambers over CatNap's tail to sit on your lap.

It's quiet for a beat as CatNap accepts this.

Your 'group' is sure taking a while to find you.

Nobody's sure how much time passed by until you stirred. Wearily, you take in the bright red-orange light. The damp smell of poorly kept water systems, and just the smell of trash and mauled toys in general is so inviting.

On your left, it smells like lavender.

You feel the weight of Bug curled on your lap, bringing your attention to the long purple tail curled around you.

CatNap side-eyes you as you briefly get conscious. He fully turns in place to check your pupils.

They noticeably constrict at the light that was previously blocked. That's good. The Red Gas is wearing off.

You pet Bug's unmoving head.

Exhausted, you slow-blink at CatNap. He doesn't look as fluffy or marketable as before. He looks boney, almost malnourished with the way his spine is visible. At least compared to DogDay.

You breathe in deeply, trying to focus more on the lavender than the trashy smells. Your back aches.

It's like a million bricks were chucked at your head.

Your hands travel in your hoodie's pocket, landing on the cylindrical can and water.

Bug remains motionless since you're relatively not moving much.

Ten fingers. You counted. And the water is a brand you recognize. You unscrew the top and chug about half of it. How refreshing, despite the plastic taste.

Maybe CatNap could hook you up with some more.

Said cat mascot gives you a three-fourths view of his face.

You cough into the crevice of your arm before offering the can for him to open.

How you wonder if his eyes are actually able to be grabbed. You'll never know.

CatNap plucks the canned corn from you and pierces it. He sits up to drain the water in the trash pile that he – for the record – did not create. When it's drained, he carves the top off, then returns it. All without you verbally asking.

You toss the can back and feast on the canned corn. It doesn't smell bad. Thankfully it doesn't taste bad either.

The empty can is set down, and Bug slides off to investigate it for Bug reasons.

Only your water bottle returns to your pocket.

You dramatically flop against his arm. You bonk your head on his stupidly pointy shoulder. You hide the momentary pain; it's nothing compared to your feet, back, and head.

"Thank you." you whispered.

You both take a breather from everything.

For a moment you forget you're on opposite sides.

"More water would be nice." you slow-blink at the light source with your head against his shoulder. You clear your throat to get rid of the embarrassing voice cracks.

"I… will look." Came from CatNap's raspy speaker. He glances away, "Later."

"Thanks." you unscrew the cap, still leaning against him, to sip more of your water.

There's a stretch of silence besides your sipping, and Bug playing around with the empty can.

"This is kind of peaceful, not gonna lie." You sit up to stretch, mindful of CatNap's presence.

A shrill voice calls out from down the hall.

Calling your name.

With instinctual grief, you recognize who it is: Poppy.

She and Kissy followed the torn-up doors like a bread trail.

The Prototype would not approve of CatNap conversing with her.

They're advancing closer.

Poppy raises her voice so you can hear her call, " – are you going to befriend the Prototype next – what are you doing?"

Yeesh, she's extra sassy.

Perhaps you could pretend to pass out.

Chapter Text

"Leave me alone." You dramatically huff and turn on your side, facing CatNap with Bug glued to your arm.

You don't like her tone.

CatNap stands on all fours, eyeing the exit above.

Do you keep up with Poppy's plan, or do you go with CatNap?

Space from Poppy sounds like a dream, but it should all loop around anyway.

You cover your mouth to whisper, "Yo, let me go with you."

"Don't you dare!" Poppy bellows down the hallway.

CatNap bristles at Kissy's rapid approach. He hooks you under his stretched arm and lazily leaps up into the cavity. Pushing you through the vent first.

Didn't expect to fall onto metal grate flooring.

With no railing.

Your head is only softened thanks to Bug. Your spine jolts from impact.

You sure tumbled out of that situation!

"Ow."

"Get back here!" Poppy's voice echoes in the vent CatNap expertly jumped down from. The movement jostles the uneven floor. Another heavy object, and the two of you will splat into the foggy unknown.

Well maybe not CatNap, but you will for sure.

"Kissy, can you climb?" you both listen to the much fainter and kinder tone directed towards the fuzzy pink monster.

You rise from the dead; "We gotta skedaddle." you clear your throat. "I mean ahh! I'm being CATnapped! You guys should really save me sometime!" you cup your mouth.

Your shoulders shake from chuckles.

