You never speak to anyone and get the truth. Parts of it, pieces of it, but, it's always, just a little, out of focus.
- Lt. Joe Kenda
It was dark.
It was painful.
It was hard to breathe.
She could feel and hear her heart beating in her head.
She had a metallic taste in her dry mouth. The aftertaste of blood.
Koa groaned. She weakly opened her one good eye. It was hazy, but after a few weak blinks, her vision cleared. She didn't recognize her surroundings, but she was too exhausted to even feel panicked. For all she knew, she could be in a solitary confinement cell and she couldn't care less at this point.
All she really wanted right now was more rest, but something kept her up.
"Angel?" A masculine voice spoke up quietly and gently, with hope mixed in.
Recognizing the voice, she weakly turned her head in the direction the voice spoke. She saw DogDay next to her, and Kissy Missy was behind him.
Very weak and tired, Koa spoke, "DogDay?" She paused to take a breath. "Kissy?"
She paused again, closing her eye. She took a deep breath, but she released it with a painful groan. She opened her eye, barely lifted her head from the pillow under it, and she found herself in a hospital bed.
Confusion overpowered her exhausted state enough for her to ask, "where am I?"
"You're in the medical center of Home-Sweet-Home," DogDay quietly explained. "You passed out, Angel. The battle with CatNap really took its toll on you. You're covered in deep bruises, you have three cracked ribs, your cheekbone is fractured, your right eye is swollen shut, and you have very deep cuts in your shoulder. Kissy, Poppy and I helped clean and fix up your wounds. We've been waiting for you to wake up since."
Koa was surprised. Before she could respond, she went into a coughing fit, which agitated her injured ribs, and was painful on her dry throat. She then felt something cup the back of her head and lift it up slightly. Looking over, DogDay was beside her, holding her head with his left hand and a bottle of water with his right hand. Seeing the water, Koa immediately realized how thirsty she was, and surrendered to DogDay's assistants in helping her drink.
Once she had her fill of water, settled back down on the bed.
"We're really glad you're okay," Poppy suddenly spoke up from nearby. Koa glanced to her left and saw Poppy on another bed. "We were beginning to worry."
This caught Koa's attention. What Poppy said, and DogDay using the word 'since' earlier had her concerned.
Just how long was she out?
"Why? How long was I out?" She asked out loud.
Everyone around her flinched.
Poppy rubbed the back of her head before responding hesitantly, "you've… um... you've been asleep for five days."
That certainly woke Koa up.
"Five… DAYS?!" She repeated, shock in her features.
"Mmhm," DogDay hummed. "You were asleep so long, we were worried we were going to lose you, Angel. But thankfully, you just overexerted yourself."
This brought no comfort to Koa. She started to panic.
"Oh no!" She sat up, her face contorted in pain as she removed the blanket covering her bandaged abdomen. DogDay backing up slightly while Koa tried to get up from the bed.
"Nononononono. This isn't good," she said more to herself as she got to her feet. "I have to – ow!"
She tried to stand but immediately collapsed to her knees. She caught herself on the bed with her left arm, and hugged her ribs with her right arm, and she contorted in complete agony. Her body was not recovered enough to even hold it's own weight, and made it obvious to Koa by collapsing on itself.
"Angel," DogDay gently reprimanded. He gently grabbed her forearms to stand her up, then had her sit back on the bed, then helped her lay down without irritating her bruise. He continued his light scolding, "You're not fully healed yet. You need to rest."
Once Koa was back in bed, he covered her back up. Koa groaned and gasped in pain as her body relaxed.
"What about The Prototype?" She asked, her face still contorted in pain. "Has he-"
"He hasn't tried anything," Poppy interrupted. "I'm surprised, but he hasn't caused any trouble. He must still be grafting CatNap to himself."
At that comment, DogDay flinched in disgusted pain. The thought of the Prototype dismembering CatNap to use his parts for himself made him sick to his stomach. He took a few deep breaths to keep from vomiting. Koa noticed, and grabbed his hand in comfort. DogDay collapsed by her bedside, holding her hand in both of his and held her hand to his head, which he had bowed in grief.
Poppy shock her head in disappointment before speaking up, "DogDay, I'm sorry, but CatNap was still-"
"Don't. You. Dare!" Koa cut her off, snarling each word. "DogDay has every right to grief. CatNap was a victim too. The Prototype manipulated him and used him. And now, DogDay really is the last Smiling Critter."
DogDay sighed loudly in grief, followed by a few quiet sobs. Koa returned her attention to DogDay. Even though it hurt to move, she shifted her body so she could hug DogDay close. DogDay didn't protest, and hugged her back as gently as he could, still mindful of her injuries.
