The Prototype's favorite Scientist
Part 1/part 2/part 3 "Don't bite the hand that feeds you"/part 4
Volume of the text: 957 words
Warnings: Violence, Murder
"Are you sure of what you're saying?"
Absolutely not. Sirens wailed overhead. The news about the start of "Hour of Joy" blared on every screen, announcing the death sentence for every employee of this rotten place. The sound of shattering glass, the loud footsteps of monsters, and the screams of people echoed everywhere. You covered your face with a piece of cloth, trying to block out the smell of blood and toxic fumes. You ran through the branching corridors, trying to get to the kindergarten as quickly as possible.
The orphans needed to be evacuated. There was no point in saving Prototype, since it was he who announced the beginning of this nightmare over the loudspeakers.
When it all began, you were on the very bottom floors of the factory, while the kindergarten was at the very top, along with the exit from this damned place. You needed to reach the stairs and the train while the monsters were breaking down walls, destroying bridges, and smashing glass, as if trying to destroy everything that hurt them. You ran through the sewing room and dove under the awnings of the production hall when Yarnaby's growl was heard from above. His massive body leaped onto the metal bridge, and it buckled under his weight, collapsing next to you. You felt a sharp pain in your arm. Yarnaby managed to jump and dash in the other direction, and your arm was scratched by the bridge debris.
Now you were bleeding. You bit your lower lip. Your hand burned terribly, but you had to keep moving. This was only a third of the way through, and one of many furry problems. For example, the second one was Huggy Waggy. You'd only encountered him a couple of times before, to assess his condition and guide his transformation into a good toy. Perhaps that's why he chased you the moment you caught his eye. This time, the ventilation ducts were your salvation. A creature like Huggy couldn't navigate them, but a human could. Perhaps you could find another scientist? But no. The other employees seemed to vanish into thin air after the start of the "Hour of Joy."
If they were all killed, then why are you still alive? Are you really that lucky, or is there some other reason?
Only one being could know the answers to these questions—the Prototype—but you definitely didn't want to see him now. When you discovered the card was missing, something inside you broke. You'd been betrayed, and your chest still ached too much to allow yourself to see him again.
In the ventilation, the smell of blood grew stronger, joined by the smell of decay mixed with rusty metal. The cloth no longer helped, so you threw it away.
Carefully moving through the vents, you listened to every rustle and creak. But nothing. A suspicious silence reigned around you once again.
You were in one of many identical corridors and could hardly get your bearings. However, you had made progress on your journey, and the kindergarten should be very close. All that remained was to cross this long, dark tunnel, through which a train carrying children had passed just the day before… You felt heavy breathing above you. Looking up, you saw two shining white eyes above you. Something furry touched your leg, and a thought flared in your mind like a fire in dry grass.
You tried to step away from him, but a large paw blocked your path. His head dropped, and you felt someone grab you by the collar of your medical gown.
"No… No-no-no, bad Catnap!"
You screamed as you were lifted off the ground. He didn't care about your screams or your struggles. You didn't know what he wanted from you, but you did notice one thing: you were being carried back into the depths of the factory.
You simply hung in the purple cat's jaws, awaiting your death.
The dark tunnel gave way to the white light of lamps, and then darkness again. Catnap used his own ways, jumping through elevator shafts and factory shafts to the sound of your screams. This return to the abyss seemed to last forever, until you heard the familiar grinding of machinery. Catnap entered the sewing room, where strapped employees occupied metal couches.
Panic began to boil in your chest. You understood what was happening and definitely didn't intend to become a plaything. You thrashed harder in Catnap's grip.
Oliver Prototype's voice came from above. Metal claws gently wrapped around your waist and pulled you from Catnap's teeth. The large purple cat sat down next to Prototype and began wagging his purple tail like a large purple dog.
"Prototype." A buzzing, crackling voice interrupted you.
"Prototype, what have you done?"
"Created paradise. The only place we can have. The only place we belong."
He brought you closer to his face. His faceplate wobbled and his porcelain smile grew longer. More dangerous.
"But there's a flaw that needs to be corrected." His metal claw caressed your back, while his single eye assessed your human flesh. You understood what he wanted to do and weren't about to put up with it.
"No… No, you wouldn't dare…"
Your voice was quiet, uncertain. You knew better than anyone the power of this creature and that no one would save you.
"It's for everyone's sake. I don't want to lose you to a worthless human body."
His faceplate tilted to the left, and he pressed your body against him like a plush toy. He stroked your head with the edges of his metal claws. Just like you did when Oliver was still at the orphanage.
"I'll miss the warmth of your imperfect body."
