Everyone in the room turned to face me. I wanted to cry. Luke looked like he was going to be sick.

"Well, Vic, that's an interesting proposition, wasn't expecting that from you, to be honest," Jerry replied. I watched him slowly approach me. Hopefully, this would buy Deputy Evan some time to call the SWAT team. "Get out of here, all of you," He shouted. The cultists, including Luke, left the room. My heart began to pound, and not in a good way. I stood up, dusting my thighs off. I didn't dare look at the carnage behind me.

"Uhm-" I started to say.

"Now, what do you want to talk about?" Jerry asked, coming uncomfortably close to me.

"I-"

Jerry put a finger to my mouth. I could smell the blood on it. I moved my hand slowly along my thigh, using the other one to place on Jerry's back. I had to move quickly before this escalated. I kept my eyes locked on Jerry's, hoping he wasn't noticing me pulling the lanyard from my pocket.

"Now, is this 'cause I'm using Willy's body? Or have I always been there?" Jerry asked coily. My gut wretched, knowing very well Willy was watching me lie my way through this. All you need to do is incapacitate him. That's it. Then make him give you the spell. I slid my hand slowly into my pocket, fiddling with the key lanyard. I had finally found a use for the pointy charm. Once I found the stabbing tool, I used my free hand to grasp the overall strap on Jerry's right side.

"So tell me," I started, "What did Luke do to bring you back?"

"Wouldn't you like to know," Jerry growled. I tugged on the strap slowly. I had stared at Willy long enough to know where each and every one of his pockets were. One in the front, two in the back. I hate myself for knowing that.

"It's not like I had anything to do with it,"

"You have a point. You see, the art of dark magic is something I've grown familiar with over the years. And there's a specific series of words that I made him use," Jerry explained. Reel it in, Vic.

"What kind of words," I whispered, bringing my head close to Jerry. I'm so sorry Willy.

"Don't you know anything about dark magic?" Jerry asked. I traced my hand down to the first back pocket.

"A little bit," I replied. That was a complete lie.

"Ah, moving fast, are we Vic?" Jerry asked as I moved my hand to the other back pocket. It was a waste of time, as nothing was in either back pockets, and I was making myself look like an idiot.

"Too fast for you?" I asked, moving my hand to the front pocket. My heart leapt as my hand came across a piece of paper. Clutching it between my two fingers, I went to remove my hand. My hazy eyes stayed locked on Jerry's, hoping they'd distract him from what I was doing.

"They say the eyes are the key to the soul," Jerry started, grabbing my wrist tightly. I had almost gotten the paper out. "Don't think I don't know what you're trying to get me to tell you,"

"What," I breathed, as his grip tightened on my wrist.

"Honestly, for a few seconds you had me thinking I could have you,"

"I don't belong to anyone,"

"Well that paper in your hand belongs to me,"

"What paper?"

"Don't play dumb with me, woman," He snarled, his face coming close to I felt Jerry push against me, while pulling me closer, I took the opportunity to nail his back with the sharp charm. Jerry screamed loudly, letting me go. I pushed him away from him, stepping back in complete disgust. What now? I hadn't thought far enough. I tripped over my fear, stumbling over the table.

"YOU LITTLE-" Jerry screamed, following that with several rude terms. I quickly opened the paper, revealing a series of words. Jerry was trying to manuver around the table, so I took the opportunity to read the words, hoping it was some sort of reverse spell.

"You're stupid, Vic, that's what brought us back!"

"Jerry wait-" I tried to say, holding a hand in front of my face as a feeble effort to protect myself.

"It's so funny, watching someone as pathetic as you, thinking you can perform sorcery like you know what you're doing! Didn't it ever occur to you that I know more about dark magic than YOU ever will?!" He caught up to me, his hand coming into rough contact with my throat. I choked, feeling myself submerge into darkness. As my eyes fluttered open, I instantly got back to my feet.

