Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

"What?" -Poppy seemed confused

"Stay where you are and listen closely" -the voice on the phone suddenly changed.- "You're not going to run. You're not going to fight. The charade is over"

Player looked terrified at the phone where Ollie's voice had completely changed to a more robotic one. Kissy started to tremble with fear, knowing what this meant

"Who... Who is this?" Poppy asked cautiously

"An obvious question with an obvious answer"

"It can't be!" -Player couldn't believe it

All this time... All this time...

Poppy seemed to be in shock for a moment before regaining her composure

"The doctor. Catnap, Mommy and Huggy. They're all dead! You.. you have nothing now. No one! And soon, you'll have less than THAT!"

"Stop that! You don't need to pretend anymore, Poppy. You can come home"

"How...? How much do you know?"

"Everything"

Poppy dropped the phone.

Player now understood everything. That's why the Save Haven exploded, it was all in 1006's plans

He gained their trust, they let him in, he gave them bad instructions to overload the generator and thus get rid of all his enemies

Player looked at his companions. Only 3 of them remained: Poppy, Kissy and him

What were they going to do now?

"Let me tell you what comes next" -the Prototype's voice pulled him from his thoughts.- "I'm going to come up there, and I'm going to find you~" -his sing-song voice was accompanied by heavy footsteps right above where they were hiding.- "Your collaborators, the few you have left, they will be dealt with"

"N-No... No, no, no" -Poppy seemed to fall into despair little by little.- "This entire time... This entire time, you've LIED to me!"

The Prototype scoffed, obviously happy to see the result. But then he sighed in frustration

"I admit though, I'm disappointed. After all that time in your case, I'd hoped you'd see things differently. Don't you understand?! It's always been about you and me, Poppy."

Wait, what is he talking about?

How is everything about him and her?

Player looked at Poppy suspiciously.

"What we ARE. That's not a truth can be burnt away... Not when it can mean so much more"

"What are he talking about, Poppy?" -Player asked, but Poppy didn't hear him

"Prototype... p-please," she begged

"It's time to come home, Poppy. It's time to come home"

Poppy fell into despair

"I can't go back to that case. I can't..." -she looked at Kissy and Player with sorrow.- "I'm sorry" -having said this she ran away, fleeing through the vents

"Poppy!" -Player shouted, feeling betrayal enter his heart

Kissy also tried to stop her, but Poppy didn't stop and left. Leaving her and the man alone in that place

She had left them to die

She had fled like a vile coward

Kissy looked down, unable to believe what had happened. Poppy, her best friend, she... had left

A beep started to sound, getting louder and louder. A sound that Player heard in the background, something he didn't recognize yet, as he was immersed in what had just happened

"Some friend, huh?" -1006's voice sounded again.- "Don't worry, I'll find her. As for you two... Try to land on your feet"

Kissy turned to him. Player felt a vibration on the floor beneath his feet

Suddenly, the floor where he was collapsed, the phone fell through a huge hole beneath them

Kissy held Player with her bad arm, her body hanging and barely holding on with her other hand.

"Kissy!" -Player saw that Kissy's injured arm was starting to come undone, but she refused to let him fall

Kissy...

Player knew he couldn't get distracted at that moment. If he didn't do anything, Kissy would lose her arm and he would fall

Player used his Grabpack to hold on and get out of the hole first. Kissy looked at him pleadingly while making faces of pain. Her arm had been badly injured

Player didn't hesitate, as soon as he was in a good position, he grabbed Kissy and started pulling her towards safety.

The explosion had caused a huge hole in the small space where they were, only on the edges was there enough room to stand

"We have to get out of here" -Player, making sure to hold Kissy well, used one of the Grabpack's hands to get out through the same tube he had entered there

Player thanked God again for the invention of that device. It had saved him from many things, and it seemed to be made of very good material to have withstood everything that had happened in that infernal factory

When they finally got out of the ducts, Player went straight to Kissy

"Show me your arm"

As soon as he saw it, he was filled with horror; he could see the bone and a large part had been torn. Tears welled up in the pink one's eyes

Player was filled with guilt

"Oh, Kissy. Your arm. If you hadn't grabbed me, if I had been faster..." -Player quickly denied and hugged her.- "Don't worry, everything will be alright..."

But Poppy had betrayed them and left

But Kissy was about to lose her arm

But now he didn't know what was going to happen

"Everything will be alright..."

To be continued...

Chapter Text

Player and Kissy reached an old laboratory. The man used his knowledge as a scientist and doctor to try to help Kissy, but in the end, he couldn't save her damaged arm and was forced to amputate to avoid a bigger problem.

Kissy cried a lot because of this. Player cried with her, hugging her with desperation and resignation.

"I'm sorry. I'm so sorry," Player said as he felt the doll's tears fall on his arms. "I tried, I really tried."

In the end, Player made a makeshift bed for Kissy with the material from an old stretcher and let her rest with a makeshift bandage to keep her now-right arm stump clean.

Kissy, exhausted and completely desolate, fell asleep quickly and deeply while still sobbing.

Player forced himself to move. He had to make sure to keep them safe, so he made a barricade, using the heavy furniture to block the entrances and prevent anyone from entering.

At that moment, because of the explosion, the Prototype thought they were dead, so there shouldn't be much problem, but there was nothing wrong with being cautious.

He cleaned the place and even took care of covering Kissy.

But it was at that moment, while Kissy slept soundly, that Player finally exploded. Not loudly, because he didn't want to wake Kissy, but mentally.

Poppy... That little wretch!

She had used them all that time!

"I'M SUCH AN IDIOT FOR TRUSTING HER!"

He should have known he couldn't trust the person who literally locked him in that place.

Player remembered it all again with a deeper and deeper resentment and hatred.

All that time, from the terrible moment he took her out of that case, he was dragged and forced to stay in the factory by Poppy, because SHE closed all the doors to the outside because she said he was too perfect to lose, saying that with him they could destroy the Prototype and save many.

Player already resented her for all this. He shouldn't have trusted her, that should have been the moment to find a way out and let her deal with her problems herself, but in the end he decided to trust.

He let himself be used, obeyed her orders, got his hands dirty for her, became a murderer... he did all the dirty and suicidal work that no one else did, that she ordered him to do while SHE hid in safety.

He fought Huggy, Mommy and the Game Station toys, he fought the cannibalistic Smiling Critters and Catnap, he fought Yarnaby, the Nightmare Critters and the doctor with all his copies. Against all the horrors of that factory!

