Begin Prompt in 3, 2, 1…
A Broken Promise
Prompt: Lefty made a promise but broke it.
Promises and programming went hand in hand. When one was installing programming into a machine they were instilling a promise to obey. Lefty was created with the desire to do exactly what it was supposed to do: never let go. That was a promise made to its unknown creator and to the precious cargo it kept sealed inside itself.
But now things had changed. Thoughts were confused as the fire roasted its exterior as it stood in the burning trap that had looked like a pizzeria. In its belly it could feel restlessness. No longer could lullabies sate the creature inside when it could no doubt feel the heat. It was panicking at the temperature, but Lefty was calm.
Lefty had promised to protect it. That was a promise it couldn't break. It also promised to never let it go.
These promises now sharply contrasted as Lefty stood between the flames licking at its material… And a small vent in the wall that was too tight for it to fit through. It could feel the breeze from the cool night outside and knew the vent would lead to freedom. Lefty couldn't fit through it, but Lefty knew that it wasn't supposed to leave this place anyway.
But Lefty had promised to protect the creature currently trying to fight and get out of its core. They were supposed to be together forever, a combined couple in a single body, but they would both burn alive if something didn't happen quickly. Already Lefty could feel the burning on its back and hear the screams of the other animatronics trapped in the building.
One way or another, Lefty would be breaking a promise tonight. Either to its faceless creator or to the one trapped inside of it. Either to the man on the tape who sealed their fates or the animatronic who slept and wept as it begged for the freedom that Lefty promised it would never provide. Together forever, going together into this terrible night… or not.
It was in that moment that Lefty made its choice and kept its promise by opening its belly.
Its captive climbed out from the depths and into the vent presented before it. The Puppet was frantic and shaky as it started to squeeze inside. Yet it hesitated and even looked back to acknowledge its would-be protector. Lefty had never felt so complete as when the Puppet looked to it with something other than fear.
Then the Puppet disappeared into the vent as the heat only continued to grow in the building. Lefty didn't even notice it, nor the flames that slowly overtook it. It was too busy reveling in these last moments.
Lefty never knew that breaking a promise could feel so good.