Rose - A Poppy Playtime Story

Chapter 76 - Dreams

(*squeaks*)

"H-Hello?" Catnap called, his eyes scanning around the room with subtle curiosity. He sat there, his breathing slow and cautious like it was as if a single intake of air could damn him for all eternity. He slowly went to get up, a paw reaching out in front of him to steady himself. He paused, his eyes going wide.

His paws were now translucent, with a soft red hint in his purple glassy paws. He tilted his head, his mouth slightly agape. He wiggled his fingers, watching as they caught on the little light the dim room provided. A pull filled his chest and he looked up, glancing down a shadowed hallway filled with more blood and gore.

He got up, stalking towards the feeling with silent plush feet. He traced the angle where the room pushed into the hallway, his fingers grazing against small intentions in the wood and paint. He left the marks behind, his feet continuing down the hallway. When he had walked about a mile or so, he saw a light at the end. Soft laughter filled the hall as he got closer, his eyes stinging at the brightness.

"It's my turn!" Someone said with a laugh, prompting another to giggle and squeal with delight.

"Oh, yeah? And why's that, dumbo?"

Catnap walked into the bright light, covering his eyes with a paw as he entered a very lit room. There were rainbows painted on the cream-colored walls, and toys filled the room. A bunch of kids were playing in different groups, all shouting and laughing with one another. Catnap looked down to the duo in front of him.

"Who you calling dumbo?" The first challenged, belonging to a black haired boy, followed by a grunt as he lunged at the other kid.

The little girl, a tiny child with blonde hair and freckles, pushed him away as she held a Dogday plush in her other hand. Its head was slightly ripped off, with stuffing coming out from its neck. Catnap cringed at the sight, his fur fluffing up a bit.

"You! Who else?" The girl smirked, successfully pushing the boy away from her despite their size difference. "I only see one idiot here."

"Huh, that's weird because I see one right in front of me!" The boy laughed, pointing a finger at her. The girl gasped with fake dramatics, putting her free hand to her chest in pretend shock.

"How dare you!" She mocked, bringing her voice up a little higher to complete the effect. "You should watch your mouth in front of a lady."

"Hmmm, now that's what I don't see." He screamed playful, when the girl softy smacked him on the arm. "I'm sorry!" He laughed, his chest and shoulders bobbing.

"You better be!" She cried, trying to stifle her own giggles. Catnap felt a small smile tug at his lips, and a soft purr rumbled from his chest. They looked...so happy.

"Quinn." A stern voice called, making all three of them look up to see a masked man in a lab coat. "Come with me for minute, would you?"

"I didn't do anything wrong!" The boy, Quinn, protested. The man laughed, shaking his head.

"You are not in trouble, child. Dr. Sawyer wants to have a chat with you. Now come along, we don't want to keep the Doctor waiting."

"But-"

"Now, Quinn." The man turned, waking off towards an open door. The boy got up with scowl, following after the man with a huff. The little girl watched as her friend left, still holding onto the toy. Catnap gave the girl a glance, before he ran after the boy and the man.

Catnap kept a close watch on the man with the lab coat, a part of the feline wanting to reach out and slam him into the wall. Cracking his skull open in a single motion.
That feeling, the feeling of such unmasked violence, did nothing to ease the cat's growing nerves. For obvious reasons, of course. Another part of the cat wanted to scoop up the boy, cradle him in his arms and run with him, as far as his shaky legs could take them.

Both parts, Catnap had a difficult time ignoring.

The three of them walked into a clean room with medical equipment on almost every surface. A large table, intended to strap someone down as a surgeon worked, was in the center, directly under a large white light.

"Lay down, Quinn." The man ordered, motioning to the table. The kid shook their head, backing away from the scientist. "Quinn, this isn't a game. Get on the table now, before I force you-" The man was cut off when another came into the room through a different door.

"Jonathan, leave this to me. You did well." He said, his hands folded behind his back. The other man nodded, clearing his throat as he swiftly left the room. "Good evening, Quinn. I've waited quite a while to meet you."

The child just stared, watching as the scientist stepped towards a cabinet containing jars of a red gas. Catnap's eyes widened, his gaze shifting to the little boy, before going right back to the man.

"I am Dr. Sawyer. I'm sure you haven't heard much of me, I wouldn't expect a little child like you to be so aware."

"Why did you bring me here."

"Lay down on the table, would you? It will make things much easier for the both of us, trust me."

"No! You can't tell me what to do!"

"Ah, but I can. So, get on the table, little boy."

"I won't!"

The Doctor's shoulders deflated as he sighed and shook his head. "Fine then, be that way." He pulled a syringe out from a draw, stalking towards the little boy who had no where to go. Catnap watched in horror as the man grabbed Quinn, poking his arm with the needle as the child thrashed and screamed.

"Stop!" Catnap yelled, finally making a move. Right as he was about to dig his claws into the scientist's arm, he disappeared. Fading away like ash in the wind.

(I'm in the process of creating a new AU, and I am so excited! It's gonna be great- I hope. Another really short chapter...)

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