"...Aaannd done!"

Clicking the submit button, I close my laptop setting it on the floor next to the beanbag.

"...Hmn!" Stretching my arms I let out a deep sigh of relief. "Finally, the exams are done. Now I can enjoy my summer break." Getting up I stretch my back, hearing it pop, I look around my room. 'I wonder what I should do before Fall semester class open up.' Picking up the laptop off the floor to place it on the desk 'Amber and the others are planning a week long camping trip, maybe I should join them...Hm?' Seeing movement from the conner of my eye, I look out the window to see a delivery man dropping something at the front door.

"Did we order something?"

Leaving the room and heading down the stairs I began to wonder to myself "I don't recall Uncle mentioning any packages to be deliver. Maybe it's from the hospital and he forgot to inform me..."

Opening the door, bending down to pick up the package. The first thing I notice was the weight ("Definitely not from the hospital judging by it's weight.") and the sender of the package. "Playtime Co.?" I mumble furrowing my eyebrows in confusion. "Didn't that place shut down 10 years ago?" Closing the door I headed back upstairs as I examine the package. "Hold on, didn't Uncle say he used to work there before they shut down? Better question how are we getting mail from a place that closed? Did the owner send this?"

Getting back to the room I set the package down on the desk, folding my arms as I held my hand to my chin. This package is most likely meant for my Uncle. However I don't think the sender knows that he is ill with stage 2 brain cancer and currently in treatment. Humming I open the package to find a letter and a "VHS Tape...? Haven't seen one of these in a while." I said while looking over the yellow tape noticing the blue words written on the sticker. "Vintage Poppy Commercial." "Huh." Setting the tape down I pick up the letter to read it and notice that it seems to be written in a red sharpie and a poppy flower drawn at the bottom. Not time mention the spelling on this "Did a kid write this? No way a adult wrote this letter...wait a minute." Before I even began to read the letter I notice some red color splatter in the conner of the page. "Is that blood?" Rubbing my thumb across the paper, I didn't see it smear; then I held the paper to my noise to see if there was any scent to it but nothing came up.

"This is creepy. Why are there red splatters on the paper?" Mumbling I began to read the letter "Everyone thinks the staff disappeared 10 years ago. We're still hear. Find the flower." With multiple red line mark under the last line. "Find the flower? What? And what does it mean the staff are still there?" Confused I put the note back down and open up the laptop; I type in Playtime Co. in the search engine, clicking on the wiki page "Let's see if we can find anymore information."

Playtime Co. is a toy-making company ("Never would have guessed.") It was established in 1930. "1930, huh." Leaning back in my chair I look down at the bottom right conner of the screen seeing the date X/XX/2013. Humming, I picked up my calculator and typing in the year 2013 minus 1930 "So...it's been around for 83 years give or take." Putting that information aside I continue reading the wiki page.

Playtime Co. is a company specializing in the creation of toys for the entertainment of children, and has become the most famous and well-known company of it's time. Despite the competition within the field of toy creation around their time, Playtime Co. has emerged to become the most successful toy factory of their era, due to their creator's innovative ideas and creativity.

"If that's the case why did they shut down if they were doing so well?"

Despite Playtime Co. charitable and noble causes in the eyes of the public, they mistreat and care little for the welfare of their employees, even after pleading to their superiors, the workers had yet to receive proper assistance from the higher-ups.

"Bad work environment would cause the workers to quit and with no workers that would cause the place to shut down." Sighing I scratch my head "But that doesn't explain the note saying that the workers are still there. Unless this note is a prank..."

Playtime Co. also started a Foster and Adoptive Care Initiative. ("So they were a Toy Factory and Orphanage? Just how big is this place.") This initiative is a initiative that Playtime Co. seems to be supporting. the initiative is based around helping orphan kids have a 'chance at a new life.' They encourage all Playtime Co. employees and customers to adopt a orphan. ("Wow, what a way to pressure people of have a kid even if they don't want one. Well at least they had the right mind set about it.") It is presumed that they are just doing this to make them have a good name in public.

