Chapter 23 - A Mother's Promise

"Shh, shh. It's okay, it's okay," Gabriel spoke in a hushed voice. Mommy was curled up into a ball on the floor, wailing her heart out. Her right hand clutched at her now handless left arm, holding it close to her chest. Blood dripped steadily from the open wound, slowly creating a puddle on the floor at the toy's feet. Pocketing his switchblade knife, Gabriel held out his hand and murmured, "Here, let me see."

"NO!" Mommy yelled. Curling up even tighter now, she whimpered in a softer voice, "It hurts too much..." Still holding his hand out, Gabriel replied, "All the more reason why you should let me take a look at it. Please Mommy." Blinking her teary eyes, the giant spider-like toy hesitated for a moment before she gave in, "Okay..."

"I'll be gentle, I promise," Gabriel promised. He allowed Mommy to drape her arm across his palm. Gingerly inspecting the limb, the first thing that caught the man's attention was the bleeding. He needed to stop the bleeding. However, he didn't exactly have anything to wrap around the open wound besides his bandanna. But that wouldn't be enough. Then an idea popped into his head. Mommy was made of elastic plastic. He could tie up the end of the limb. Encouraged by the hope this idea could work, the human took the toy's arm and tied a knot. The bleeding slowed but it hadn't stopped yet. Taking off his red bandanna, Gabriel used it to gently dab at the wound until, at last, the bleeding stopped.

"There, see? All better," Gabriel declared. Pulling her arm back, Mommy stared at it numbly. Then she cradled it against her chest once more. She whimpered and whined the whole time while tears streamed down her face. Still holding his bandanna in his hand, Gabriel cautiously reached forward and wiped the tears away with the cloth. Mommy at first flinched but she later relaxed when she realised what the human was doing. "Everything is gonna be okay," Gabriel murmured, "You're safe now."

"We are not safe, he is near," Mommy whispered, blinking her eyes sadly. One eyebrow raised, Gabriel asked, "Who is near?" A metallic clicking noise answered his question. Turning around, the man practically jumped out of his skin when he saw the huge skeletal hand creeping out from underneath a gate near the grinder. Mommy saw it too and it caused her to start wailing all over again. It was like hearing a small child cry. Pushing the toy behind him, Gabriel shielded her with his body. His eyes watched the metallic hand feel around. And then it was gone, slipping underneath the gate. Not a trace was left behind. His heart pounding, Gabriel rasped, "What in God's name was that?"

"The Prototype... Experiment 1006..." Mommy whimpered. Gabriel turned to her as the giant spider-like toy went on, "He's cunning, he's ruthless and he's cruel..." Shuddering, she added, "You shouldn't have saved me. He'll be hunting you down now."

"Don't talk like that, I couldn't just let you die," Gabriel protested. Lifting her green eyed gaze, Mommy whined, "I've done nothing but bring harm to you and others! I had every right to die! I don't care if the grinder did it or the Prototype or even you!" Hiding her face behind her remaining hand, she sobbed, "I don't deserve to live, not after all of the things I've done."

Gabriel was at a loss for words. Yes, it was true that Mommy had done everything in her power to try getting him killed and he had witnessed her attack against the Wuggies. But that didn't warrant the need for her demise. If anything, she didn't deserve to be experimented on. She didn't deserve to think she was better off dead. Kneeling down, Gabriel quietly held his arms open. He didn't make any more movements. He instead waited. Realizing what he was offering, Mommy sniffled and leaned in. Wrapping his arms around the toy protectively, Gabriel hummed softly, "Shh, shh."

"Am I a monster?" Mommy asked, sniffling again. Placing a hand on her head, Gabriel answered, "No, no of course not." Hugging her a little tighter, he added, "You're just a little girl. A little girl who's had to live in constant fear for far too long." Another whine escaping from her, Mommy buried her face into the man's shoulder. Patting her on the back gently, Gabriel sighed softly. Hopefully with time, she would get better. He was sure of it. This was only the first step.

The hug lasted for another minute or two. When he believed she had calmed down enough, Gabriel released his hold on Mommy. The toy slowly sat up, leaning back against the wall while she hugged her knees to her chest. Gabriel scooted over to sit beside her. The pair sat in silence. It was Mommy who broke the silence first as she asked, "So... now what?"

"I... I don't know," Gabriel admitted. Twiddling his thumbs, he mumbled, "I came here because I got a note saying my old coworkers were here. But I haven't seen any signs of life. Well, human life." Nodding her head in understanding, Mommy bit her lip before she quipped, "I doubt your friends are still alive. This place is not safe, as I'm sure you've found out."

"Ha! Tell me about it. I ran into Huggy before I ran into you," Gabriel remarked. This seemed to intrigue Mommy. "Huggy? You met Huggy?" she asked, "How did you get past him? No soul gets past him." Sighing heavily as he recalled the memory of Huggy falling into the depths of the factory, Gabriel rasped, "Yeah, I sure did. And... I wished I could have saved him too..."

"Huggy's... gone?" Mommy guessed. Gabriel couldn't muster a word so he simply nodded his response. Bowing her head in silence, the giant spider-like toy mumbled, "He lived a good life, I'm sure of it." She paused for a moment, as if she was thinking about what to say next. At last, she spoke again, "You should go home, there is nothing left for you here." Jabbing a thumb behind her, Mommy continued, "Head up those stairs. You'll find Poppy and the final part of the train code. Then take the train down the left tunnel and you're home free."

"What about you? You're hurt, I can't just leave you here to die," Gabriel pointed out. Examining her injury, Mommy stated calmly, "I won't die, not any time soon, I hope. But word will spread amongst us toys. Huggy's dead, I'm injured. If there are any others who are still alive, they'll come for me and PJ. At least PJ has a better chance of survival." Looking up at the toy's face, Gabriel inquired, "And you?"

"There is still some strength left in me. But perhaps it's time I seek out Big Brother," Mommy declared. Heaving herself to her feet, she commented wistfully, "He'll be able to help me, he always has." Helping the human stand up, the spider-like toy purred, "Well, I'm afraid the game is over. I know you're leaving. But, should you ever need help, I will always be there for you, I promise. It was nice meeting you, player." Smiling quietly, Gabriel replied, "Name's Gabriel."

"Gabriel, such a lovely name," Mommy hummed. Wrapping her arm around the human, she gave him a warm hug as she whispered, "Goodbye Gabriel, safe travels." Releasing him, she reached up and started climbing upwards. Watching her go, Gabriel mumbled, "Bye Mommy, be safe." Grabbing his belongings, the middle aged man set off for the stairs. He was finally gonna get out of here.

Honestly, good riddance.

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