Poppy Playtime ~ An Angel's Bleeding Heart

Chapter 5 : Between a Rock and A Pug-A-Piller

Again like the path to Whack-a-Wuggy, the path before Gabe is clear and direct. Straight to the final game of the Game Station.  He couldn't tell how big the room actually is but there was no mistaking how utterly long it is.  The only reason he can't see the end is because of the bleak lighting and all the obstacles in the way.  For all he knew this room could stretch for a mile ahead.

And if the name suggests right, this game is going to be just like Red-light Green-light, right?  He actually never tried that game before, never got the chance to in his days in elementary.  But now he gets that chance, possibly while being chased by yet another nightmare toy.  But oh well, at least he now gets to actually play it, even though his life depends on it.

Upon entering inside the door behind him closes shut and as per usual the TV monitor nearby blares to life, displaying the game's instructions.

"Welcome, to Statues!  This advanced obstacle course is designed to test your strength and endurance."  The instructor plainly said.  "During the test, the lights will turn off, and you may run though the obstacles.  But when the lights turn on, you may look around but not move a step."

Alright, seems simple enough.

"The lovable PJ Pug-a-Piller will follow you."

"PJ?  Who the heck is-." Just as those words were uttered a large face appears from the cracks in the wall.  "-Oh God!"  Gabe watched as the massive toy slowly crawled down some mounds of rubble before coming to a stop just yards away from him.  Gazing at him with an enormous smiling open mouth full of teeth and eyes that are so black and big.  The length of his segmented blue and purple patterned body must go on for dozens of feet, since there is still some of his long body hidden within the crack he just came from.  The more Gabe looked at him, the more uncanny and monstrous he appeared.

"If PJ reaches you, your test is over.  Reach the end of the course in order to win.  That is all, good luck!"

The television then shuts off, followed by a pregnant silence.

"It was always so sad to see all the kids go."  Mommy said as she looked down upon him from one of control rooms.  Her voice sounding rather longing and remorseful.  "They called me mommy because I was the closest they had to a mother.  But they've come for games, and they never come back.  They left Mommy to die alone."

"Mommy didn't deserve that."  She then said in a singsong manner while wagging her finger like she is correcting an infant.  "But you,..."  Her tone suddenly changing.  "You worked here."  Her voice then shifted from saddened and longing to a tone that is laced with such venomous gall that Gabe could feel each and every word laced with heart numbing malice.  "So if anyone here deserves to die alone, it's you."

Is this why Mommy hates him so?  Just because he worked here?  What kind of flimsy excuse is that?  He didn't know anything about the living toys here, nor did he even venture anywhere outside of the manufacturing plant or even the break room!  He and Mommy never met each other in any way, shape, or form, and yet she burns with such hatred like they have been bitter enemies for years.

But no time to think, no time to collect thoughts.  The lights have already died and the horrible sounding music starts to play.  The gate is raised and PJ is already on the move.  He has to run.  Running past the threshold he weaves through the castle styled walls.  The lights then flickered out, forcing him to stand still.  He looked over his shoulder, taking absolute care not to move a single step off.  And sure enough the giant face of PJ was just inching closer behind him.

The lights then turned back off, prompting Gabe to make a full on sprint out of the winding path of walls.  Out in the open, he spots a pit full of blue foam cubes and above it is a long curving bar with many monkey rings hanging from it.  Taking his chance to get a boost forward, he fires a Grab-hand and it latches on to one one the rings, he then let the pulley system work its magic and it launches himself up and forwards long and far, the foam pit breaking his fall.