I was actually torn on what to name this chapter. I couldn't make up my mind on either Mommy Long-Legs or Marie Payne. Thoughts?
"Ack…!" Zap coughed up blood as they slowly lifted their arms to wrap around the Prototype's wrist. However, …
"A pity…you were not…the intendent target." Then to our shock and horror the Prototype flung his hand to the side, throwing Zap to the ground as if they were nothing but mere trash to be thrown away.
"ZA!" Ace cried out running over to their friend as I too cried out in shock making a move to run over to them.
"Lily…"
"!?" I froze when I heard the Prototype call out my name. When I look over I saw his bloody hand reaching out towards me. I took a step back out of fear before a startle yell escapes me. I grunted when I felt my back hitting the fence door.
"Wha?!" When I look down my eyes widen to see that it was Mommy's hand holding me to the gate. Quickly snapping my head up to see Mommy standing before me in a defensive position.
"You do not have the right to touch her, after what you just done!" She yells at him; her tone is filled with rage and yet I can detect the sorrow in her voice, from witnessing a friend of hers getting killed.
"Wait…" I began to panic once I realized that with her holding me back Mommy has nothing to defend herself with if the Prototype makes another move. The mere image of the Prototype's hand piercing through Mommy makes my chest tighten up with fear. "No! Mommy, wait!" I cried out struggling to get her hand off of me. "Mommy, please you have to let me go!"
The Prototype let out a laugh raising his bloody hand to point at Mommy. "And you do? After what you've just done?"
The words caused Mommy to flinch back, and I couldn't help but notice that the Prototype didn't speak in multiple voice this time, just using one voice. Could this be his real voice? I felt a bit sick at myself for even questioning that now of all times when Mommy life is in potential danger and all I can think about is if this is the Prototype's real voice!
"I…" Mommy's voice stutters there for a moment as if the question had caught her off guard.
This bastard! I angrily thought making a move to open my mouth and try to get them to stop when I suddenly heard a low growl that slowly began to increase. Looking over to the source to see Ace slowly lowering Zap's body to the ground. They turn around bearing their teeth at the Prototype while showing the bloody stains on their once white fur.
"Ace…" I chocked up a bit just thinking about the pain they are currently feeling. Then my eyes widen when Ace let out a scream and jumping onto the Prototype's hand. "Ace!" I yelled out as Mommy let out a gasp of shock as well.
The Prototype let out a shock grunt, trying to shake Ace off his hand, but Ace let out another scream and bit down on one of his fingers.
"Your anger is quiet justified, little one." The Prototype says before curling his fingers, trapping Ace between his grasp. "However, I do not appreciate this little at of rebellion." Then he threw Ace at the machine making Mommy and I to cry out when Ace's body slammed into it and did not move again.
"Ace!" I scream out seeing their body being stuck in the machine unmoving. "Nonono!" I struggled even harder to get out of Mommy's grasp. "Mommy, please! Let me go, I have to help them!"
But my cry was ignored as Mommy yelled at the Prototype. "Why would you do that?! Ace never hurt Lily to warrant that! Ace only wanted to avenged their friend! You could have throw them somewhere else, then hurting them!"
"…" The Prototype was silent for a moment till "…Why you ask? It's simple, they were in my way."
"That's why?!" Mommy rages "For such a little reason! I'll make you pay for that!"
I winched at the sudden loud screeching noise the Prototype made before a loud mixture of multiple voices laugh. I glance down upon feeling Mommy's grip tighten. Then I looked back up as the Prototype began to speak again.
"And how exactly will Mommy make the Prototype pay for that?"
"!?" I let out a gasp of surprise, my eyes widen in horror at hearing Mommy's voice coming from the Prototype.
How can he…?
"You…!" Mommy growled out anger slipping through her tone, upon hearing her own voice being said back to her. And yet the Prototype kept talking in Mommy's voice as if to mock her in some sick twisted way.
"Mommy seems to be missing an arm right now. And yet the other is holding poor little Lily at bay. Oohh~ Howe will Mommy ever make me pay?" The voice suddenly switch back to that dark raspy tone. "In fact, why don't I just show you how powerless you are, Mommy." And with that the Prototype shoot his arm back out from under the door.
"No!" I screamed, not wanting to see another friend get hurt or worse die.
Then before I could even blink, Mommy quickly lifted up her leg and wrapped it tight around the Prototype's arm halting it in it's place.
