Lassoing the Cresent Moon

20. Red Smoke

After going through the door I faced two posters. One had a Bunzo Bunnying falling into a random abyss, and one with Mommy Long Legs who now wore a red gas mask.

"Always remain aware of your surroundings. Falls may be lethal." The poster with Bunzo stated. It was something they wouldn't have to post signs about if this were a normal fricking orphanage. I mean I'd seen caves and multiple abysses. Whose idea even was this?!

Elliot's... of course. I bet it sounded a lot better on paper.

I turned my attention to the second poster. "Always wear a gas mask where red smoke is present."

I took a deep breath. Was that something else I'd have to worry about now? I went past the arch way and kept an eye out for any gas mask.

I couldn't help but find it rather ironic that they used Mommy Long Legs on the poster. It was her child, Marie Payne, that had had such intense reactions to it after all. I wondered if it was on purpose, some secret warning or incentive to those who knew what happened to her.

I shook my head softly. I was overthinking it. All I had to do was keep going so I could get further directions from Ollie. I turned to face a door that had been violently scratched. I had to take a moment to stare at the familiar markings. They were similar to the markings my stalker left after he'd thrown his tantrum.

Despite the overwhelming evidence I didn't want to completely pin the blame on Catnap just yet. He remained the main suspect as I leaned away from the door and slowly stepped into the room to face a massive machine holding red smoke on its right canister.

As if on cue the phone rang. I picked it up quickly.
"Welcome to the gas production zone. The beating heart of the whole evil playcare system."

'evil'? It seemed like such a cartoonish word, something from comics or a children's show. Were we really using this right now? Focus Audrey-

"All that gas you see coming from the machine is made right here in the factory. It's called the red smoke."

I fought not to give a retort at such a creative name.

"Right now its all headed to the right. We need to make the smoke go left instead. That's how we can get to him. The machine will probably have a few dumb safeguards for you to work around. I think you can do it! I'll call you once its done."

Then the phone clicked. I grabbed my head and massaged my temple as I stared at the red smoke floating in the canister. "Just moving some poisonous smoke to get through an area safely." I inhaled sharply. "Thanks for such great instructions on how to do it."

I frowned at my sarcasm. They were trying to help, risking themselves with each phone call. Why was I so grumpy?

I looked down at my dirty clothes, that still smelled like trash, as well as the bruises on my arm. I reached for my messy hair and redid the bun as I stretched my back, When my stomach growled at me the answer became obvious.

"Oh." I pulled down my book bag and dug through it. If I knew I would be here for so long I would have definitely packed more food. I squinted as I stared into the darkness of my bag. I was always being watched, and from Huggy's reaction I was carrying something extremely valuable. I sighed as I decided not to look further for food and just pull out some water instead. I took a few sips and bounced up.

I smiled softly as I licked my lips. I felt the cool relief slide down my throat all the way to my stomach. My dry eyes felt some slight relief as I blinked hard. That probably wouldn't cure my hangry-ness but it did help. I stuck the bottle back in biting my lip at the realization that there wasn't much left.

I had to hurry this up. I swung my back over my shoulders again, repositioned my grab pack, and went looking for some panel or controls. As I walked I noticed a catnap cut out.

I was all too eager to hear this one. I pressed the button to hear some static mixed with soft snoring. I snickered. He kind of sounded like Darth Vader breathing into a microphone. I pressed it again to hear louder snoring and groaning. Then again to hear more groaning before going into static.

Was I missing something? I pressed it again to hear Darth Vader repeat. Literally the only smiling critter that I actually needed clues on had nothing, no scream lines even. Useless. I kept on the path, slightly annoyed before I caught view of a brand new grabpack thrown around.

I ran to it and leaned over the broken glass of the container that had once held it. There was a new hand I didn't have, this one was purple. Sweet!

Finally, something good in here. I unscrewed it from place and shoved it in my backpack for further use.

I didn't have to wait long. Purple hand signs soon appeared as I continued my journey. I had expected to see some door to open but instead I just saw gaps and large holes In the ground. For the first time, these grab pack signs were on the floors, not walls. I slowly took the hand and switched my green one for it. I gently pressed the purple sign only to find myself launched in the air.

"Holy!" My hair swung wildly in front of my face. My legs flailed wildly before I realized that I was being launched over a large gap over the ground. I looked for a landing spot, barely catching it with my hands before I fell back down. I breathed heavily as I looked at the gap below me, then the warped metal that was supposed to be some sort of floor? Maybe another level I was grabbing onto?

"You have got to be kidding me..." I whispered tiredly as I felt my sore legs weigh me down. I winced as I tried to pull myself up. I groaned at my upper arm strength. Those gymnastics with PJ Pugapillar had already been stretching my abilities. I wasn't going to be able to pull myself up like this.

I heard a creak above me. The constant feeling of me being watched intensified.

"Still Alive..." Came the raspy creepy voice. "hmm..."

I needed help but I wasn't going to rely on this guy again. I turned back to see the launch pad. Maybe if I was lucky enough I could swing myself onto it and try to jump again, kind of like I did when Mommy had me webbed up. I began to swing my legs when I heard the metal I was holding creak loudly.

"Oh Shit!" I yelped as it shifted. I clung to it desperately, my breath beginning to quicken. There had to be something else. There had to be another way.

It was then I saw a bony purple tail lower from the ceiling. It waved just above my reach. My eyes widened and I was reminded of the tail of Catnap's cut out. "It was you! You've been stalking me from the start haven't you?"

There was no response but the tail came closer to my aid.

I didn't want to grab it. "You threw me in a crushing trash compactor!" I whimpered as I felt the metal begin to shift again. I didn't really have much of a choice. Maybe-Maybe the gap wasn't so bad. I looked down to see the gap glistening and moving as I stared closer into it. What was that? It was rippling, like some sort of dark red liquid.

I felt another creak from above me as I started to grow sleepy. It was smelling like poppies again.

It was that red smoke... the one from earlier...

I felt the purple tail tighten around my wrist as my grip on the metal weakened.

I was falling...