Picture Day (Inanimate Insanity AU)

Back To The Beginning

Nickel's POV:

I was sitting on a bench, watching the cars drive by, when suddenly I heard a familliar scream.

I jumped up suddenly.

I was the only other person in the area, but it sounded like the scream came from an alleyway nearby.

I rushed over to the alleyway and peeked around the corner.

There, I saw Fan, Paintbrush, Lightbulb, and everyone else.

At the other side of the alleyway was Balloon.

It took me a while to realize what was going on though.

Then I noticed the arm that was wrapped around Balloon.

And...

...the gun pressed against his head...

I stared in horror for a few seconds.

I couldn't see the face of the person holding him, but I was pretty sure I knew who it was.

I took a few steps back, to avoid being seen, but I bumped into someone behind me.

I jumped and whipped around to see MePhoneX staring down at me.

I was frozen and speechless.

MePhoneX took a few steps towards me, pushing me back into the alley.

The others turned to look, and a couple began to panic.

Then the person stepped out further to where we could see him.

I was right.

Of course it's him.

Cobs was standing there, holding the gun to Balloon's head, and smiling.

"Hello again everyone." He said in an almost cheery tone.

Paintbrush balled up their fists.

Balloon's face turned pale and his eyes widened, and I assumed it was because he recognized the voice.

Suddenly Fan yelled something.

"LET HIM GO!" He screamed, his voice shaking but filled with anger.

Cobs raised an eyebrow.

"Getting angry now are we?" Cobs said, pressing the gun harder onto the side of Balloon's head.

Balloon let out a sort of scared whimper.

Fan tried to run over to attack Cobs, but MePhoneX grabbed him before he had the chance.

Fan kicked and tried to get free, but to no avail.

"You all are going to come with me without struggling, or you can say goodbye to your little friend here. I wouldn't be losing anything if I shot him right now." Cobs snarled.

I didn't know what to do.

We were trapped.

It was either cooperate, or lose Balloon.

Lose... my friend...

I held my breath for a couple seconds, not knowing what decision to make.

And then I took a couple steps forward.

It was a hard decision, but I didn't want to lose Balloon.

I know I used to hate him, but after all of this, I realized how badly I had treated him.

I regretted treating him that way.

Balloon stared for a bit, a look of surprise and fear on his face.