CHAPTER 5: Need to Know

When Koa returned to Home-Sweet-Home, she found DogDay sitting on the porch steps, his head hung and small tears in his eyes. She felt bad for intruding, but it was time to move. They were exposed out here and Koa did not want to risk CatNap seeing them, especially not DogDay.

She slowly approached DogDay, and spoke quietly, "DogDay?

DogDay looked up at her, a sad expression on his face. Koa sighed, not wanting to interrupt his grieving, but she had to. "I'm sorry, but we gotta move. We're exposed out here. We need to hide."

DogDay immediately nodded but said nothing. He grabbed the knife she had given him earlier, but when he turned to climb down, he saw Angel already in front of him, her back facing him but she had her head turned to look at him. He knew she wanted him to climb onto her back, and, sensing that something was scaring her, he immediately hopped onto her back. Once he had a good grip, Koa wasted no time and sped off towards the hidden room under the statue in the center of the dome, wanting to hide as soon as possible.

Once they were in the room that Ollie had been sending the keys for her to get into the other buildings, she gently set DogDay down and grabbed the key sent by Ollie for the Counselor's Office. She stared at the key in her hand, fear building within her. She closed her fist around the key, squeezed it for a few seconds, then put the key in her pocket. She turned to DogDay, who was looking up at her with concern and curiosity. She sighed heavily, took her Grab-Pack off, setting it on the floor, then she sat in front of DogDay.

"We're out of options, DogDay," Koa began, bracing herself for what she needed to tell him. "There's only one generator left, and… it's in the Counselor's Office."

DogDay gasped in fear. Surely she didn't mean she was…

"I'm going in," Koa said looking down, "I know it's where-"

"ANGEL, NO! YOU CAN'T! THE COUNSELOR'S OFFICE IS CATNAP'S HUNTING GROUNDS! IF YOU GO IN THERE HE'LL-"

"DOGDAY!" Koa yelled over him, then quieted down, "Keep your voice down," she whispered, hoping no one heard them. She listened to her surroundings for any noises. When nothing happened, she sighed in relief. CatNap must be using the caverns to get around this place, she thought to herself with huge relief. She turned back to DogDay, "I know it's were CatNap is, but there's no other choice. We need to redirect that gas, but we can't with the power still out. That generator's the last one. I need to do this."

"No, you don't! We can find another option! There has to be!" DogDay pleaded, trying to get Angel to reconsider.

"DogDay, there is no other option. This is our last chance." Koa explained.

"But you don't have to go! Let me do it. You've risked your life enough." DogDay leaned to grab the Grab-Pack, but Koa grabbed his wrist to stop him.

"Are you crazy!? DogDay, I appreciate that you want to help, but you're not going in there. You're vulnerable to CatNap's Red Smoke. And who knows what he'll do to you once he see's you out of the Playhouse!"

DogDay shuddered, but swallowed his fear. "Angel, I know what CatNap is capable of. I can't let you fall victim to him either!"

Koa released DogDay's wrist, and held his shoulders, "DogDay, I'm not going to let him hurt you again. You say you know what he's capable of, while I've seen what he's capable of! He'll do something a whole lot worse to you if he catches you again. And I'm not gonna let that happen. I need you to trust me."

DogDay looked into her eyes. He didn't want her to go on some suicide mission. He wanted to be the one to do it. "Angel, please. Let me help you. I can't lose you, too," he pleaded silently.

Koa sighed. "I feel like I'm asking a lot of you, and I am. And I feel like I'm asking you to betray your friend, but… if you want to help me, then tell me everything I need to know about CatNap. You know him the best. Tell me everything and leave nothing out."

DogDay looked at her, shock in his features. He looked away with a sigh. He closed his eyes for a few seconds and shook his head, "no."

Koa sighed, "DogDay, please… I-"

"No," DogDay said louder. He looked back at her. "I accepted long ago that that's not the CatNap I once knew. That's not the friend I knew. I will tell you." Koa sighed and listened to what DogDay had to say.