Adrenaline is keeping you from dying on the floor from all the slams and ouchies.

You lean against CatNap. He's staring off into the void. "Yeah I don't think I can make that." You deadpan.

You hear thumping in the vent.

CatNap crouches without asking. You swing your leg over with Bug now moved into your arms. Your legs mess with CatNap's moon pendant. The pointy corners rank last on your pain scale.

"This is wider than the other jump." You reference as CatNap leaned back and stiffened. He pushes himself forward, springing across the gap with ease. His claws scrape against the various grate holes, creating little sparks. He doesn't look back.

You do.

Poppy's in the vent.

She's pissed.

She isn't sure what enrages her more. How nonchalant you are, or how particularly tame CatNap, of all monsters, is acting towards you.

The company is dead. So many lives were lost. Here you are presented with the option to save everyone that's left, and you're hanging out with CatNap like it's a causal thing!? A casual thing to do?

Of all people that could've returned, it just had to be you.

You.

"Oh wow, you really..." Wait for it. "CARRIED!" You chuckle.

Turns out CatNap's pretty skinny, you don't have to get off his back/neck in vents. Which saves you from a lot more headache. Pun intended.

"You're also really good at puzzles." Feeling his bones move is highly disturbing but you kept your face close to not hit your head. Bug's smushed on top of his head. "Without a GrabPack no less." You praise.

"I tip my hat to–"

CatNap hops down from the vent with more grace than you and Bug combined.

"Oh shit." Red gas everywhere in this room. You gasp for air.

CatNap hurdles into the correct room.

Which unfortunately leads into another puzzle room. The same kind of puzzle you had to do before seeing CatNap's shrine.

"There's a door up there!" you point with a yawn. It's one of those metal garage type ones. He could totally lift it, and skip the puzzle. "Actually wait, hold on, PAWS." You joke once more.

CatNap stops after clawing his way up to the door. He sits on his knees, and you slide off with Bug hanging out on your shoulder.

You sit down on some rusty pipes that loops back into the ground while Bug slots itself into your arms. Content looking around.

You begin to process CatNap's existence, along with the situation at hand. You have some food and water in your system, and a decent amount of sleep (at least for you), and a minor dose of red smoke.

For once you might have a clear head.

"So… you're alive." You glance up at CatNap with your head tilted at the floor.

"You're not possessed?" You point with a raised brow.

CatNap shook his head for no.

"But you are?" You point at Bug.

Bug boops your nose.

"I had a weird nightmare about a radio and Huggy Wuggy a long while back, that's why I bring this all up." You disclaim.

"It's cool to learn more about you. It makes you less scary." You offer less of a smile– more of a content expression.

You don't want to state the obvious but, "Honestly the more I learn about the owner of this place, the more I think that all of you should've just got together and killed everyone. So the experiments would stop." You shrug.

CatNap's gaze lingered on you as he sat beside you with his tail curled. The way he looks up, down, at the door, and back– he's thinking about something. Something you won't pry on after getting his exclusive backstory.

"Hold the front door," you try to find the positive. "Can you live forever?" After being given a new body, you'd think so, right?

"NO." He rasps out. This is the most talking he's done in the past decade.

"Oh. Well." You shrug without another comment.

Bug's floppy arms absentmindedly tap your forearm.

"How come you don't talk much?"

You recognize a flicker of calm on his static, cartoony face.

"People… stopped… listening." He looks ahead.

Your hand hesitantly rose to pat his head.

"No..." CatNap deadpans in a whisper, leaning away from you.

His face isn't to be touched.

"Okay." you immediately respond with your hands to yourself. Bug grabs your hand, so you pet Bug.

CatNap hears the sound of your hand against Bug's fabric and gradually turns to face you again; still sat by your side.

"Why..." The cat mascot starts.

You remain quiet.

But he still can't complete the thought.

You exhale, "Yeah, me too."

Your shoulders soften with Bug pleased in your arms. Sleepy, possessed Bubbaphant plush, how silly.

"Have you heard of ASMR?" you suddenly ask CatNap.

"I'm just saying I'd subscribe." You yawned again. So tired from all the walking you didn't do.

Almost lost track of the halls.

CatNap knew where to go.

Suspicious, but it's okay you forgive him.

Your honor, he's just a silly guy.

"Let me guess, another cord," you walk around the corner. It's just waiting to be grabbed.

Back in the open arena: The center of Playcare.