How many did he kill? How many met their end at his hands?

And although he may have done it with good intentions to save the innocent, he discovered that Poppy had already abandoned Save Haven once and Doey, even Kissy, since she also belonged to the shelter. But they still let her stay.

How dare she come back after abandoning those she swore were her friends?! HYPOCRITE!

He was forced to trust Ollie because Poppy said he was a friend. He trusted blindly. And because of this, he ended up unintentionally destroying Save Haven, killing everyone inside.

He ended up forced to kill Doey to survive. He became everything he didn't want to be.

A murderer.

A traitor.

A puppet in this macabre game.

A monster.

The Doctor was right, he saved no one.

And then, after everything, Poppy hides her connection with the Prototype and abandons them when everything falls apart.

He feels used, turned into a monster, the blood of many innocent and guilty people is on his hands.

He couldn't save anyone. Not Dogday, not the shelter toys, not Doey, NO ONE!

He couldn't even save Kissy's arm.

He is miserable and his self-disgust increases with every second as tears fall from his eyes like liquid waterfalls of guilt.

And all because Poppy didn't trust them enough. Because she hid her connection with 1006 from them and they ended up, to make matters worse, being just collateral damage from her mistakes. From a secret she kept until the end.

His hatred, his contempt and his desire for revenge were immense.

Poppy fled like a coward!

That damned wretched doll!

Player bit his lips until they bled so as not to wake Kissy with his crying.

He stayed in that position for a long time, looking at the floor feeling the betrayal and disgust for himself for what seemed like an eternity.

He only stopped crying when he was too tired to continue.

He looked to his side to see Kissy.

Kissy...

Kissy.

Player approached the pink doll who slept with traces of tears on her cheeks and a makeshift bandage on her now incomplete right arm.

Why did Kissy save him?

She didn't have to.

Until then, Kissy hadn't shown much interest in him.

Yes, she helped him, but it was because they were allies, because Poppy wanted it that way. He never thought she would literally jump and sacrifice her damaged arm to save him.

Was it because once Poppy left, she didn't want him to disappear too?

Was it because a part of her really appreciated him more than as a strategic ally forced by Poppy?

Or was it simply because Kissy was that kind?

Poppy... that shameless woman. Even after forcing him to risk finding the explosives, she dares to yell at him and treat him like the villain at his worst moment.

Blaming him for everything. Humiliating him and yelling at him as if it were all his fault.

And despite everything, Player admitted that what had happened was also his fault, so he understood why she was acting like that.

He understood why she had abandoned him. But Kissy?!

Why did she abandon her?!

Kissy, who was the cutest creature in the world and she simply ran away like the first time she left the shelter leaving everyone in charge of Doey.

She was nothing more than a shameless coward!

His mind hurt him again. He remembered the bodies of the toys, charred and thrown on the floor like garbage, he remembered Doey's crying.

Doey died miserably because of him, Player.

And then that VHS that Doey made for himself...

Player cried again.

He was undoubtedly a monster. That factory turned him, Player, into a monster. What difference was there now between him and his victims?

He looked at Kissy and put a hand on her.

"I promise I will protect you, Kissy. Only you," he whispered in his pain.

Player decided that he would get out of that factory once and for all. With Kissy by his side.

He would take care of her. Kissy had already suffered a lot and at that moment only she would have his loyalty.

Because Kissy was the only one who stayed and sacrificed herself for him in the end.

He owed her and he would compensate her.

Even if he didn't get out, he would definitely make sure she was free.

"Don't worry, Kissy," Player stroked her head. "I'll take care of everything, you just rest. For you, I'll always be here."

Player couldn't sleep, not after everything that had happened, so he simply gave up and began to plan what he was going to do.

He knew they had to get out of there. They couldn't stay. There was no plan anymore, there was nothing. All they had left was to survive until they could get out of there.

Player knew that, with Kissy's condition, they couldn't go fast. Kissy was weak and had just lost her arm. She had also been betrayed and surely her pain was great.

He needed medicine for her, food, and a comfortable enough place for her to rest properly while they got away.

Not all was lost. He still had his Grabpack and Omni-hand, he had access to the entire place and could control it, so that was good for them. He could open a direct path to the surface, to freedom.

Player looked at Kissy; she was still asleep. So he decided to take advantage of the time to get some food or medicine for her.

"Wait for me, Kissy. I'll definitely be back with something good," he said, stroking her furry head.

He left a note so as not to scare her if she woke up before he returned and left once he was sure Kissy was safe enough.

If there was someone who suffered more than anyone from Poppy's betrayal, it was Kissy.

Kissy had fought alongside the Safe Haven, alongside Doey, to save all her little friends. She had worked very hard, much more after Poppy had left for the first time.

And when she returned, she decided to trust her again because they had been friends once, because Poppy told her that the Prototype had locked her up all that time in a case in Huggy's territory.

And she didn't lie, of course. But her mistake was believing that she had been locked up there ALL that time, believing that she had been just another victim like she herself or the kids from the shelter.

When they had met again, Poppy seemed well-fed, there were no marks of mistreatment, she wasn't weak like the other toys in the Save Haven. Was she traumatized? Yes. With a huge desire to kill the Prototype? Of course. But there were things that didn't add up, and she let it go because she trusted her friend.

They were best friends... Or at least, that's what she thought.

Poppy was a natural leader, so it was normal for her to obey her. She was her bodyguard, she did what she wanted.

She was injured because of her in the Playcare! But she didn't blame her, Poppy came back for her, she didn't abandon her, and that only made her trust grow.

And then... And then... The Save Haven was destroyed.

She discovered that Poppy was hiding her connection with the Prototype. Those two, apparently, had a connection that Poppy wanted to ignore, something she never told her and she found out in the worst way and from the mouth of the enemy himself.

And in the end, she dragged her with her.

She had left them once, and she forgave her, she trusted her again, and despite everything, is that how she pays her back?

She feels used. She feels betrayed. Kissy was willing to give her life for her, she did everything she asked, and she was abandoned at the worst moment.

"Why?" Kissy couldn't cope with the pain. "Why?! WHY?!"

She had done everything to survive. She did, and is that how it all ends?

It wasn't fair.

It wasn't fair!

And Poppy, besides being a traitor, still wanted to blame Player...

Player!

Player!

That poor man who had faced the worst horrors of the factory, emerging victorious time and time again.

