Waking up with a start, Gabriel Gibbins soon rose from the bed from which he is sleeping in as the alarm ringed in his ears. He looks down to the electric alarm clock on his night stand, five thirty A.M., just as he set it to be. While many people are still sound asleep at this hour, he knows as soon as he slaps the clock to snooze mode that he doesn't have that kind of luxury for now. Not when there is a field to tend to.
Then after a brisk wash in a hot shower, he ventures down the wooden stairs to the kitchen for a quick breakfast, the wooden floor creaking loudly with each step inside the quiet, empty house. It was honestly strange to think about how quiet it is, he remembered a time when there was always noise of some kind reverberating through the rooms of this humble farm home.
But now, at the maturing age of twenty seven, all Gabe could hear is himself and the stillness of ear-ringing silence.
Taking a bowl of cold cereal, he then makes his way to the circular dining table, his Bible sitting on the waxed, wooden surface just where he remembered he left it. The soft white and teal colored curtains brought a somber feeling as the first rays of sunrise shined and filtered through. Taking his seat, he quickly wolfs down his breakfast as he skimmed over a bible chapter, not wanting to waste time sitting here.
For when he dared to look just to the other side of the table, there sits the object of his worries. Just a week ago he received a package from an anonymous person, but the source was undeniably clear, for labeled on the package's front was the colorful label of what was once was the largest toy manufacturer in the world, his old employment, Playtime.co .
Inside were two items, a VHS tape which played an introduction of the company's first successful toy, the Poppy doll, and a commercial of Playtime.co inviting people on tours through the factory grounds. But while the tape was a bit strange in of itself, the next item following the tape however shook him to his very core. A letter, written on notebook paper and drawn with a red crayon, and on it was written three sentences. Three short sentences that no matter ho hard he tried he could not shake them out of his mind.
The letter urged him to go back, back to the factory from which he worked in. Gabe was but a teenager at the time he was working there, at the spry age of sixteen. He was a simple toy assembly worker, his only task was to sit at a conveyor belt and assemble toy parts all day from nine to five, five days a week. He remembered he didn't like the job so much, it was just a summer job, a way to earn his own money before the rest of the school year kicks in. But working there had its merits, and even some fond memories. He made some of his best friends in that factory. Joyce, Tyler, Freddy, good friends from beyond school.
It was actually a good time.
But then he saw something he shouldn't. Something he regretted seeing. Something that made him leave Playtime.co for good. And just three days after leaving, Playtime.co was suddenly shut down. And more mysteriously still, all the staff running the factory disappeared. Including his friends.
The authorities haven't touched on the issue since, and to this day no one knows what happened to the staff nor the tourists visiting. And anyone who dared to enter the factory and investigate themselves, simply vanished without a trace.
And now, sitting just three feet away from him, is an invitation inviting him to the same factory.
Gabe continued to look at the letter, since he read it he hasn't bothered to move it from its place since he sat it down, and it stayed there for the whole week since. He knew he could just simply throw it away, burn it in the fireplace and forget about this entirely. But in all honesty, he couldn't. He could not in good conscience throw it away. He doesn't know why, but everyday he has had the unmistakable urge to return, but the common sense forbids him from doing so. What is the point of going back if there was nothing to return to?
Gabe then takes one last look at the letter, and shutting away all these intrusive thoughts swirling through his head, he gets up and immediately heads out for work.
Later that evening Gabe collapses on his couch after a hard day's work. Today was weed killing day where he took the tractor and with a special nozzle he burnt the ground of any weeds that may have sprouted before the rest of the crop could grow. With that out of the way the wheat will grow much better and out compete the weeds.
He was hungry, but he has no time to cook. He thought that if maybe there was someone here to help there would be dinner tonight. He then gazes into the kitchen, and yet again that letter comes into view. Then there's those conflicting convictions again, one side of him wishes to simply ignore or better yet throw that cursed piece of paper away, and the other seeks to take at least another look at it.
Pushing himself up, putting some effort so he wouldn't think to sit back down again, he heads back to the kitchen and picks up the letter. The paper crinkled in his hands. He looks down and reads it over again. This was probably the tenth time so far he has read these three short sentences, but yet the memory is still fresh in his mind.