Behind DogDay, Kissy wrapped her long noodle arms gently around DogDay and Angel, joining them in their comforting embrace. She understood what DogDay was going through. She and Huggy Wuggy, after the Hour of Joy, tried their best to survive together. But over time, Kissy began to feel uncomfortable under the Prototype's tyrannical hold on the factory. One day, she encountered Poppy in her case and sided with her in hopes of ending the Prototype's reign. When she brought her concerns to Huggy, he tried to attack her, fearing the Prototype's wrath if he disobeyed. She avoided Huggy since then. Now he was gone, because of the Prototype.
After a while, DogDay recovered and helped Angel settle back into bed. Once she was comfortable, her stomach growled loudly, demanding food. Koa blushed and chuckled. DogDay chuckled as well, but grew concerned, as there wasn't anything for her to eat. Just then, Kissy was next to DogDay, holding something in her paw towards Angel. When Angel took what was in Kissy's paw, she found it was a protein bar. Confused, she check the expiration date on the wrapper, and found it was still edible.
Confused even more, she looked at Kissy and asked "where did you get this?"
Kissy turned around and retrieved a backpack from the other side of the room, and brought it to Koa. Taking a look at the backpack, she immediately took notice to how new it was. Looking into it, she found clothes, a flashlight, batteries, and other items someone may bring on a camping trip.
Looking back to Kissy, she asked, "and where did you get this?"
Before Kissy could try to respond, Poppy interrupted, "does it really matter where it came from?"
Everyone turned their attention to Poppy. Her tone was a bit too forced and insistent.
"You really should just focus on getting better, instead. The longer we remain here the more danger we put ourselves in," Poppy said, again too insistently.
The looks on Koa, Kissy and DogDay's faces held shock and disbelief. DogDay moved to protest, but Angel placed her hand on his arm to stop him.
"It's okay, DogDay," she said with a calm and tired voice. "She's right. I should focus on getting better."
Poppy smiled and turned to get more medicine. When Poppy had her back turned, Angel gave a look to DogDay saying that she had Poppy fooled. DogDay caught on and nodded. After a bit, Kissy helped Poppy onto the bed next to Angel, and Poppy had antibiotics and a needle in hand.
"Yeah, I don't think I'm comfortable letting you give me a shot."
"DogDay's been giving you the shots," Poppy stated.
"...Oh."
….
Over the next few days, Koa rested from her injuries and five-day coma. DogDay and Kissy made sure her wounds were clean and healing properly. Her eye was healing rather well, and the swelling went down considerably well, though it was still painful from the fractured bones in her cheek. Her bruise on her ribs was healing as well. Another x-ray showed her ribs were healing as well. And her shoulder wounds was cleared of infection, though they were not healed enough.
DogDay also aided in helping Angel move around to keep from getting sick. As more time went on, she gained her strength back enough to no longer need aid in walking. Kissy also brought back more backpacks that had more supplies like food and water. Koa also put on a change of clothes as well. She felt uncomfortable using someone else clothes but she had little choice. Though she kept her belt with her knife and still empty gun holster, and her arm and body braces were back on as well.
After four more days of rest, Koa had recovered enough to stay out of bed. While Poppy was asleep, Koa asked Kissy were she was getting the backpacks. Kissy led Koa and DogDay to an area beyond the Gas Production Zone. There was a large collection of backpacks and other personal items here. Upon closer inspection, she found wallets with ID's belonging to people she recognized on Missing Person files over the last few years. They must have come to the factory to investigate themselves or maybe they were homeless folk finding a place to rest. Among the pile, something caught Koa's attention.
….
Back in the medical center of Home-Sweet-Home, Poppy stirred awake. When her vision focused, she saw Angel, DogDay and Kissy walking through the door, Angel's hands behind her back.
"What were you three up to?" She asked, adjusting herself to sit on the edge of the bed.
"Oh, we were just walking around," Koa answered simply, walking closer to Poppy.
"Oh, that's good. It's good to see you're recovering so nicely," Poppy stated.
A hum of acknowledgement was her only response. Poppy noticed the look Koa was giving her.
"Is something wrong?" Poppy asked.
"Well, now that you mentioned it, I would like to talk about something," Koa stated.
Poppy titled her head in confusion, but then realized, "oh, is this about the backpack? Please, it's simply not im-"
She was cut off when Koa drew her right hand from behind her back, revealing a silver MODEL 350 Smith and Wesson revolver, which Koa pointed right at Poppy's head.
"Woah! A-Angel, what are you doing?" Poppy questioned in fear.