"Just because I can't use my arm doesn't mean I'm fully defenseless." Mommy told him in a calm voice as she slowly tightens her grip on the arm. I couldn't help but stare in awe that Mommy managed to stop the Prototype from hurting her. "You seem to have forgotten that I can stretch all of my limbs."
Then a loud cracking noise is heard, and I was shocked to hear a faint grunt coming from the Prototype. I don't know what broke, but I'm still amazed that Mommy somehow managed to hurt them.
However, my feeling of hope that we might be okay quickly dash up hearing a small laugh coming from the Prototype.
"So, it would seem. However…" The Prototype wiggled their fingers till he had a good grasp on Mommy's leg. "It would be such a shame if Mommy lost one of her legs!" And with that mocking tone, he ripped Mommy leg out of the socket. The both of us screamed, me with horror and Mommy yelling out in pain.
The sudden loss of her limb caused her lower body to fall to the ground, as she could not support it with one leg. Despite all of this she still managed to keep her firm grip on me. And no matter how much I plead her to let me go, so she would have a better shot at protecting herself, or maybe be able to escape, she refused to let me go.
"Missing something?" The Prototype mocks holding up his arm, showing off Mommy limb as it just dangles there.
"Bastard…!" Mommy growled as she tried to get her lower body back up, but her foot kept slipping.
"How will you ever find your daughter with only two limbs, Marie?" The Prototype asks while tossing Mommy's leg to the side, and his arm slide back through the open gate.
"…Ergh!" Mommy only growled at him, her eyes narrowing to a sharp angry glare.
"PROTOTYPE, STOP THIS!" I screamed out one more time almost hurting my throat in the process. "Please, stop doing this! If you keep hurting my friends I'll never forgive you!" I cried feeling the tears rolling down my cheeks as I glared at the metal door the Prototype was hiding behind. I still couldn't figure out why they remain behind that door then to just be fully out in the open.
"Lily…" Mommy look over to my with a surprise look on her face. I don't know if she was shocked by my words or the fact that I am crying.
It didn't matter to me; all that matter is the Prototype's response right now. The one who went quiet not saying anything for a long time. I could only guess he is thinking about his next move to either to continue hurting Mommy or to just let us go.
Then after a long tense of silence the Prototype spoke up.
"It matters not to me if you hate me or not."
"!"
He doesn't?!
I was shocked by their response. I only said this because I thought he cared about my wellbeing from what I've picked up so far about them.
"After all, if you hate me or fight me on this, then I'll just erase your memories."
"What…" It felt like my heart just stop beating in my chest upon hearing those words.
Erase my memories…?
He would actually do that? After everything that I've done to get them back, he would just take them away from me!?
"You would actually do that to her?" Mommy asked him in disbelief "After all the damage they had done to her head!"
"I would." The Prototype said with no hesitation "The only memories that will be erase…is you."
Then before any one of us could blink, a shing object flew out from underneath the open gate so fast it look like a blur. However, it was Mommy sudden scream of pain that had clued me in on what just happened. Slowly my eyes move down and went wide in horror.
"…" I could feel my mouth open and close as I tried to process what just happened. "Mo…MOMMY!" I cried out as Mommy coughed out blood. Underneath her a small pool of blood began to form and at the sight I struggled even harder to pry her finger off of me.
As I struggled to get out I can only watch as the Prototype wiggled his fingers that are coated and dripping with Mommy's blood. "Hmm…it seems I've only nick you heart." Then he ripped his arm out of her lower body making Mommy to yell out in pain again as I screamed at him to stop.
With the arm no longer acting like a plug the open wound began to gush out a lot of blood. A very concerning amount.
"No matter, the blood loss will get to you." The Prototype slowly pulled his arm back under the gate "I'll let you say your final good-byes before you go."
When the Prototype had ripped his arm out, Mommy had fully collapsed to the ground, dropping me in the process. Her grip was still on me but shaky as I could hear her pain grunts with every breath she took. I quickly scrambled to get up and run to her, however, Mommy snapped her head to me showing her pain face.
"Lily, don't! Stay there!"
Before Mommy arm was loose enough that I could move, but now she tightened it preventing me from getting to her.
"Damn it, Mommy, why?" I cried out feeling scared and frustrated that she is still refusing to let me go and help her. "I need…I need to help you!"
However, Mommy just shook her head and coughed out more blood. "There's nothing you…can do…to help me. The Prototype might have missed…my heart but he did strike…other vital organs." Mommy explained struggling to speak through all the pain.
