I jumped, cursing loudly.

"Hey, hey, hey, watch your mouth birthday girl, this is a family establishment," I heard Willy shout from somewhere.

"It's not there anymore," I breathed, regaining my confidence and continuing to clean.

"You can't lie to me, I see it." Cammy continued.

"Yeah, I never have had the money to get it lasered," I spoke, looking at her. Cammy emerged from her hiding spot. Out of all the animatronics, I think I was the closest to Cammy's height.

"Does it still sting?" She asked.

"No, it used to though,"

I had not paid attention to the nasty scar running down my back for years. In fact, I had nearly forgotten about it until now. It was a permanent reminder of what happened on Liv's eighth birthday all those years ago.

"I know they make fun of you for it," Cammy breathed. I glanced at her as I kept scrubbing the arcade screens.

"Oh do you now?" I replied.

"I'm sure that hurts worse,"

"It does,"

"Sometimes they call me ugly, and make fun of my colorful skin,"

"People aren't nice sometimes,"

"Humans aren't nice,"

A chill shot down my spine. I simply nodded my head in agreement as Cammy continued to watch. I ended up avoiding Dance Dance Revolution, as Cammy had not yet moved from the area. "Whatever happened to the two of you,"

"Me and who?" I replied, scanning the area to make sure I didn't miss any games.

"Liv. She was your bestest friend,"

"Was. We had a little bit of a fallout after her 8th,"

"Ah, unfortunate, truly,"

"We're still friends I guess, she left Hayesville with the last guy who came through here so I doubt I'll ever see her again,"

"You seem like a kind person, whatever happened?"

I sighed. "Well, you know the story. We met when her family came in from out of town, they get stuck and end up celebrating Liv's birthday here, I happen to be there too, Jerry stabs me, I get rushed to the ER, Liv and her parent's spend the night, Liv ends up bein' the only one out, she feels her situation is more important, her friends get mad because my situation is apparently less important,"

"Jealousy?"

"No, not really, it's more of a comparison. And it really, really hurt,"

"What about your father and brother,"

I scoffed loudly. "Luke wasn't alive at the time. But my dad," I paused, "He wished Jerry had struck just a little harder,"

Cammy was quiet. Her greasy eyes blinked slowly.

"Are you afraid,"

"Afraid of what, Liv?"

"Afraid of your past. With your parents. With this place. With Liv."

"Are you some sort of therapist?" I laughed. Cammy didn't laugh back. "Well, the honest truth is I don't know,"

"How does a human not know what they are feeling?"

"I don't know, I've never known. It's not like I've ever known what I'm doing. Willy's Wonderland was my one escape from reality, and that memory is long gone. All of it is. I just want to run away from it all, okay?" I choked. I didn't like talking about what I felt. There was something about it that made me uncomfortable. Whether it was reflecting on past choices or reminiscing about what I was going to do, it made me feel like I was doing something wrong.

"Running from your problems won't solve them,"

"It worked for Liv. It worked for my Mom. And it will work for me," I breathed.

"You're worth more than that, you know,"

"Says who, you? The entire town sees me as some crazy crackhead teen that spends her time drag racing, and the friends I have left think I'm some idiot,"

"Luke. Liv. The Wonderland Band. Especially Willy. Prove yourself,"

"I'm glad y'all find the least bit of enjoyment in my discomfort here, but the only way I can prove I'm even half sane is coming out of here alive and proving you guys aren't possessed,"

"Then you better make it out of here to prove it, I'm cheering for you,"

"Thanks,"

"Don't take it lightly, Vic. I know what you're feeling. There's a place for all you humans in this world, you just need to go find yours,"

I stared at Cammy. Her comforting words were the most I had ever received, and they were making me want to cry, which I was not about to do.

"What if there isn't a place for me though? What if no one will ever like me?" I spoke, tears forming in my eyes.

"No one and nothing is worth your agony, Vic," Cammy replied. "Even if you had a troubled time in Hayesville, you still have an entire life's worth of opportunities outside. Let go of the past. What happened has happened."

I nodded, wiping my eyes.

"It's hard, sometimes, when everyone reminds you about it,"

"Don't listen to them. They're not worth it. Find the life and persons that make you feel like you belong. There's no use wasting your time being unhappy,"

"Thanks, Cammy," I replied, smiling.

Cammy was quiet again. Pursing my lips, I walked awkwardly out of the arcade. That had to be one of the deepest conversations I've ever had. With an animatronic chameleon at that. Although short, the conversation between Cammy and I made me think. It was the first time ever I actually thought about my state of being. What am I still doing in Hayesville? Cammy is right. There's so much more outside.