"Everyone thinks the staff disappeared ten years ago…"
"We are still here…"
"FIND THE FLOWER."
Gabe was unsure what the last part meant, but the idea that there are people still there in that factory made his stomach churn. For one, how was possible that there could still be people trapped in there after all these years? It's not like they kept some secret food stash in case an emergency happened. But then again, how is it possible that in just one day alone the staff of an entire factory just disappeared off the face of the earth? Nothing about this makes any sense to him.
Maybe that's why he wants to go back, to just simply know what happened. What happened to his coworkers. To his friends.
He puts the letter down, and after a moment of respite, he finally realizes why he wants to go back. He misses his friends.
…He finally caved in.
It's time to go back.
<<<<<<<<<<~>>>>>>>>>>
The next morning came like a breeze. Somehow after finally coming to his decision, last night's rest has been one of the best he had all month. Driving through the woods in the brink of sunrise, the road leading up to the factory has been closed off by the authorities as to prevent anyone from venturing close. But thankfully the only barrier that blocked his way was the arm of the toll booth. And it being made out of ten year old rotten wood, it was no problem as he smashed straight through it in his truck. Who's going to miss it anyway?
Driving along further, the cool morning mist enveloping the cracked broken road, Gabe can already see the smokestacks of Playtime.co's manufacturing plant above the tree line. The trees then gave way as the road opened up to reveal the entire front of the factory. Colorful yet paled and weathered by time, neglect became apparent in each brick and tile. The founder, Elliot Ludwig if Gabe remembers right, designed the factory in such a way so it would appeal to all the kids who would come to visit. Even to the orphans, especially the orphans.
Pulling up into the parking lot, Gabe leaves the keys behind in the truck. It's not like someone is going to come out and steal them, being so far away from civilization. And the more Gabe thought about it, a lot of things are going to be fine while he's gone. The farm is fine by itself for a good while, he has no friends to speak of, and his family is…well, his family is not here now. So things are going to fine in the world for as long as he's gone.
Gabe ventured to the front entrance, the glass is half broken from the looks of it. So he simply kicked the glass in and the fell in and burst to a dozen pieces. This was it, there won't be any turning back as soon as he walks though. He doesn't know what could be waiting for him, but deep down, as if the spirit of God himself is forewarning him, that he'll come to regret his choice and wish he never got out of bed in the first place. But it also told him, that he'll regret leaving as well if he doesn't go through with this, and that something, somewhere in there, there is something greater than him than he can possibly imagine. So either way, this must be done.
So he took a step inside.
The lobby is just as dilapidated as Gabe thought it would be. Each tile on the floor is filthy and the paint on the walls are peeling away. But the colors and some of the murals remained. The first thing Gabe noticed was the mural of Playtime's mascot, Huggy, his arms are painted to be stretched around the lobby. There are two rooms rather side of him, the gift shop, and the security, but either weren't of interest to him. But once he peeks over the rotary bars he finds that the entrance leading inside is closed with an iron shutter. But above it what appears to be a blue handprint scanner.
Upon looking at it Gabe knew exactly what he needed and he felt rather giddy that there is a real excuse to try it. But the best place to look is the security room. A few moments later he managed to crack the code leading into the security room, turns out the toy train in the gift shop was used as a clue in case someone managed to forget the color coded password.
Entering the room, Gabe didn't really care much for anything in the room. But his eyes beamed with excitement once he laid eyes on his prize. For sitting in a delivery shaft was, in Gabe's opinion, the company's best tool, the Grabpack. During his teen years working in the manufacturing plant he had seen only one worker used it before. He wanted to try it but was immediately denied since the device is only used by specialist employees. But it shouldn't be too hard to use, heck, a toddler can use it well. However he was shown just why when he played the instructional tape, turns out the Grabpack is quite the powerful tool, capable of even taking someone's head off.
Strapping it on, the Grabpack was a bit heavy on the shoulders, and it was only equipped with one hand, there should be two of them on him. Oh well, he got to finally use it.
