CHAPTER 4: Mourning and New Objectives

DogDay looked around Playcare, not too surprised to see it so quiet, but surprised CatNap kept it the way it was. He was expecting him to turn it Into some kind of huge place of worship for The Prototype. As DogDay looked toward the center of the dome, he saw the statues of himself and his friends. His breath caught in his throat, and tears formed in his eyes.

"My friends," DogDay whispered quietly, but Koa still heard him as she looked down at him. She looked where he was looking and gasped slightly.

He probably hasn't had the proper chance to mourn for them. He said he was the last one, she thought to herself. She looked back at DogDay, and said "I'm so sorry. About your friends."

DogDay gave a few sobs, and asked, "could I…could I have a moment alone, Angel? Please?"

"You don't have to ask. I'll leave you in front of Home-Sweet-Home."

DogDay nodded in thanks and crawled to Home-Sweet-Home with Koa alongside him. Once they reached the porch, Koa spoke.

"Take your time, DogDay, but…if anything should happen, you yell for me. I'll come right back for you." Then the thought of her possibly not making it back in time ran through her head. Making up her mind, she unbuckled her belt and removed her hunting knife's sheathe, redoing her belt once it was removed. She handed the weapon to DogDay, "keep this with you. Just in case."

DogDay looked at the weapon in her hand. He glanced at Angel, then back at the weapon. Hesitating for a second, he slowly reached up and took the weapon. Once it was in his hand, he looked at it for a few seconds, then looked back at Angel, "thank you, Angel."

Koa nodded. "I'll be nearby. Take your time." She walked away to give DogDay privacy to mourn for his fallen friends. Once she disappeared from view, DogDay turned around, set the knife next to him and looked up.

His breathing started to pick up. Tears streamed down his face, and he began to break down. The grief and guilt that had been building up about his friends finally poured out of him. He cried as he remembered how each of his friends had either betrayed him or had died horrific deaths, and he was unable to save them.

"I'm sorry, everyone! I'm so, so sorry!" DogDay yelled as he cried, letting out all the pain and grief that had plagued him for years. "I couldn't save you! I couldn't protect you! I was your leader, and you all relied on me! But I failed!" DogDay screamed in anguish, "I FAILED! I failed you all!"

DogDay held his head as he broke down into a sobbing fit. "I'm responsible for this! This is all my fault! You all saw the signs of CatNap's betrayal! I did too! But I ignored them! I trusted him too much, and you all paid the price for it! I'm so sorry!"

Unable to think of what to say next, he just continued to cry. He cried for a long while, until he couldn't cry anymore. Wanting to calm down, DogDay did the calming technique with his breathing. Breathe in. Hold. Breathe out. He repeated Angel's instructions in his head as he slowed his breathing. Once he was calm, he looked up again and made a promise to his friends. "The Prototype will pay. He will pay dearly for all he's done!"

Meanwhile, as Koa walked around the dome, she faintly heard DogDay's cries, blaming himself for what happened to his friends. Tears welled in her eyes. DogDay, it's NOT your fault! She thought to herself, she wanted to run to him to comfort him, but held back, wanting to respect his privacy. Suddenly, she remembered her original objective and welcomed the distraction.

The backup generators! Miss Delight destroyed the one in the school and I didn't even see one in the Playhouse! Now what do I do? Why hasn't Ollie called yet?

As if reading the last thought, the phone Ollie used to communicate with her started ringing. She sighed in relief and answered it, putting it on speaker.

"Hey, are you alright?! No ouchies or lost body parts?!" Ollie asked with fear in his little voice.

Koa chuckled slightly. "No, Ollie. I'm alright." Ollie sighed in relief.

"You've been in there for hours! I was worried you were killed! I'm really glad you're okay. I don't wanna lose anymore friends to this place," Ollie said with huge relief. Koa chuckled in slight amusement. She was about to explain why she took so long when Ollie suddenly asked, "hey…did you see the shrine?"