Kissy had observed him, and the truth is, she admired him. Not even she, with her strength, would have been able to do what he had done.

He had killed Huggy, Mommy, Catnap, Yarnaby, and the Doctor. Not to mention that he had fought against the Smiling and Nightmare Critters, the little mini Huggies, and any other terror that was around.

She felt bad because she never intervened, she only opened the door for him that time at the Game Station. But other than that, she hid with Poppy while the latter sent him, to what would be death for anyone else, again and again, only because she knew that Player could do it, no matter how injured he came out.

And she... She... Simply accepted it.

Although, thinking about it, she saved him that time when the Prototype was literally behind him. Seeing its metallic legs through the hole in that wall while it was looking for him had been terrifying.

She had also saved him from falling after 1006 blew up the place where they were hiding.

She... she was glad to know that she had helped him in something.

Still...

The pain in her heart hurt a lot. She had been betrayed by the leader she trusted.

She knew she could never trust Poppy again.

And now... what would happen to her?

She has lost her arm, she feels alone, vulnerable, her whole body aches from burns and the effort of surviving.

She just wanted someone to help her, someone to save her.

Kissy slowly woke up with regret. Waking up didn't take away her pain, it only increased it. It seemed that awake or asleep, she would suffer.

Everything was very quiet, so she looked around for Player. But when she didn't see him, she got scared and sat up abruptly.

Her heart ached and despair hit her.

Then she saw the note, she took it quickly, thinking that, perhaps, Player was saying goodbye. But no, in the note Player told her that he was going to go get food and medicine for her, that she shouldn't worry because he would definitely come back to her and that she only had to rest.

Kissy let out a long sigh of relief. For a moment she thought that he had also abandoned her.

Kissy didn't go back to sleep, but leaned against the wall and waited for his return.

She looked around. Player had cleaned, or at least cleared the area where they were, making space for them to move without bumping into anything. He had made a barricade to prevent anyone from entering, and there was also that makeshift blanket she woke up with.

Player was taking care of her. Kissy smiled happily that she still had someone who cared about her.

She had to take care of Player, now it was just the two of them. She knew he was loyal, he was with Poppy despite everything, so as long as she wasn't a traitor like Poppy, he would take care of her.

She would have to be too, but at that moment her arm hurt... Well, what was left of it.

She felt useless, how could she help Player with only one arm?

Her stomach growled, her stump started to hurt more and more. She was alone and felt vulnerable.

"Kissy?" the pink one turned and saw Player struggling with the barricade he had made.

She quickly went and helped him get in.

"Thank you. Don't worry, I'll take care of putting it back together, you concentrate on resting," he said. "I brought you some food and medicine. Go eat and I'll give you the medicine now," he said before making the barricade again.

Kissy was surprised to see that he actually brought many things with him.

Kissy obeyed and sat down again. Player had brought a makeshift bag with what looked like a blanket, inside there was cooked meat still hot and some bottles of medicine.

Where had he gotten it?

She quickly started to eat, not forgetting to leave some for him. There was only one way to get meat there, she knew, but it didn't bother her. She was grateful for the food.

When Player finished putting up the barricade, he came back to her.

"I'm sorry if I took a long time, have you been waiting long?" his voice was soft and kind, genuinely worried about her.

Kissy shook her head.

Player smiled.

"That's good," he said. "I had to retrace my steps to the Doctor's lair, I thought he would hide many things there. And yes, I found some blankets he used for his robot clones and some medicine that hasn't expired yet," he took out some pillows from the makeshift bag and looked at them sadly.

Kissy recognized those pillows as the ones that were in the Save Haven.

"I'm sorry. I came back to bring you some," Player looked so sad. "I'm so sorry, Kissy. It was my fault that the place exploded."

Kissy shook her head and put her only hand on his arm. She knew Ollie had given him the instructions. And considering that Ollie was the Prototype... Well, it wasn't his fault.

Player looked at the piece of meat Kissy had left him and smiled. He took it, but only ate half, the rest he left for her.

"You're bigger, you need to eat more to recover. I'm smaller, I don't need much."

Player took out the pain medication and gave it to her along with bottles of water he had found in the Doctor's lair.

That degenerate had many things, but he hoarded them to let those in Save Haven die. Now, after so long, many of those things were no longer useful, but Player took what was still useful.

Kissy started to feel sleepy again, Player too. So he fixed her makeshift bed, placed the pillows and covered her with the blanket carefully.

"Stay calm, Kissy. I'll take care of everything, you just concentrate on resting. Okay?" he stroked her head. "I'm not going to leave you. We'll fight together to get out of here."

Kissy looked at him as if he were a hero.

Poppy was right about something. Player was a gift from God.

To be continued...

Chapter Text

Player and Kissy left their hiding spot and walked carefully. The silence was terrifying.

The Prototype thought they were dead, so they should use that to their advantage, but that didn't mean they were out of danger.

If 1006 discovered they were alive, it would undoubtedly make sure they were dead this time. So they had to be very careful.

"We have to be silent. If the Prototype discovers that we are alive, we may not get out alive this time."

Kissy nodded, looking around worriedly as Player took her only hand and pulled her slowly with gentleness and care.

"Calm down, I'll protect you, you don't have to worry."

Kissy smiled sweetly at him, happy that someone cared so much about her and promised to protect her.

Normally she was the one who protected, she was strong and fast, so she was a guardian, the one who fought if they received any threat in the Save Haven. Only Doey and Poppy were able to protect her, but Doey is now dead and Poppy abandoned her.

In fact, she feels quite vulnerable and anxious about any noise they don't make, but there is still a ray of hope to which she clings desperately.

She knows very well that Player is able to protect her. Anyway, he had always achieved the impossible, facing the horrors that they could never bear and defeating those enemies whom they could never lay a finger on.

In fact, who better than him to protect her?

The first goal was to get out of jail. Player had explained it very well: once they got out of there, they would rest in the Playcare, then they would make their way to the Game Station, then to the Lobby and finally, they would leave the factory.

It would be a journey of several days. Not because it was far away, but because they were both very injured, Kissy was quite injured and he couldn't force her to exert herself so much. He wasn't Poppy.

The explosion had also left Player with aftereffects, so he couldn't do as much as before. Not even when he crashed with the train had it gone so badly.

Part of Player's body was burned, and the aftermath of all his time and struggles inside that factory were taking their toll. He also had to take care of himself.

