Overdue Check-Up (Poppy Playtime) [On Hold]

[Chapter 5] Part 19: Escape the House Ep. 1

Nearic pulls himself up to the vent by the magnets, and looks back, "Come on dad, climb up," his eye strays over to a cabinet in the room, noticing a piece of paper on top, "You'll watch the rear."

The teen grabs the paper and crawls into the vent, "I'll be reading a document, so shush," he whispers.

Lilly Journal

Lily-Billy-Silly-Tilly

Every day, a dance and a song are playing in my head, and only I know the steps. Only I know the tune.

I sing and I dance, and I live like any good toy should. I want to share in it. To love like Ms. Gracie says to love. And yet, they all just scream and cry like horrible, wretched little things when they look at me. They look at me like I'M the bad toy.

But, somehow, I know you don't think that. You'd NEVER think that. You get me.

Every day since I found you in the Pit tossed down like so much garbage, I've brushed your pretty hair, I've dressed you in pretty things, and I've given you pretty flowers...

You're more than just a friend to Silly-Lily. The sound of your voice is what I was born from, the voice I still hear singing when I feel so alone, and that's special for both of us. In your own little ways, I think you tell me that you agree.

I'm very glad you're here to share this dance with me.

-Silly-Lily

Nearic hops down onto Catnap's paws before hopping off, folding the paper, and putting it away. The feline also catches Dogday and puts him down as quietly as possible while the human loos over the railing into the living room.

"Come out, come out wherever you are!" Lilly shouts from somewhere before giggling.

"Crazy ass doll," Nearic mutters before vaulting over the railing and landing in a crouch.

Catnap and Dogday land beside him while the former speaks, "Ya see why I didn't want to-"

"Don't," Nearic snaps, glaring at the feline, "Let's just get the others in the basement and get the hell out of here. Now."

Catnap stares, wide eyed, as his nephew walks away to the only open door in the room before pulling his ears back with a frown. Dogday side eyes Catnap worriedly before shaking his head and walking on, gesturing the feline to follow.

Finding the developing silence unnerving, he speaks, "Are we going to talk about-"

"No," Nearic interrupts.

"Ok..." the father sighs as he glances at Catnap, who looks away from them both.

The Critter family follow their youngest through the halls and into a small room where Nearic first woke up, Catnap's eyes linger on the active TV displaying the Inside Outimal's ad, his focus taken at the sight of toys designed to be reversed, it made him sick.

The toys follow the Survivor down a flight of stairs to a basement, "They should be down here," the teen says as he reaches the floor.

Catnap and Dogday notice the hair tying up the door, and they both quickly spot Poppy, which gets Catnap growling, "You."

"Oh no..." Dan mutters, standing up slowly.

"Catnap," Poppy starts, brows furrowed fearfully, "you have to understand-"

"Understand?" he hissed, "You left us behind, we almost died!"

"Lower you damn voice," Nearic orders firmly as he looks around the basement, "If she hears us, it doesn't matter if we get them out, we'll be fucked. So shut up and stand guard, I'll find a way to get rid of that rope," he says as he spots a star on the back wall.