I woke up slowly, but not on my own terms. There was a lot of light and...children laughing? Am I dead? I sat up slowly, looking around. I was still at Willy's Wonderland. There were people everywhere. Children were running left and right, and an upbeat country rendition of a nursery rhyme blasted over the jukebox. I was seated next to Luke at the same table we were at for his birthday party.
"Vic, I'm gonna go to the arcade," He spoke, getting up from the table. I didn't respond, still trying to understand what was going on. I stared at the stage. Willy and the rest of the wonderland band looked completely different. They looked like they did before the restaurant closed; cleaned and maintained. The animatronics swayed a little bit, seeming to dance to the weird song from the jukebox. They're acting like actual machines. I got up from my seat slowly, looking around. I didn't recognize any of the people here. I could only conclude they were all out-of-towners. Beginning to remember what had gone on before I ended up here, I realized I had passed out. Checking myself over, I was still wearing the Willy's Wonderland uniform. The shirt, however, hadn't been ripped. It looked completely normal. My left arm looked completely healed, almost as though nothing had happened. In fact, I felt completely normal, almost as if the events preceding this moment never happened. I tried to remember what they were, but for some reason, I couldn't. You were cleaning, then what? Something happened, remember it damn you. A light from the far end of the right hallway caught my attention. There was something going on inside the Super Happy Fun Room. Like a moth to the light, I began to walk down the hallway, away from all the people. I came within about thirty feet, when I was approached by a tall figure.
"Willy," I breathed, "I am so glad to see you,"
I embraced Willy in a hug, feeling a sense of comfort.
"I am too, kiddo," Willy smirked. He sounds different.
"Are you okay?" I asked.
"Who me? I'm just fine!" Willy replied. I broke from the hug, staring up at him. Something was off. In an instant, everything got quiet. All the sound stopped, and I couldn't hear the people anymore. A darkening red light filled the room as a sense of dread began to build up.
"You're not Willy," I gasped, turning to run. Jerry grabbed my arm, yanking it harshly. I yelped, being limply drug behind him.
"We wouldn't want the birthday girl to miss her big day, would we?" He bellowed, swinging open the door to the Super Happy Fun Room. There were several other costumed employees there, all laughing at me. I tried to scream, but only a small squeak escaped my mouth. There were several symbols drawn on the ground I couldn't quite make out, and I definitely didn't want to stick around long enough to know what they were. I thrashed viciously, trying to escape. Jerry overpowered me, as two other employees wearing Arty and Cammy costumes restrained my arms.
"Let me go! Someone, please!" I tried to shout. Although I was screaming as loud as I could, my voice came out quietly. My heart rate increased as the employees bound my arms and legs.
"Stop squirming, 'ya little runt," Jerry ordered, restraining me from the top. Taking off the mask he was wearing, I could vividly see him. His ugly, greasy face smirked at me. "Open wide,"
I kept my mouth shut tightly as a glass of liquid was brought to my face. Lights flashed around me, causing me to want to curl up and cry.
"Let me get it," An employee wearing a Tito costume spoke. He grasped my face, wedging one of his nasty-tasting fingers inside my mouth. I gagged as Jerry poured a foul liquid down my throat. I tried to scream again, but this time, no sound came out. I panted, trying to see what was going on. The red light and the rapid movement of the employees made it impossible to determine what they were doing. A low hum of chanting began, before I realized what was going on.
"Cry all you want, girly, but they can't hear you in here," Jerry said, revelling in my sheer agony.
"You're a monster," I managed to hiss. My voice stung with each breath that I took, causing my eyes to water.
"Me? A monster?" Jerry laughed. All his employees roared happily. "Since it's your birthday, I'm only givin' you a present!"
"I don't want it," I spat at his face. My throat singed. It felt like someone was strangling me.
"Since you wanna be with Willy the Weasel so bad, I'm gonna give you Willy the Weasel," Jerry sneered.
"You're supposed to be dead," I cried. I just wanted the pain to stop. This was too much for me.
"I've always been alive in your mind, Vic, you know that. Now just go to sleep," Jerry soothed. The chanting became louder. In a bright flash, Jerry raised the arm of his Willy costume above me, bringing it down on my body. The prickle of a thousand needles shocked my body, causing me to arch my back in agony. My breath slowed as my eyes refused to reopen. The pounding heartbeat in my ears decreased, becoming slower, and slower. I fell completely limp, completely giving up. I'm dead.
My eyes suddenly fluttered slightly. Angry voices were talking.