But Player was too hard on himself. He didn't think he deserved so much care because, after all, he was one of the causes of everyone's destruction.

The least he could do was take good care of Kissy to atone, at least a little.

They walked carefully, following the path they already knew to get out of there. Sometimes they took some breaks when one of them felt too tired or sore.

Player used to leave her for a while at those times (in a safe place, always promising her that he would return) to look for food or something that could help her. Many times he arrived with something to eat.

Meat, always meat. Kissy never asked, because she knew where he had gotten it from and Player knew that she knew. But she never refused it and they ate together.

Then, they kept walking. Player carried that makeshift bag with a blanket where he kept the useful things he found.

There were no traces of the Prototype. Surely he was looking for Poppy, which is what interested him. And if he had already found her, they were surely down there, in the laboratories, locking her up in a place where no one could get her out.

Finally, after a lot of walking, limping from the pain, they finally reached the elevator.

"We're almost there, Kissy. I have the Omni-hand, we can get into a safer place where no one will bother us," -he said, helping her, looking around to make sure no toy was there trying to complicate their lives.

Finally they reached the elevator where Kissy sat down, tired. Player looked at her for a moment to make sure she was alright and then manipulated the controls to make them go up.

The machine's engine started and it was quite satisfying to see how they rose, leaving behind the infernal prison that would leave them with nightmares forever.

Kissy seemed a little sad. She had always wanted to leave the prison, but with her friends. Now she only had Player.

It was quite sad.

Player, seeing her pain, sat beside her and took her large, furry hand again to try to strengthen her.

Kissy appreciated it very much.

Player and Kissy entered an area they had never been able to enter before, but now, with the Omni-hand, they could access it without problems.

It was a relatively clean area, dusty from the passage of time, but intact and in order.

Player cleared an area full of desks and used the mattress from the stretcher they had used in jail to make the makeshift bed again. They had managed to bring it thanks to Kissy's insistence on helping with something.

Despite being injured, she didn't want Player to do everything, so they used a blanket as a rope to tie it to her waist.

Kissy was very strong, so the weight of the mattress wasn't a big problem for her.

"We need to change your bandages, Kissy," -he said. She nodded.

Player found a first-aid kit in that area where there were clean bandages, so with that he made a new bandage for the pink one who didn't move at any time. The pills and antibiotics that Player had found helped to make the pain very bearable and didn't cause much discomfort.

Player wanted to explore the area to see what else he could find, but he was too tired. Now that they had finally reached a safe area, his body demanded that he rest.

So they both lay down next to each other and slept soundly with extreme exhaustion.

You could only enter there with the Omni-hand, so they were safe. They were fine.

Player woke up with a great pain. The burns from the explosion were burning.

Unlike Kissy, Player hadn't treated his wounds because he cared more about Kissy than himself, but now the pain was unbearable. So absentmindedly he took one of the pain pills and an antibiotic.

Just one, enough to make it manageable and leave the rest to Kissy.

He felt warm, so he turned and saw Kissy who had curled up with him. She looked terribly tired.

He imagined that Kissy needed someone to hug, someone with whom she wouldn't feel the loneliness and could cope with the sadness of no longer having her friends with her.

Player planned to get up and investigate, but he didn't want to leave Kissy alone when she seemed so vulnerable, so he stayed with her and allowed himself to sleep a little more.

But then Kissy started to tremble, to cry in her sleep, letting out pitiful moans as if she were living a terrible nightmare.

Player hugged her and started to speak softly, close to her ears.

"There. There. Everything is alright," -he said, stroking her head.- "Everything is going to be alright. I'm here. You're not alone."

Little by little, Kissy began to calm down, but she got closer to him. Player could only comfort her in this way.

Perhaps, when she woke up, and if Kissy felt well enough, they could explore the area, like an adventure game. Maybe that would cheer her up.

Player allowed himself to rest a little more, finally feeling safe. Exploring wasn't a very important task at that moment, so he could delay it a little longer.

Player went back to sleep hugging Kissy who hugged him back with one arm.

Player began exploring, Kissy holding his hand. Both looked around with curiosity and a spark of excitement.

"I've never been in this place before," Player commented. "Only important people with an Omni-hand could access it."

The place was dusty but intact. It seemed the toys hadn't been able to get in during the Hour of Joy.

Kissy and Player explored, finding interesting things along the way.

"Look, Kissy!" The pink one turned to look.

Player showed her an intact chocolate bar. It wasn't expired yet.

"I was craving something sweet, weren't you?" Without thinking, Player opened the wrapper and gave it all to Kissy. Kissy looked at him questioningly. "Don't worry about me, Kissy. You need it more. Maybe I'll find another one around here."

But Kissy didn't believe him. She knew very well that finding a chocolate bar was a miracle in that place. So she took a bite and offered the rest to Player.

He started to refuse politely.

"It's not necessary. You can keep it," but his voice cut off when his stomach growled. Kissy looked at him with a teasing air. "Okay, okay. But just a little piece."

Player didn't know if it was because of all the horrors or because he was hungry, but that chocolate was the most delicious he had ever tasted in his life. Kissy took a long time to eat it, savoring it slowly.

Kissy started to cry. It had been a long time since she had last tasted chocolate.

Player hugged her.

"Isn't it nice that we could try the chocolate again?" he said, stroking her back as Kissy leaned on him like a little girl. "Maybe we'll find another one. We have to look."

They started searching again. They found several sweets along the way, but they didn't eat them at that moment, instead saving them for later.

Player found clothes he could wear. So he went to one of the bathrooms in that place and changed his clothes. His were full of dust and blood, torn by the explosion and all his battles. So having clean clothes was, without a doubt, something beautiful.

And finally, they found several emergency kits, with almost intact medicines.

Player and Kissy celebrated.

"We should enter all the private rooms with the Omni-hand. We've found great treasures."

Kissy did a little dance since she couldn't clap.

Player started to heal her, changing her bandages and cleaning the wounds on her legs, torso, face, and arm now that he had more materials to do it better. Luckily, her wounds weren't getting infected.

"There you go," he said, tying a bow in the bandage.

Kissy was delighted.

Player smiled at her happiness.

"She's still a kid."

Player tried to get up.

"Well, now that we're done, we should continue." Kissy's hand stopped him. He looked at her with confusion. "What's wrong?"

Kissy made him sit down again and lifted the fabric of his pants, showing his own burns and wounds.

Kissy pointed, indicating that he should also heal himself.

Player felt like he had been discovered.