Scrolling down a bit more till I came across the timeline of when the toys came out.

Poppy: 1950
Bron: 1961
Candy Cat:1979
Huggy Wuggy:1984
Kissy Missy:1985
Mommy Long Legs-1991
Boogie Bot-1993

"Out of all the toys ever created by Playtime Co. Huggy Wuggy was the most popular and memorable toy. Hold on that's not all the toys." Scrolling back up to the top of the page I looked over at the little box on the right giving out more info; and in one little section had more toys listed out compared to the timeline. "It's missing Cat-Bee, Bunzo Bunny and PJ Pug-A-Pillar. Did they forget to add that to the wiki site?" Huffing I scrolled back down to where I was reading.

During an unknown time, Playtime Co. opened factory tour guides for $2.99 per visitor, although it is speculated around the time Poppy gained popularity as both her commercial tape and the tour guide commercial tape are put into one video.

"...One video." Picking up the yellow VSH tape and rereading the writing 'Vintage Poppy Commercial.' "Is that what this is?" Getting up from the seat I walked over to the TV stand, pushing the tape in the player. "It's a good thing I didn't throw this way." Turning the tv on, I began to watch as a man in a suit appeared on screen.

"You are about to see the most incredible doll ever invented. Her name is Poppy and she is the first truly intelligent doll in the world. A little girl can talk to her, Poppy gives her answers. She is the first doll actually able to have a conversation with a child. Hard to believe? Just watch." The screen blacks out out before coming back with an image of a doll with red hair held up in two pig tails. And multiple sounds of excited kids shouting out 'Poppy Playtime!', as a new female voice pops in.

"Poppy's as lovable as a real girl and she talks like one too!"

"Hi, my name is Poppy. I love you. Can you help me polish my shoes?"

"Why of course Poppy! Just like a real girl Poppy always want to look her best."

"Perfect! Thank you."

"Her hair is sturdy and won't come out when you brush it. And smells just like a poppy flower." ("Poppy flowers have a scent?")

"Is there anything else you'd like to say Poppy?"

"I'm a real girl. Just like you."

"What's the time?"

"Playtime!"

The screen changes to a man looking at a machine as the previous male voice came back.

"And if you ever wanted to see how all of the nation's favorite toys were created; Playtime Co. is now offering factory tours at just $2.99 a person. An entire hour and the most magical toy factory on earth. What are you waiting for? Come visit the factory-"

"Ah-!?" Upon seeing the image of the factory a sudden sharp pain went threw my head causing me to fall to the ground, clutching my head as fuzzy images and voice began flashing threw my eyes.

A tall blue furry figure tossing a child up in down before bring it into a hug, as the child laugh hugging it back.

A tall pink furry figure holding a child hand as they twirled around to a song.

A tall stretchy pink woman holding a child hand as they directed them to a train. The child laughing as it talk to the figure.

A room with three screens flashing with different colors as the child hit the different color buttons, occasionally look up and waving at a rabbit figure coming down from the ceiling as it claps its cymbals together. "Hi -! This time I'm going to beat my previous score for real!" The child said before looking back at the screen.

A white room with a bed, tv, and a window sat a small child playing with the toys as the door open reveal a man in a lab coat walking in with a clipboard "- it's time for more testing."

"- is responding well to the experiments."

"Still needs food to function though."

"-6 seems to working well without the need to eat. Perhaps with more testing -could have the same results."

"Are the test done yet? I won't to go and play with - -. And the other kids."

The sounds of screaming and crying were heard as a man drag the child out of the building.

"NO! I don't want to leave! Please - take me back."

"This is for your own good -. Now stop fighting your making a scene."

"But I didn't get a chance to say good-bye to my friends."

"I don't care - let's go."

Panicking the child looked around, spotting one of their friends stretching out an arm to them shouting out "-!" The tall blue figure spotted their friend yelling for them and began to go after the man and child. The man cursed and held up a walkie to his mouth "- - is moving from his post, bring in security to put him back!" The man then picked up the crying child and walked faster to the front door as men in blue suit came in to restrain the blue figure. The child crying, seeing their friend getting held down (with some great difficulties) yelled out " No - -!"

