Puppet Master

Chapter 2

"Is it awesome or what?" Dad asked enthusiastically. Me and my brother slightly nodded, but only to make our dad feel happy and proud. Honestly, this place was like a cleaner version of Chuck E Cheeses.

"What's behind that curtain?" Scott asked, pointing a shaky finger at a small stage that was covered by a purple curtain with stars. I could tell it was freaking him out for some odd reason.

"Why don't you go check?" I playfully pushed him towards the stage and he started kicking and punching. When I let go, he fell in front of the small closed stage. He gazed up at it and seemed mesmerized for 3 minutes, before I snapped my fingers.

"Hey are you gonna check or what?" I was trying so hard not to burst out laughing. Scott looked back at me, stood up, then turned back at the curtain. Dad had gone to talk to Mom, so no one could save little Scott now. I kept telling him to stop being a baby and just open it.

Finally he grabbed one side of the curtain and yanked it open. Our jaws fell open.

A red fox robot stood with its head limp, power off. It had an eyepatch, a hook, and ripped shorts. It looked kinda weird since it was separated form the other 3 animatronics. Scott couldn't look away from the pirate fox. He seemed interested.

"Scott, come on. There's nothing here, just another stupid robot."

"But....it's not like the others. This one is special. Why would they put him in his own corner?" Scott studied the fox and read the sign that was attached to the curtain. "Pirate Cove."

"So what? Remember how that chef dude from Chuck E Cheese has his own corner? Yeah, it's nothing new."

"But this place is new. And it has new things. New games and animatronics," wow, he really couldn't stop admiring that freakin robot. I face-palmed and headed over to where Mom and Dad sat. There were long tables scattered around the main room, where the show stage was. I took a sit on one if the chairs, across from my dad. I stared at him. For a long time.

Believe it or not, I won. He blinked when his eyes got watery. "I'm not good at staring contests, kid." His blue employee hat brim towered over his face. You couldn't see his eyes, but you could definitely see his wide, insane smile. My dad is crazy and awesome at the same time. I would could consider him dad of the year. He's the best!

"So, how do you like the place?" He questioned. My semi-honest response was just a shrug.

"Come on, did you even bother to take a look around?"

I shrugged again. Although it belongs to my dad, the pizzeria doesn't look too interesting.

"Come, let me show you around," he stood up and headed towards a long corridor. I hesitantly followed while Scott stayed behind to stare at the fox. Me and dad silently walked down the hallway and came to a pair of open metal doors.

Next thing I know, I'm standing inside one of the most cramped rooms I've ever seen. A chair was pushed to the back wall, a desk in front, a large fan, a shiny red phone (those old ones), and a small tablet. The layout and furnishing was simple.

"What's this..."

"It's a security office. Who do you think checks the security cameras?"

"Umm.....the security guard?" I slowly paced around the room and went to the door on the other side. It was open as well. My dad nodded and we continued exploring the building. I saw the kitchen, the backstage, the janitor's closet, and the restrooms. But...there was one room in particular that my dad warned me never to go into. I was so tempted to sneak in, but I knew that he must not want me in there for a good reason.

Weird, but so what? I thought all kid places were creepy. Especially the ones with singing robots. There's so many years waiting ahead of us for this place...