Chapter Text
Being a former employee of Playtime Co. is not for the weak, if that same employee say so himself.
Even if; he can’t deny that he found somewhat enjoyment working there, those memories of him playing with children, making them happy even trying to be someone those children never have in their life; a parental figure. But since that day he discovered of what happened to those children haunts him, really it does. Even the guilt hits so hard he had to left the company. If he can say so himself; it’s one of his stupidest decisions he could make.
Not only he didn’t get a job for about three till four months. He at the end of everything, he divorced his dear-loving husband. Who, a doctor of Playtime Co. sometimes, he would find himself staring at this uniform; the yellow cloth with those red and blue absents within it left a bittersweet moment in his heart. Heck, even that tag that was handmade was still fresh untouched.
“Angel.” That name stuck with him for a long time that almost everyone working with him thought that, by government it’s his name while it wasn’t. Simply, he didn’t give people a clear explanation why. After those months… Everything feels fine. Sure, he missed his ex-husband but the former employee can feel he was able to breathe from the guilt that swallowed him whole.
…Until that day.
The former employee, who was just finished doing his laundry in a boring weekday. A soft noise cam from the door of his apartment.
“Ding, Ding, Ding!”
It was fast, not the usual way that someone wanted to came by. But he didn’t really saw that as an issue, the former employee made his way to the door, opening it. He saw a average sized package with a beautifully white envelope on top of it, a manila envelope he suspected as documents, and, a VSH tape. But there was absolutely no one insight, strange if he say so himself. But the man simply shrugged, brushing off the “weird” thing and took the package inside.
His first instincts wasn’t on the box, instead. He picked up the envelope instead. The man opened the envelope smoothly as if he had done this millions of time. Inside of it, there’s a not written clear as day, the bottom of the paper contains this simple flower colored with almost magenta color with a black center. Like those children drawing he often see in the playcare.
EVEYERONE THINKS THE STAFF DISSAPPEARED 10 YEARS AGO
WER’E STILL HERE.
FIND THE FLOWER
Now, how long has it been since he saw sunlight? He actually forgot. He absolutely missed how the warm light warmed his body, usually. He’ll hate it with everything has now. He regret hating on it with everything he own.
Playtime Co. isn’t like he remembered. Yes, it’s true that he knew what happened to those poor children. But he didn’t really know what did they did to them specifically, he only knew one thing and one thing only; they experiment with those children.
His body was covered by his own sweat that stained his first, perfectly clean Playtime Co. uniform and some absents of blood coloring his shining yellow uniform. The employee, or better words; Angel felt his body feeling tired by each walk, each noise made him questioned himself why did he accept that invitation. Angel sighed into his hands as he train he currently in moved, the terrors of those toys or mascots?… those sudden snaps of him seeing those “toys” with children who’s face was blurry, heck even covered left him uneasy.
However, he felt his business isn’t done just yet. Poppy was waiting for him. He cannot just left, even if he knew where is the exit of his ridiculously huge place. Angel stood from where he was. He tried to push those negative thoughts away, like how his beloved always told him; “I don’t like seeing you having those thoughts. You look… Depressing.”
Not really the best, but he knew when ex–husband was horrible when it comes to comforting, which he really loves seeing that serious expression trying his absolute best trying to make him happy.
Angel walk through the train passage. Trying to be calm even if he saw a child’s skeleton with the parts of a toy plush hugging it’s bones. Angel then stopped at a colorful place, as he about to investigate. A soft light beamed behind him, Angel turned back, thinking a “toy” was about to attack him, the light flashed to his eyes, temporarily blinded him for a bit before he looked up, something he suspected as a tv glow, an eye appeared within his very own eyes. A familiar voice came out.
“Oh? What’s this–“
Both of them froze.
Angel looked at the tv, eyes wide and filled by confusion, surprised, heck even familiarity. The tv, or camera at this point–also seemed shocked. For a moment, both men didn’t speak. The tv spoke once more; “ANGEL!?”
The employee jumped, That voice was very, very familiar. He can’t mistook that voice as anything else. Angel looked down and scrambled his things around before, then he found his notepad and wrote something, with urgency, almost unreadable even. ‘Harley???’
Angel shook for a moment, it is him. But instead of that human form, he became this tv thing he wasn’t sure even either a tv or a security camera. Harley—Sawyer was that. That man who comfort him whenever he felt tired because of work, that “I’m trying my best” comfort when things get unsettling weird feeling, and those many memories flood in like a tsunami. He even failed to realize he was cornering himself from Sawyer, making a distance between them even though they don’t touch… physically.
