"Do any of you guys hear that?" I asked the room. The animatronics stared at me awkwardly.
"Your brother just left, silly," Gus replied.
"No, no, I mean the talking," I continued.
"They can't hear you, Vic," The voice continued. I blinked, trying to understand what was going on.
"Uh, are you okay?" Willy asked.
"I'm fine, I think I'm just tired," I replied, running a hand through my hair.
"Well, Tex is gonna come back around in about an hour," Cammy stated. I nodded. Time had flown.
"I know you're confused. Don't worry. I can hear all of your thoughts, and I promise I'm going to help you out," The voice started again. "But please, for the love of all things good in this cruel world, stop thinking about Willy's-..okay, that's better."
I was becoming increasingly paranoid with the childlike voice echoing through my head. Whoever it was had been talking to Luke as well.
"What do you want?" I asked mentally. If this voice could, in fact, hear my thoughts, it should have no trouble discerning the fact I want it to leave me alone.
"I'm here to help you-" The voice started
"You look like you're gonna be sick," Gus stated, snapping me from my thoughts.
"I'm fine, I swear, I just need to lie down for a minute," I replied.
"The Super Happy Fun Room is all yours, that's probably the most quiet place in here," Willy stated, motioning for the Super Happy Fun Room. I nodded, rubbing my eyes.
"I'll be awake before Lund comes back," I stated, entering the Super Happy Fun Room. Willy nodded as I shut the door.
"I died here," The strange voice spoke.
"Alright, what do you want from me? I'm not going insane," I said aloud.
"My name is Robbie. You've probably never heard of me,"
"No, I haven't. And I'd honestly rather not," I sneered. If I was, truly, going crazy, I'd at least do it with an attitude.
"I died here, Vic, along with countless others. My soul is stuck here with those things," Robbie continued. I paused for a moment. "I'm sure they told you that they only eat souls because they need it to survive or whatever, but that's not true,"
"And you expect me to believe you?" I retorted.
"After what you just went through, why wouldn't you?" Robbie replied.
"What are you trying to say,"
"The ritual worked. Jerry Robert Willis and the rest of his crew are possessing the animatronics, and you've fallen right into their trap. Just like the countless others before you," Robbie explained. I was trying to process the information Robbie was telling me.
"What about the guy from a few days ago? He came out of here just fine," I asked.
"Some souls are better left untouched, I guess," Robbie replied.
"I don't believe you. There's no way that the ritual worked, I trust the animatronics more than I trust a weird voice in my head, so unless you can show me solid evidence, I'm not-"
In a sudden flash, I found myself surrounded by complete darkness. Confused and afraid, I stumbled around, trying to catch my bearings.
"Vic, I'm right here," Robbie spoke, as something grabbed my arm. I screamed, retracting it instantly. "Just stay calm for one second,"
In a few moments, I was standing in Willy's Wonderland again. Everything seemed to have been left as it was before, but a lot cleaner. I felt the same hand grab my arm again. Looking down in disgust, I saw a young boy wearing a plaid shirt and corduroy pants. He had a brown bowl haircut, and dusty brown eyes.
"You must be Robbie," I sneered, "I've had enough of these lucid dreams to know this is a hallucination, isn't it. 'Cause you're not real,"
Robbie looked hurt.
"You're right, this is a hallucination. I just want to help you," Robbie replied. If Robbie was able to manipulate my mind into seeing things at his will, there's no telling what else he's capable of. I did what he said, however, as there is no escape from your own mind.
"Help me," I heard a voice call from the distance. A grown man stumbled through the restaurant. His face instantly registered with me as a man I had seen on Sheriff Lund's wall. The man was visibly injured, as he was pulling himself along with the chairs and tables.
"Sir-" I began to call to him.
"No use, he can't hear you," Robbie replied. I shut my mouth.
"Somebody," The man screamed again, stumbling over his own large weight. His beard clung to the sweat on his face as he panted heavily. He was wearing a Willy's Wonderland employee shirt that had a variety of dark stains all over it. The man suddenly screamed, as Willy appeared from the other end.
"Don't hurt me," The man shouted again, turning to go the other way. He couldn't move, however, as he was completely exhausted. Willy approached him slowly as I clasped my hand over my mouth. In an instant, the man was dead. The details I'd rather not remember.
In another flash, Robbie and I were in the same spot, but this time, there was a family. Liv's family.
"I don't want to see this," I spoke, turning away.
"You have to. It's the only way I can get you to understand that you're being manipulated," Robbie replied, "You weren't there to see it, but after you were rushed to the hospital during Liv's birthday party, she and her parents spent the night to pay everything off,"
Hearing a familiar voice, I turned around to see Liv's parents. It had been such a long time since I had last seen them, I almost didn't recognize them.