Shooting the hand up to the scanner, Gabe waited until the scanner completed its course. Once done, the iron shutter began to raise, the electric motors loudly groaning from a near decade of misuse. Gabe made his way through, but then was met by the towering visage of Playtime.co's number one mascot, Huggy Wuggy. Walking on over to the giant figurine, Gabe gazed solemnly at the statue, he did find the appeal that this toy had on children. Its glass eyes staring out into the corridor from which he came, the deep blue polyester fur, and long, lanky arms and legs gave him a monkey-like appearance. If only he had a tail and he'll probably look perfect.
"Well hello there, big guy." Gabe said. Giving the statue's raised hand a high five. "Forgot they put a statue of you here awhile back."
He has made it past the front entrance, now onto the rest of the factory. There are other rooms by which he could enter such as the cafeteria or the innovation room, but each one is locked with the same iron shutters like the one earlier. Only this time there are no blue hand scanners to open them with. But the one to his right had however, and while no particular sign showed where it would lead, anything to help get further into the factory was fine by him.
But as soon as he shot the blue hand to the scanner the device short circuited. Gabe nearly cursed under is breath, how is he going to go further now? His eyes then followed a series of wires that leads to another door on the left side. Figuring the problem is there, Gabe tries to enter but like all the others it too is locked. Feeling stumped, he takes a step back to think about what to do.
But before he could think of an answer he heard something jingling behind him. Gabe quickly turns around but finds no one there. He then spots something dangling on the Huggy statue's palm. It is a key. Was that always there? No, the hand from the Grabpack would have caught it. How did it get there?
Thinking it was best not to question it further, he shoots the blue hand and takes the key with little effort. "Uh…Thank you?" Gabe hesitantly said to the life-sized Huggy Wuggy, taking a few quick glances back just to make sure he wasn't seeing things.
The key actually works, and making his way in he finds an electrical room, perhaps to a local generator. If he turns it on he might get the scanner to work again. And he knows of the Grabpack electrical properties. It would be too easy. All he has to do is find an electrical outlet, put the hand on it, wrap around the poles and…wait, what is that?
Looking towards one of the walls he finds something splattered on it. Upon closer inspection, he finds a toy lying against the wall, torn to shreds. And stranger still, the wall was stained with a red substance. Is that, blood?
No, no. What is he thinking? That couldn't be blood. Could it?
He ignored it for now, and soon found an outlet. After finishing fixing the electrical problem, he begins to head back out from which he came, but as soon as he passes the door's threshold, he finds to his utter astonishment that the statue is missing.
Gabe looked all around, thinking it might have fallen over somehow, maybe from the high five he gave earlier. But no matter where he looked he couldn't find it anywhere. Not even a trace.
Huggy Wuggy is gone.
"Um, Hugs…you anywhere?" Gabe spoke out knowing it could be for nothing.
Maybe now is the best time to take a step outside and rethink this through. But when he ventured towards the main entrance his heart sank, the door that he came in from has closed in on itself, and there is no scanner anywhere to lift it open. He is trapped in here. Gabe guessed that his gut feeling really was right, there is no going back now.
Though for now at least he managed to get the scanner in that other door to work. Then after opening it, he finds himself in a hallway, the typical white white walls and floors decorated with bright colors. Looking towards the end however it was blocked by large foam blocks, it will take awhile to move them all. But as he got closer, he caught something moving at the corner of his vision. Looking to his left, he catches sight of a long, slender, blue-fuzzed arm slithering away behind one of the doors.
"…..what?" Gabe muttered under his breath. He has to be seeing things. He slowly tiptoes closer to the door from which the arm came and opened it. Inside there was nothing but a dark hallway. He was going to move those foam blocks, but through here might be a faster route. He silently walks through, no sign of whatever that blue thing is anywhere.
But even yet, he can't shake the feeling that he is being watched.
Exiting the hall, Gabe finds himself in what appears to be a depot. Complete with conveyor belts and a crane. Cardboard boxes full of random items either neatly stacked or strewn everywhere. Even some of the shelves were knocked over. Which is strange to him, he know's this place has been left abandoned, for ten whole years no less, so why is it that this place looks like a wreak? It was as if something rampaged through here.