"She trusted you, Willy," Cammy spoke.
"Why'd you have to do it, huh? She thought you were her friend, and friends don't hurt each other," Sara added.
"I know, I know, I really messed up-OW, Sara, stop hitting me!" Willy replied. He seemed to be louder than the others.
"Si te gustara, no habrías hecho ese truco," (If you liked her, you wouldn't have pulled that stunt) Tito stated.
"You need to be the one to fix this," Sara hissed.
"She's awake," I heard Cammy say, realizing I was beginning to move. I opened my eyes slowly. I realized what had happened.
"It was a dream," I cried, cuddling closer to whatever I was laying on. I could still feel my heartbeat in my ears, even though it was beginning to return to a normal pace.
"Um, Vic, I-" I heard a voice start to say from above me. I snapped open my eyes, sitting upright. Two arms braced my body, preventing me from falling. I instantly came to a realization of where I was.
"You," I hissed at Willy. I had been laying on his lap. We were back in the Super Happy Fun Room.
"Girly, breathe for me. I'm not here to hurt ya'," Willy spoke. I tried to wriggle free of his grasp. Although strong, his hold was comforting.
"He's here, Jerry is, and he's gonna kill me. You're gonna kill me, I cried, trying to pull myself away from Willy.
"Vic, please, it's just me. Jerry is dead, and I will NOT hurt you, I promise," Willy replied, not letting go.
"I just saw him, w-we were just in here," I hiccuped, kicking my legs like a baby.
"Just hold still, lemme make it right," Willy grunted back, trying to restrain me. "I'm not gonna let go until I do,"
"He's gonna hurt me, you're gonna hurt me," I cried, pulling my right arm free.
"No I ain't. I promise you, you're safe," Willy grunted as I pushed away from him. His hold tightened. "Just please, stop cryin'. Ya' don't know how painful it is for me to watch,"
"Maybe you should've thought about that earlier," I said, meeting Willy's eyes.
"What I did has no excuses. I was wrong,"
"You have a lot of explaining to do," I whispered, twisting my upper body. I had nearly forgotten my left arm was still a mess. The pain had returned, but was numbed down.
"I know, I know, just calm down first," Willy urged. His arms, still snuggly wrapped around me, didn't budge. I groaned loudly.
"If you're trying to strangle me, just finish up already," I muttered, kicking.
"Ya' know I ain't lettin' ya' go," Willy finally spoke. I finally stopped, wiping my eyes.
"Fine. You want me to stop, I'll stop,"
As I stopped moving, I got a good idea of where I had ended up. Willy was sitting on one of the Super Happy Fun Room tables. I glanced over his shoulder, seeing the other animatronics patiently waiting by the door. Siren Sara gave me a small wave. Willy had me restrained bridal style, which put me at a huge disadvantage.
"I cannot, and will not hurt you like that ever again," Willy spoke.
"I trusted you," I whimpered, letting Willy hold me. His fur, although not very soft, was much better than the floor. It had the faint scent of fabric cleaner.
"I cannot tell you how much you mean to me, girly," Willy started, "There's somethin' about ya' that just radiates good things,"
I rolled my eyes, feeling flustered.
"Ya' came here today afraid. But you did it for your brother, Luke. Ya' could have very well bailed. But you didn't. Ya' put your trust in all of us tonight, and I was the one to go and blow it,"
Willy continued, his eyes meeting mine. I didn't break eye contact. "I overreacted over somethin' stupid. I should've realized what I was doin', but I was just too caught up in the fact I was gonna lose you again,"
"Lose me, huh?" I asked.
"Yes, lose you, girly. Do you know how long it's been since I've last seen you?" Willy spoke.
"Uh, since this morning?"
"No, no, like before that. About eleven years. Eleven years without seein' my favorite birthday girl. So when ya' went to leave, I panicked. I wasn't thinking about you, I was only thinking about myself, and that was the wrong decision," Willy started. "I realized a long time ago how badly the whole Jerry situation affected ya', and it's my fault for puttin' ya' in a position to remember it,"
"Yeah, it is," I spoke.
"So please, accept my apology. I wish there was more I could do to make it better," Willy apologized. I looked up at him again, resting my face against his chest.
"Apology accepted," I smiled.
"Oh goody. I almost thought ya' were gonna hate me foreva'," Willy sneered.
"Don't get your hopes up, I'm still trying to calm down," I replied, wrapping my arms around Willy. The sense of comfort that came from him was something I had never experienced before. Not even in my own home.