"You remember them?" Robbie asked, looking up at me. I nodded my head, watching them clean. They were both so happy. Liv was there too. She danced around the tables like a ballerina.
"Stay close, Liv, I don't want you to get hurt," I heard Liv's mom speak.
"I don't want to see this," I whispered.
"You're only displacing it because you know you can't trust the animatronics," Robbie replied.
"Why are you so insistent about this? And why are you bringing this up to me? I'm literally the last person you'd want help from," I argued.
"No one's believed me. And you see where that's led them," Robbie started. "I tried to talk to Liv's parents. I tried to talk to all of them. But none of you wanted to believe me. All those travelers assumed the place was safe, just like Tex told them. They assumed I was just some hallucination,"
I was quiet, still paying attention to Liv's parents. "Don't you want justice for them?" Robbie asked, noticing my concentration.
"Of course I do. I wish there was some other way to keep the animatronics stable," I replied, shrugging.
"There is a way, and I-"
"I don't want them to go back to the way things were before they started using souls. I've found friends for once," I interrupted. Robbie stared at me.
"Friends?" He asked.
"You probably wouldn't understand, 'cause what are you, two years old?" I spoke, "But I don't trust anyone in this town. And for the first time in my entire life, I've been able to put my trust in those things to not kill me. They've held up to that promise-"
"What about what happened with you and Willy?" Robbie interrupted.
"He apologized," I replied.
"Did he really though? You know Jerry is still possessing him," Robbie stated.
"Jerry-"
"I have a way to get the justice you crave so badly. There's a way to send Jerry back to the fiery depths of hell where he belongs, and have a way for the animatronics to still be sentient like they've been telling you. But, you know, without the souls and stuff," Robbie explained. I shook my head slowly.
"Jerry is dead,"
"He may be dead, but he and the rest of his crew is still controlling the animatronics. Jerry is very much alive inside them,"
I was quiet again. I wanted so badly to believe this was all just another awful dream. There was no way Jerry was still possessing Willy. I know the difference between the two.
"You want friends, Vic, I see that. But are murderous possessed animatronics really where you want to find them?" Robbie asked.
"I don't have much of a choice in the matter," I choked, trying not to cry.
"I see how badly you want to associate with them, and I can make that happen. But we need to get Jerry and his crew out of the restaurant first. Then, all the souls that are trapped here will be freed to move on. Don't you want that?" Robbie asked.
"Yes," I replied.
"You have to trust me then. We can work together on this. I promise, by the end of it all, the animatronics will be self-sustaining, the souls will be freed, and you'll never have to think about Jerry again," Robbie spoke, smiling. I turned my head towards him, watching Arty appear at the far end of the restaurant. Liv's parents panicked, running for their lives.
"I don't know,"
"You don't have much time, Vic, you need to act. It's now or never,"
I froze, watching the entire scene play out before my eyes. Something I didn't want to see, and regret seeing. Liv's parents were no more, and small Liv was crying.
"No,"
"What?"
"Somethin' doesn't feel right about this. Or you. I don't trust you," I growled. Robbie didn't look all too happy at my reply.
"You're letting them manipulate you, Vic, I hope you're thinking about more than just yourself,"
In a blinding flash of light, I was back in the Super Happy Fun Room. Willy was hovering over me.
"Ya' still alive, girly?" He asked, helping me to my feet.
"Yeah, I'm fine, what just happened," I mumbled, rubbing my head. I was beginning to have a throbbing headache, and I doubted Willy carried Ibuprofen with him.
"I don't know what you were doin' in here, but I came to make sure you were okay, and you were lyin' there on the floor," Willy explained. I had to gather my thoughts.
"Just so you know, Vic, you're still talking to Jerry right there," I listened to Robbie speak.
"He's not Jerry, I know what Jerry is. Jerry is a monster. Willy is not," I thought back. Robbie laughed.
"I think I'm going mental," I laughed, trying to make light of the situation.
"In a place like this, I don't doubt it. Don't worry, we'll still like ya' all the same," Willy smiled. I snickered. Whoever Robbie was, I didn't trust them. He seemed to have connections with Luke too, and Luke is much more vulnerable than I.
"How long was I out for?" I asked, looking up at Willy.
"I'd say a solid hour," He replied, ruffling my hair.
"That means Tex is gonna be comin' back soon," I figured.
"You ain't gonna be too sad to leave, are ya?" Willy asked. I smiled.
"I'll miss you, if that's what you're asking,"
"Well, guess what," Willy spoke, tilting my chin up towards him, "I'll miss you too Vic,"
I then realized I didn't really want to leave.
"Thanks for not killing me," I sneered.
"Ehh no biggie, I already ate this week," Willy shrugged, "But I'll never, ever hurt you,"
"Never ever?"
"Never ever ever,"
"I'll try to come back. Even if I have to sneak in,"
"Visits from you are always welcome here,"
"Thanks," I laughed.