"I'm done playing your little game, Poppy. You better start talking, and you better start now!" Koa growled.
"Angel, please, let's not focus on something so trivial as-"
WHACK
Poppy was cut off when Koa smacked her gun against Poppy's head, knocking her down on the bed. Poppy groaned in pain as she brought her hands to her head. When she noticed they felt wet, she looked at her small hands and found them covered in blood. Before she could get up, Koa pinned her down by pressing the muzzel of the gun to her forehead.
"You don't get to call me that. I'm done playing nice, Poppy. You better start talking! And if I don't like what you say," she paused to cock the hammer of the gun, "I'm pulling the trigger."
Poppy whimpered in fear. She stole a glance to DogDay and Kissy Missy. When they noticed her glace to them, DogDay crossed his arms and glared, shacking his head, while Kissy glanced away rubbing her arm uncomfortably. Poppy had neither of their support. They were done with Poppy as well.
Shocked and upset, Poppy glanced back to Angel, who still had her gun to her head.
"I'm waiting," Koa warned. She slightly squeezed the trigger, showing she wasn't bluffing.
"OKAY! OKAY!" Poppy yelled in fear. She took a few deep breaths before continuing, "okay. I'll explain. You're not the only human to come to this factory after the Hour of Joy. A few others came here over the years. I don't know their intentions, but when the first humans came here, I had the idea to get help from them. I told you, I had a lot of time to think and reflect. I knew we would need help from the outside. I had Kissy send out calls for help from the factory from people who knew your co-workers."
Her tone shifted from fear to monotone disappointment, "however, none of the humans who came here made it past Huggy. Kissy and Huggy may not have been on good terms at the time, but she collected what was left of their belongings and hid them. After so many people failed and so much time passed, I had Kissy dig deeper. And she found you. I had her send that package to you. I knew it was a long shot, but here you are."
Poppy then spoke in praise and excitement, "you came, and you did what no one else could have done. And you can do more. You can end the Prototype. You can kill him. You can take revenge on him for what he has done."
Koa felt disturbed by what Poppy had said. She leaned closer to Poppy, pressing the gun harder into the doll's forehead, who released a pained yelp.
"So you had involvement in the murder of innocent people?" Koa snarled.
"No, I didn't murder anyone," Poppy insisted.
"You sent calls for help, without giving a warning of the danger. You lured them here to their deaths. How exactly were people who never knew about what was really happening here supposed to help? Riddle me that!"
Poppy didn't give a response. Instead she just laid there, looking Angel in the eye.
Koa nodded, her face showed nothing but absolute disgusted. Before she could do anything, DogDay spoke up.
"Are you serious, Poppy?! You led so many people to their graves!? How… how could you do that?"
Poppy looked to DogDay, "as I said, The Prototype has to die for what he had done! And I'll do anything to accomplish that."
"And getting innocent people killed is the way to do it?!" Koa demanded. "Tell me, were you expecting me to make it past Huggy? I had no knowledge of what was happening at this factory."
"I'm sorry, but it was a risk I had to take. But you survived. You're not like the others. You are perfect for this," Poppy said.
Koa glared darkly at Poppy, "you know what, you say you want the Prototype to pay for what he has done? Well, truth is, you're no better than the Prototype!"
She leaned back and slightly squeezed the trigger of the gun. Poppy saw what she was about to do and panicked, squeezing her eyes shut in fear.
"No! No please, no! I'm sorry!
Koa pulled the trigger.
CLICK
Nothing happened. Poppy opened her left eye slightly. Koa removed the gun from Poppy's head and backed off. Poppy cautiously sat up, her hand to her head. Koa reached into her pocket and opened her hand, revealing six bullets.
The gun wasn't loaded.
"I'm glad that you are finally honest with me, Poppy. However, let it be known, you have now completely lost my trust. But... you're lucky I'm not unreasonable." Koa opened the revolver's cylinder and slowly placed the bullets into the cylinder.
"You want the Prototype dead, fine. But it won't be through your wish for vengeance. You seemed ready to walk right into the Prototype's lair. That tells me you know your way around the place, despite being locked in a case for ten years. So, here's how this is going to play out. You have been demoted to our guide, Poppy. From now on, you don't get an opinion. You don't get to ask questions. You don't get a say in how we do things anymore. You're just going to tell us how to get around. You are on a very, very, tight leash. You even try to lie to us, you even think about betraying us, and I will blow your lying, murderous doll brains from here to Kingdom come!"
As she finished her threat, she clicked the cylinder of the revolver shut, as she finished loading the gun, and placed it in her holster. "I mean it Poppy. You don't get a say in how we do things anymore."