"I... Uh... Don't worry about me, Kissy. These medicines are for you. I'll be fine. I..." Kissy gave him a slightly sterner look, as if she were scolding him.

Player looked down and gave a forced laugh.

"Kissy... I..." he sighed. "I don't want to treat myself." She looked at him questioningly. "If I do, what will be left for you? Unlike me, you're innocent of everything that happened," he said. "Poppy left and I... I blew up Save Haven, it's also my fault that we're in this situation. You shouldn't be suffering because of my misfortune, so..." his voice began to crack, he began to tremble.

Kissy took his arm and pulled him towards herself, giving him a hug with her one arm. Then she started rubbing her head against his and patted his back.

Player bit his lip trying not to cry, but his tears started to fall and he began to sob.

Kissy didn't let go.

Player cried and hid his head in her fur, hugging her like an abandoned child.

"I'm sorry. I'm sorry..."

Player told Kissy everything he felt. He confessed that he felt dirty and like a monster.

He talked about the nightmares he had with Doey and the others. His deep hatred for Poppy and he openly complained about her.

Kissy also showed her disgust, not with words, but she did, and so their conversation was a rollercoaster of emotions.

First they cried, then they cursed Poppy, and then they cried again for Doey and Save Haven. Then they hugged, happy and relieved that at least they were together to get out of there.

Kissy helped Player heal his wounds, bandage them, and use the necessary pain medication.

"You're so good, Kissy. Not like that cheap copy of Annabelle." Kissy looked at him confused. "It's a horror movie. Never watch it."

Kissy nodded without knowing exactly what he meant.

Now that they were well and had obtained several more things. Player got up, feeling better now that he had treated his wounds.

"This restricted area was a really good place to rest, but it's time to move on. We have to get out of here," he said, brushing off his pants. "Let's go?" He extended his hand to his friend.

Kissy nodded happily and took Player's hand.

Both left that safe zone and started walking trying to get out of Playcare.

"Let's stay quiet. Catnap isn't around here anymore, but the little Smiling Critters are," he warned in a whisper. "If you see one, let me know."

They planned to leave Playcare as quickly as possible, but first they went to Home Sweet Home to get some real mattresses to rest on and some warm blankets.

The Smiling Critters they encountered were hunted by Player and stored in his bag along with the other supplies they already had. Kissy tied the mattresses to her with the sheets they had chosen.

Once their business there was done, both silently headed towards the cable car to leave.

As soon as they arrived on the other side, Player finally breathed easier. It would have been a real shame if the cable car had failed.

"Come on, Kissy. We'll have to walk along the train tracks until we reach the Game Station."

To be continued...

Chapter Text

Player and Kissy walked in silence along the train tracks, scanning their surroundings for any sign of danger. The path was gloomier and darker than they had anticipated. It was eerily quiet except for the occasional sound of rats in the distance.

A few lights illuminated their way, but this somehow didn't make the atmosphere any less eerie. They had been walking for an hour and still hadn't reached the end.

"We must be close," Player whispered, "When I arrived at the Playcare by train, the journey didn't seem very long."

Kissy nodded in agreement. The times she had been taken by train, when the factory was still operating, the journey hadn't seemed so long either.

Suddenly, they heard a sound of something moving, not on the tracks, but around them. Metal scraping against metal, many steps like those of a spider or a crab.

The Prototype.

Both stopped. Kissy began to tremble with fear. Player readied his orange hand, ready to fire, protecting Kissy as he took a defensive stance.

Neither spoke, neither took a step, nor made the slightest noise.

They looked around, but the Prototype never appeared. After a moment of tension, the steps faded into the distance.

Both sighed in relief, but decided not to tempt fate. Player gestured to Kissy to keep walking. They did so as quietly as possible.

They remained cautious even after there were no more signs of 1006.

They still hadn't reached the end of the tracks.

Had they turned somewhere wrong?

Their worries vanished when they finally saw the Game Station train station in the distance.

Both smiled with relief.

"Kissy, we did it!" Player breathed a sigh of relief. "We made it."

They both walked faster and reached the station. Kissy and Player sat for a moment to rest.

Player was already thinking about where they could camp and sleep for a while, when Kissy got up and gestured for him to follow her.

Player followed her for a while before she stopped in front of a gate that required an Omni-hand ID to enter.

"You're a genius, Kissy," he complimented her. "Now we'll know where to sleep."

Player used his Omni-hand, and the gate opened. The place was in good condition, though dusty.

Kissy laid down the mattresses, and both collapsed onto them. They were exhausted, but Player knew he couldn't rest yet.

"Does it hurt a lot?" he asked, pointing to Kissy's stump.

She only nodded.

After the loss of a limb, a person should rest properly for a while and not exert themselves, but they couldn't afford that luxury; they needed to escape that place.

However, Player would never make Kissy overexert herself, forcing her into danger.

He wasn't Poppy. He was a true friend.

A true friend who would never abandon his friends no matter how bad things got.

Just thinking about that little traitor filled his veins with tremendous hatred.

Player forced himself to calm down and began to treat Kissy's wounds... and yes, his own, under the gaze of the pink girl who refused to rest if Player didn't treat himself properly.

They ate some meat and lay back down on the soft mattresses (much better than the cot mattress) to rest.

Both cuddled up and slept soundly, knowing they were in a safe area.

In this restricted area, they also found some old sweets and first-aid kits.

And it was logical, considering that it was there in the Game Station where the children played and, therefore, could get hurt.

Some products were expired, but they found some very good ones that were added to the collection inside Player's bag and then used for their respective wounds and health.

"We only need to get to the lobby, and from there we can leave," Player told Kissy while stroking her head.

He checked how much medicine and food they had left.

It wasn't much, but it would be enough to get out of there. Afterward, he could get more outside.

They decided to rest a little longer. Kissy looked very tired, and Player felt an itch in his leg burns, making it uncomfortable to move.

Kissy fell asleep quickly. She seemed exhausted.

Player stayed awake, lost in thought. He remembered his near encounter with the Prototype.

If he was around, did that mean he hadn't managed to find Poppy yet?

That elusive, wretched doll.

They had almost been caught. They had been cautious and silent, yet 1006 was intelligent.

It was in that place, in the Game Station, where he first saw him. And then at the Playcare, he seemed to always be watching where he was.

Player sat up in terror.

The security cameras!

He looked around. There didn't seem to be any cameras in that place, but there surely were on their way.