"!?" Inhaling a lot of air that I proceed to cough out heavily, tears falling down my face I look down at the carpet floor of my room. "What...the hell...was that..." I panted. Raising a shaky hand, I wipe the tears and drool off my face as I look back up to the black screen "Was that a memory?" Shakingly I get back up to my feet walking back over the desk to pick up the letter.

"Everyone thinks the staff disappeared 10 years ago. We're still here. Find the flower." Setting the paper back down I open a new tab on the laptop; opening google maps I type in Playtime Co.'s address and mine seeing the distance to get there. "It'll take two days to get there..." Sitting down in the chair I leaned back looking up at the ceiling fan watching it spin around as I began to think of a plan.

First that package was meant for my Uncle, but after that weird memory it might be for the best if I go instead. Giving his health and the fact that place has shut down 10 years ago-glancing down at the letter, supposedly abandon-it wouldn't do good if it pushes back his treatment, much less how long it'll take to explore the place. Not to mention it could be a clue to the big gap of memories that I'm missing. That child that I saw look a lot like me, but I don't ever really recall going or staying at Playtime Co. Was I an orphan there? What about those 'test' that I heard? Now that I think about it, there was a time I had ask Uncle about that place but he got angry and told me to never bring that name up again.

"Hmmm..." Tapping my finger on my arm I began to speak out loud. "Now that I think about it...why do I call him Uncle? I can't really recall any memories of my parents, only that there was a car accident which took their lives and causing me to have amnesia." Frowning I let out a huff of air "I didn't really question why there wasn't any pictures of my parents around the house or images of me growing up. Though I think a part of me thought he couldn't bear to have any pictures of them around after the accident. And if he work at Playtime it would make sense to bring me along as the place also acted as an orphanage. From there I can play around while he work and take me back home when he got done." Standing up from the chair I began to pace around my room.

"However that man that was dragging the kid look like a younger and healthier version of Uncle. And that child had stated they didn't want to leave...almost implying that they lived there. If that's the case then why did he take the kid with him instead of bring them back to their room. Something is not adding up here." Pausing in my pace I looked out the window. "Something definitely happen there and it probably ties in to my missing memories." Looking at the clock I notice that Uncle will be back soon from the hospital. "If I show him this package and mentioning that I wanted to check it out, he'll definitely shut me down. In other words I need to think of a good excuse without raising any flags...wait!" Snapping my fingers as a sudden thought appeared "Amber's camping trip. They're heading out tomorrow and with them being gone for a week that'll give me plenty of time to get there and back. It'll take almost two days to get there and maybe a day to dig around the factory. If I do this right I should be back the same time as if I went. And if I remember correctly she mention that there's hardly any services there. That would help in case he tried to call and wanted to see if I was telling the truth. Though I know he wouldn't this will still help."

I'm snapped out of my thoughts when I hear the garage door opening and a voice shouting out "I'm back!"

"He's back sooner than I had originally thought." Heading down the stairs I saw my uncle putting the mail and keys on the counter. "Welcome back. How did the doctor visit go?" I asked.

"It went well, the doctor said that the treatment is doing good and I'll be able to have the surgery soon. No set date yet but they'll call me once the lab result come back." He said while taking off his jacket placing it on the counter before going to remove his hat. "And how about you? Did you finish you school work?"

"Yep. Finished the final exams and now I'm on my summer break before Fall Semester classes open up."

"That's good to hear..." When he finally looked over at me, I saw him frowning.

"What's wrong?"

"Are you feeling okay, Lily? You look a bit pale."

"!" I flinched a bit when he put his hand to my forehead. Pale? I look a bit pale...memory of me crouching on the floor went through my mind. Maybe it was because of that; I was a bit shaken by what happen. "I'm fine Uncle." I smile trying to reassure him "I've been up all night trying to cram in all the notes I took for the exams is all and I didn't get the chance to eat lunch. Maybe that's why."