It's a lot less whimsical knowing the lore.

The sky is a deep ocean blue. A camera definitely couldn't capture the light, but thankfully your eyes can!

You feel Bug's weight on your head. You stare mournfully at the character statues.

Can't hear Poppy's annoying voice, or Kissy's steps. It's eerily quiet.

DogDay – oh shoot you forgot about DogDay! There's nothing by the statues, not sure why you remember leaving something here. Damn, your GrabPack is gone.

"Are you done?" A voice spoke by your ankles.

"Oh hell no!" you run and kick around like you're the bull in a bull riding contest. Poor Bug held onto your head.

"Stop it–!" False alarm, it's just Poppy. Shit, you kicked her a few feet back. "What is WRONG with you!" She struggles to get up for a split second with her big head. She dusts her blue dress off and glares at you.

"Don't 'what's wrong with you' me! I warned you! I remember that distinctly!" Your voice raised. You have a very real fear of your ankles getting harmed.

CatNap looks around in place for Kissy.

"Just what are you doing now?" Poppy's eyes are weird.

The cord in your hand should've been obvious.

"CatNap and I were in the area, thought it would be a good night to go out on a stroll, just admiring the architecture – what do you think I'm doing?" you wave the extended cord.

"He's helping you?"

CatNap's eyes glow in the dark.

"Where's DogDay?" you ask instead.

CatNap bitterly attempts tripping you with his tail before you reach the stairs.

You give a 'bruh' look and leave him and Poppy above.

You duck under the previous cords and wires to plug this one in. Ollie's voice isn't there to guide you. The tube (where all the keys came out) glows.

Yet instead of a key, a giant battery manages to fit, bang, and scrape down the glass tube. That logically shouldn't have happened, but it did. Now you have a big battery.

Woah, woah, woah.

Things are going too fast for you.

Every time you're back in Poppy's presence, it's like her body language is screaming 'rush, rush, rush!' which is draining. Motivating, oddly enough, but mostly draining.

It's sheer luck you didn't drop the battery on her.

"Finally, now you can–" Poppy tries forcing you to–

"No. Where's DogDay?"

After that last reference, CatNap dashes away into the night. Probably in the direction Poppy wanted you to go.

"Okay bye?" you call out, confused by the reaction.

"He's sulking in the school." Poppy grumbles out with tensed tiny fists. Her hair distorted from your frantic kicks.

Chapter Text

The blue light is colder than it was a minute ago.

"Wait CatNap!" you came a few steps closer. He's small from a distance. Only to watch him duck into the room Poppy wants you to rush to.

"But DogDay,"

You want to check on them both.

Damn it.

If only there was a secret third option.

You dramatically lean like you were punched in the stomach.

"Ugh, the pain of decisions."

"Where's your phone – Ollie should be calling you." Poppy stopped at the battery and paused. She slowly turns; her gaze disapproving, "Where did you leave it?"

"The school." you give up a response.

Poppy condescendingly utters your name immediately after.

"–I'll follow CatNap." you interrupt with your hands defensively up. "And..." you look away with a neutral expression. "I'm sorry for kicking you."

Poppy fixed her hair before you mentioned it.

"Your GrabPack." Is all she says, "It's over there." With a tired sigh.

It's poorly hidden under some rubble.

You dust it off and swing it on.

Oh, your back.

That's where the irritation stemmed from!

Welp, time to put a big battery on top of it all.

You definitely need another nap.

You glance in the general direction of the school. At least, you think so. Not really sure, it's still pretty dark in here.

With the unsettling experience with Poppy out of the way, you journey up the mountain (the small hill) all the way up to the mysterious door.

Open with red light spewing out of it, beckoning you to come in.

You don't need any more of her instructions. You got the battery, so you're going to put the battery in the battery... thing. In the wall. Yeah.

You're halfway there!

Mild cough attack.

It echoes in the otherwise silent Gas Production zone.

Something wiggles in your hood. Bug jumps out and tackles your leg.

"Bug, what's up?" You can barely see it with the big battery in the way. "Move, I don't wanna drop this on you." Your steps slap against the concrete.

Bug continues to try to deter you from putting the battery in.

You stop to set the battery down, "Fine, what is it? Should I have checked on DogDay first?" you ask like Bug's a mystical fortune teller.

The door next to where the battery needs to go creaks and rolls open.

"CatNap?" Not sure why Bug is bugging you. Still frantically tapping your leg.