"Don't say that!" I cried. "You can't just give up like this Mommy! Please let me try to help you! You…you still need to find your daughter right? So please don't give up! Please, Marie!"
Deep down I know she is telling the truth, but I just couldn't bear to accept the truth before me. After everything I went through and done to just find out it was all useless in the end. It leaves a bad taste in my mouth, and I just refuse to accept it.
"Lily…" Mommy coughed. "I don't want you coming…near me…because of the…Prototype."
Despite the anxiety and fear going through me I still couldn't help but be confused by Mommy's statement. "What does the Prototype have to do with anything with me helping you?"
"…It's because he wants…you, Lily."
"Wha-?"
Mommy took in a shaky breath "For what reason…I don't know…if you come near me he'll probably grab you…like he did before. …And I don't want…that to be the last…thing I see…"
"No…Mommy, please stop talking like that!"
Mommy coughed out more blood and I can feel her grip on me is starting to loosen a little bit. "Lily…my time is running…out…I can feel it."
"Mommy….!"
Mommy looked up to me exhaustion written clearly in her eyes with how glossy they look. Then she gave me a smile one filled with sorrow and joy, making me chock up again.
"Lily…I…want you…to hear my final words…"
"…"
"I know…this is something…you don't want to…hear…"
"…I'll listen." I chocked out, trying to prevent any more tears from falling. I don't like it, but these are Mom—Marie's final words and I'll respect them no matter what.
"Thank you, Lily…I'm happy to hear that." She smiled "I want you to know…despite everything, I've…never once…regretted coming here…and meeting you. …Back when I was Marie…and till now. I was…truly happy…to see you again…after all these years. I just…wish we could have met…up sooner…or played a…little longer." Mommy coughed again even harder than before and almost threw up more blood. The pool around her is getting bigger almost reaching me.
"…Mommy!" I cried putting a hand on her hand and reaching out my other arm to try and reach out to her. The tears that I've been holding back began to fall again as I silently cried. I could only watch as Mommy struggled to speak as her life slowly drains from her body.
"Lily…please know that I was…so happy…you became friends with…Sophie. I've always…saw you as…my second daughter."
"…!"
"Please…if you see her…please tell her…I'm sorry…for not protecting her like I said…I would…and that…I'm sorry for not…remembering…sooner and that…Mommy will alw…ay…s…lo..ve…yo..u…"
Her voice slowly went quiet, eyes going blank as her head falls to the ground and her hand falling onto the floor between my legs.
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"…Mommy?"
It was silent.
The only sounds that were heard is the fan, the faint hum from the buzzing lights and my breaths. I sat there frozen in place staring at Mommy lifeless body. I was struggling to process what happened. My body feels numb and empty inside.
I should be doing something right?
I should go to Mommy and help her, right?
I also need to check on Ace and Zap. To make sure they are okay…right?
Click
Click
Click
There's a clicking noise.
Oh…it's the Prototype.
Their back.
But why are they back again…?
Their claws are around Mommy's body and slowly dragged her body back to them through the open gate.
"…wait…"
Where are they taking her?
"…Please, wait…"
My body refuses to move.
"Don't…"
'I was truly happy to see you again…after all these years…'
"Don't you dare take her!" I sprung into action, getting up as fast as I could to run after them. "Give her back! Ah-!?" I yelp when I slipped into Mommy's pool of blood, falling face down into the red liquid. "Give her back to me!" I cried out struggling to get back up without slipping. "You can't take her!"
Getting back up, I reach for Mommy's hand only for the gate to fully shut closed. Slamming into it I cried out in anger and sorrow as I banged on the door, trying to rip the planks off with my hands.
"YOU DAMN BASTARD!"
Falling to my knees as I continued to cry my eyes out. "Give her back…give me back my mom…please…!"
I cried and beg tearing at the door even though I know how useless it was. All I can do is sit there and mourn at the lost and hating myself for failing to stop this.
"Come back…"
"Aaa…"
"…" I froze in my place upon hearing a groan. "Huh?' I looked to my right to see Ace slowly lifting their head. "Ace…?"
Their okay…? I didn't lose all three of my friends?
Ace looked over to me upon hearing their name. "Lil…?" They reach out to me before halting to look at the machine. A quick look showed their arm is trapped in the machine.
Their stuck.
"Hang on, let me help you down." Slowly getting up and walking to them. Ace look back to me eyes moving up and down. They lifted their left arm to point at me.
