"Gregory, I am unable to reach you. Check the Daycare security desk for a security badge, then let me in."

That was the last thing he wanted to hear. While the point of a Daycare is to watch over the younger kids, entertain them, and keep them well fed, something about seeing the empty slides, the discarded toys, and the deep ball pit made Gregory's stomach churn.

And without the one thing to keep him safe, he felt more hesitation than ever to walk across the large floor and over to the desk.

He glances at the closed gate, then to a sign above a slide that leads into the ball pit, and sighs. But of course, getting into the areas of this MegaPlex was never as straight forward as unlocked gates.

With no other choice, he takes the slide and crashes down into the bits, balls of all colors splashing around from his impact.

"Hooo! Hooo! Hooo!"
The mechanic voice makes the hair on his arms stand up and Gregory looks up. It's Sun-Drop. He's standing on a platform that's surrounded by cardboard painted to look like a castle's tower.

And as if he's presenting to an audience of more than one, Sun-Drop opens his arms... then drives straight into the ball pit, disappearing beneath the colorful layers.

Something in Gregory jumps. Scratch that, everything in Gregory jumps. His heart reaches his throat and his body moves on its own to get out of the ball pit.

But hands reach his shoulders before he makes an exit. "Helllloooo! New friend! You're sure up late! Are we having a slumber party? Where are all of your friends?"

The bubbly voice gets drowned out by Gregory's gasp as he lifted off his feet and carried out of the pit and onto the middle of the Daycare's floor by the animatronic.

Sun-Drop's yellow face is permanently etched with a smile. His eyes are wide and plain white. And his movements are quick when Gregory turns for the security desk.

Sun-Drop jumps in front of him, keeping him from moving. His movements are smooth, almost dance-like as he sways back and forth.

"We can finger paint, tell stories, drink Fizzy Faz until our heads explode and then stay up all night!"

Gregory glances around for a distraction, eyes landing on a blocks neatly stacked on top of each other. Maybe if he could...

"There is only one rule," Sun-Drop interrupts Gregory's thoughts as the animatronics voice goes deep. "Keep the lights on... on... on."

Side stepping the animatronic who's keen on the keeping the boy in place, Gregory kicks down the stacked blocks and immediately runs for it when Sun-Drop it's distracted.

He chases down the security desk hearing the panicked shouts of the Sun inspired robot behind him. "No, no, no! What a mess! Which was the bottom, which was the top? Clean up! Clean up!"

He ducks behind the desk right before Sun-Drop can grab ahold of him. The animatronic doesn't advance any further. "New friend, this-this area is off limits," he says, almost like he's afraid to follow Gregory. "You're gonna get us in trouble."

Gregory recognizes the small Security Freddy head that holds the security badge. He opens it and takes it, slipping it in his pocket.

But as he does so, the lights shut off, the entire Daycare going dark as Sun-Drop groans, hopping onto the desk.

The animatronic is barely an arms reach away but seems more concerned about the lights than the boy. "N-No! Why would you do that? Lights on, lights on! I warned you! I warned you!!"

Then as if something is crawling underneath the metal layer, sifting through its endoskeleton, Sun-Drop scratches at his face, groaning and screeching in pain.

He leans back, hands peeling away the metal plates and he falls off the desk. Gregory watches in horror as there's a thump, followed by a few taps, and a new voice fills his ears.

"Naught boy. Naughty boy. It's past your bedtime, you must be punished. Nighty-night."