Lost Hope

The Beginning of the Solution.

Finally. It's all coming together. I've figured it out. I've gotten used to my new "Body." I'm no longer screaming during performance. I pretend to be in control during those. It reduces the pain abundantly. Now... Now we can start.  I haven't been seeing the man. It isn't because he never came back, it's because he's the "Night Guard." Protecting the facility at night? Strange. And yet, he didn't protect me. Well, I know where he is now, and that's all I need to know.

It's only 10 PM, however. Although this place is closed, I believe he's supposed to be here by 12 AM. Earlier today, I saw him in the same clothes. He... Was asking Beatrice questions. I saw him taking my friend to the maintenance room, but it was rather fuzzy afterwards. I didn't know souls could forget. I thought they couldn't rest. I won't rest. I won't grow tired. He needs to be taken to the deepest, darkest pits of Hell.

My mind goes blank for around... four hours?

"Hello."

The sound of a familiar voice wakes me up.

"Who are you?"

I'm Annie. Annie the Fox.

"I'm not talking about that. Who are you?"

What do you mean...

"What is the name of your soul?"

Oh... Well then, first off, what happened to you?

"The man."

What about the man.

"He told me about the game."

Interesting... Well then, I'm Hope.

"...Beatrice."

Beatrice...?

"... I can't... Move."

You can't?

"Were you here before me?"

I believe so.

"Is that why we couldn't find you?"

Yes.

"What's... What's happening?"

Since I was first to die and learn to move within this body, you may not be able to do anything... But that's okay, I'm your friend. I won't do anything irrational... How can you see though?

"I can see what you see. It's slightly blurry."

My sight's a little blurry as well. I think it was because the man was trying to clean up the blood. It smudged around the eyes. I'm glad you're still able to talk with me though. I'm happy to not be alone.

"Me as well. So the man... What did he do to you?"

Hm... He held a knife in a rainbow case. A few stabs and I'm knocked out. I wake up and he looked at me, shocked. I felt metal. The arcade machine was ripped to shreds. I was confused... Am I getting off track again, friend?

"No, you're not, don't worry. But I've heard of a virus. Some sort of... Mind swap? Memory sync? I don't know. I heard there were some weird people swapping bots out with others. Probably just some creepy story though."

But if we can live on without a body of our own, then paranormal occurrences like that could happen as well. I think I understand in some way.

"What do you think we should do? If he continues to do this with others... Then we should stop him..."

I've always loved your great thinking, Bee. We should stop him. I have been gone for around a week. I have thought of everything.

"What were you thinking?"

Murder. We were but lost children. We did nothing wrong, didn't we? And, if he is gone, then the virus is also gone. How does that sound, friend?

"Murder sounds extreme, but it's reasonable, I guess. We were lost."

Alright, thank you for agreeing. Now, one last question. Were you stuffed after the PizzaPlex closed?

"Yes."

Are you able to feel?

"Yes."

I apologize...

"Why?"

You may be in pain for quite a while. This body is in my control. I believe that the same may happen to you. If I move, you will experience some... agony. If Annie moves, then the suffering will be for the both of us. Prepare yourself, okay? We will begin the plan in two days, starting at 12 AM. I hope we get the freedom we deserve, friend.