Nightlight in the Dark (An OC x Catnap Story)

Chapter 6: The Darkness of Our Minds

Song Credits: Lost Sky - Darkness (feat. She is Jules)

Italic - Importance/Text //// Bold - Emphasis/Phone Call //// ' ' - Thoughts 

"Nightmares turned to dreams. Will you be ready when the darkness comes?"

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Starting first grade in public school was awful at first. Kids wouldn't walk up to me, or befriend me. Memories of Theo would also pop up once in awhile.

I really took our friendship for granted.

However as days go on, those memories would leave my mind again. And again would no-one say anything to me. Until one day someone named Mackenzie asked if I was lonely.

Nodding, my tear stained cheeks look pathetic. She takes me to her group of friends, who also say hi to me. There were four of them.

Kenzie, Farah, Stas and Maia. And me. We were a group of five now. Then I started hanging out with them more and more. 

Days went to weeks of school. And then months passed, and we were still together. Until Maia had to move one day. Crying and hugging each other, we swap numbers to keep in touch. 

Attending middle school soon to come, was all that consumed our thoughts.

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After so long, high school soon came. I was seventeen now. And one day I met a guy who was dashing. My previous thoughts of crushing on him turned into us dating.

Of course Theo was stuck in my mind. And everytime me and my new boyfriend, Dameon were on a date, I'd see his brown eyes staring back.

Every night was spent the same. Me cuddling my old Catnap plush, crying for him. My heart ached. I still blamed myself for him getting taken.

I take a breath in. It's been 10 years. Ten years done with trying. My boyfriend says that my moping was getting old, saying he'll leave eventually if I don't shut it.

So in the confines of my mind was my old life, the girl that lived in the orphanage. This girl was free to make her decisions for herself.

Besides, I don't want anyone else leaving me as well...

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3 years ago...

I was curled up in a corner of my cell. My humanity slipped away more and more as days pass. Then I hear it coming from the vent.

I stand tall, on two feet. Scientists said it was was creepy to see me standing as a human, but whatever scared them off worked.

My white pupils glow in the dark. I see a familiar metal hand in my vent. My friend was here! My gaping mouth speaks to him, "You're here. What could I do for you?"

The scratchy voice answers me. "I'll give all of you the freedom you so deserve. It'll come in due time. Get ready..."

He leaves me, and I sit again on all fours. Watching as the Prototype left me, my ears flicked. Soon. Soon I'll find my dear friend and be reunited with her again.

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My eyes were drifting over to my doorway. Years ago had felt like someone was there watching me. But ever since then, nothing happened.

I sigh, wrapping up in my blanket. School's been stressful. Homework, potentially losing even more friends to stupid reasons.

And my boyfriend has been... cheating behind my back with a more snippy and popular Stasia. He would come back even after I've caught them together, trying and apologizing to me.

But I wouldn't listen. He was acting more different. Everyone was acting different. When I turn eighteen and graduate, I was gonna leave this place behind.

After all my parents were encouraging me to move on. They knew my life was getting to me, even teenage Skyla was pleading for me to leave the city too.

Sighing, I get up for some water. I had insomnia on top of everything, and it was pretty bad. Nights would be spent of me sitting in bed, and me asking to sleep normally again.

Catnap's soul less eyes stare into me as I sit with water in a cup. I stare down at it. Feeling snarky, I tease. "And what're you staring at handsome?" It was a simple joke.

Sometimes I'd consider dating the purple cat. But he wasn't alive, and it was an inside joke between me and the plush.

Setting my now empty cup aside, I tuck myself in, grabbing the cat. I whisper to it. "If only you could help me sleep, just like in the cartoons..."

I really was odd. I was talking to an inanimate object, treating it like it was living. 

My eyes feel heavy. Breathing steadily, I close them. Cuddling my plush close as I do.

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"-and here's your plushie Skyelle. I hope that you like it." I grimace. The green rabbit was not it. I shake my head. "I don't like rabbits. Can I pick something else?"

The adult sighs. "Fine, this is only because we don't allow many kids to swap out. But you can repick your toy."

Walking amongst the toys, I almost give up until I see a purple cat. Walking up to it, I read the name. Catnap. And he was my favorite color.

Picking it up, I dash over. "Can I have this one?" She shakes her head. "Fine, no-one else would even pick it." I smile cheekily. "Well I'm happy now."

Running off with my new friend, I see Theo hugging  a yellow dog close. "Heeeey! Look who I got!" He looks at me. "You got the creepy cat."

I shake my head. Pouting, "He's not creepy! If anything I like the cat." Waving it off, "Whatever you say. Ready to go home now?" 

Instead of answering, I grab his hand, as we run off and laugh together. Other kids were also done picking out their new toy, and together we regroup in the living room.

One of the workers turn a movie on, and we all sit down. Snuggling my new cat friend close, I squeeze him. My eyes feel heavy a second later. The scent of lavender filling my nose.

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I wake up, gasping. The memory felt so real again. 

Eyes darting to look at my plush, I sigh, seeing those same old black eyes staring at me. 

I hear a creak of the floor, and decide that it's probably nothing to worry about. I was still tired after all...