Poppy just sat there in shock. She didn't know what to say. Again, she glanced to DogDay and Kissy, but neither of them said anything. It was obvious neither of them trusted Poppy anymore either.
Sighing, Poppy resigned herself to her fate and nodded.
….
Koa, DogDay and Kissy Missy carefully made their way through the Gas Production Zone. DogDay had Poppy in his large hand, his grip was tight. It was made clear by everyone that she wasn't trusted enough to even be allowed to walk around on her own. Kissy Missy was watching their surroundings, feeling tense about where they were going.
The Grab-Pack was back on Koa's shoulders, as she was recovered enough that it wouldn't agitate her wounds, and her knife and gun were in their respective sheaths on her belt. Once they were in the back room of the Gas Production Zone, they found that the lift was still open. Before boarding it, Koa turned around to face her companions and Poppy.
"You guys ready?"
"Angel, we've come too far to turn back now. You're not doing this alone," DogDay said, confidence in his voice.
Kissy Missy nodded her head enthusiastically despite her fear. She may be afraid, but she felt more comfortable with Angel nearby.
Koa smiled, "thanks, guys."
She turned around to continue her way to the lift, and DogDay and Kissy followed. Once they got closer, she heard Kissy stop short of the lift. She turned around to see Kissy standing next to a lever. Seeing Koa's questioning expression, Kissy glanced to the lever then to the lift.
"Oh," Koa immediately figured what Kissy was trying to say. "Thank you Kissy, but we can just use the Grab-Pack to pull the lever. We shouldn't split up. It's too high of a risk."
Kissy immediately sped walked into the lift, joining DogDay who was already in the lift. Koa shook her head to keep from chuckling, and walked into the lift. Once she was in, she fired the blue canon of the Grab-Pack and pulled the lever. Once it was done, Koa retracted the canon and the lift began its slow descent to the Prototype's layer, tension filled the air as it did.
Koa glanced over to Poppy and did not fail to notice the tension and anxiety she was showing. Once again, it didn't take a genius to figure out something was amiss. DogDay noticed as well and held Poppy out to her.
"So Poppy, is there anything we should..." she pulled out her knife and pointed the tip of the blade to Poppy's chin, "expect... once we reach the bottom?"
Poppy looked Koa dead in the eye. Getting the message, she responded without hesitation, "yes. Once we hit the ground, we need to be cautious. There is something..."
...
Down below, in the dark caves below Playcare, was a security room. It was barely lit by the security screens. One of the screens showed the lift in the Gas Production Zone descending lower into the factory.
A dark chuckle filled the room. A large, needle lingered hand reached for the screen, all the fingers except the pointer and thumb coiled as it got closer, and tapped the screen with his pointer finger.
As the Prototype continued to tap the screen, a recorded voice of Harley Sawyer spoke up, humor and anticipation in his voice, "and down they come. Like lambs to the slaughter."
He chuckled maniacally, scraping the screen with his finger, leaving behind a long scratch in the glass. He removed his hand from the screen, and turned his attention to a figure behind him.
"They think you're dead. That will work… greatly… in my favor," the Prototype said with amalgamated voices, adding sadistic pleasure to them.
We see CatNap, laying unconscious on the floor. His wounds to his side, chest, left eye, and his head have been stitched or wrapped. His body was still recovering from being electrocuted and burned. He was breathing heavily from the pain. But he would live. His god made sure of that.
The Prototype then noticed movement in the shadows behind his weakened pawn. Then, glowing white pinpoint lights shined in the dark.
The Prototype pointed his long needle finger to his right and gave a simple command. "Go..."
The little figure, still hidden in the shadows, scurried in the direction his master commanded.
The cruel and sadistic laugh of the Prototype then flooded the caves, "oh... this... is going to be fun!"
"Danger doesn't lurk at every corner. It's just hanging out, waiting for fear and horror to show up."
- UNKNOWN
End credits song: Angels in Everything by Blue October
AN: and we have come to an end of this story. And that's right... PLOT TWIST! CATNAP IS ALIVE!
And Kissy lives too!
I have seen the new teaser for Poppy Playtime Chapter 4 and I am very excited! And don't worry, if I could work DogDay into chapter three, I'm confident I can work CatNap and Kissy into Chapter 4
I want to thank everyone so much for all their kind words and support during this story. You have no idea how much it means to me.
I'm going to take a little break from writing for a bit, as I need to recharge. But worry not, I will return, as I have an idea to work on a prequel story, and I may work on a 'what if story,' of CatNap becoming good. I just need to give myself a little break.
Until next time, folks!
God bless!