Disclaimer: I don't own Poppy Playtime (Video Game). I don't own the picture (cover). Or the song if I put one in.

(qwertuno and SilentReadersMatter)

(Hope you enjoy.)

Their mask had been stolen by that damned lanky, skeletal cat mascot. It lurked in the darkness, waiting to the right time to strike. At the least moment they didn't expect, its claws had swatted the mask off their face, the guttural growls echoing in their ears as they ran away.

Now they were left to breathe in this damn smoke.

"We're coming! Just hold on."

Poppy's yelling were getting lesser, quieter, and not as frequent. Their steps the only thing they heard as their legs carried them as much as they could, starting to become overworked when the ex-employee begged their brain to just go faster. Something was behind them. And they didn't plan on looking back.

Crap. Crap. I'm lost. Where the hell even am I?

A long hall of corridors were their only clue that maybe they were in the home sweet home. Although, they marched the school, toy store, and anywhere else in this God forsaken place. The ex-employee peeked at the patterns, determining that maybe they were in some section of the orphanage-

Agghh! What the fuck?!

Something swiped at their spine. It's claws raking on their skin, dragging the tips to its hearts content. The ex-employee refused to scream, instead sending the green hand to temporarily shock the threat.

I'm so lucky this thing works.

It went according to plan. The monster retreated momentarily, and the ex-employee continued to run despite their body's protests of pain. They stopped at a corner, hand cradling their back from behind as they rested for a minute. Attempting to reach Poppy thought the forced bond she put in their mind.

Are you there?

...Nothing.

And she says that was a fine solution.

They cursed their lack of speech. Mainly because of their messed up throat.

Poppy? Where are you?

"We're stuck on the other side! Just try to hide! We'll be there when we can!"

That's all I do anyways.

Rolling their eyes, the ex-employee sucked in a breath before continuing to explore the new, albeit abandoned building. The crevices falling apart, the walls threatening to crumble under the pressure. Their hand sliding across the rough to feel if it would crack under their (lack of) strength. Yep, thus was like any other part of the factory.

Dead and decaying.

Two words that fit everything here perfectly.

They chuckled at the thought. Then, the ex-employee coughed from the gas, forgetting they had inhaled a large amount, and now their vision got poorer, and their energy were leaving by the second. They handed it to Catnap, he was smarter than he looked. And that was coming from someone who already killed off two mascots who threatened their very lives.

Need to hurry. Find somewhere safe.

That was their new plan. Nodding with satisfaction, they set down the corridors, turning another corner-

"....HHHRRRAAAAGGGGHHH.."

Something ambushed them from the darkness, knocking them over and causing them to land on their behind. The shadows obscured its frame, but they instantly knew who it was based on the sound alone. The yellow gloved hands, dark blue fur stained with blood, a portion dry and more recently wet, and its voids for eyes which now stayed down at them with that disturbing placid grin. His head now shaped more slender, his limbs were more gangly and lanky like Catnap, and gone was the second mouth he used to devour his prey.

...You have to be kidding me.

It seemed Huggy Wuggy had found them.

Oh, joy.

They sat there a few more seconds, then initiated the inevitable chase Huggy would seek for the thrill. To see if his prey could be caught in his grip. Whatever this thing was, it operated the identically to its upper levelled counterpart. The numbness began to subside, and the ex-employee realised the situation at hand. It finally dawned on them who they were dealing with.

Why the hell is he alive?

Despite their lack of emotions, their body physically reminded the ex-employee of the fear Huggy instilled the first time. Heart racing, dropping in their stomach, chest tightening with each breath they wasted trying not to stop due to tiredness. Forcing their legs to run at a distance far enough that the thing's claws weren't able to sink in. It's intent clear to drag them to their upcoming demise.

If it had its way, they weren't going to have a quick death. He intended to draw it out, make them pay for what they had done.

Have to lose him. Go faster. Dodge.

At least his attacks were somewhat predictable. Swiping at every opportunity, nearly grabbing their ankle if they hadn't swatted it with the red hand, the blue one used to wrap around any ceiling parts in order to create more distance. They just had to keep it up-

"Quick, over here!"

Thank their lucky stars that Poppy finally decided to show up. Spotting a rope sent down, they grabbed it with their real hands, pulling themselves to the surface as this Huggy's mouth grazed their neck. It didn't intend to display any mercy.

"Come on! Come on!"

As they saw Poppy, the instincts to protect her caused them to push her and Kissy Missy on the ground, barely missing the sight of the monstrous Huggy fading away as it chased something else blindly. Then, Poppy looked at them with confusion.

What?

"Why did you do that?"

Did you not see the ten foot tall beast wanting to kill us?

She raised a brow. Clearly not believing their story, and she shook her head. With a hand to her chin, Poppy made some out loud observation. Most of which were probably right as always.

"...Perhaps his gas affects us more than we know."

And even if it hadn't been real, the horrors they witnessed would probably haunt them for years to come.