What if 1006 already knew they were alive?

No. If he had known, he would have already attacked them. Anyway, they were Poppy's (ex-)allies, and he couldn't afford to let them try to take that little redhead rat with them.

Especially because 1006 knew well what he, Player, was capable of.

Surely at that moment 1006 was playing cat and mouse with Poppy; anyway, he thinks there's no one strong enough to protect her anymore.

Player didn't know why the Prototype wanted Poppy, or what the meaning of his words was that tragic day in the ventilation where they were hiding. But he didn't need to know.

That had nothing to do with him. He didn't want anything to do with those two crazies and their problems.

The only one who mattered was Kissy. She was the only worthy of his protection, and he would take care of her and make sure she got out of that factory even if it cost him his life.

But first things first: he had to get rid of those cameras in case the Prototype decided he was tired of playing with Poppy and decided to use them to find her faster.

Kissy remembered how sad and gloomy it felt to be in that ventilation shaft. The recently destroyed Save Haven, her body half-burned and in bad condition.

Poppy was distressed, scared, angry with Player for killing Doey. And yes, she admitted that she was also angry. But if she had learned anything from Player, it was that he wasn't a traitor.

He had accomplished what no one else had done; he had ventured into the jaws of the wolf many more times than anyone she knew to help destroy the Prototype, always working for their well-being.

She was sad and angry about Doey's death, but she knew that Doey had tried to kill Player, and he was only defending himself. Besides, everyone knew that Doey, despite being a great leader, being 3 children instead of one, literally had problems controlling his temper when things went wrong.

Player, in all the time the two of them had spent together, had shown clear signs of guilt, self-deprecation, and self-punishment; blaming himself for how things had turned out.

And Poppy, she...

"I can't go back to that case... I can't..." She gave them an apologetic look. "I'm sorry."

Poppy left. She betrayed them and left them behind.

"I understand that she left me, but why you, Kissy?" Player confessed once when he was quite angry.

But it wasn't the worst. The worst thing for Kissy was that, when she tried to stop Poppy from leaving, Poppy turned around to look at her... and gave her a look that warned her not to follow her.

A tearful, anguished look, but clearly a warning that she didn't want her near.

That's what shattered her trust in her. Perhaps, if Poppy had given her an apologetic, anguished, or guilty look, Kissy wouldn't hate her so much.

But no. It wasn't like that.

Kissy clung to Player, and Player clung to her. Player helped her and gave her most of the supplies they had found.

Even now, despite everything, Player is still the one who risks the most on their way out. Always protecting her.

Kissy is very sad about the loss of her friends, angry about Poppy's betrayal, and tremendously grateful to God for having Player with her in those hard and terrifying moments.

Kissy groped for Player with her one arm, searching for him without opening her eyes.

She felt him take her hand in his.

"I'm here, Kissy. Don't worry."

Kissy smiled and fell back asleep.

To be continued...

Chapter Text

Leaving the Game Station wasn't really difficult. Once you knew the way, it was much easier, especially when you didn't have a bunch of monsters chasing you.

And everything was pretty good; they were about to reach the Lobby area when they heard footsteps in the ventilation ducts.

Player and Kissy quickly took up positions. Had the Prototype already discovered them?

The footsteps were getting closer. Then...

"Kissy? Player?"

Both turned and couldn't help but grimace when they saw Poppy in the ducts. She seemed as surprised as they were.

"Are... Are you really you guys? I thought that... Never mind. It's good that you're okay." -she tried to approach.- "I was very worried about..."

The sound of a weapon stopped her. Player protected Kissy behind him while pointing the orange hand at her.

Player looked at her with disgust and fury.

"How the hell are you still here?!" -he yelled.- "How is it that the Prototype hasn't caught you yet?!"

Poppy looked at him, disturbed and confused.

"Player, what are you doing? Put that down."

"Why aren't you dead?!" -Player looked at her angrily.- "Are you here to drag us down with you?!"

Poppy took a few steps back with her hands up.

"Stop it, Player! Kissy, stop him!"

But Kissy just looked at her and looked away sadly.

"Kissy? What?"

"Do you really think she's going to defend you when you abandoned her like trash?"

"I didn't...!" -she sighed.- "Look, I know. You're upset that I left you, I understand. I'm not asking for your forgiveness right now. But we can't fight now, not with the Prototype nearby."

"The Prototype." -Player remembered and looked around, pointing his orange hand everywhere.

"He's not here." -said Poppy, trying to reassure them.- "I don't know where he is right now, but it's better to move or he'll find us."

"Oh no, no, no, no, no." -Player pointed at her again.- "Do you think you're going to come with us? Are you kidding me?"

Poppy looked at him with surprise. With betrayal.

"What? Did you expect that after dragging us to hell just because you can't be at peace with 1006 we would want to be with you again? Are you brainless or what?"

"Player, I know you're angry. But I couldn't go back to that case, I've been locked up there for a decade."

"And if I had known everything that would happen by freeing you, I would never have done it!"

Poppy took a step back as if she had been hit.

"How can you say that to me, Player? We're friends!"

Kissy and Player looked at her as if she had said the stupidest thing in the world.

"HA! Are you serious? Using us until everything went to hell and then abandoning us without looking back, do you think that's what friends do?"

"I wasn't using you! I just wanted to save everyone! The three of us were going to do it!"

"Sure! And that's why we're all here in the end, right?"

Poppy's eyes welled up. And then she turned to Kissy looking for her help.

"Kissy, please! We've been friends for so long! We can't let things end like this!"

Player stood between them, as if trying to protect Kissy from a demon. But Kissy looked at Poppy for a moment, before closing her eyes in annoyance and looking away.

Poppy opened her mouth and began to sob.

"Kissy..."

"We did everything to make things right. We did what you asked without hesitation. And in the end, when we needed you most, you left us to die."

"I didn't... I didn't want to..."

"But you did!" -she snapped.- "Now everyone is dead, only we are left. The Prototype won, and now that we're finally close to our freedom, do you come begging for a chance when you took it away from us?"

"I just wanted the best for everyone!"

"And what did that lead to, huh?"

Poppy started to cry.

"Please. I know I did wrong, I was very scared, I just wanted to escape. I just..." -she opened her eyes wide.- "Kissy, your arm!"

Kissy hid the stump that was left of her arm.

"He... He did it, didn't he?"