Sawyer’s side, however. He quickly recovered from what he just saw. His Angel… His former beloved Angel was in front of him, in front of his very own eye. He looked different from the last time they met, he was skinnier, messier, and more tired. Even with that, His beloved still looked the same. And he didn’t know how to feel about this. Is he supposed to be mad knowing his ex-husband is here? Or should he be worried knowing his ex-husband is at this place where children are brutally experimented for the sake of…
…Forget that.
“…Angel.” Sawyer begun, his words were careful. Almost as if he was talking with a fragile thing, but it was clear that at the end of his tone, where’s that gentleness he always use around his darling Angel. “What are you doing here?”
Damnit he doesn’t want his ex-husband know that he sounded like he was still obsessing and missing him.
(Which is true)
Angel snapped back, Sawyer’s words slapped him back to reality. He looked for that same notepad, when it found the thing, he immediately wrote something with the pen, the same pen that Sawyer gave him before everything. Angel turned the notepad to the tv with a weirded out look. ‘I was... just investigating if any of the employee here still remains.’
Before The Doctor could ask a follow up question. Angel already did that first. ‘what happened to you? Why did you became this?'
A sigh left the tv’s screen. The eye on the tv closed for a moment before it opened, Sawyer fell silent, observing, observing this used to be beloved in front of him. Angel noticed that the eye moved upwards. Which he suspected as a smile that he couldn’t see.
“I miss you, you know that?” Sawyer answered. Completely dodging Angel’s question. The eye from the screen flicker once more, this time looking down. “Don’t you understand how… lonely this place been without that light–warming presence of yours?”
Sawyer continued, “I miss hugging you… I miss the way you’d look at me without that disgusted in your face… And that sweet—sweet whimpers—Argh!”
Angel threw his notepad to the screen. His face was neutral, Sawyer looked at the man below him with a irritated eye looking at him that fell straight to his soul. Angel took his notepad, the edge is lightly damage thanks to the impact of throwing it to Sawyer, he wrote something on the paper, he then hold the paper to Sawyer. ‘Answer the question. Harley’
“Tsk, don’t call me with that.” The Doctor, the digital eye rolled in annoyance. “I, simply became something perfect. You don’t understand, Angel.” It didn’t answer the employee’s question. But it seemed Angel doesn’t want to push it. Sawyer added; “Be careful of what you’re doing. My dear darling. I’m always watching.”
That… was unexpected. Great, after those horrors he see he just met with ex-husband. How they met too isn’t what Angel imagine the both of them talking and having peace but nope, he became a fuckass tv. What more that could surprised him in this lab?
Angel sighed. Trying to keep the positive thoughts, he escaped the train passage or, actually a prison where he was earlier he met Sawyer. He walked around the outside where he was which he has no idea where he is currently. But one thing is clear; a lot of dead bodies was around, the smell of rotten flesh filled his nostrils, it smelled absolutely horrendous. Well, Angel can’t really complain much since the place was closed and no soul has the guys to explore the place.
After he found the red grabpack which was a flash light, he continued his exploration, using the red grabpack to lighten the terrifying place. That until he heard Sawyer’s voice when he was in… somwhere Angel describe is somewhere with a lot of pipes.
“My dear derling, what should you be like this..?” Sawyer’s voice sounded almost sad, but in the tone, mainly disappointment dominating. “Fighting against your husband only make things faster.”
Husband… the Doctor empathize that word like they were still together but currently in a complicated situation. Angel remembered that day when he gave Sawyer divorce papers, Harley seemed to be unfazed. But he can see Sawyer, he know that he’s upset about this. He hates it when Angel isn’t with him even during their time working together.
Red smoke filled the room. Angel failed to realize, he remembered reading about this red smoke, those files saying that, basically. If one inhales the smoke, they’ll met with horrific hallucinations. Sawyer opened one of the pipes as the smoke filling the room, leaving Angel with no choice but to take the smoke for a while as he looked for a way to close that pipe.
But the hallucinations kicks in quick. The employee tried his best to gain consciousness even with the smoke made everything looked weird.
....
....
[???]
“Ahem, Angel,” A voice–similar to Sawyer’s calling the employee, sounding hesitant. It was rare seeing the Doctor outside of his room truthfully. Some children who saw him all froze.
As they stare at Sawyer. But it seemed that he ignored those small stares at he walked to the playcare employee. He looked almost embarrassed, something rare to see, Sawyer then hold a bouquet to him. To be real, some of the flowers already withered. The Doctor’s hand trembled slightly as if he was scared to kill them. Some children, who hide behind and beside the playcare employee was shocked. But Angel took the bouquet with a soft smile on his face.