"Willy, I am so, so-"

"Don't apologize, girly," Willy laughed, helping me to my feet.

"You know I don't want anything to do with Jerry, I swear," I spoke, holding my arms.

"I'm impressed, honestly. I guess that's one of the perks of being as gorgeous as you," Willy replied. I exhaled, trying not to let myself blush.

"Dang, Vic, I mean, whatever works," Ozzie laughed, "I guess the spell didn't, though,"

"And I'm sorry about stabbing you a second time, I really didn't want to resort to hurting your body again," I spoke to Willy. Willy shrugged.

"It's fine, don't sweat it girly,"

"He's not happy," Cammy called to us. Willy and I returned to the projection, as I carefully examined what was going on.

"Alright Vic, let's make a few things clear," I heard Jerry speak. "I admire your trickery. I do give credit where it's due. But since you hit me like that, I'm going to continue to eat your soul,"

"It's not like you weren't going to," I called back.

"And to make a few things clear, your soul is filthy. I don't want to even mention some of the things you've done. Luke has killed a man, so he's out of the list too. So neither of you can recite anything and have it work,"

"How did you-"

"I literally hear everything you're saying in there, sweetheart, there's no secret-keeping from Jerry,"

"Just finish me off already,"

"Not yet, I'm going to make it much more painful for you now,"

I felt a numbing sensation shoot through my lower back. I arched in pain, rubbing it.

"It's your own fault for falling for it," Ozzie called to Jerry.

"That may be, it's been way too long since I've had any human contact. However, if it means getting more action than Willy," Jerry paused. I felt my face turn red.

"That ain't-" I muttered.

"Leave those two out of it, be jealous," Sara hissed.

"You know, Willy, ever since you'd met Vic you've wanted her soul. You want a taste of that sweet, sweet, soul of hers," Jerry spoke sadistically.

"You're only saying that to convince yourself of it," Willy shouted back.

"Au contraire, you aren't going to lie to her now, are you?" Jerry asked. Everyone's eyes were on me, and mine were on Willy.

"Okay, listen, I may have when I first met her, but-"

"Ah, the truth comes out. Why'd you change your mind?" Jerry interrupted.

"She deserves to live, unlike some folks," Willy hissed back.

"Listen, how about I let you in on a bit? A little, teeny, tiny taste of Vic's soul," Jerry offered.

"I wouldn't do that for the world," Willy replied, glancing down at me for a second.

"I know you want to," Jerry taunted.

"Leave him alone," Cammy screamed.

"No need to get defensive, I'm merely offering you what you've wanted," Jerry ended. My stomach singed with pain while pulsing with numbness. I felt like I was going to puke.

"Vic, I-" Willy started to say to me.

"It's fine, honestly," I grunted, buckling in pain.

"I need you to know I'm not gonna eat your soul. I could be holding on by a thread and I wouldn't dream of taking it," Willy spoke. I forced a smile, accepting his statement.

"She needs some milk," Arty called to us. I maneuvered over to the projection, hoping to catch what was going on. I couldn't feel my legs anymore, and my hands were beginning to shake.

"Looks like the Deputy caught wind of what's going on," Jerry shouted. I watched through Jerry as Deputy Evan skidded into the room. The others had rejoined. Deputy Evan turned completely pale, his jaw dropping.

"D-Did you kill her?" Deputy Evan asked, glancing towards my motionless body, that had been seemingly tossed to the side.

"Did I kill Vic?" Jerry asked, slowly approaching Deputy Evan. Carlos maneuvered sneakily behind him as I watched in terror.

"Deputy Evan!" I screamed, hoping there was a slight chance he could hear me.

"Yes, I killed Vic," Jerry sneered.

"Stop where you are before I shoot," Deputy Evan trembled, holding his pistol shakily forward.

"Don't even try, your struggling is pointless," Gustav teased. With a few clicks of the pistol, Deputy Evan suddenly realized he was out of bullets.

"What the-" He started, popping the magazine out.

