Rose - A Poppy Playtime Story

Chapter 40 - Please...

(Warning: Guys, this is pretty emotional and kind of depressing near the end.)

Dogday, Crafty, and Red (Maraca) walked through the halls, still in the same labyrinth they had fought with Hoppy in.

Dogday made sure to hold onto Crafty's hoof, and cleared away anything that could possibly trip her.

Hoppy was actually following them, though she was at least six feet away from the group. Her eyes locked on the ground, and her arms slightly hugging herself.

Dogday looked to the side, finding something shiny next to a door that seemed to lead into a humongous library.

Dogday picked the object up, Crafty gasping in alarm from Dogday's odd movement.

The tape seemed to gleam in Dogday's paw, Red (Maraca) squeaked in mild excitement.

Hoppy looked up, curious yet not daring to approach.

"What happened?" Crafty asked, tilting her head.

"It's a tape. Angel, Red, Bomb, and I were looking for these when you guys found us." Dogday informed her, watching the tape with an odd expression.

"Oh! What's it about?" Crafty asked.

"It says 'Number 4'. Who was number four?" Dogday asked, not really answering Crafty's question.

"Number four?" Crafty repeated, scrunching her nose in confusion.

"Who was experiment 1184?" Dogday asked.

Hoppy slowly raised her hand, looking him in the eyes. She frowned, looking almost helpless.

"Oh." Dogday simply stated, looking back down at the tape.

"Guys I can't see. I can't see any signals you're giving each other." Crafty stated, slightly pissed.

"Right! Sorry, Crafty!" Dogday apologized.

Then there was a crash, making the conversation come to an abrupt halt. Angel sprinted around the corner, their grabpack wobbling from the motion.

"Angel!" Dogday yelled, running over to them and letting go of Crafty's hoof. Red (Maraca) squeaked, and ran towards Angel along with the dog.

Hoppy looked to the ground, her eyes narrowed. Crafty smiled as she stood in the same spot, despite being left behind.

Dogday immediately grabbed Angel and squeezed them in a bone-breaking hug. Angel slightly squeaked in pain as Dogday's smile grew.

Red (Maraca) jumped up and down, trying to get in on the reunion.

"Dogday, stop! You're going to kill me!" Angel yelled, their voice straining from having minimal air.

"Sorry!" Dogday says, letting Angel go. Angel started gasping for air, putting their hands on their knees.

"Oh my..." Crafty muttered.

"Wait, Angel why were you running?" Hoppy asked, without really thinking.

Angel looked up at her, still out of breath. Crafty frowned, crossing her arms.