Animatronics Awaken

Recovery

Cheyanne's POV

"How are we gonna get him to the hospital?" I whispered to Justin and Ellie once Raymon quite literally passed out. I kept my voice low, being mindful not to wake him. "We have no car nor can drive and the hospital is miles away."

"We could...drag him?" Ellie suggested, unsure of what to do herself.

"For five miles?!" Justin exclaimed, a little too loudly. I put my finger over my lips to motion him to keep the noise level down. Noticing my signal and glancing at Raymon to make sure he hasn't stirred, he added, "He'd wake up before we get him there then get absolutely pissed at us."

"It's better than to risk him bleeding out," Ellie argued.

"Shouldn't we respect his wish not to go?" I questioned the group. "Maybe there's a reason he doesn't want to...or can't."

"Look at him!" Ellie whisper-yelled. Justin and I took a moment's pause to glance at Raymon. The injury had continued to bleed in the short time and was partly soaked into the gauze. "We're gonna run out of gauze before he even stops bleeding."

"And he literally passed out," Justin remarked. "Not fallen asleep. He may have lost too much blood."

I couldn't put my finger on it, but I felt uncomfortable bringing Raymon to a hospital when he was pretty against it. It almost felt wrong in a way, like we were disrespecting his wishes. The kid's had a harsh day and I didn't want to make it worse by dragging him to a place he despised. But, perhaps they were right. Raymon's condition was rough, it was best if he was checked out professionally. Still brings up the question of how we would get there though. I took a deep breath. Although Raymon would get mad, it was the best decision. For his safety.

"Aight, help me carry him," I announced. Justin and Ellie were stunned that I gave in so easily but they said nothing as we gathered around Raymon's unconscious form. I took both of his legs and lifted them off of the couch; Ellie took his shoulders and lifted those; while Justin supported his core. Together we lifted him, his weight heavy, but bearable. Justin, who bore most of the weight, said through gritted teeth, "This might be harder than we thought."

"He's really out of it," I muttered when Raymon did not stir above us. But as we took a few coordinated steps, he groaned and shifted, making us unbalanced and we almost dropped him.

"What the-?" Raymon was startled awake by our movements, still in a sleepy and confused state of mind. "I stand corrected," I muttered under my breath. Ellie, Justin, and I froze in our tracks.

"What are you guys doing??? Put me down!" Raymon shouted, alarming the rest of us. Nervously, we gently set him down, being wary of his injured forearm. Raymon faced the three of us, in disbelief at what he was just awoken to. Awkwardly, Justin spoke, "Raymon, please. You need to see a doctor."

"That's what you were doing?!" Raymon growled, now angry. "You were gonna carry me all the way there?!" His gaze surveyed us like a father disappointed in his children. Ellie shrugged, cowering at his anger. "It was worth a shot. We're just worried about you."

Hearing that, Raymon's eyes softened. "I can't go to a hospital," he sighed.

"Why?" I inquired.

"Don't you remember?" Raymon snapped. "I ran away from home! The moment I'm in a doctor's office and they go through my file they'll see that. Then everything's over after that. This is over." He gestured to the house and us. "I'd be forced to return home, don't you see? I can't go anywhere public. I can't risk being seen." His body language went from firm and serious to more depressed and defeated as he came upon this realization. Fang strolled into the living room from upstairs and Raymon watched him approach us. "Stupid dog," he muttered. "I'm just gonna...go to my room." Without more words, he pushed past us and padded up the stairs. I watched him, helpless and guilty. I knew there was a reason that he refused to go.

Justin and Ellie were in the same mindset as I was. Guilt. "I think we might've messed up," Ellie murmured.

"Just leave him alone," Justin said, trying to keep his nonchalant vibe. "We were only trying to help." I stared at the stairs, considering whether to go after Raymon and apologize. But I figured Justin was right, just leave him alone. Fang shoved his nose in Ellie's hand and she responded by patting him on the head. Silently, she walked into the kitchen where I could hear the bag of dog food rustle as she measured out just over a cup of food to feed Fang. I sat down on the couch, crossing one knee over the other and resting my hand on my chin, thinking. Justin sat next to me and rested his hand on my thigh. "Don't think about it too much," he reassured. "Raymon will be fine."

"We almost ruined everything," I muttered. "If we had somehow gotten to that hospital we would've ruined Raymon's life."

"Yeah, well, there's no way we would've gotten that far," Justin replied. He rubbed my thigh slowly with his thumb. "That big idiot would've stopped us. If anything we're all at fault. Don't blame yourself."

I looked at his hand that was touching me and slipped my own into it. I grasped his hand tightly while slightly leaning on him. "Yeah," I agreed. Justin tensed at my position on him but soon relaxed and gripped my hand back. We sat there for a few moments until Ellie came back from the kitchen, where we quickly let go of each other and I sat up straight. I knew that Ellie had seen what we were doing but she ignored it as she sat down beside us. "Fang's almost out of food," she commented.

"We don't have much money right now," I said. I gulped, knowing that we wouldn't be able to make ourselves a living without the animatronics and I felt the familiar empty feeling in my heart. I did miss them and was worried. I missed my uncle and my father even. My cousins. Our guardians. By now, they would've gotten us out of a situation like the one they were currently in. And it sucked that we couldn't repay them in the same way. I feel like I take them for granted. How all of us would probably be dead if it weren't for those animatronics. I hope they're okay out there.

"We can't go through with our plan with Raymon injured," I realized out loud. Looking at Justin and Ellie, I swallowed. "We can't save them."

"We either go without Raymon," Justin concluded. "Or we wait."

I hesitated, not sure what to say. We couldn't wait that long for Raymon to heal. But then yet, we may need his help. "We might want to wait a couple of days anyway," Ellie suggested. "Just to be safe."

"We don't know what Gabe is planning to do with them, though," I said, leaning back against the couch. "Or how long he's willing to wait."

"Let's just take it easy for now," Justin said firmly. "We need to take care of Raymon first, make sure he's okay."

I nodded. "Yeah, you're right."

In the next room, we heard the front door slowly open and then close. The noise was quiet and subtle as if whoever just came in didn't want to be heard. I sat up straight again, now alarmed, and glanced at my two friends. They shared my concern. Cautiously, I stood up but stayed there, my pulse quickening. I wasn't sure whether to confront this intruder or run and hide. Ellie and Justin remained on the couch, watching me. Occasionally they checked the entryway to the kitchen for any sign of movement or footsteps. Almost immediately we did hear footsteps coming straight in our direction. They were loud and heavy and not at all discreet. A large, familiar figure stepped into the living room and I felt my entire body go numb with relief. I collapsed back onto the couch, knowing we were safe once again.

"Golden Freddy! You're back!"