Angel pulled out his notepad, with a crayon one of the children gave to him, he wrote something with grace as he then showed the paper toawyer with a smile on his face, reading; ‘thank you, Dr. Sawyer’
Sawyer felt his face getting warm, his hands curled into fists, his hands grasp the employee’s wrists. Angel jumped from the sudden surprised. As those words came from that Doctor’s lips; “Would–would you like to have dinner after work?” Sawyer’s eyes didn’t met with his. Embarrassed, the “cold” and “strict” doctor was embarrassed, blushing like those boys in cartoons who had finally confessed his love to his crush.
The bouquet and notepad fell from Angel’s hands. He, too also seemed to be embarrassed by Sawyer’s confession. However, Angel simply smiled as he tried to take his notepad from the floor. As he picked the thing up, he looked at Sawyer’s eyes.
…It was empty? There’s no face present, ...it was creepy. Angel was shocked by what he just witnessed, he took a step back, he looked down looking for the children.
There’s no children below him.
Only smiling critters looking at him with those creepy smiles, a purple, maybe shaped like a cat smiling critter similarly like CatNap, somehow climbed to him. Those black empty eyes staring at his very soul.
“You’ve betrayed us, moth—”
Angel gasped, his eyes were wide with fear. Did he just saw was real or was it because of the smoke? His eyes felt heavy. It felt so real, the way that critter climb into him felt too real to be a hallucination. Angel’s hand moved to his body, hugging himself, trying to feel if he was real or not. A heavy sigh left his lips, it was really the hallucination. However, the smoke was still present, Angel stood as he wonder around the area before he found the hand wheel, he then walked around, then founding the air filter which he immediately use.
Slowly, the smoke decrease until the smoke finally disappeared. Angel sighed as he leaned against the wall, it was cold. Really cold, again he missed sunlight. Angel’s mind still thought of what he just see. Then he thought of the kids, kids. He felt responsible to them. Even with his body slowly growing tired he still had to push through. His work isn’t finished, even if he doesn’t know what and why is he doing here.
Angel waltzed around the facility until he was then inside of a room which he suspected to be a place where children was confined and observed for these bloody experiments. His mind traced back to the hallucination before, “mother”. That name was often used by the children there, they saw Angel can be both a motherly figure and a fatherly figure. Mainly, however. Angel seemed to showed more of the mother to child bonding, in result most of the children calling him a mother, which he personally doesn’t mind.
Before he made to where is was now. Earlier he found another cardboard a mascot with the name “Yarnaby” and a file about the it said to be; Experiment 1166. Angel can’t the deny that the thing looks cute, but again, this is Playtime Co. a “cute” thing might as well kill you. Angel tried not to feel attached to the dog–cat mascot.
Again, and again. Angel heard Sawyer’s voice. He isn’t joking when he said he’s watching him. Angel stood as he listened to Sawyer’s voice, letting go of the activity he’s doing.
“My Starlight,” Sawyer began with that petname trick, something he did that usually left an great impact into him. “How about you stopped all of this and let’s talk like adults. Shall we?”
Angel didn’t pulled out his notepad. Sawyer sighed as he continued. “You, please.” He begged. A loud noise was banging from some door infront of the employee’s eyes, making him took a stepback. “Angel, how about this… We, yes. We, let’s end this little ‘war’ of ours. Be nice… be a good husband for me and, I’ll let you go and give you want you want.”
As the Doctor finished his sentence, the door was banging harder. Angel looked forward, keeping hid guard up, he took out his notepad and immediately wrote something with urgency as his eyes flicked to the door infront of him. ‘Harley Sawyer. Look, I know what happened in the past might not be the best for the both of us, but im still not done here. I have something to finished and now I haven’t done it’
Sawyer’s digital eye flicker in annoyance, their silence stretched for a moment before he lets out a loud sigh. “Can’t we have a small conversation? Anyway? Anyhow? I can give you the thing you need.” The Doctor’s voice ended with a hint of… ‘interest’, again, the eye flickered. Making another ‘smile’ that seemed to be unseen. “Angel, my beloved… Angel. Shall we? How about… I’ll take my words back of saying that those children are ‘insufferable'? hmm?”
That one word flooded his memory, that old time… the employee curled his hand into a fist. He reluctantly shook his head. The audacity that Angel too didn’t wrote something to his notepad as a answer to Sawyer’s offering.
With that alone, made Sawyer furious.
“Hah, you… you’re really a bitch aren’t you!?” Sawyer spat. “I’m trying to keep you alive can’t you see that!? Warnings… I gave you warnings because I love you! I care for you… and you have this–‘business’ you haven’t finished!? Let me guess… is it that Poppy doll’s business you’re talking!?”