Still frowning he removed his hand from my head "Perhaps. But please don't do that again it's not good for your health you hear."

"Crystal." I nod "Oh speaking of which do you remember Amber?"

"Hm? Isn't she the one in your English class?"

"Yeah. She had texted me last night wondering if I wanted to join her and her group of friends on a camping trip this week."

"This week you say?"

"That's right. The plan is to leave tomorrow and she said we'll be back either Saturday or Sunday depending on the weather, also I should inform you that there won't be any cell services where we'll be at. But, uh, if you think you might need me this week I can tell her I won't be going."

Please say you won't need me. I silently pray to myself. If he says he does then I'll have to think of another way to get there without raising any questions.

I watch him as he held his hand in his chin looking to be in deep thought "Well..." I held my breath "I don't like the thought that I won't be able to reach you in case of an emergency..." The feeling of dread began to pool in my stomach after hearing that line, but I still held my breath as I listen him to continue talk " However, you haven't really been asking for much since we find out that I have cancer. Always coming straight home and helping around the house when I couldn't or if I was in the hospital. So with that in mind I don't mind you going on that trip."

"Really!?" I exclaimed as the dread that I was previously feeling slowly went away. "I mean are you sure about that. You mention yourself that you wouldn't be able to reach me in case of an emergency."

"It should be fine, I have the neighbors numbers in case something does happen." He said "Go on this trip and have fun (Fun right. I silently thought to myself) . Your 18 now, an and adult. Don't let this old man stop you from having fun because of this cancer." Chuckling at the end of his sentence.

"You're not that old Uncle." I retorted rolling my eyes with a smile on my face.

"Please." He scoffed with a smile too on his face "Don't lie to this poor old sickly man, Lily."

"Your only 50 years old! Half of a century!"

"And yet I feel like I'm a century old!"

"Whatever, old man!" I laughed "Anyway I better make some lunch before texted Amber that I'll be going on that trip too, after that I'll be packing. By the way, Uncle, have you eaten lunch yet."

"Yes, back at the hospital."

"Alright. Well let me know what you want for dinner late and I make it."

"Will do."

After having lunch and giving my uncle a hug, I headed back to my room. Once I shut the door, I pumped my fist in the air and quietly shouted a 'yes' as my plan worked out.

"Alright now that the hard part is complete I better start packing."

It'll take just about two days to get there and back, I thought pulling out my suitcase from the closet. So I might need to stay in a motel or crash in the car along the way. Luckily I have plenty of money saved up from my job and the money Uncle gave me from doing the chores around the house. "Good thing I filled my car up last night, that'll save me a bit of a trip." Putting the necessary item away in the suitcase I began to zip up the bag before pausing. "Maybe..." Looking over at the tv, I got up and took out the VHS tape and putting it in the bag along with the mail package. "Just in case he needed to come in my room for some reason. Need to cover my tracks." Once I closed the bag and brining it to my bedroom door; I headed out to the hallway bathroom to grab the first aid kit.

"If this place is as abandon and run down as I originally thought it was, it might be for the best to bring some first aid just in case."

Putting the first aid and the letter in my bag, I sat down at the desk and began to look for any more information about what happen to Playtime Co. before I'm due to head out the next day. "Need to remember to delete my history log before I go to bed."

"Drive safely you hear."

"Will do. I'll let you know when I arrived at Ambers house. Take care till I come back, and try not to land in the hospital due to food poising from you trying to cook!"

"I make no promises! And watch out for the bears!"

"Got it!"

After waving goodbye and pulling out of the driveway my smile fell off my face. "Sorry Uncle." I mutter turning the location off my phone and pressing start on the directions hear google maps voice speak out "In 100 feet turn right on XXXX street then left on XXXX street."

"I always felt like you were hiding something big from me every since you took me in. And I think this place might have the answers that I'm seeking, along with whatever that letter is talking about. Hopefully you'll forgive when I come back."

Turning on the main road hearing google maps telling me how far I have till my next turn. "No going back now. Hopefully this won't be a huge mistake on my part."

This story can also be read on my AO3 account!