The next general area I figured would be a good cleaning spot was the kitchen. I had seen it while playing pinball with Ozzie, so I couldn't pretend like it was never there. The kitchen was on the same side of the stage as the arcade, which made moving cleaning supplies easy. Upon surveying the kitchen, I began to scour the prep tables with a rough rag. It took some elbow grease, but I had managed to get through the countertops with only five rags. Whoever cleaned here last did a mighty fine job everywhere BUT here. I noticed a small knife on the kitchen counter. Checking to make sure nothing was watching me, I grabbed it, turning it over in my hands. A pocket knife might definitely be usefu.

"So this is what 'ya doin'? Spendin' your birthday cleanin'?" I heard a voice speak from the front door. I whipped around quickly, shoving the knife into my pocket. Arty stood in the middle of the doorway, his eyes narrowed.

"It is not my birthday, I don't even know where any of you got that idea," I replied, beginning to clean out the yellowing microwave.

"When is 'ya birthday then, huh? Huh?"

I had to pause and think for a moment. It had been years since my birthday had been mentioned at my house, as everyone seemed to forget when it was.

"Uh, tomorrow?" I replied, coming to a subtle realization, "How on earth did y'all remember that?"

"Birthdays are what we all about 'ere! Did it slip ya' mind?" Arty asked, entering the kitchen. I took a small step back.

"I haven't celebrated, or even talked about my birthday for the past ten years. It's been a while," I replied, laughing, "Do you guys remember everyone's birthdays?"

"Not really, Willy was the first to point out ya' came here the night of. None of us care about ya' little birthday parties, if I'm bein' honest," Arty shrugged. He had advanced over to the pinball machine. I turned to face him.

"I see. I mean, thanks for remembering my birthday. You guys are the first to say anything about it," I smiled.

"Eh, it's whateva'. I'm here for somethin' else though. 'Ya promised to play with us, and that's what I'm 'ere to do,"

I resumed scrubbing the microwave, peeling away a thin layer of grease buildup.

"What do you want from me?" I asked, feeling slightly unsettled.

"'Ya see that vent up there?" Arty asked, pointing to a ventilation shaft above the stove. My stomach dropped as I could only imagine what Arty was thinking. "You look small enough to fit through there, don't ya'?"

"I don't-"

"Now, you caught me on a good day. I'mma give you ten seconds to find a hidin' spot. After ten, it's all fair game,"

"Wait, what-"

"It's a game of cat and mouse. If ya' can get to the exit, which is a vent above the stage, and successfully get out, I won't rip ya' guts out. If I win," Arty paused as my eyes widened, "Well, ya' know the latter,"

"Wait, so, like-"

"Ready?"

My heart began to race. "Isn't there-"

"Set?"

I could tell I wasn't going to get a single word into this conversation. So I flung myself on top of the stove, and pried out the vent cover. My left arm was beginning to swell, but I forced it to work anyways.

"Go!"

My hands braced the sides of the metallic wall as I used what leverage I could get from the wall to pull my way into the vent. It took a lot of upper body strength, especially considering my left arm was barely functioning. Wheezing, I pulled my feet into the vent and began inching my way forwards. The vent itself was quite small. I could get on my knees, but it wasn't very comfortable.

"Ten!" I heard Arty begin to count. I flung myself forward, moving as quick as I could. The vent wasn't dirty, making my decision to wear jean shorts somewhat acceptable. However, with every move I made, the metal echoed loudly as it bent under my weight.

"Nine!" Arty continued. I reached a fork in the vent. Panicking, I tried to listen for any signs of music from the stage to possibly draw me in that direction. The restaurant is closed, you idiot, you're not gonna be able to hear anything.

"Eight!" Arty's voice was becoming more faint. I ended up choosing the right path. Maneuvering quickly, my knees skidded along the metal, scraping them up. It was painful enough with my left arm pulsing with my heart. There was hardly any light, so I was mainly using my hands to feel for the way. The only light available came from several vent covers, all of which did not lead to the stage. Eventually, I got to an incline. I grunted, rolling myself over to try and push my way up. Fortunately, there was enough room for my knees to bend. Unfortunately, my ten seconds was up. I began to hear a steady thumping approaching me. With every pound, it got louder and quicker. Straining, I pulled myself upwards and into the remaining shaft. The pounding had stopped as I pulled my right leg up. I breathed, reaching to help my left leg up, when I felt a powerful force grab my foot. I screamed, pulling myself backwards.

"Look like 'ya didn't find a very good spot, did ya'!" Arty shouted. His fingers dug painfully into my ankle as I strained to rip it away from him. Positioning my right foot on the wall, I gave a forceful kick, propelling my body away from Arty. My left high top slipped off my foot as I heard it tumble to the vent beneath me. Slightly agitated, I was hoping Arty would save it for me.