He looks around a bit further, more torn up toys, more blood. And there up on the ledge, he spots something in a glass case. A red hand. If he takes it, it would complete his Grabpack. Maybe that crane could help get it down. Looking up he finds the crane's control panel. "Perfect." Then after a flight of some grated stairs he reaches it, and though he is not experienced with heavy equipment, he is sure the two levers and a handful of colorful buttons won't be too hard to figure out.
And as soon as he fiddles with the levers, he hears something. It was not the sound of something like moving or shuffling around, no, it was the sound of deep, heavy breathing. Looking for the source, he quickly finds it. There up in one of the vents, starting at him with beady, predatory, glass eyes, is a face. Huggy's face. And his smile.
Are those…teeth?
Gabe continued the staring contest. His own eyes wide and terrified. Both did not dare move or utter a word, that is until Gabe spoke first.
"Huggy?"
Just as soon as he says that, the face then retreats back into the duct, shutting it off behind him.
Gabe gasps and was taken aback so fiercely that he nearly falls over on his rear. He grabs the railing preventing him so. He has to be seeing things now. There was no way! How could it be! There couldn't be an actual living Huggy Wuggy just lurking around here!
After calming his nerves down, he picked up from where he left off. Getting that red hand down. It took a few moments but he managed to get the crane to work the way he wanted and pick the case from off its perch. But he can't bring it closer to him. So he has no choice but to drop it. The case was let go from the claw's grasp and fell straight way to the floor. The noise of the crash was definitely loud enough for what ever that Huggy-like creature is to hear.
In but a moment Gabe attaches the red hand to the other socket of the Grabpack. With his gear now complete he can now continue on his decent, and luckily there is an open duct that seemed just big enough for him to walk through. Upon entering duct he finds that the conveyor belt is still working. So he simply decided to sit and let the conveyor take him to where he needs to be.
As the conveyor carries him away, Gabe pondered on what might have happened here. So far there wasn't much evidence to help formulate the answer, but there are some clues. Those random splatter stains must indeed be blood, but yet there are no bodies to be found anywhere. Which means this isn't the work of a single killer. A terrorist attack from a group maybe? No, there aren't any bullet holes to be found anywhere, and he doubts that they went after the staff with just their knives on them, many would still manage to escape. And better yet, terrorist love to make a statement about their violence. But here, there was no statement or declaration made.
If a mass murder is what happened here, then whoever has done this did it all in secret, in one swift moment, and left no trace behind.
No, there must still be more to this. But what?
Before being able to think further however, red lights flickered on and alarms blared as toy parts suddenly descended and fell on top of Gabe in clusters. "Ow! that one hurt!" Gabe frustratingly yelled.
And soon enough the conveyor belt came to an end inside some sort of container. Gabe had no choice but to tumble out and burst out through a glass container, falling to the floor with a few cuts on him. Dusting himself off he looks and sees that he is in the Build-a-Toy workshop. This place served as the final stop for factory tours, so that kids can make their own toy and send them off on a good note. But the most impressive part is the building machine itself. Designed by Eliot Ludwig himself, the machine is first of its kind, being able to build without help from human input.
But now it seemed that Gabe is stuck here, and if that door scanner has any indication of telling him, he is going to leave he's going to need a toy built from the machine itself. But now the machine is offline.
"This might take a moment."
<<<<<<<<<<~>>>>>>>>>>
A few moments pass, and after a few tweaks to the electrical systems and the power supplies the Build-a-Toy machine is back up to running speed again. Gabe had to thank Ludwig for designing it so well as it can work even after wasting away for a decade. He couldn't decide what toy he should make, so he simply set it to random. The machine decided to make a miniature Catbee doll.
Gabe had to admit, despite this machine being made for the kids, it is actually a great wonder to watch it work. Soon enough, the doll was finished, and is carried by belt to the very end. Taking it out, Gabe now has the key to open the shutters and head deeper into the factory. Then placing the doll in the scanning device it verified it's authenticity and quality, and immediately the shutters raises.
