A Different Path

Chapter 5

The next time he awakened, the ex-employee found himself in the main area of the game station. Covered by a pink blanket, he noticed the color before they huffed as the memories came back to him. Mommy practically poisoned him, only to spare his life instead of killing the ex-employee right then and there.

I only want to solve this stupid mystery, find the others, and get out of here.

He seriously envied these toys sometimes. They didn't have to deal with the human problems. The next decision on his shoulders was where to search for Poppy. It wasn't fair to leave her behind. She had been the one with the train code in the first place. It was the original plan to leave with the doll before they had been deterred by Mommy and her children.

I need a plan. Mom always said to have a plan B. Plan A failed. Plan B is to get the little thing and hopefully get out of here.

He had the train code, Mommy's permission to leave, and the satisfaction of knowing that they defeated these toys fair and square. He sighed, a plan forming in their mind. And now with his determination back, the ex-employee finally made the choice to enact it.

Get the little doll. And then leave.

Now it was time to find Poppy. He really, really hoped that nothing else would try to interfere with his journey. Getting up, he suddenly realized that his wounds had been wrapped. Had Mommy done this? Shaking the thought away, he began searching.

- - -

He'd been searching for nearly an hour now. How long would it take to find this stupid doll? If he wasn't such a fool to listen to some random stranger and return after ten years. And yet...whoever sent that letter claimed the employees were still here. If they were he needed to find them. To find her.

After years he could finally search for her. Everyone said she was gone, but he didn't believe it. She'd never give up on him, and now, he wasn't going to give up on her. 

Movement in the corner of his eye caught his attention. Wiping around he scanned the landscape in front of him. Nothing seemed out of place since he's last surveyed the area. But, there was something rustling around. He could faintly hear it. Then, like a guilty puppy, PJ crawled from out of the inky shadows.

He smiled. PJ seemed to be sweet, only menacing when Mommy compelled him to do so. The poor toy seemed to just want attention and love. He frowned, past memories swelling up. PJ made the ex-employee remember her own pets. 

Wanna join me? Although he couldn't speak, at least, not anymore, he could still gesture his thoughts.

As if knowing what he meant, PJ crawled forward. For a moment the toy just stood a few feet from him, then he slithered forward and nudged his head again him. He looked down at the caterpillar dog, and cautiously stroked the top of PJ's furry head. 

Then, after a minute of petting the puppy-like toy, PJ gesture for him to follow. Hesitating, he nodded in acknowledgement, and quietly walked on the side of PJ. The pace was slower than he expected, but then he looked down and was reminded of his companion's many feet.

After traversing the dark and eerie factory for quite some time, an hour or so? Both the employee and toy seems to slow down a bit, obviously needed a small rest. PJ made a whimpering-like noise, and he seemed to share the same thought as they sat down together.

Suddenly, JP sat up, alert. Something was out there in the inky shadows. Could it be another toy? Was it friendly like PJ? Or...was it like Mommy? 

Then her voice vibrated from behind him. "Why don't you say anything?"

He froze, every instinct telling him to make a sprint as fast and as far away from where they were. But he couldn't even move his hands and feet, yet alone run. PJ scooted closer to him in a way a puppy might to it's owner.

"Come on..." Mommy crawled out to where he could see her. "Just an itty bitty little peep. For Mommy? Mommy love it when people talk to her."

He sighed, knowing he would never be able to talk with his mouth ever again. Instead, he talked with his hands, showing words with motions. It was much harder and annoying, since not all people knew sign language. 

I'm mute, he signed. I lost my ability to speak after a car accident that killed my mother. I'm here now, because I was sent a letter explaining that the employees were still here, and I need to find my sister. She's all I have now.

"I'm..." Mommy hesitated.

She knows sign language? He thought, very surprised and glad.

"I'm sorry, but...your sister is dead," Mommy said, her voice laced with regret. 

But...The employee refused to give up. With his loving mother dead, his father wishing to never see his son again, and his younger brother across the country in college, he needed his sister. 

"No, trust me. All those employees..were killed...ten years ago." Mommy sighed. "But I'll be willing to help you escape this nightmare if you promise to...bring the toys under my care."

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Oh? What gonna happen now? If Mommy good now, who's the villain? Well...you'll see as we draw near to the end. I don't want to make a smaller story, but for the sake of already having another Poppy Playtime story, I think it'll ok. Luv y'all, bye bye!