CatNap slowly approached through the doorway, exuding that dumb red smoke you JUST healed from.

"CatNap, buddy, stinging my lungs a bit." You cough twice, subconsciously stepping back, but he steps closer.

His not-so-silly pupils fixate on you.

Your grip on the GrabPack controls tighten.

He persists with a large amount of red smoke.

Bug hasn't given up on trying to push you away.

The smoke covers CatNap completely.

He emerges from the red gas.

"Oh shit," your eyes widen.

CatNap's a sickly gray color, his mouth stretched out like it's about to melt onto the floor.

You GrabPack grab Bug.

His bones are way more prominent.

If you sprint, that'll trigger him into chasing you again.

Bug pats your face and gestures rapidly towards the opposite side of the room.

A shiny red button.

You ditch the battery, begrudgingly speed-walking backward into what seems to be a visible elevator shaft with Bug's semi-guidance.

CatNap steadily advances.

Bug jumps from your arms to hit the button, lifting the gate up. You catch them while entering the elevator. You press the final button.

You gape at the perceived CatNap like a confused fish.

The elevator rises.

Bug tries their best to hug you.

Instead of clawing, or trying to rip open the grate wall to kill you like you'd expect. CatNap's disturbing form swivels up the gate until he's blocked by a wall.

The elevator rises, much like your heart rate, into the unknown.

Normally, it'd be like, 'yay adventure!' but now it's like, "What the fuck was that?"

More red light, therefore more red smoke above.

Isn't that great?

The crinkling from your water bottle alerts you. You decide to uncap it, and chug the rest down because screw it. You litter in the elevator. With nothing else in there, you set Bug (and your GrabPack) down for a moment to physically move your hoodie around.

You place Bug into the hood.

"It's weird wearing it backward." You comment after putting the GrabPack back on.

Waiting.

"This is going pretty slow actually." You take the moment to sit down.

Bug chills the best they can under these circumstances. At least they aren't alone.

And you aren't either.

You pat Bug's head with a couple fingers. They look at the floor, seemingly reflecting on something. Or maybe thinking about more empty cans.

Who knows with Bug.

The elevator jostles with a heavy stop.

A way bigger garage-type door shakily raises.

You can see the smoke particles, that's how thick the air is. You squint, and blink more frequently.

Bug jumps out of your hood. Bug walks upright. Consistently looking back to see if you're following.

You obviously are.

"No..." you say like you're believing random gossip. "No, why does this look like a boss fight?"

Bug takes a moment to investigate everything.

You force your brain cells to spark together at the batteries and different areas Bug pointed out.

Bug jumps up onto a deteriorating side table in front of a big monitor.

You glance up at the green text, "CatNap is coming. Be ready." You slowly read out for comical effect.

175 seconds of willing your brain cells to work; switching between your purple and green GrabPack hand; and preventing phantom CatNaps from entering through the ceiling.

You practically bounced off the walls. Eyes constantly switching from side to side, up and down– all to make sure multiple phantom CatNaps wouldn't get you.

Smoke is his enemy.

You're not making this up.

Bug helpfully gestured whenever something urgently needed your attention.

More thumping footsteps, but is it fake, or really CatNap?

Four more seconds.

You follow Bug's visible arm movement/directions.

You GrabPack grab some electricity with your green hand to trigger a doorway into spraying gray smoke. A disgruntled growl echoes in the misty red fog.

Two seconds.

"We can make it." You jump down back into the center, looking, trying to focus your energy on sounds.

Distant, disfigured, CatNap blurs aimlessly stomp around.

Zero seconds.

The outlet sparks with blue light.

Bug wildly points to an electric source. You trust them, so you shoot your GrabPack hand at it, gathering the energy to launch the green hand where the mini strikes of blue lightning are.

It launches you harshly onto your back.

Bug turns to check on you.

The above door opens.

Your GrabPack hand sparks in your peripheral vision.

CatNap lands, graceful as ever, from the well lit vent. He leers over you, and by defense–

You pull the trigger.

In slow motion, it propels in the air. Bug ducks down into your hood. Your poor back aches from the previous impact.

Your green hand contacts CatNap's left shoulder. He jolts, looking away with his claws held up like he was going to remove it. He suddenly throws himself onto his side.

He looks up at you.

Raising his claws again.

Foolishly making more red smoke, instead of speech.

It sparks a fire.