What greets Gabe's sight was just another dark hallway, nothing too unusual to be seen. Though he wishes he brought a flash light, he mentally slaps himself for not coming so prepared. He didn't think he would be in this deep inside.
But as soon as he nears the hall's threshold, he hears it, the same noise he heard from the depot. The rhythmic, gutteral sound of the lungs bringing air in and out.
Breathing.
There is something waiting for him.
Fear gripped the young man's heart. He then remembers that face from earlier, the disappearance of the Huggy statue, and that arm from the doorway. It couldn't be. They were just mind tricks on him. It can't be real. Then why does he still hear something breathing?
"Hello?" Gabe calmly calls out. Though his voice starting to croak from the hesitation. With each step he inches closer to the darkness, slowly, attentively, his pose ready for the moment to come if he should flee. Then just as soon a he is just an arm's length from the blackened shadows, something walks through.
But he wasn't ready for what it was.
Lumber out from the shadows, the life-size figure of Huggy Wuggy lumbers through. His eyes leering down on the hapless human, and his mouth agape in a maniacal grin with yellowed, needle-like teeth round about dripping with saliva.
"Wha..AH,..You're!?"
Gabe to his utter shock and surprise, ran all the way back out as the monstrous lowers itself a bit lower from the arching threshold.
"You..You are!? Huggy how…?!" Gabe spastically stuttered as the blue-fuzzed creature kept walking towards him, his arms dangling like they had no life to them.
"Wait WAIT! Hold on!" Gabe shouted as he does his best to keep his distance from the monster Huggy. "L-Look I don't know who you are, o-or what you are, but look I just, i just want to know what happened here ok?!"
However the monster was unresponsive, it kept lumbering towards him. "Ok not the talkative type! How about this, alright! You just lead me out of here, and I'll leave. I won't come back here and you won't hear a word from me again, understand?"
But no matter how hard he tried to reason with him, the monster's gaze remained the same. It kept moving towards him, menacingly, and hungrily.
"NOPE! You don't understand!" Determined to find a way out, he finds one of the conveyor ducts open. "Okay! I'll just show myself out! Have a good day!"
Gabe then sprinted as fast as his feet would let him to the open vent. He practically leapt through the entrance as he entered it. When he turned back to see if the giant was following him, but thankfully the trapdoor shut in on itself. Gabe sighed relived, but he knows he isn't out of the woods yet.
Upon running down through the duct, he comes across some ventilation grate, he hears something banging on the other side. He perceives beyond the grate and to his horror, he sees that Huggy is crawling through the vents with him. "Oh God!" As the monster disappears from view, Gabe quickens his pace. Then after a flight of belt track, he finds that the paths splits. Without a thought he kept running forwards.
Only to be met face to face with Huggy crawling straight for him.
"OH S**T!!"
Turning back, Gabe ran the opposite direction. The way forward only leads to a dead end so he took the other path to his left. Running with frantic fervor, he can hear Huggy is still behind him, the very walls are shaking and reverberating with each step the monster took. The path forward twisted and turned in unexpected directions, he didn't hesitate to slam into each corner if it meant he can be just a little further ahead of the giant.
The floor beneath him felt contradictory to him, he either ran on sturdy belt track for better traction on his shoes, or it changed to rollers and making him nearly lose footing and slip. All the while he can feel the monster's hot breath on his back. He dared to look back and he sore he saw those fanged teeth just a foot away.
"Seriously, why are you doing this!?" Gabe yelled. "What did I do to you!?"
Further along the belt, Gabe can see that the way ahead is a steep incline and has roller for track. Gabe's panic-mode kicks in as his eyes dart in every direction looking for an alternate route. He finds one, a door that is open just big enough to fit through. Putting as much effort as he could into his legs he gains some distance from the monster, and quite literally shoved himself through the door.
But it wasn't just big enough for him, the opening was also small enough so that Huggy couldn't squeeze himself through, so the beast had no choice but to continue on. After a quick thank you to God, Gabe hurried along further down the conveyor duct. He isn't intent on staying in one place for more than one second.
