Nightlight in the Dark (An OC x Catnap Story)

Prologue: Little Remarks

Song Credits: Rachel Platten - Remark

Italic - Importance/Text //// Bold - Emphasis/Phone Call //// ' ' - Thoughts //// ( ) - Memory

"They find it hard to be alone, like every one else that we know. And when our heads hurt in the dark, we look for beautiful remarks..."

___________________________

"Psssst, Theo! Wake up!" My face was smushed against the bed. It was very dark outside, but that meant that we can sneak around together, like always.

The boy was grumbling, and I push him some. "C'mon, you and I always do this!" His brown eyes stare me down. "What?"

I giggle. "I want to exploreeee, and we do it every night."  My Catnap plush was in my arms, and I tried my best not to squeak it.

However me sitting on top of him gets his attention. "Fineee! But only because you're my best friend." My blue eyes light up.

"C'mon now! Before morning comes-" I grab his hand, and we dash off into the darkness, us giggling and holding our Catnap and Dogday plushes.

I always liked the Catnap one most, it just fit with me. And he had the dog, so it was only fair! Besides, I love purple.

Little feet tiptoe outside, and we look up at the fake sky. I sigh sadly, hugging Catnap close. My eyes look sad. "I wanna see the real sky..."

My friend hugs me close, and we sit there, hugging on the fake grass. It wasn't right keeping kids from their freedom.

We were only mere... Test rats. It was the truth. There was no getting adopted, unless it involves a doctor doing the "adopting".

Which Sam, Kevin and another kid, probably some red head got "adopted". Yeah, they most likely weren't alive anymore. Talking was heard, making us flee to hide away.

Flashlights show up, and Theo and I whimper quietly as we hide in the bushes. What were they doing?? The adults talking made me nervous. What if we got caught?

My best friend had a hand on mine, making my cheeks turn red. I had a crush on him too, so the proximity made my heart speed up.

My little eyes look over at him. His brown eyes connect with mine. Silent words were exchanged between us;

'Sneak away to bed.'

Eventually the adults get quieter, and we tiptoe away to our home. I accidentally step on a fake branch, making a flashlight shine over.

Theo grabs me up, and I swallow my fear as we make it to our bedroom. My heart was fluttery still. "D-did they f-follow us?" He shakes his head. Good.

I realise that I lost my Catnap plush while we ran away. I had until morning, before someone else finds it.

Most likely those adults.

So sneakily getting outside, I see nobody around. Then I spot it, going to get it. However a flashlight shines on me, making me stop.

I look up, scared for my life. 

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"This is the fifth time you snuck outside! What were you thinking Skyelle??" The counselor glares at me. I tuck my shoes together.

"I-i-" Then I get interrupted. "Don't tell me you got someone else involved?" I shake my head. Theo didn't need any of this. It was my idea after all!

"One more time, and I'll have to punish you, got it?" I nod fast. Leaving the office, I get back to my class. Sitting by my friend, he asks, "Again?" 

My red ears were enough of an indicator. My friend stares at me disapprovingly. "S-sorry Theo, I won't ask you to do anything like that again..."

Tears wanted out. He sees my face, and suddenly hugs me, making me stop. "W-what're you-?" I shut up. I should enjoy this when I'm here.

I might never get any hugs ever again from my best friend someday...

___________________________

Another kid went. I was worrying about my future adoption. What if they don't like me? What if I was too loud, or hyper- 

"Ahem, Skyelle can you answer this question?" Miss Delight stands over me, making me curl up. I peep out, "Huh?" 

She sighs, smiling and patting my back. "It's fine, just pay attention from now on. I can't have one of my star students fail, can I?" 

I shake my head, smiling nervously. "S-sorry Miss Delight." She says it's alright, but I should still try to pay attention.

She walks away, and my shoulders sag. It was getting nerve wracking waiting to get a family to come here and take me in as their daughter.

I just wanted Theo to be adopted by the same people as me. So then we can still have each other there. He was my best friend ever since I came to this orphanage.

And other kids thought I was 'too weird' to be around. But at least I had someone here to make me feel not so lonely. 

The day soon was over, and I walk back to the home with Theo who had his Dogday plush in hand. I had Catnap still, cuddling him for comfort. 

We sit on my bed. "Theo, do you ever worry about losing each other when we get adopted?" He looks back at me. He sighs. 

"Yeah, I kinda do. But I do hope that we see each other again someday... You're my best friend anyways." I nod. I felt the same. Maybe even more? 

Love was foreign to me. Having no parents, being found on the streets looking for food to eat, taken here to the orphanage, and all I had was dirty clothes to wear then. 

Nobody wanted to say hi to me, or even try to befriend me. Theo was the first to even try and befriend me. I had trust issues. It took awhile for me to even unhide from my hiding spot. 

I was so skinny, and still am. Food was scarce for me. And now it felt weird to even have lunch normally...

We yawn, and I tuck myself in. "Goodnight Theo. See you tomorrow..." He says goodnight in return, and we both attempt to sleep.

Well, at least I try to. 

My eyes shutter close, and cuddling my plush close, I manage to close my eyes. However I didn't see the red gas that was covering over us, soon blanketing us both in the motion of sleep...