"Sorry!" I called back to him, genuinely not sorry. I propelled myself forward, hearing Arty climbing up the incline. I glanced back momentarily, only to find him increasing towards me. I screamed, pulling myself forwards as quickly as I could. As luck would have it, a ventilation cover was at the end of the tunnel. Using my right arm, I pounded on it as hard as I could. It came open, and I flung myself out. The fall was short lived, as I crashed onto a table not long after. Screaming in pain, I clutched my left arm, trying to figure out where I was. I was back in front of the stage.

"Take that," I sneered, panting. Arty glared down at me from the vent.

"Eh, I went easy on 'ya. Next time 'ya won't be so lucky," He replied, tossing my shoe dow and retracting back into the vent. It fell next to my head, barely missing me. I breathed a sigh of relief, sitting up.

"Looks like you beat the alligator," Tito spoke from the stage.

"You speak English?" I replied, breathing heavily.

"Eh, so-so," Tito replied.

"Why are you just sitting there?" I asked, standing up and attempting to put back on my shoe.

"I doubt you need me for anything, so why are you complaining?" Tito asked in response.

I opened my mouth to respond.

"Is my best friend getting tired?" Sara spoke, poking her head out from behind a curtain.

"No, I'm not, and I'm not your friend," I responded.

"We're all friends here, it's fate that brought you to join us," Sara smiled.

"I'm not joining you, I'm cleaning for you," I sneered back, "There's a difference,"

"I don't like your attitude," Sara said, cocking her head to the right.

"Oh yeah? It's not like anyone ever has. Get used to it,"

I was definitely letting my confidence get the best of me.

"You wonder why those kids are dead? Attitude is everything," Sara responded.

"What kids?" I asked, before instantly realizing the answer, "Where are they?"

"Willy se hizo cargo de ellos. Solo para ti," (Willy took care of them. Just for you.) Tito replied.

"What did he do?" I asked in English, finding his answer unsettling.

"Ask him yourself, you two seem to be closer than a bunch of bananas," I heard Gus say from the arcade room.

"Are you guys following me? I'm genuinely just here to clean, I don't want any trouble," I replied, throwing my hands in the air.

"We'll see how well you live up to that by the end of the night," Sara chided. I glared at her.

"I'm almost done, by morning I'll leave and y'all alone. I promise I'll never come back," I replied, throwing my arms in the air.

"You don't hate us, do you?" Tito asked. I glanced at him.

"No, of course not. Y'all made my childhood complete," I smiled.

"I remember. Ya' were such a cute kid," Arty shouted from the vents.

"If I'm gonna be out by morning, I'm gonna keep cleaning," I stated, walking towards the kitchen again. Sara, Tito, and Gus erupted into a conversation, but I paid no attention to it. The longer the animatronics were distracted, the better. If only Willy hadn't destroyed my phone, I would've been able to try and get Liv to get me a ride out of Hayesville.

"Halt! Who goes there?" A metallic voice said from behind me. I jumped, screaming. Knighty Knight stood there, pointing a strangely sharp sword at me.

"You guys need to stop sneaking up on me, I'm gonna have a heart attack I swear," I breathed.

"Fair maiden, doest thou dare challenge I?" Knighty spoke. I blinked. "Where art thou weaponry?"

"I don't wanna fight, I-"

"Ah, a challenger of status?" Knighty bounced to the other side of the hall, still keeping his sword pointed at me.

"Is that thing real?" I asked, pointing at his sword.

"This sword has fared me well through many a battles, crafted by the finest craftsmen in this here castle," Knighty replied, turning his sword over. That definitely did not answer my question.

"I'm not a fighter, I just want to get my broom and-"

"Excellent choice of weaponry! A broom, who would've ever guessed the fair maiden would choose such a commoner's weapon," Knighty interrupted. "We must commence the duel at once!"

"I genuinely don't think-"

"Seize your weapon! We must fight for victory and honor over this royal territory,"

Seeing as I had little say in this matter, and none of the other animatronics were pitching in, I reached inside the storage closet and pulled out a wooden broom.

"Alright, now wha-"

In a sudden flash, Knighty Knight had completely chopped my broom in half. His sword was just as sharp as I thought it was, which was most certainly a bad thing. Dodging his sword, I stumbled around clumsily trying to reason with him.

"You win, okay, I don't want-"

"You musn't give up yet, the fun hath just begun!" Knighty continued to interrupt, raising his sword to deal another blow. For an animatronic, his coordination was superb.

"I just want to clean, okay?" I shouted, becoming increasingly irritated. It wasn't difficult dodging Knighty Knight's sword, but it was definitely annoying and tiring. "If you guys want me out of here you'll let me do my thing,"

Knighty stopped.