He continues running onwards, and soon finds a light near the end of the tunnel. It must be the way out! But then to his soul crushing defeat, a door slams shut just inches in front of him. And worse still, Huggy makes his reappearance in another duct connecting to them.
Gabe watched with terror as the giant kept crawling towards him, slowly, like a predator relishing in finally catching its prey. "Why are you even like this?!" Gabe yelled towards the beast. "You're supposed to be that big, lovable goofball all the kids love!"
Huggy paid no heed still, he kept on slowly crawling to him. Trails of saliva hanging from his teeth.
Then to Gabe's salvation, the door blocking his way opened up. Without another thought, Gabe sprinted though, and as for Huggy, seeing how his prey is getting away, quickened his pace after him. Gabe's legs hurt, he never had to run so hard in his life. But no time to think, no time to breathe, he pushes through the pain in his legs each and every time he hears the monster just ready to bite at his heels.
Till at last, he ends up coming across a steep decline where he slips and falls. He ends up riding down the roller track like a slide and eventually tumbles out an opening, exiting the duct. And to make matters better, there was a door from which he just crossed and the shutter closed in on itself. Trapping Huggy behind it.
Seeing that the worst is over, Gabriel collapsed to the cold, steel grating of a catwalk. Breathing deeply as he leaned on the yellow-painted rails relived with an arm hung over one. He chuckled, he actually felt proud of himself, he managed to out run it.
"Bang!"
Gabe's eyes shot open. He then slowly looks up and can see that the steel door is slightly dented.
"Bang!"
Huggy is breaking through.
"Oh come on!" Gabe yelled as he scrambled up on his feet. He ran away from the door, but was then met by a mound of random debris blocking his way. There was no where to run. No where to hide.
"BANG!"
He then spots something above him, a massive crate just sitting on the edge of a rampart above him. He may not be able to run or hide from Huggy, but he could block his way.
"BANG!"
He launches both hands of his Grabpack, they hit their target and hold on to the crate's top edge, and he pulls with all his might. The crate budges, but does not even slide.
"BANG!"
The door can't take it any more, it is practically hanging by the hinges. One more hit and Huggy breaks through. By now there was no second chance, he either brings that crate down or his fate is sealed. With one more pull, Gabe lean back into the pull, putting everything into bringing it down. The crate begins to move.
"BOOM!"
And it falls.
Just as it falls Huggy bursts through, charging at him in full speed. But Gabe didn't account for how heavy the crate was, for once it landed on the catwalk, the entire structure buckled and collapsed. Bringing down Gabe and Huggy with it. Both monster and human landed on another catwalk below them, but while thankfully Gabe landed solidly on the grated surface, Huggy landed on the railing. His legs hanging off with the bottom half of his torso.
Gabe watches as the monster begins flail his arms out, screeching in fear as he tried to grab anything to hold on to. But there was nothing to hold on to, Huggy begins to slip, oblivion awaits below him. And as he limply slips off the rails, Huggy realizes that this was the end for him. He begins to free fall. Feeling the weightlessness of death approaching.
But then stops.
Wondering what could have stopped his fall, he looks up, and didn't expect even in the many years of his existence what could it be. Hanging by his Velcro paws, was a pair of Grabpack hands gripping him tightly, and the cord leading up from them, was none other than Gabriel. Leaning back as hard as he could with his stomach pressed into the rails and his soles buried to the grate's steel lip.
Gabe grunts, the air was nearly shot out of his lungs as he strains to keep himself from falling with the giant toy monster. Huggy didn't know what to think of this, but when Gabe leaned over just enough to see if he is still hanging on he hissed. Huggy doesn't know what game this human is playing, but whatever it is he is going to get it. But there was something within the human's eyes as he looked at him, there was no scorn or trace of resentment in them, and upon seeing them, Huggy couldn't help but relax. Even his maddening open grin faded to his traditional, more friendly smile.
"Ok. Maybe we got off on the wrong foot here." Gabe said. "Let me just, j-just hold on there."
