Lassoing the Cresent Moon

23. A Rescue Mission

Poppy's face shifted back to a more serious look as she spoke. "You're starting to understand. What's happening down here is bigger than all of us. And I need you... We need you" She squeezed Kissy's shoulders. "So we can get revenge on those monsters who've tortured you... who've tortured us! They didn't act alone. They're disciples of the original: the Prototype." She paused for a moment before continuing.

"The Prototype knows we're coming by now. You try to escape, he'll kill you before you ever reach that front door. He's the reason I was trapped in that god awful case for so long! You have no idea the things he's done... Let me help you kill him." My eyes widened before she made a hand gesture to add. "Let me help you save everyone. It's the only way. We've all seen you, how capable you are. You escaped Huggy, you killed Mommy, you freed me... you are perfect for this."

"I thought I had to just transfer gas from one side of the machine to the other side?" I explained, feeling slightly defeated. Did we really have to kill more toys?

She nodded. "The Gas Production zone is protected by Catnap. He's the final obstacle that the Prototype has placed against us."

I lowered my head. Catnap and I had a complicated relationship...but it was still a closer relationship than I had with Mommy Long Legs, and that was awful to watch.

She seemed to sense my hesitation. She parted her lips to say something but sighed. "We can't stay here, keep yourself safe! Ollie will call you."

"Right..." I got off the escalator as she gestured, getting onto another part of Playcare.

Almost immediately I felt a familiar vibration on my back followed by a ring. I reached in my pack to grab my phone.

"Audrey, you're okay!" Ollie exclaimed so hard I had to pull the phone from my ear. "When Catnap gassed you I was so scared. Are you sure you have no ouchies? You don't seem to have lost body parts. I don't want to lose any more friends to this place!" He whimpered.

"Woah- Ollie," I said softly. "It's okay Ollie." I could hear him gently sniffle. My heart warmed at how much he seemed to care. "I'm okay. I was a little cut up by his nails- but I'm okay. I'm here, and I'm not going anywhere. He actually... saved me. I think." There was a pause with Ollie composing himself. "I was told I... had to get rid of Catnap in order to reroute the gas."

"..." He seemed to pick up my hesitation before adding. "Poppy said that?"

I raised a brow. "Yes? Was she wrong? She said he guards the gas production zone."

"He does." He said softly. "So that makes sense."

An awkward silence followed. Something was missing. Ollie was usually quick on his orders but now...

"So, what's the story with Catnap? He's been stalking me from the start- and he's the prototype's priest but hasn't killed me? Every other toy not on our side has tried to brutally murder me or eat me- yet he's had multiple chances and he hasn't even after I chose Poppy's side,"

Ollie went quiet again before he started. "Before CatNap turned into... CatNap, I guess there was some pretty serious accident. He almost died but... they say that The Prototype saved his life, giving up his own freedom in the process. In CatNap's eyes, The Prototype is a superhero, and has saved his place by getting rid of all the playtime staff that encouraged making more toys like us. So CatNap treats him like a god, killing everyone that opposes him. Us included, if we're not careful."

"Which is why you and Poppy have to hide and leave so quickly all the time." I added.

"Exactly. That's why I was so scared when he dragged you to Home Sweet Home!"