"Hark, fair maiden, for I doth play fairly. If thoust truly desireth to enlist in the servant duties, the so it shall be decreed,"

"I'm not y'alls servant, I-"

"Here ye, here ye!" Knighty shouted. I stood there awkwardly. "Let it be known throughout the lands that the royal servant has proven her loyalty to our fair kingdom,"

"She is not a servant, señor Knighty," Tito shouted from the main stage. I had walked away from the scene, not wanting to engage in any more sword fighting. I used what was left of my broken broom to sweep the kitchen, eventually creating a massive pile of dirt on the floor. Kicking it under the stove, I figured no one would notice. The kitchen ended up taking the longest to clean, due to the pile of food build-up that had cemented on each dish. Almost all of the plates looked like they had once belonged to someone, as they were a little too nice to be used as restaurant-wear. There were only two sinks, and they were both under-pressurized. I ended up rinsing off my arm cut, which was still swollen. I had managed to get through the entire pile of dishes successfully, and clean out the sinks, before being interrupted again.

"Hey there bff," Sara called from the kitchen door.

"Yes?" I asked, wiping down the countertops.

"There's someone here to see you,"

"What?"

"You should know they're not welcome here,"

"Who are you talking about,"

"Follow me!"

I stopped scrubbing just to follow Sara, which I was unsure about at first. She moved annoyingly slow, and I still was forcing myself to stay at least ten feet behind her. She led me to the front room, where all the animatronics had returned to the center stage.

"El esta afuera,"(He is outside)Tito spoke, motioning for the front door. I thought for a moment, before throwing myself against the cold metal.

"Hello? Anyone out there?" I screamed through the small crack.

"Vic?" A muffled voice replied. I recognized it instantly. Luke was outside.

"Luke," I shouted. I felt something cold grasp my shoulder. A sinking feeling formed in my stomach.

"If you can't recall, he made some pretty insensitive comments today about us," Ozzie spoke in my ear. I shuddered.

"Leave him alone, he's my brother," I replied as calmly as possible.

"We don't care who he is, he's trespassing right now," Ozzie continued.

"I'll get him to leave, I promise," I spoke, trying not to let Luke hear me. The last thing I wanted was for him to be scared.

"Who are you talking to? Why are you in there?" Luke shouted through the crack.

"You need to leave, Lund is gonna be coming through here, and it's way past your bedtime," I replied, "I promise I'll explain everything tomorrow,"

"If you make it 'till tomorrow," Ozzie spoke.

"Liv called me and said you'd be here and you need help getting out," Luke called.

"Don't ya' even think about it," Arty called from behind me.

"Luke I don't need help, I'm just on cleaning probation. Please go back to your friend's house,"

"I know what happened to you. I know why you're in there. Vic, please, I don't want you to die," Luke cried.

"Luke, please don't cry," I started. My mind was racing with ways to comfort him. I wanted so badly to hug him to make it better. "I'm doing just fine, everything you heard about this place is a joke, okay? Where'd you even hear any of this?"

"Dad got really really mad, and told me everything," Luke sniffled. I rolled my eyes. There had to be some misleading information that got passed to Luke.

"Everything Dad told you was a joke. The animatronics cannot and will not hurt you, alright?" I replied.

"B-but what about you?" Luke stumbled.

"We can talk about what happened to me later. But I need to finish cleaning so I can leave in the morning," I smiled, trying to calm my nerves. Ozzie was still hovering next to my face.

"Vic, I don't want to leave you here alone, Liv is really worried,"

"You have ten seconds," Ozzie growled.

"Listen, call Liv back, tell her I'm okay and that I'll call her in the morning. But I need to go now, please go somewhere safe, Luke," I finished right as Ozzie pulled me away from the door.

"Vic, can't you just leave? No one will know if you escape," Luke called through the door.

"Say a single word to him and I'll send you to join the other kiddos," Ozzie threatened. I kept my mouth shut, hoping Luke would leave.

"Are you there?" Luke asked. I couldn't respond. It took about five minutes of silence after we heard Luke's footsteps leaving the building for Ozzie to finally step away from me.

"Thank you for letting me speak with him," I stated, inching away from Ozzie.

"I only letcha 'cause I was feelin' generous," Ozzie replied, snaking his neck to the right.

"I'm almost done," I smirked, stepping back down the opposite hallway.

"Aw, we've been having so much fun though!" Gus called to me.

"Speak for ya'self, she's as boring as a pile of rocks," Arty replied to Gus.

"She's not boring, she just doesn't want to speak," Cammy added.

"Ella es tímida,"(She is shy). Tito continued.

"Alas, the fair maiden's voice has been bound by an unstoppable force," Knighty Knight shouted.

"Yea', it's called anxiety ya' dimwits," Willy replied, "Didn't ya' see her poppin' those pills?"

"What would you know about anxiety?" Ozzie asked Willy.

"Only what I read on her little pill bottle," Willy replied. I had to admit, the interactions the animatronics had were oddly entertaining. I hadn't once thought of them as living creatures, but they definitely acted like it. Proceeding away from their conversation, I began to reorganize my priorities in my head. There were only a few more rooms that needed finished: Sara's treehouse, and the Super Happy Fun Room.