He writhes, and he screeches, his whole body in flames.

All you can do is watch from your back, bitter shock in your eyes.

With a final shrill cry out, he slumps on his stomach, rolling onto his back. He pats the fire out.

The door above opens one last time.

A hand lowers itself down from the bright light.

Extinguished, CatNap scoots back some on his back.

Your brows furrow.

CatNap's right hand claws hesitantly stay in the air, while his other supports behind him. You can see gray smoke radiating off him.

"CatNap?" your voice came from your gut.

The hand slowly turned, as if offering to hold CatNap's hand.

Bug further hides into your hood, are they shivering?

CatNap's claws slip for a second, but he moves himself into the pose you saw him worship in earlier, only this time he's still sitting.

Not liking this at all.

You still have your left blue hand.

Your hand twitches, and just like when you shot CatNap, your blue hand darts in the air.

Right towards what could only be: the Prototype.

"Fuck off, fuck off, fuck off," you nearly stutter. You spam the blue hand.

Adrenaline gives you the unsteady strength of a million CatNaps.

You push the purple mascot onto his back with your bare hands. He doesn't travel as far as you'd like because you have your limits, but the important thing is that he's far enough.

You're shaking.

You stand in front of CatNap, Bug shivers in your hood.

"If you don't get the fuck out of here," you seethed from the pit your stomach.

If only you had your flare gun.

Your face burns, your sweat becoming more apparent.

"Leave!" You repeat what CatNap first said to you.

Speaking of, he glances between you and the Prototype's irritated hand.

The Prototype is his god.

He doesn't care what happens; he wants to repent.

CatNap swipes your feet with his tail. You clamber towards the ground. He resumes his worship pose.

"Damn it!" You shed the GrabPack within a split second.

You tackle CatNap onto the ground.

Bug leaps out of the conflict to hide behind something nearby.

"CatNap stop it," You're swatted off his back. Shit, he's probably in pain still. "Sorry."

You fall again, and jump right back up for more.

You're as resilient as Bug.

You kick away the GrabPack to spring onto his chest, knocking him down again. He doesn't waste effort trying to claw you off. You cling to his large, boney torso, feeling his ribs stab into you. He scoots back and kneels in front of the above door.

Ignoring you.

You hug him impossibly tight.

The Prototype angles its thin, pointy fingers.

The pressure of your hug makes CatNap acknowledge you. His head leans down, trying to look at what you're doing, coincidentally resting his chin on your head.

His claws remain in the air, as per his worship pose is.

The Prototype swings close, intending to impale.

It misses.

CatNap looks back up to watch the above door close with the light.

The smell of CatNap's synthetic burnt off fur lingers in the air, along with the question 'what the hell is he going to do now.'

Chapter Text

His god refused him because of...you?

CatNap leapt forward, his boney arm digging into your stomach.

Your eyes widen, but you say nothing.

This can't be it.

His other set of claws move on their own accord.

A sharp sensation grazes the bottom right of your face.

Close to hitting your chin or neck.

Your breath catches.

Maybe he'll make it quick? Or maybe he'll dig around your organs, and feed your remains to his minions back in the Playhouse.

Why...do you have time to think about this?

His tail thrashes behind him.

The arm CatNap used to support himself faltered. If you glance down, you can see the small amount of your blood glistening on his talons.

A low thud suddenly breaks the silence. CatNap's sharp-as-hell elbow digs further into your stomach.

Well, that's unexpected.

His right arm fell off.

You held your breath.

He pitifully shoves you away. You fall back like Bug has, onto your back though. CatNap lays on his side with his long tail curled around him.

You can only imagine how he's feeling right now.

Thank goodness he didn't do more than a scratch – considering what he did to DogDay.

Did I make the right choice? Your hand cups the injured part of your face.

You don't bother getting up. You outstretch your aching limbs like a starfish. You stayed a couple feet from him.

Did he want to die?

Your heart grows heavy.

What the hell do I say?

"I'm sorry I electrocuted you." you turn your head slightly, after a while of silence.

A glitchy sigh sound exits his speaker. His back still turned from you, his tail mildly flicking is his only sign of life lately.

His ears don't move.

"You're pretty strong though. If I was shocked like that... twice... I know it would've killed me the first time."

You had time to read files you found. They're surrounding you in little piles. Neither of you changed positions.