He then looks for any spot for which he can let down the giant blue plushie. He finds one, a conveniently located catwalk just behind Huggy. "Ok, here's the plan. I'm gonna swing you over to that platform behind you. You see?" Huggy tilts his head for a second, he genuinely didn't know why this human is allowing him to live.
Gabe exasperatedly sighs, feeling that the creature doesn't understand him. He didn't listen to him when he tried to kill him just a moment ago, why would he now? "Oh who am I kidding, you probably don't understand a word I'm saying."
But Huggy does understand, so he nods no. Gabe sees this and gasps. "Wait, you do understand!?" Huggy replies with another nod, indicating yes. "So you can! Hahaha!" The human sighs happily and relived, it is good that he can understand him, maybe he can also show him what happened here.
"Alright then, I'm gonna start swinging ya. And then on the count of three I'm going to let you go and you'll land on the platform. Ready?" Gabe first starts by moving his weight first, letting Huggy slowly gain momentum. He then started to use his arm, moving the cords forward and backward. Huggy meanwhile was still weary of Gabe, even though he is the reason he isn't plummeting into the abyss. For all he knows the human would just forget about him and let him fall to his death, but if then, why bother to help him?
Soon enough Huggy is just close enough to reach the catwalk. Gabe continues to build momentum, wanting to make sure he doesn't miss. "Alright I'm gonna let go. Ready?" Huggy nods. "Three…Two…One…Go!"
And sure enough, he let the giant go. Huggy at first was sent through the air and then landed dead center on the catwalk, with the only injury being some scraps. As for the human, with all that weight in front of him being suddenly released he fell backwards to the grated floor. Huggy brought himself back up and gazes up to the man who just saved him. How, and why did he even bother to help him. He just tried to kill him. This doesn't make any sense. This human isn't like what he told him about.
Gabe wheezed as he can finally breathe normally again, he is on no hurry to put air back in his lungs. "We…We did it! Yeah! Ha ha!" He exasperatedly yet triumphantly yelled as he slowly pulls himself up. "Are you ok buddy?"
But when he looks down to where Huggy should be, he was nowhere to be found.
"Uh, buddy?"
Gabe brings himself back to his feet. He calls out. "Hello? Huggy?! Buddy!?"
Fear once again grips his heart. He looks everywhere for the giant, but can't find him anywhere. And it's not like finding a gargantuan, blue, plush monster would be hard to find. But no, Huggy just vanished. Did he decide to run away? Maybe find another route to which he can kill him?
Well, for whatever reason, Gabe now knows to watch his back.
Taking in his suroundings, he discovers that while he is still in the system of conveyor belts, he seems to be in some sort of central hub or confluence. The room that he is in is enormous, easily big enough to house an Olympic swimming pool, and that's not counting how deep this place is. Looking down was every acrophobia's nightmare, the expanse stretching downwards seemed to go on forever, obscured by a hazy fog. To think he just saved Huggy from that long of a fall. And all around him are a tangled network of catwalks, pipes, and conveyor belts hanging in many directions.
But the one detail that piqued his interest to an all time high, was there, at the very other side of the this cavernous room, is a giant, painted mural of a bright red poppy flower. Again the words of the letter ring in his head.
"FIND THE FLOWER."
That must be it. But why? What is so special about finding this thing? In fact, what in God's name is everything else in this forsaken place? A letter saying the staff are still here, but not a soul in sight. Blood stains everywhere, but no bodies anywhere. And now there is a life-sized monster toy that wanted to have his innards for dinner? Nothing is making the slightest sense!
So maybe, maybe once he sees what this flower is all about, he'll find all the answers. Maybe there is actually someone waiting for him there.
With newfound determination, he begins his trek over to the flower mural. As he comes closer, he can see that in the bud of the mural is a door. Not like the other metal doors or steel shutters, but this one made entirely of oak wood like the ones found in homes.
But before he makes one step closer he steps on something, lifting his foot he sees a tape, just lying there on the grates. Picking it up he curiously examines it. How did this get here? He ends up looking on the path to his right and sees a mounted television with a VHS tape player attached to it. How convenient, but strange.