Angel swallowed, Sawyer’s anger is something he can try to put down. But when the that cursing started, he can’t do much but only listen, another memory flood back, that time when Sawyer was having an argument with Leith–Elliot even because of something small. Angel really want to try and calm his husband down really. But the anger was intense that the only thing he could think of was simply hugging him as he let his husband pour his heart out. And usually, it would ended with… sex, rough sex.
Forget about that part.
The door, finally opened. Yarnaby, the cardboard toy earlier he found made its appearance. And save to say. It wasn’t a sweet happy one, Yarnaby screamed into the glasses window. It’s mouth opening–splitting the face as sharp teeth also present, Sawyer’s voice was gone, leaving no choice for Angel looking for an exit as that toy terrorize him.
Angel felt every time we walk, he can’t breathe in fear of Yarnaby taking his life, seemed like Sawyer’s anger worsened after their split. It was so sick of him thay he would let that toy hurting his husband. But Angel’s mind slowly moved to Yarnaby itself, how sick was Sawyer to make something like this? The toy itself was cute if he can say so himself. But the thought of what happened to the child made him feel uneasy.
Thankfully however, as far as he walked Yarnaby wasn’t insight. Well, until he found himself almost founding an exist. That’s good news. However, Yarnaby found him and screamed, Angel’s body tensed up. He felt he couldn’t move, before he could run. The toy captured him first. Angel struggled within it’s grasps. He mew escaped his lips as Yarnaby’s body sank into his body, Yarnaby was heavy, very heavy. Angel opened his eyes to see those spiky teeth was preparing to eat him. Angel gave in.
His energy was drained by the struggle, however. He remembered this “monster” was once a child. Angel atleast has to give this toy something, love–comfort. He wrapped his arms around Yarnaby, he closed his eyes as he brace himself. Yarnaby stopped.
It’s mouth closed shut, Angel didn’t stop. He thought he was about to be devoured. No, instead Yarnaby looked at him. Those huge eyes looked at him likw he was something special, like a pet who found something so beautiful it admires it, lime it was something adorable, Yarnaby let’s go of the employee. It rubbed it’s colorful mane to the human before leaving. Just like that. Angel was flabbergasted.
Does it programmed that if a hug would stop its aggression? Or does a hug really what it needs to… too many questions, no answer. Angel pushed those questions away, right. He haven’t met with a friend of Poppy, remember that. Angel stood, a cyan hand pointed to the left, bingo. A door. Angel opened the door, looking back for the last time as two questions played in his mind; 1. Did Yarnaby’s terror actually end here? 2. Who’s hand was that? Regardless, he walked towards the door.
“What have I done… will he get mad? Forgive me, my darling Angel.”
Pianosaurus. That’s the next toy he found. From what he read, he’s a instrumental toy that made music as it speaks. Who would’ve guess that Sawyer was it’s creator. As he walked looking for safe haven, he walked into a pipe, Angel saw Pianosaurus which was standing aimlessly below, unfortunately. The pipe where he stood wasn’t strong, making him fall.
The sound made Pianosaurus turned, seeing Angel in a vulnerable position; his Playtime Co. witj clothing was dirty, his body having injuries, blood; a perfect target. Right before the toy can attack him, a hand–a cyan hand came. Taking Pianosaurus’ tail as thay hand bashed the poor toy, Angel could only watch in terror. The parts of the toy was scattered everywhere. Until that mascot made its appearance from the shadows; Doey.
…He seemed easy to be trusted, his colorful and friendly nature was enough to convinced Angel that Doey can be trusted. Though, he knew Doey was Sawyer’s creation, he isn’t like those toys earlier. Angel actually found himself smiling because of Doey’s friendliness, it felt warm. His presence felt nice.
As they then part ways, Angel walked around the empty halls, huh… it felt weirdly unsettling, well, hah obviously Playtime Co. but it actually felt weird, like something watching over him that he can’t tell, he wanted to turn his head just to confirm if he was imaging things—a fluffy hand grabbed him quick. Angel was about to struggle, but his eyes saw Poppy’s who told him to keep his voice down, Kissy Missy was holding him as she looked to the creak of the wall, then. Legs–almost like spiders walk through, his eyes widened. When the place was finally safe, the three walked to safe haven through a used to be some sort of bathing place.
As the door opened, the door was immediately shut close. Angel turned around a look at safe haven, it was…
Nice, no. Great, not the right word… beautiful. Atleast for his view.