"Well that's what I'm here-would y'all just stop starin' for one moment?" Willy spoke to the rest of the animatronics.
"We just wanna make sure you're not gonna eat her face off," Ozzie replied. Arty muttered something under his breath, before Knighty Knight bonked him atop the head with his sword.
"Whaaat, I'm just reclarifyin' for Ozzie," Arty replied, rubbing the top of his head.
"These lands have been deemed *family establishments*," Knighty replied.
"I'm not gonna eat her face off," Willy started, before looking at me, "Yet,"
My eyes widened, hoping he was joking.
"Might as well eat the rest, no point in letting any go to waste," Ozzie spoke, ruffling his feathers.
"C'mon you guys, timing is everything, they barely know each other," Arty snickered. Flustered, I gasped.
"Y'all are actin' like children," Willy called to them.
"At least we're more mature than you," Cammy retorted.
"Don't mind those dorks, just take your time to relax," Willy said to me. I had let my entire body relax, but Willy's tight grip didn't loosen at all. I, quite frankly, did not have a problem with it.
"I'm sorry for being inconsiderate about y'all's situation," I finally spoke, "I know I can't exactly relate to the whole soul idea, but I'm sure it's not easy,"
"Trust me, if there was another way to go about it, we would've taken it," Willy replied.
"Souls aren't very easy to come by here in Hayesville, I doubt half the humans even have one," Cammy added. I snickered, thinking of a few people who'd fit that category.
"'Ya know, if you're still up for a little donation, I'm sure Willy can arrange to suck it out of 'ya without scaring-OUCH," Arty shouted, being promptly bonked on the head by Knighty Knight again.
"You little piece of-" Willy started to call to Arty.
"The fair maiden requires her soul to live, and she has proven her life has worth to all of us," Knighty interrupted.
"I'm just bein' honest," Arty hissed, rubbing the top of his head.
"Are you really that cold still?" Willy asked, adjusting his arms. I hadn't realized how cold I was till Willy mentioned it.
"A little, just give me a few more minutes, I'll be fine," I replied, tucking both my right arm under Willy's. I kept trying to adjust my shirt, as Willy's fur kept preventing it from moving with the rest of my body.
"Is your arm still buggin' ya'?" He asked.
"It's kind of numb, but the pain is subsiding. I think I'll need stitches and a different shirt," I replied, tugging the shirt over my chest.
"Stacking chairs up is a silly idea," Gus said, playing with a ribbon on the ground.
"I needed to tell my friends not to come here," I replied, still hoping they would live up to their word to stay away. "I guess I wasn't being careful enough,"
"At least your stay is technology free," Sara smiled, "With the exception of us, of course,"
I had nearly forgotten about my phone. Just another thing I'd need to explain to Dad.
"Oh that's right, 'aint it. Sorry 'bout your phone, girly," Willy added.
"It's no biggie, I don't need it," I smiled back.
"It's only 'no biggie' 'cause Willy was the one to break it. If it had been any of us, you would've been mad," Ozzie sneered.
"Is not-" I began to retort.
"Is too, is too," Ozzie teased back.
"Ya' have no room to talk, bird brain, you got owned at pinball earlier," Willy spoke back.
"It's not like the rest of us can play pinball anyways," Arty shrugged.
"Yeah, Ozzie doesn't have-" Gus started
"Opposable thumbs, I've heard it before," Ozzie interrupted.
"That's my pinball machine anyways, and I don't appreciate y'all gettin' your grubby little hands all over it," Willy sneered.
I had forgiven Willy. It wasn't the worst thing anyone's ever done to me, but I genuinely felt he deserved my forgiveness. I felt bad for him, and I could tell he felt bad for me too. I didn't dare move, though, because of what he might do if I got up, and I was comfortable.
"Do any of you hear that," Siren whispered. Everyone became quiet.
"Yeahhh," Arty snickered, "Sounds like we have ourselves another intruder,"
"You in, senor?" Tito asked, looking at Willy.
"She's seen enough, I'm gonna stay here with her," Willy replied.
"That's a first," Tito shrugged.
"Intruder?" I asked, gazing up at Willy.
"We get people in here lookin' for a good time, and we sure as hell give them one," Willy replied. I tried to comprehend his reply as I watched all the animatronics leave the Super Happy Fun room. As the front door shut, the entire room became quiet again.
"Um, birthday girl, there's somethin' I need to ask 'ya," Willy started, shifting uncomfortably. I sat up on his lap, turning to face him.
