The events of the convention, Volume Two

Chapter Two - Tuesday

JJ spun around idly in his chair, waiting for Handunit to give him instructions. Nobody had apparently cared that he'd slept through the dayshift, and he was probably going to do it again. Sleep was sleep, no matter where it happened.

Handunit crackled to life. Hello, and welcome back.

I never actually left...

Let's begin your duties. Check out the Circus Gallery.

Great, vents again. He made his way over. It was the same as last night, dark and silent as a tomb. He knocked at the glass.

Nothing, huh?

Try the light.

Yes, thank you, Handunit. He pushed the light button. It turned on for a second, flickered, then went dead.

It seems the power system is malfunctioning. Allow me to perform a full reset of the building. This may take some time. Please remain in the surveillance room during this time.

Reset?

The lights turned off. Primary power shutting down. Security systems shutting down. Animetronic containment shutting down. Ventilation shutting down. Shutdown complete. Please w-w-w-w-w-w-

The voice sputtered and went out, leaving JJ in complete darkness.

All of that sounded really bad. He fumbled around a bit, discovering a flashlight. I hope this doesn't take too long.

Hello again.

Oh, hey Baby. Handunit's a jerk.

She giggled. Does that come as a surprise?

Not really, come to think of it. What's up? Why didn't you answer me earlier?

They are coming.

He waved his flashlight around in a panic. What? Who's they?

The little ones. I think they want to kill you.

Of course they do.

Oh, don't sound so happy about it. I think I have a solution. This happened to one of the previous guards, and to save himself in the future, he installed a small cubby underneath the desk. If you hide in there, and pull the grate shut, they'll eventually get bored. As long as you don't make eye contact.

JJ looked at the tiny desk. Under there?

Are there any other desks in that room?

I won't fit.

If you don't go in there, they'll kill you.

His was sweating now, memories overflowing his mind, things he'd tried to keep away for years. I'm telling you, I can't go in that! I'm not going to fit!

Of course you can, you - oh. Baby went quiet, pondering. I see. Someone I knew once had your problem. She died in that front vent. Shame, really. She was a quieter type, much easier to get along with that most.

You guys are the definition of not comforting.

Something clanged in the vent.

Well, goodbye. Your choice in the matter, not mine. If you survive, I'll talk to you later.

The vent clanged again, tiny whispering emanating from it. JJ hesitated for just a moment, then dived under the desk and slammed the grate shut.

Father, I-