"Are you seriously just realizing that?! What kind of friend are you?" -Player mocked.- "After you left and the Prototype blew up the ventilation where we were, Kissy risked her arm to save me." -he took a moment before speaking again, trembling.- "I had no choice. I had to amputate her arm or she could get an infection that would kill her."

"Kissy, I'm so sorry!" -Poppy tried to approach again, but Player pointed the pistol at her.

"Your apologies are useless. We've been through hardships because of YOU and the Prototype. Why, Poppy? What problem do you and him have that you had to drag us all down with you?"

"I..." -but Poppy said nothing, she just looked down with discomfort and fear.

Player only got angrier.

"Aren't you going to tell us even now? Now that nothing else matters?"

But Poppy just looked down and clenched her fists. She didn't want to say it, as if she was ashamed.

She didn't want them to know. She wanted to keep her past with the Prototype buried as much as possible.

She knew she had done wrong in leaving Kissy and Player to their fate. She knew she had been horrible, leaving them there had been one of the hardest things... But at least she wouldn't be with the Prototype.

Yes. She wasn't proud of it, but she couldn't. She couldn't.

"Please... Please."

But neither Player nor Kissy felt sympathy for her. Not anymore, not after everything she had put them through.

Not when she doesn't even deign to give them an explanation for all their misfortunes.

"What a good friend you turned out to be..." -he mocked.

"I..."

"No, Poppy. Find your own way. Being with you right now is a curse."

"Player!"

"The Prototype wants you. If you stay with us, he'll eventually discover us." -he said.- "And we can't afford that luxury when he thinks we're dead."

Player and Kissy began to step back. Poppy panicked.

"Wait! Aahh!" -Player shot a flare at her, making her jump back.

"Do us a favor, Poppy. And don't follow us. You've caused us enough trouble."

Player and Kissy started to run, leaving Poppy behind. Poppy screamed for them, but they didn't stop, instead they hurried to create a good distance.

Because they knew that Poppy attracted the Prototype and they needed to be far away from that problem.

Player and Kissy reached the lobby, so close to their freedom. 

"¿Are ou okay, Kissy?" Player asked, noticing her dejection. She nodded. "You don't have to lie to me. I know that the presence of that possessed doll surely affected you a lot."

Kissy gave Player a slight smile and he ruffled her hair. Player smiled, and they prepared to move on.

But clearly, life isn't that easy.

Suddenly, they heard heavy, metallic footsteps, too close. Player and Kissy barely managed to hide.

They recognized the metallic legs of the prototype. It was there, a few meters from them on the other side of the wall.

Kissy started to tremble; Player tried to calm her. The Prototype began to circle, searching.

They had done well to get away from Poppy; they knew that ungrateful girl would only bring them trouble. Now, they only had to remain quiet enough, and 1006 would eventually leave.

Then, as a cruel irony and to their horror, they heard a whisper, something that terrified them. It was Poppy, she was there, close, hidden behind one of the walls in a corner.

Player looked at her with a grimace of surprise.

How was it possible that she had caught up to them so quickly? Those little legs apparently were faster than he thought.

Poppy looked at them and gestured for them to follow her. They both shook their heads. The Prototype was too close; one wrong step and it would catch them.

They had tried to go unnoticed all this time, giving no signs of being alive, even destroying the security cameras and making 1006 believe they were dead; they wouldn't risk it all for her.

Poppy seemed to grow increasingly impatient. But she remained as quiet as possible; anyway, her worst nightmare was on the other side of the hallway.

At one point, 1006 moved away, and the three breathed easier. But they weren't out of danger yet; it was still nearby.

"¿What are you doing here?" Player whispered. "¿What part of 'We don't want you close' don't understand?"

Poppy looked at him with affliction.

"It's not the time for that. He's close, and we have to take advantage of this to hide."

"We're not going with you. You attract the Prototype; we'll only find doom with you."

Poppy clenched her fists.

"Stop being so proud, Player. I just want to help you. I don't want any of you to be caught by him."

"You betrayed us once, why should we trust you again? As soon as the Prototype appears, you'll run again and leave us behind."

"Player."

"No."

She had already betrayed the refuge once; she had already abandoned the two of them. Kissy and Player understood that when things went terribly wrong, Poppy ran away and left everyone to their fate.

They wouldn't be her victims again.

Then the Prototype reappeared in the corridor, appearing so suddenly that Poppy let out a small scream and fell back.

1006 then turned and saw her, entering the room with its eyes fixed on her. But not seeing Player and Kissy, who were on the other side.

"Poppy, finally I found you," it said with its multiple voices, completely happy to see her.

Player and Kissy knew that was their chance, so they began to sneak towards the exit of the room.

"¡Player! ¡Kissy! ¡Help me!" Poppy screamed, terrified, extending her arm towards them.

Both looked at the doll with horror.

1006 also turned and saw them there.

"¿WHAT?! How is it that you're still alive?!"

Poppy took advantage of the distraction to sneak back into the ventilation and save herself, leaving the other two there.

"¡POPPY! ¡COME BACK HERE!" 1006 shouted, trying to catch her, but she quickly moved away, turning in one of the vents and disappearing from its sight.

Fury and betrayal returned to their former friends.

"Poppy, you're going to pay for this!" Player thought with renewed hatred.

1006 turned its gaze to them, furious. It approached them, ready to finish them off.

"I was so close! Because of you, she has escaped again!"

Player thought quickly. They were at a clear disadvantage. With a single glance, he knew that they couldn't both save themselves if they fought 1006 at that moment.

1006 was a whole metal giant, very different from anything he had ever seen. Flares wouldn't work against it, and he didn't have the green hand to give it an electric shock.

Kissy hugged him, terrified as 1006 charged at them.

Then Player could do something. Shouting to get its attention.

"I'LL GIVE YOU POPPY!!"

The Prototype stopped.

"¿What?"

Player continued speaking, seeing an opportunity to save themselves.

"Let's make a deal. We'll give you Poppy in exchange for letting Kissy and me go."

1006 looked at him and then began to laugh. A changing laugh according to the voice that was on duty.

"You? Give me Poppy? Do you really think I can't catch her after killing you two?"

"Poppy thinks, despite everything, that she can still hold on to us. If she was here at this moment, it's because she has been following Kissy and me," he said. "And you, even after all this time, haven't been able to catch her. Poppy is elusive, so, what better than us to attract her?"

1006 looked at them.

"And I imagine that once I let you go, you'll try to get out of the factory, right?"