"Go ahead," I replied, preparing myself for whatever I was about to be thrown.
"And I know it's your birthday, so you can't argue with that anymore," Willy added. I giggled. "Nineteen, amirite?"
"Unfortunately. Old enough to have my own responsibilities, but not old enough for anyone to trust me with responsibilities," I replied.
"Eh, well, some trust is better than no trust. And I just happen to trust you alot. What do you want for your birthday?" Willy asked, moving his arm out from behind me and leaning back.
"I don't usually ask for anything. I guess this year I just wanted to go shopping for myself. Dedicate time to making myself a priority ya' know? Make fun for myself," I replied. I couldn't remember the last time someone got me a birthday present, nor did I care for them either.
"I guess I can arrange for somethin' like that. We are in the Super Happy Fun Room, after all," Willy replied. I smiled, trying not to giggle like a little girl.
"Can I buy another shirt from y'all?"
"What for? Your look fits you well," Willy stated. I adjusted the ripped side. "It is missing somethin', though,"
"Like the other sleeve?" I joked. Willy looked to both sides of him, grazing through the pile of miscellaneous party items on the table. He grabbed a plastic tiara, reading 'Princess', from his left side, holding it between his bulky fingers. Steadying himself, he placed the silver item atop my head, nestling it gently into place. I lowered my head, accepting the gesture. The mechanics in his arms hummed softly.
"There. It complements your eyes," Willy said happily. My eyes were a deep hazel, and were as common as common could be.
"My eyes," I echoed, smiling.
"I gotta give you somethin' you want. Anything. Just say it, and I'll try to make it yours," Willy stated. There were several thumps that echoed through the restaurant.
"Are they okay?" I asked.
"They'll be fine, it's nothing we haven't dealt with before," Willy shrugged. I turned to face him again.
"I don't really want anything, honestly," I chuckled.
"There has to be somethin', I know you too well, girly," Willy replied, "When you were little, all you wanted was a pet dog. Did 'ya ever get one?"
"I told you about that?" I scoffed.
"Ya' told me a lot of things about yourself," Willy smiled.
"I did get the dog. Bonzo. He's not with us anymore, though. What all do you know about me?" I asked, becoming very curious.
"Well, for startas', I was your favorite. Your home life sucks, you want a car, you don't like pizza, I could go on, birthday girl,"
"I told you all of that?" I laughed, embarrassed.
"Yup. And I listened very intently to all of it. I don't remember stuff about just anyone, ya' know,"
"I borrow my Dad's car, which is why I'm here,"
"You're still keepin' up with the street racin', huh?"
"First off, I wasn't speeding when I wrecked. Second off, how on earth do you know about that?"
"That pesky Sheriff mentions 'ya ever now and then"
"I can only imagine what she says about me,"
"Eh, not too much of it was bad. I only listened to the good stuff,"
"Well that's awfully kind of you,"
"It's the least I can do,"
I stared at Willy for a solid second, trying to prolong the conversation so I didn't have to leave his lap. Although he had nearly shredded me like a porkchop, I found myself feeling safer with Willy than I did with anyone or anything I've ever talked to.
"I think I know what you can do for me," I finally stated, leaning forward. Willy's eyes followed me."This is stabbing me though," I took off the tiara, setting it gently to the side.
"Oh yeah, girly? Tell Willy the Weasel what you want,"
My eyes paid close attention to the glimmers of the discoball dancing across the wall. Vic, stop it now, you're gonna regret this with the burning passion of a thousand suns.
"Well, Willy," I started, placing both hands on top Willy's shoulders and leaning towards him even further. I had to stay on my knees in order to meet his eye level.
"Go on," Willy purred. I was close enough to Willy's face, where if he did, in fact, want to rip it off he could. But he wasn't. Readjusting his overall strap, I smirked.
"You've got my full attention, girly,"
My eyes darted to Willy's hands, making sure he wasn't about to shank me. "Oh please, ya' know I'm not here to hurt 'ya," He started, placing both his large hands on my back, "And my eyes are up here,"
I was completely flustered. Trying to reorganize my scattered thoughts, I let Willy pull me closer.
"Willy?" I asked.
"Yea?"
"I want-"
The Super Happy Fun Room was suddenly flooded with light from the main room, as the door opened with a loud bang. Both Willy and I looked swiftly towards the door. I winced, shielding my eyes.
"VIC?!" A very familiar voice screamed at me, "I'm telling Dad, I'm telling Dad!"
"How on earth," I started, "Luke, I told you to stay outside!"