CatNap had always been… different from the other Critters. All eight of them interacted with the children in Playcare: making sure they had fun, went to school, ate healthily, and went to bed on time. CatNap was the one in charge of making sure the kids got proper rest, however, he never really got along too well with the kids, or the other Critters. In fact, they rarely ever saw him, and when they did, they noticed that CatNap seemed rather distant, whispering to himself about the Prototype. The other Critters were always concerned with how CatNap viewed The Prototype, as they felt The Prototype couldn't be trusted. Whenever they tried to reason with CatNap about their concerns, CatNap would become aggressive with them, which resulted in him being constantly locked up in one of the holding cells in the Playhouse. This concerned the Critters further, but DogDay himself felt it was a phase and CatNap would eventually realize that the Prototype couldn't be trusted and come around.

One morning, the factory went into chaos. There was screaming. Yelling. Alarms blaring, alerting everyone in the factory to hide. In the chaos, the Critters had gotten separated from each other while evacuating the children. DogDay had encountered CatNap in the chaos, and, when DogDay pleaded with him to run with him and find the other Critters, CatNap suddenly attacked him. Next thing he knew, he was chained up in the holding cell Koa found him in. Over the years, CatNap had tortured and mutilated him, keeping him alive as an 'example' to what happens to those who defy the Prototype. CatNap had even told him what had happened to the others:

During the Hour of Joy, CatNap had ambushed KickinChicken and Hoppy Hopscotch had fallen to her death while they were evacuating the children, while Bobby Bearhug had gotten lost in the caverns while trying to escape from CatNap. Over time, Bubba Bubbaphant and CraftyCorn went mentally insane and got themselves killed after suffering a psychotic episode, and PickyPiggy had slowly starved to death, but not before cannibalizing the corpses of Bubba, Kickin', and Crafty in an attempt to survive.

The Hour of Joy? I've seen that painted on the walls all throughout the factory. Was that when everyone disappeared? Koa decided to save the question for later, not wanting to interrupt or upset DogDay.

DogDay then went on to warn Koa that CatNap, like any other cat, loves to play with those he hunts. He toys with his victims until they are unable to protect themselves anymore. Then, once they are at their weakest, he moves in for the kill. CatNap hides in the dark, and around every corner.

Well, DogDay's warnings of CatNap match Ollie's. Guess I can trust him on that. But it's still not enough for me to fully trust Ollie. Koa thought to herself.

"Angel, you must be cautious. CatNap will show no mercy, especially if you defy The Prototype," DogDay warned Koa.

Koa nodded, taking in all the information DogDay had given. "Don't worry, DogDay. I'm a hunter myself. One hunter knows another," she told him. She sighed. "DogDay, I appreciate all you've told me. I know it wasn't easy for you-"

"As I said, Angel, that's not the CatNap I knew… or I…. thought I knew. Whoever that imposter is, he's not my friend," DogDay interrupted. He continued, "what exactly is your plan once we get inside, Angel?"

Koa sighed again, "I'm not so sure. Usually I make things up as I go along. You said he likes to hide in the shadows, I have the flares for that. The Red Smoke, well, I have the mask." Koa stopped for a moment, preparing herself for what she was about to tell DogDay. "You, however, are staying here."

"WHAT? You're not going in there alone! I want to help! I can help!"

"You have helped me! And you'll help me more… by staying hidden. As I said, you're vulnerable to CatNap's Red Smoke, and if we were to get separated, or if CatNap sees you free…" she stopped with a sigh, not wanting to finish.

DogDay pleaded, "and as I told you, I don't want to lose another friend! Please, let me come with you."

Koa shook her head, "I'm sorry, DogDay, but I'm not willing to risk your life by bringing you in there. You're staying here and your going to stay hidden until I tell you it's safe."

DogDay sighed in annoyance, but didn't say anything, knowing Angel wasn't going to change her mind. Koa saw this, and had an idea. She reached behind her neck and unhooked her necklace.

"Here. Take this," she said as she removed her necklace, a silver cross with a pink gem, from around her neck. She then hooked it around DogDay's neck, luckily it fit perfectly. "He'll protect you. And have faith, DogDay. Have faith that we'll end this and get out of here."