"Lil…ky?"
"…" I look down to see that most of the front part of me is covered in blood.
…Mommy's blood.
"…I'll tell you later. Let's get you down first."
"…" Ace looked at me before looking off to the side that I know the pool of blood is at. I may not say anything, but I know Ace is smart and will put the pieces together quickly.
When I raise my hand to him to see if I can just pull him out, I pause upon seeing my fingernails. Or the lack of them. "…" I must have accidentally ripped some of them off when I was pulling on the planks.
"Lil?"
"Sorry. Just notice I hurt my hand is all."
"Ge?!"
"I'll be okay. I'll bandage them up once I get you out." I reach out one more time to look at their arm. I frown when realizing the most of their arm is torn to shreds, there doesn't seem to be any way to save it. "This isn't good…" I mutter with Ace looking at the damage and gave a slow nod.
"Do you feel any pain in that arm?" It's something that I need to know giving what I might be doing next. Ace hasn't made any pain noises since they woke up and it could be due to the fact that they haven't fully registered what is happening just yet.
Ace looked at their arm and gave it a hard tug. When they made no sound they looked up at me with a shake of their head.
"Okay…" I got back down to the floor, opening my bag to take out the first-aid kit. "I'm worried that if we try to pull your body out we might cause more damage to it." Opening the case, I dug around till I found the scissors, getting back up I held up the scissors for Ace to see them.
"With your permission, I want to cut your arm off in order to you out." Ace look at the scissor then to their arm and open their mouth very wide. "And no, we are not chewing your arm off!" I quickly said in order to stop them. "I need a clean cut so I can stich you back up." I quickly explained.
Ace grumbled, closing his mouth before giving me a nod. "Okay." I step forward opening the scissors and placing it to their arm. "I'm going to try and make this quick, if you feel anything let me know, okay?"
"Ge!"
With a nod a took a deep breath in and slowly let it out. Then I carefully clipped through their arm, struggling a bit once I reach the center. My question from long ago about whether they had any bones are not in their limbs was quickly answered once I finish cutting though. "Gotcha!" I caught Ace around their middle before they fell to the ground.
Sitting back down and putting them on the floor. I put the scissors away and dug out a needle and thread. Ace tilted their head as they watch me get everything ready to sew their arm. When I look back to them, I didn't see any other injuries to their body besides their arm, which gave me a great sense of relief. I did my best when cutting their arm leaving behind a very small stump from their shoulder that is currently dripping out some blood.
"Right, I'll need you to sit still as I close that wound up." They nod and stood as still as they could as I got to work.
As I work, Ace look back over to the big pool of blood, so I wasn't to surprised when they started asking some questions.
"The?"
"…" Even though I knew they were going to ask, I still wasn't fully prepared to answer them. However, they deserve to know. "It's Mommy's…the Prototype got to her."
"…" Ace was silent for a moment before looking at their feet. "…Oh…"
"Yeah…" After tying the knot to the thread and snipping it I quickly put the tools away. "Right, well…you're the second toy that I had to stich up, so if anything starts to feel off or it becomes loose let me know, okay?"
Ace nodded their head before looking over at a corner before carefully walking over there, being mindful of the blood laying all over the floor. When I watch them feeling a bit confused my eyes widen before a sorrowful feeling filled my chest again when I saw them crouching down next to Zap's body.
"…" I should give them a moment. I thought to myself as I reach in the box to find something to help pull my broken nails off. "…Tch." I'll never forgive the Prototype for what they have done to my friends. The little Huggies lost another friend and Sophie…god I hope she is still around but at the same time…I don't want to be the one to break the news to her if she is. But Mommy asked me to, so I will.
I just hope Mommy can finally find some peace after all these years…
"…" After failing to find a nail clipper, I did manage to find some tweezers, to help pull the broken nails off. It's gonna hurt but it has to be done. "It can't be as bad as the pain of losing two of your friends right in front of you…" I mutter under my breath as I got ready to pull one of the nails off.
"…Za?"
It was hearing Ace sudden confusing voice that had me pausing from what I was about to do. When I look over to them I saw to see Zap shakenly raising their arm to Ace's face.
"…Ac…"
"!" My eyes went wide in shock, at seeing that somehow Zap was still alive after everything. "Oh my God, Zap!" I quickly drop the tweezers and pick up the kit, taking it with me as I ran over to see if there was anything that I could do to help them.
Placing the kit down next to Zap, who slowly moved their eyes over to me, and carefully pick them up, placing them on my lap.