Bug timidly emerged from their hiding spot to comfort you. They did a full circle around CatNap to reunite with you. You pet Bug while they hug the side of your head.

Bug investigates the fallen CatNap limb, ready to poke it.

"I can sew that for you," you offer quietly.

CatNap's tail is in range, so he flicks Bug away from his fallen arm.

Bug speeds around to hide behind your arm.

"Okay," you said to the silence.

From your angle, you can map out every bone on CatNap's back.

You hesitate, "What would make you happy, CatNap?"

It doesn't hurt to ask, does it?

"Oh," you got an idea. "Going back to the Playhouse?"

Bug repeatedly taps your outstretched arm in defiance.

You didn't leave his side.

He's losing count of how many times he's spared you.

CatNap's facing away from you, so you can't see how his eyes drift to different things on the floor.

He's fully ignoring you, no doubt about that. But your second-to-last question...what would make him happy?

"One of us has to get up eventually." you continue. "If you think about it...you did put me in a garbage chute, or whatever it was. I'm not sure if it's equivalent to electrocution but...what if we call a truce?"

No response.

"I don't hate you, CatNap." you sighed out with tired patience. You project your voice louder for him to hear; "You're not like Huggy, or the creepy spider lady, or the teacher– or even the Prototype. You're way cooler."

You pause, feeling the scratch on your face harden from oxygen.

"Even without the red gas, I can see that you're my friend."

CatNap's tail swishing stalls.

Your guarantee lingers in the air for what feels like forever.

Until a blur of purple moves in your peripheral vision.

Next thing you know, CatNap's beside you. His back still turned, but somehow his tail is bent halfway around you. Not sure if there's even bones in there.

"It's okay buddy," you offered with your eyes closed, legs crossed, and your hands folded across your stomach for him to be this comfortable near you. "We all make mistakes."

You haven't spoken in a noticeable amount of time.

CatNap slowly turned to flop on his other side, facing you, like a cat lounging across the floor. Only this cat is insanely tall, purple, and monstrous.

Oh, you're sleeping.

He sat up to listen for a heartbeat for confirmation.

His gaze traces the scratch he left on you. He didn't know what else to do. His hand was shaking. He was shaking. Everything was shaky.

At least he didn't cut you in half.

Ha... Right. He's been rejected by his god.

CatNap refocuses on Bug who halfway hid from his face. Why is Bug looking at him funny?

He didn't move his face from your stomach. In fact, it sort of looks like he's trying to eat you with how naturally wide his mouth was made to be. He turns his head and carefully lays on his back. Accidentally pushing his weight against you.

Oddly enough, it doesn't wake you. Would've thought your stomach bruised.

CatNap hyper-focused on the outside details of the chute he would've been lifted into.

He was right where his god wanted him, but you had to intervene.

He wonders if it was worth it for you, or if you solely act on emotion when you should've just let him repent on his own accord.

CatNap hates to admit it, but his god wasn't a friend.

Sure the Prototype stuck around, but CatNap's smart; he knew there was an agenda. An agenda he would've committed to if it weren't for you.

CatNap rotates again, facing you.

Bug ducks when CatNap's capable arm stretches out. His claws tense in the air before relaxing loosely.

The movement and weight stir you awake. The weight initially has your eyes burst open. In fear that CatNap changed his mind to kill you in your sleep.

CatNap simply gazed into your soul, then looked away, his gigantic head pressing directly onto your stomach. Not to mention the extra weight of his arm.

"Oof," you huff but don't deter him.

He's at an angle so his waist isn't near yours at all.

Bug is unsure where to sleep next to you since somebody is hogging up all your personal space.

"You don't know how badly I want to pet you." You're close enough to whisper. You adjust your arms to be comfier.

You don't want to tempt fate by going for his head, so you awkwardly pet his claws bent in the air. You think he understands the sentiment; which is enough for you.

The past and future can't get you since you just woke up.

You can't stop smiling at the closeness.

"I'm thinking...we go back to the school, patch everyone up, look for more food and water for me – please – and then... I'll consider doing whatever it is that Poppy wanted me to do."

Your eyes can indeed close without the help of red gas. "Emphasis on consider."

You don't wanna get up.

"Later though." The low light certainly isn't convincing you to stay awake.

CatNap brings his only arm back to himself as he shifts to face the ceiling again; purposely keeping the back of his head against your torso.

"Goodnight buddy," you support the back of your head.

One cat nap shouldn't hurt.