"Looking for these, chico?" Carlos asked from behind him, causing him to jump.

"How did you," Deputy Evan breathed, staring at the bullets in Carlos' hand.

"I was a pick pocketer before this," Carlos smiled. Deputy Evan looked towards Luke, who wasn't looking too good either.

"Please don't hurt me," Deputy Evan shook, beginning to back away from Jerry and the cultists. They had begun to corner him. They mocked him loudly, berating his skills as a deputy.

"You couldn't even be here to see your own town's sheriff die!" Jerry laughed. I breathed heavily, trying not to cry. In a flash of blue, Carlos tackled Deputy Evan to the ground. I closed my eyes, listening to the jeers and shouts of the cultists.

"There's a special place in hell for people like them," Willy muttered. I took a deep breath, nodding.

"Back to you, Vic," Jerry called to me, "Stand back everyone,"

My body was thrown into the air, being suspended.

"What the- put her down!" Gus shouted in reply. He ran towards me, being instantly thrown back.

"It's useless to help her now, Vic is currently surrounded by a very protective forcefield," Jerry explained.

"I don't need protecting!" I screamed.

"I'm about to hypnotize you, idiot, so please stop squirming and let me have my fun. I've gotta enjoy Hayesville while it's still standing," Jerry spoke.

"Don't listen to him Vic," Arty shouted to me.

"Don't give in!" Cammy added. Jerry's voice began to sound like it was speaking directly from my mind.

"There, there, Vic, everything will be okay. Just keep those pretty brown eyes open and let me take over for a while," He said. The shouts of the animatronics became fuzzy and quiet, as my mind began to shut down. I couldn't move any part of my body. I was completely limp, despite being able to see still.

"Jerry, please stop, I don't want to have anything to do with you anymore" I begged mentally. He simply hushed me.

"You're already becoming a part of me with each part of your soul I take. Now, it's time for you to go to bed until I need you again," He started, a white vibration buzzed in my ears, "So nighty night, Vic, sleep tight, and don't let Jerry bite,"

I strained to hear above the continuous vibration, but all the senses were being drowned out. I felt like I was underwater. I felt completely weightless, and I couldn't keep a train of thought going. In a few seconds, my cloudy vision began to lessen. I could still barely see, but I could make out where I was. In a...bed? A manly figure stood over me, singing softly. His voice sounded so familiar. Dad? I tried to speak, but my mouth woudn't move.

"The night is your friend," The voice began to sing soothingly. I tried to turn my head, or even just close my eyes, but I was frozen in place. Something was binding me. "The morning is the enemy, darkness transcends the day,"

I recognized this song. Dad used to sing it to me to help me sleep when I was a baby. Mom didn't like it because it had a dark undertone, but I never read too much into it. It was the song that put me to bed after my frequent night terrors of my run-in with Jerry.

"Like brings misery," The voice continued, "So stay away, out of the sun, the shadows cannot breath,"

The figure stared down at me. I tried to confirm that it was Dad, but something seemed off about it.

"Don't be afraid, you're in the dark,"

The figure leaned towards me, picking me up bridal style. My limp body gave way as I was lifted from wherever I was. My head hung limply in place, but I could still see the outline of the figure holding me. Slowly, the cloudiness disappeared. The figure wasn't my Dad at all. It was Jerry.

"Don't cry, little baby, it'll all be over soon," He mocked. I tried every way possible to thrash my body away from him, but none of my limbs were cooperating. It's like I was stuck in a statue. The awkwardness of Jerry holding me mixed with my vision clouding over again felt like the end of the world. Suddenly, my vision became dark again. I felt lost.

"Now that's the Vic Halifax I remember" I heard Jerry say. His voice was fuzzy, and I couldn't quite pinpoint where it was coming from.