"You excited to go finish celebratin' your birthday?" Willy asked.
"I'm probably not gonna do too much. My Dad is probably gonna keep me grounded for the rest of my life," I joked.
"Can't say I didn't try, I guess this room doesn't lock," Willy sneered. I breathed, feeling my face flush.
"Don't worry, I liked it anyways,"
"Oh did ya' now?"
"Maybe a little more than I should've,"
"How so, pretell?"
"You've been the only gift I need,"
"Hmm," Willy purred, taking a step closer to me. I kept my stance. "If it means anything to ya', birthday girl, I'll make your big nineteenth one you'll never forget,"
I placed my hands on Willy's shoulders, staring up at him. I let my hands slide down towards his hands, then around his waist. Willy's lower and upper jaw pressed against my forehead, sending several cold chills down my back. I breathed, trying to keep my composure. You are definitely going insane. Might as well live it out to the fullest, even if you're gonna regret it. At least no one is gonna find out…
"I'd be okay with that," I smiled. Willy's hands traced my back slowly. I looked up at him, breaking the contact between his mouth and my forehead.
"Willy?" I asked.
"What's up girly?" He replied softly. Say something, don't just stand there like an idiot. Without another thought, I raised my arms to Willy's back and pulled him towards me, smashing my lips against his mouth. I cocked my head to the right, trying to match his height. Willy grunted slightly, before bracing the back of my head with his hand and reciprocating my odd gesture. His other hand went across my back, and pulled me closer to him. Willy's mouth, although made of steel, was softened by the fur lining the outside. The taste was something metallic, which may or may not have been blood. I didn't really want to ask. It was a bit of a weird sensation, but I got used to it. I felt my heart pound in my ears as I tried to not to think about Robbie. Or Chris. Or Luke. Or anything. I wanted to be in the awkward once-in-a-lifetime moment. Breathing softly, I readjusted my lips against Willy's mouth, moving my arms to a more comfortable position. Out of all the important moments in my life, this was definitely one of them. As I pulled away from Willy slowly, he lingered for a few moments longer.
"Oh man," I breathed, laughing quietly.
"So ya' did want somethin' for your birthday, I knew it," Willy teased.
"Whatever, I'm just happy to be here with you," I sneered back.
"You are literally so disgusting," Robbie spoke to me mentally. I ignored him.
"Can I just not leave," I asked, hugging WIlly.
"Ya' know I'd keep you here foreva' if I could," Willy replied, hugging me back. I listened to his chest, hearing a gentle hum.
"It's not like anyone would miss me," I shrugged.
"Your brother needs someone like you to look out for him,"
"I guess you're right. Ever since Mom left I've been raising him," I closed my eyes.
"By the looks of things, you're doin' a great job,"
"I'm really trying. It seems like everything I do for that family is a waste,"
"Your efforts are anything but wasted,"
"I appreciate that,"
"Anythin' for you, Vic,"
I closed my eyes, resting the side of my face against Willy. Willy held me tightly, pressing my face into his chest. I was beginning to drift off to sleep, as I tried to force myself to stay awake. The silence of the Super Happy Fun Room mixed with the sultry humming of Willy's mech was beginning to sooth me into another nap. Fortunately, Ozzie was quick to wake me. With another loud bang, the door flew open.
"What are you two doing?" He screeched. I woke with a start, jumping slightly.
"Oh for cryin' out loud," Willy muttered, taking his hands off my back.
"You said you were comin' in here to make sure she was okay, not to-" Ozzie started again.
"I was just makin' sure she was alright, and lookey here, she's alright," Willy interrupted.
"Well, Tex is here, time to say goodbye to Miss Snarky Pants. Let me serenade you with a tiny violin, 'cause I know you're gonna miss her Willy," Arty teased from the other side of the doorway.
"It's not like you guys arent' gonna miss her too," Willy replied. I followed him towards the door.
"Good bye, best friend, come back to visit us soon please," Sara called to me from the stage.
"I promise I will," I smiled back.
"Remember to find what makes you happy, Vic. People are going to try and tell you what does and doesn't, but only you know for sure," Cammy spoke from the far left side of the stage.
"Thanks for the advice," I nodded to her.
"Come back to see us, but not 'cause you wreck. Just come 'cause you wanna talk," Willy spoke, ruffling my hair again. I smiled, nodding my head. I could hear voices from outside, and I was much less relieved than I thought. By the time I had turned back around, the animatronics had completely returned to their stage positions. The locks clanked loudly from outside, before the doors swung open. Tex, Sheriff Lund, and Jed stood in the doorway, and in the distance, a small crowd had gathered. I could barely read the expressions on their faces; it was something along the lines of fear and relief.
"Hi," I sneered, "Miss me?"