A lots of toy where there, they were doing wonder own business, wondering around. They’re still children after all. Something inside of him slowly just melt, he was tired. Very tired, he lost track of time, his supply for survival is getting low even after he used them carefully. Angel just wanted to rest from this nightmare… the nightmare of some employee’s like him and the poor children. He wanted to cry, he felt that he can’t take all of this anymore. He wished he ignore that letter and just spend his days like a normal person. Not whatever the hell he’s facing now.
“Angel!” Poppy’s voice torn Angel’s thoughts. He slowly sat up, finding himself was just resting in one of the tends. Poppy was talking to him, he can’t hear anything… his vision felt blurry. He can’t see their faces clearly.
He felt sick, he wanted to threw up. When will this nightmare ever end…? I want to go home…. I should’ve let that not unopened. I’m tired… let me rest, please.
Angel’s body felt limp, his body nearly dropped, Doey, who happened to be there captures the human’s body. Angel passed out.
A few minutes later, well. Actually, the toys really don’t know. Angel found himself finally conscious, Kissy Missy was beside him holding his hand. Seeing her up close for the second time feels funny for some reason. The human couldn’t help but smile, her hand felt warming, fluffy, and nice to be used as hugs. However, Angel’s attention drew to Doey and Poppy’s voice behind him.
“We can’t push him too much, can’t you see what happen to him!?” Doey shout, the dough was visibly angry at the smaller toy below him. “Besides, we also can’t just destroy this place. Many toys are here, they’re here! They’re our family!!”
Angel, wanting to smooth things out, he tried to stood but he felt his body felt weak, Kissy immediately captured his body, she then gave him a piece of bread, Angel wasn’t sure where she found it. But it was stale but the bread isn’t expired or moldy any sort of way. Kissy held the bread to the human’s hand. Angel nodded as a thank you as he slowly ate the bread, he can’t complain much since this place lacks basic survival.
Poor children.
“I know, I know.” Poppy’s voice came next, Angel looked back. Many toys were hiding from the heated conflict between those toys. “But this is our only chance! We can’t just—”
Angel can’t just… let them having their argument. So, he stood trying to smooth things out, Kissy was about to held him back, she didn’t want him to be in that situation especially with him still not having enough energy. But it seemed he insist.
Doey cuts Poppy out, “You are still pushing him! We can’t—”
They were separated by two hands. Angel’s hands. He stood in the middle of both toys before giving them each a glare. He was mute after all, he can’t say something–anything. But he knew what is he doing. Some toys, who took a peek over the conflicts slowly rose from their each hiding spot with some still hiding. Doey and Poppy grew silent by every second, both toys looked down.
“Yes, mother…” It felt strange that both toys called him that name. Usually, both Doey and Poppy would call him ‘Angel’, guess that ‘nickname’ spread like wild fire. Angel sighed, he slowly let go of both toys who looked to the ground, like siblings who stole something from their mother and now facing the consequences. Angel can’t help but smiled.
Angel, took his notepad from his pocket, quickly; he wrote something then showed it to them, saying; ‘I know both of you have different views. but don’t let it both destroy your relationship. now what should I do?’
Both Doey and Poppy looked up to him, he smiled genuinely. Doey and Poppy then exchanged looks before then the red-headed toy walked towards Kissy while Doey guided Angel somewhere to perhaps having a private talk.
“You know, our relationship is so something!” Doey started, sighing. “Do you know this one doctor who…”
Angel nodded, he opened his notepad and wrote something quickly. Doey take a look of what he was writing; ‘he was my… ex-husband. Harley Sawyer correct?’
Doey looked shocked, but he quickly look it off. “You… you amazed me! The way you able to defeated those aggressive mascots amazed me. So; can I ask you a favor…?”
“Defeat him if possible, then take this thing caller… ah! The omni-hand!” Angel paused, he remembered once in the past that Sawyer told him about it. And he have read about it before to keep it short; it can be used to control half of the facilities in lower sector. That includes the lab and the prison. Angel slowly observed Doey, the way his expression change, his movements becoming too fast.
Sawyer always told him to be observant. Back then he thought it was for the good reason–but really its because the Doctor doesn’t want him to be dead. But now, Angel can’t help himself; he took a step forward before then, he hugged the toy tight. His hand moving to Doey’s back as he slowly calmed him down, without words. Simple action was enough to make the dough calm down and immediately, he hugged him back tighter.
He felt Doey wanting to say something, he can already feel it wanted to apologize, Angel shook his head as if wanting to tell him that apologizing was unnecessary. He then let go himself from Doey. He looked at the human for a moment before then Doey guided him to the Doctor.