This caught Koa's attention.

"CatNap made it for the Prototype. You see, before CatNap turned into… CatNap, I guess there was some pretty serious accident. He almost died. But they say that the Prototype saved his life, giving up his own freedom in the process!" Ollie explained.

That explains why CatNap worships the ground The Prototype walks on. But…you seem to know too much about this stuff, Ollie. How do you even know I saw the shrine in the first place? I never told you I was in the caverns.

"In CatNap's eyes, The Prototype is a superhero, and has saved this place," Ollie continued. "So CatNap treats him like a god, killing everyone that opposes him. Us included, if we're not careful."

Or mutilates them to the point we're they can no longer walk. Koa thought as she thought about what she saw had happened to DogDay. Koa was about to actually say that aloud but immediately shut her mouth. I'm not entirely sure how much I trust you anymore, Ollie. Or you, Poppy. You lied to me several times now. Koa then turned her thoughts to herself. Don't tell either of them about DogDay. Not yet. Remember what Daddy said to you and your brothers:

"If you're ever suspicious about someone, do not give them any information that they could possibly use against you. Instead…let them talk. Most of the time, your suspicions are correct, and sooner or later, one way or another, they will slip up and reveal their true motives. Either by pride, guilt or even by accident."

What are your true motives behind killing the Prototype, Poppy? And Ollie, why didn't you warn me first of Miss Delight or tell me any of this first? Poppy, you said CatNap was the last obstacle! Why didn't either of you warn me of Miss Delight?

"That shrine," Ollie continued, snapping Koa out of her thoughts. "Did it scare you? If you thought that was terrifying, just wait until you see the real thing!"

I'm not really sure I want to, Ollie. But, I will continue the mission, not for Poppy's sake, but for DogDay. He's the only one I trust now. He's the only one who seems genuinely concerned for my wellbeing. You and Poppy talk to me like I'm some kind of tool, and I'm doing all the dirty work for you!

"Anyways, we're really close to the end! I sent you a new key. You're going to the Counselor's Office instead. It's not ideal, but it should have enough juice. If you can get that generator going and plug it in, I think we'll be done!" Ollie said with confidence and joy in his voice, though Koa only grew more suspicious. How does he know about me not being able to get the other generators going? Remember what Daddy said Koa: let him talk.

"And keep your eyes open for CatNap! Every shadow and every flickering light is a hiding spot. He always stalks his prey first. He'll take away anything you have to defend yourself. And when you're at your most vulnerable… he'll kill you! CatNap lives for the hunt. Good luck! Talk soon!" With that, Ollie disconnected the call. Just incase, Koa hit the end call button on the phone.

Koa felt her anxiety rising through the roof. She turned to face the Counselor's Office building, CatNap's hunting grounds. She had to go in there if she wanted to escape. She double checked to where she had her gas mask she retrieved from Home-Sweet-Home hanging on her Grab-Pack. Luckily, to Koa's relief, it was still there and still intact. She could use this when she encountered CatNap's Red Smoke. She had already fallen victim to it once, she didn't want to know what kind of hallucination she'd have if she breathed it in again. Her thoughts then turned to DogDay. Koa decided her mission was now for both her and him. He had suffered enough.

I can't take him with me in there. He's vulnerable to CatNap's Red Smoke. If we get separated that will be worse. I do not trust to leave him with Poppy. If Poppy and Ollie failed to warn me of Miss Delight, what else could possibly be here and what else are they not telling me? I have to find a place for him to hide. I'll leave my knife with him, too.

Koa sighed, releasing her building anxiety. It's now or never. She turned back and walked to Home-Sweet-Home where she left DogDay. CatNap pays for his crimes tonight.

As you can see, DogDay blames himself for what happened to his friends, but he also (rightfully) blames the Prototype as well.

Koa is starting to think that Poppy's motives aren't what they seem to be. What are her true motives? What do you all think?