"L…il…?" Zap slowly breath out.
"Shhh, don't try and talk right now. I need to look at you."
"Zaa…" Ace whined grabbing hold of Zap's hand.
I look down at Zap torso seeing the wound on there. It was a clean cut straight through, how is Zap even alive right now. If it wasn't for their eyes moving around I wouldn't have known they were breathing.
I…I don't know if there is anything I can do. The hole is an easy fix…but the blood loss and the potential of any organs that have gotten damaged. "…" I looked at the first-aid kit and dug around, hoping to find anything that could help me.
However, it was the sudden feel of something touching my cheek that stop me in my place. "…" Looking down to see that Zap had put their arm to my cheek as the smiled at me.
"Haa….pp…yy…"
"!?" My heart stutter in my chest upon hearing that clear word coming from them. "Zap…" Then in a flash the light dimmed from their eyes and Zap's hand fell down to their torso.
"Za?" Ace questioned shaking their friends body.
"…"
It can't be…
"No…Nonono, Zap! Please, I can't lose you as well!" I lifted up their body as I bent down to put my ear to his chest trying to see if I could hear any heartbeat.
But…
There was nothing.
"…Ah…" I gasp slowly lifting my head up, looking down at Zap's body with a blurry vision.
"Za…ky?" Ace worriedly ask putting their hand on Zap's body.
I lifted my head to look at them and slowly shook my head. "…no…" I whispered under my breath.
"Ah…" Ace flinched before their body began to shake. Then Ace collapsed down to their knees, head falling onto Zap's legs and began wailing their heart out.
"…" My throat clogged up as my breathing begin to pick up in pace as I watch the scene before me. Looking back over to the pool of blood and remembering the last moments with Mommy "Ah…" A mere look back down at the two Huggies and the dam inside me broke, as I bent down holding Zap's body to my chest as I screamed out.
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"AAAAaaaaaHHHHhhhhAAAahh!"
Now let's take a moment of silence for Mommy Long-Legs and Zap.
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Okay! Now, I might have upset some readers with this decision but first let me explain the reason why I killed Mommy Long-Legs.
1) For the obvious, story development. I figured a tragic lost will be very impactful to Lily psyche and she'll come to fully understand that every action has consequences. She'll now know that she won't be able to say everyone no matter how much she wishes so. The death of Mommy and Zap will leave a deep mental scar that will impact her with future interaction with the other toys she'll meet.
2) Back when I first started writing this story long before Chapter 3 started making it ARG. In the beginning I had full plans of killing Mommy Long-Legs due to the fact I didn't know how Chapter 3 would turn out. Would I have made a right or wrong decision in keeping her alive? I didn't know at the time and just played by ear as the time went.
3) Though, thanks to my slow updates because of irl and writer block Chapter 3 was starting to make appearances and then it came out. As I saw the game, I started to get some ideas of what if Mommy Long-Legs had lived. So as the story continue I had two options before me. Keep Mommy Long-Legs or not.
4) Truthfully I didn't have a clear answer yet regarding Mommy as the time went and just decided to go with the flow of the story and did whatever just felt right. By the time I got to the "The Choice" and "Hide-N-Seek" I already had an idea of what I was going to do with Mommy Long-Legs, and this is the outcome.
Don't get me wrong, I did want to keep her around as well. But I just pick what I thought would be best for the story and what felt right. And now I can say that this story won't have a happy ending. More like angst with an eventual happy ending. The story is only to get more darker the further down we go, like in the games. Not to mention, just because a toy is label 'safe' does not actually mean they are safe. Who will live and who won't…hell as the author I can't really tell because I don't know either!
The toys will either turn out like Ace (who is the only confirmed toy to be alive at the moment) who is alive but not in one piece. Or they'll turn out like Mommy Long-Legs. Dead. I personally won't know what will happen until I get close to whatever is going to happen.
Now I will give you some clarity regarding certain toys. You can all assume that the little toys are alive and currently living with Lily. Why? Well have you seen how many are there? You can bet that some have made it out. But regarding the Bigger Bodies…yeah that will be up in the air.
And lastly, this is the only time I'm going to say this. I WILL NOT be going into further discussion about this topic. This is the only thing you are going to get, if you want the answer you'll have to keep reading to find out what I'm about to tell you.
This will not be the last that we'll see of Marie Payne.
That's all.
See you guys in the final chapter! …Can't believe I finally made it to the end at last.