"Wouldn't that be better for you? That way, there would be no one left to stop you. It would be a win-win."

"Don't you care what I do to Poppy?"

"No," he said dryly. "Why would I worry about a traitor?"

1006 analyzed Player. It recognized the hatred in his eyes. Then it looked at Kissy; she didn't seem to disagree; in fact, she seemed to have even more hatred in her eyes than the employee.

It smiled.

"Interesting."

To be continued...

Chapter Text

Poppy couldn't be too far away. Most likely, she wanted to take advantage of the moment to try to escape the factory.

Since there was no one left to fight for, she could at least try to save herself. She only hoped that 1006 had given her friends a quick death, so they wouldn't have to suffer and agonize.

It hurt to think about what she had done. But she couldn't let them catch her. She was too afraid.

And besides, they should have gone with her when she called them. Then maybe all three of them would be there at that moment instead of just her.

Poppy approached the exit. Once outside, she would make sure to make a symbolic grave for her friends and leave them beautiful flowers.

Then, suddenly, Poppy smelled something. Was something burning?

Her nose started to itch, and she automatically started to change routes to escape the smell. However, no matter where she went, it seemed the burning smell only got stronger.

Then there was smoke. Poppy started coughing and running, but the smoke was like a fog. For a while, she couldn't see where she was going and just wanted to escape.

However, she managed to find a clear spot, so she went that way. But the vent was stuck, and she couldn't get out.

"No..." she complained. Her throat hurt, and her eyes were watering from the smoke.

She tried to bang on the vent to loosen it, trying to get it off. But it wasn't working.

It was then that she heard someone approaching. A pink blur she thought she'd never see again.

It was Kissy.

"Kissy! Kissy! You're alive!" she exclaimed happily. "Help me! I can't get out!"

Kissy rushed over and quickly opened the vent, helping Poppy out. The red-haired doll started coughing, trying to get some fresh air.

"What got burned?" There was a lot of smoke.

Kissy started walking with Poppy in her hand.

"I'm glad you managed to escape. Now we can get out of here together."

"You haven't forgotten about me, have you?"

Poppy turned around.

"Player! You're alive!"

"Of course," he said. "You know very well that I'm hard to kill."

"But how?! The Prototype was too close to you." She brought her hand to her mouth, knowing that what she said was reckless. "I..."

"We'll tell you the details when we get to the exit," he interrupted. "We have to get out of here quickly."

"Oh, yes, yes. We have to go."

They all walked toward the exit at a brisk pace, but without too much fear.

Poppy looked around.

"We have to be careful. The Prototype might still be nearby."

"It is," Player said as he turned toward the exit.

There, in front of the open door, was 1006 waiting for them.

Poppy quickly panicked.

"The Prototype! Run!" But no one moved. "Guys!"

Player stepped forward.

"As we promised," he held out his hand, and Kissy handed Poppy to him. "Here's your doll."

"What?! WHAT?!" Poppy's eyes widened in terror as she realized what was happening. "What are you doing?!"

"Returning the favor," Player said. "You left us to die twice, so now you must save us."

"No! No!"

1006 started laughing.

"Wonderful! You really managed to catch her that fast!"

"You just have to cover the exits with smoke, leaving one free, and that will make her go that way," he replied.

Poppy looked at him with wide eyes.

"Was it you?!"

"Did you really think that after betraying them so many times they would help you?" 1006 mocked. "Don't fool yourself, Poppy."

The doll looked toward her two friends. But they glared at her with hatred.

"Guys, please! You can't do this to me!"

But they didn't listen. Player approached 1006 with Poppy.

Poppy began to scream and wriggle, trying to get out of the man's grasp. But she was too small and weak, so she couldn't do anything.

Player stopped in front of 1006, but didn't hand over Poppy.

"Let Kissy out first."

1006 smiled and stepped aside, gesturing toward the door.

"Come in."

Kissy turned to Player, and he nodded. Kissy walked over and got out without a problem, but stayed close, waiting for Player.

Once he saw she was safe, he turned to 1006 and picked up Poppy.

"Do whatever you want with her and leave us alone." Player threw Poppy toward him and ran quickly to leave.

No problem. 1006 focused only on Poppy, who finally had her in his hands.

"Finally..." he sighed loudly, in ecstasy. "I finally have you."

Poppy looked at him in terror.

"Kissy! Player!" "Help me!" she begged, but they were already walking away quickly.

They both gave her one last look. Their eyes were filled with contempt.

Poppy felt the betrayal hit her hard.

Then 1006 closed the door and she couldn't see them anymore.

To be continued...

Chapter Text

"Time to eat, Kissy!"

Kissy woke up and the first thing she saw was the window, where fresh air blew through. Beyond, the blue sky.

She lazily sat up and stretched. Her stump no longer hurt, completely healed, no longer needing bandages.

Her body was completely rested, and there were no bandages on her torso or legs. There were scars, yes, but she didn't care; they were a symbol of what she had been through and how strong she was.

She got out of her soft bed and left her room, following the rich aroma of food.

The new house Player had bought was large and had high ceilings, making it easy for her to walk.

Player had his back to her, cooking. He was wearing shorts that allowed the scars on his legs to be seen; they looked much better after so much care and the necessary medication and creams.

Player turned to look at her and smiled.

"Good morning, Kissy Missy. Did you sleep well?" She nodded, sitting down in the chair. She pointed toward the stove with a questioning look. "Oh, I'm making eggs with bacon and sausage. I know you love them."

Kissy nodded happily.

It had been three months since they had escaped from the factory. Player took her to his small house in the city while he found a better one in a more rural area where they could both live peacefully.

Player had a job with a farm owner, and she helped around the house or just hung out.

But they always made sure to spend time together. Player looked after her like she was his little sister; somewhat ironic since she was much taller than him.

But she didn't complain. Kissy loved being pampered. Player gave her everything she wanted; he even built her a special swing set in the yard.

After finishing eating, they both went outside to water the small vegetable garden they had started several weeks ago. The plants and their fruit grew well, and Kissy jumped happily.

"Yep. We're doing well. Maybe we could make pizza with those tomatoes."! Kissy laughed as she nodded, excited.

Kissy threw herself onto the grass with her arms and legs outstretched, joyful and happy. Player imitated her, lying down beside her.

For a moment, they remembered the factory and Poppy, but that thought vanished as quickly as it had come.

They both looked at each other and made faces at the same time.

They both looked up at the sky and laughed peacefully.

THE END