DogDay looked at Koa, then glanced down at the tiny necklace, holding it between his finger and thumb. Then Koa asked, "are you right or left handed?"

"Right, why?" DogDay responded absentmindedly.

Instead of answering, Koa moved to DogDay's left arm, undoing the belt on his left bicep. "Angel, what are you doing?" DogDay asked. Koa still didn't answer. She then took her knife that was beside DogDay, slid the belt through the sheath's loop, and replaced the belt on DogDay's arm, keeping it secure but comfortable on his arm.

DogDay looked as she had finished her work. He looked up at Koa with a questioning expression. "To defend yourself should anything happen. I don't know how long I'll be in there, but I promise, I'll come back for you DogDay. But you must promise me you will stay hidden until I come back for you."

DogDay still tried to think of how to convince Angel to bring him with her, but could think of nothing to say. But then, Angel spoke up, " none of this is your fault, DogDay. You did your best as a leader, and that's all anyone could and should expect from a leader. You didn't fail anyone. And…" She paused for a second, remorse building in her own eyes. "I had no idea of what was truly going on down here. Really I didn't. Had I known, I would've done something." She rubbed the back of her head before continuing, "not sure what, but I would've done something. And…" She looked away. "I should've come back sooner. I shouldn't have left it alone like the rest of the world did. None of you deserved this. I should've…" she stopped, unable to continue, and started to cry, angry at herself for her ignorance at what was happening here.

DogDay listened as Angel spoke to him. He listened as she assured him nothing was his fault, and how she regretted not helping everyone sooner. Becoming emotional himself, and seeing Angel starting to cry, he threw his arms around her in a hug. "You're here now, Angel," DogDay said quietly. Koa was surprised, but returned the hug. They held each other for a long time, crying on each others shoulders. Koa loosened her hold first. She gently grabbed DogDay's hands and held them.

"I'll come back. I promise, my friend," Koa said with a smile.

DogDay began to tremble harder with emotion, "Angel…"

Koa stood up, still holding DogDay's hands. She held onto them for a few more seconds, looking down at DogDay as he looked up at her. Koa then slowly released his hands, turned to grab her Grab-Pack, and walked back to the door.

DogDay watched as she walked away, his hands still up and more tears forming in his eyes. He looked down as he closed his eyes, starting to cry again.

"Koa."

DogDay looked back up to Angel

"My real name is Koa. Just thought… I never properly introduced myself before," Koa said looking over her shoulder with a small smile.

DogDay chuckled a bit, but said softly, "You'll always be 'Angel' to me."

Koa blushed a bit, feeling a little uncomfortable, but she didn't have the heart to ask DogDay not to call her that. I'm not an angel, but who am I to ask him not to do something that makes him feel safe?

Koa turned and walked out of the room. DogDay immediately felt alone and vulnerable, but then he remembered the necklace she had given him and the words she spoke: have faith.

Please protect her. She can't do this alone. Please let her get out alive, DogDay prayed. He sat there for a few more minutes, praying for his angel's safety. When he finished his prayers, he sought out somewhere to hide from any potential danger like she asked him to.

The fate of the other Smiling Critters has been revealed! Koa and DogDay offer each other much needed comfort as the gravity of the situation sinks in. Koa is aware of what she's doing and understands how dangerous it really is. DogDay knows that, too, being a victim of CatNap's abuse.

As you can see, Koa caught DogDay when he said "what's the plan for when we get in," not "for when you get in." Koa doesn't want to risk DogDay's life for good reason. She knows he wants to help, but she would rather he help her in other ways than endangering himself going into the Counselor's Office. She doesn't want to risk DogDay breathing the Red Smoke or risk them getting separated. He can't run, and he's still recovering from his own injuries and tourment, and Koa knows it'll get a whole lot worse if CatNap catches him again. It would be easier if one person went in instead of two. Koa expresses her own guilt for her ignorance of everything that was really happening to the children (and toys) in the factory and for not coming back sooner to help.

Can they do this? Will they win?