Though wishing to get to the flower as soon as possible, he is tempted to see what this tape has to say. But he knows that that monster Huggy is still out on the loose. So it was best to move along quickly if he is to avoid him. But, this tape may have some answers that happened here.
His curiosity eventually won out. He had to see the video.
Heading over to the TV, he inserts the VHS tape into the player, and the monitor comes to life.
"Final log. In relation: Experiment 1-0-0-6 "The Prototype". Coordination and cooperation is evidently within his skill set. As well as all other experiments of his type."
The log must be playing the voice of one of the staff workers. But experiments? Is this really a staff worker or a scientist?
"Though still missing, today's events are in no doubt in relation to him."
In the background he can hear noises. Loud but muffled sounds of banging and crushing.
"His absence was a flaw in the scientific process, which should have under no circumstances been left unaccounted for."
He then hears it, the noise many multitudes of people in the background.
They are screaming.
"That's why I'm making this log, so the same mistake won't be made twice."
Even there there was nothing playing on the screen, he swore he could see the visage of a long fingured clawed hand. He couldn't keep his eyes off of it.
"Any future experiments will need to contained and disposed of in a secure location."
A powerful bang was heard in the background, followed by a painful yell. Prompting to silence whoever this staff member is for but a moment.
It was as if he was afraid.
"I'm not worried about myself. One breakthrough and I'll be back."
"Be back?" What does that mean?
"We must forge onwards in the name of science!"
Just then something sounded like a door slamming open was heard. Something was coming for him.
"Whether those beneath us understand it or not! End of-….!"
And then, silence.
Breaking this silence, Gabriel spoke out into the surrounding nothing.
"….What…h-how did, wha....What happened here?"
Prototype? Experiments? Just, just who is has he been working under? Gabe continued to stand unmoving, his feet firmly planted to the steel grating. Now he has only earned more questions than answers. He then looks back to the poppy mural. Which means the only place he'll get his answer is in there.
He meanders over to the oak door, and turns the oddly familiar doorknob. What was inside surprised him. There were no more dilapidated, multicolored rooms or dimly lit halls, but instead there is the distinct familiarity of an old home straight from the fifties. The dark oak floors and the warm, yellow light shining well through crystal headlamps onto the cream colored wallpaper.
Heading inside he walks down a flight of stairs to new room, affirming the familiarity of home. The room is cozy, set up like a child's bedroom or a living room. Complete with a couch, pillows, a dollhouse, and bookshelves full of children's books. Passing by a see-through wall, Gabe ventures to find another hallway, but there was something different. The light dimmed slightly, and at the end is another oak door, but instead of traditional yellow an eerie red light glowed through the seams in the doorway.
Gabe had no idea what could be on the other side, but if anything that his encounter with Huggy has told him is that expect the unexpected, and that it's most likely not the friendly type.
Inching closer, his steps gingerly touching the floor as to prevent the floorboards creaking and alerting what could be inside. He grabs ahold of the doorknob and twists, he slowly opened it. The small room was dimly lit, but with dancing moving lights of red, pink, and purple in kaleidoscopic patterns. And at the back of the room there is a glass case, and inside it, was the first toy that started it all.
A Poppy doll.
This confused Gabriel, is this what the letter told him to find. Did he really came all this way, nearly got eaten by a giant plush monster, just to find some random doll? But looking closer at the small toy, he noticed the way she was sitting in there. Cross legged and eyes closed, he doesn't remember poppy dolls having eyelids. And the way her head is bowed and her hands clasped together, it looked like she was meditating, or waiting. Maybe his answers have something to do with this doll.
And so, he opened it.
Suddenly the lights flickered on and off and a red mist appears seemingly from nowhere. With these sudden surprises, Gabe involuntarily inhaled the red gas deeply, and was immediately feeling drowsy. It felt like the world was spiraling into itself as his vision clouded and his senses dulled. Then with a heavy thud he collapsed to the floor in a lifeless heap. But before he slipped into the unconscious dreamscape, he heard a voice.
A soft yet feeble voice of a little girl after years of misuse.
"You opened my case…"