"You did a good job, she looks like I remember," Kevin added, "Just, without the height,"

"And a few other things," Sasha continued. My vision slowly returned as the voices became more clear. I found myself lying on the floor in the middle of the Super Happy Fun Room. The dim LEDs shown overhead, causing me to wince. My eyes felt cloudy, and seemed to be extremely sensitive to the light. I wasn't aware of where any of my limbs were, but I could still see. I was completely surrounded by Jerry and his crew, and they were all staring down at me awkwardly.

"Is Vic okay?" Luke asked.

"She's perfectly fine, she is a little incapacitated right now," Carlos replied.

"Why is she wearing that?" Luke asked again.

"You see, Luke, before you were born, this is what Vic liked to wear," Sasha began to explain.

"This is what she wore the day she should've died," Jerry continued. Luke stared down at me in horror, as I tried to recall what I wore to Liv's birthday. I lacked sensation, so I couldn't tell what I was wearing.

"Guess what Vic," Jerry asked tauntingly, "Since you're cooperating, I'm going to let you listen to the conversation I'm about to have with Willy,"

I breathed slowly, trying to figure out what was going on. I was beginning to panic, but my heartrate wasn't increasing. It made me sick to my stomach.

"You're not sharin' with the rest of us?" Arthur asked.

"Why do any of you care, it's not like either of them are gettin' out of here alive,'' Jerry shot back. Within a few seconds, I could hear both Willy and Jerry arguing. Their argument drowned out of the noises of Carlos speaking to Luke. I couldn't see Willy, but I could hear his voice very clearly.

"You should be grateful for what I'm doing. Once I'm done, you and Vicky Vic will be together forever: both of you will be souls stuck at this damn place. Isn't this what you wanted?" Jerry argued.

"That's not exactly what I intended to happen," Willy protested.

"The human world would never accept you and your little buddies. Sentient animatronics are not a thing, you know," Jerry continued.

"I don-" Willy tried to argue back.

"You don't quite realize how much torment the both of you would receive if word got out you two were in a, um, relationship?" Jerry interrupted.

"I would call it a-"

"This is how things are fated to be. Your bodies serve no purpose other than hosts for me and my crew," Jerry continued.

"You are literally the trashies human being on this planet, if any of the town were to be unaccepting of something, it would be you," Willy retorted. Jerry laughed loudly as Willy's voice faded. My attention returned to the Super Happy Fun Room, where everyone but Jerry had broken off into a separate conversation.

"Now, who's ready to light this place up?" Jerry roared. Everyone cheered loudly. I breathed heavily, feeling my adrenaline race. They're going to destroy Hayesville.

"Vic, you wait right here, we'll be back for you when we need the truck," Jerry winked, exiting the room. I lay on the floor, unable to move. Luke watched me, looking like he was going to cry again, before being drug away by Carlos. I was alone again. This time, none of the animatronics were here to keep me company. I finally had the time to wrap my head around the severity of my situation. All of Hayesville was going to die. My home town. The place I had been raised and brought up for the last several years. All of it will just be a memory. All my friends were dead. The sheriff was dead. My father was dead. My neighbors were dead. My mind raced with ways this could possibly end. I wanted to cry, but my body was still unresponsive. Instead, a sinking guilt crept its way through my gut, causing me to tremble. I was next on Jerry's hit list. As long as Luke stayed alive, I'd be fine. Even if he ran away with the cultists, I valued his life more than anything. He'd find a way to stop this eventually. My thoughts then turned to Liv. I need to get her back here with that guy. Whoever she ran off with had experience with Willy's Wonderland. With any luck, one of them would know of a solution.

A few explosions from the outside caught my attention. I breathed deeply, hoping they weren't from the restaurant. People screamed loudly. With any luck, SWAT would come through here. They'd destroy Willy's body, Vic, bad idea. No matter how hard I tried to think of alternative ways out of this, I failed with each one. Each attempt caused my mind to become fuzzier and fuzzier, till eventually, I was completely exhausted. On top of that, starved and dehydrated. With that, I slipped into a dazy, open eyes, slumber, that I didn't want to wake up from any more.