Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

Today a group of people worked hard on the latest set, you briefly taking a small break from carrying in a few extra supplies.

Chapter Text

You were so pleased Own allowed you those vacation days you requested, a whole week! YEAH!! The first thing you did was send your crummy "Soccer Mom" van to the mechanic, want it to be in top shape when going on the small road trip with family. And the second thing? You had to gather all your proper paperwork and drop it off at the Welfare place- maybe then they'll finally leave you alone.

You, your Dad, and older sister all planned to visit a festival you all were waiting for so long! You were so excited and couldn't keep yourself calm long enough without geeking out like a freaking nerd!

"I guess we'll take my car." Your Dad scratched at his beard while in thought, he flipped through a few bills, looking for the cheapest one to pay first.

"Dad, we and all the stuff we'll buy isn't going to fit in your truck... And maybe I'm a little paranoid someone is just going to snatch our shit." You agree with your sister, people are horrible at times and will do the most horrible things.

"Would it be alright if we take Ed's- uh- Sorry. Julie's car?" Her car was like yours, it's a same brand but different year. It's honestly a hand-me-down from your older sibling. Your Dad grumbled, you didn't pay no mind to this, that man sure does love his truck... Even though it could only carry 2 people and a long bed. The home phone started to ring, before you could reach for the device, your Dad spoke up.

"Let it go to voice mail." You dad stood from the table, "We better get going already. We've already wasted enough time." The man clapped his hands as if it'll make you guys move faster, "Get your junk and let's go!" You were so glad that you packed your old school bag before hand, pretty proud of yourself. Heading out of the motel complex and into the parking lot, you stood inbetween your Dad's truck and sister's van.

No one actually declared which vehicle, so you stood there awkwardly. Praying you wouldn't have to take the truck, the cab[1] to small to house three people and you certainly didn't want to sit in the bed and risk being flung out!

While staring out the window, watching as buildings and cars whizzed by. You couldn't help but think about your manager, he looked so down in the dumps and lonely. It honestly made you feel bad, a misunderstood soul some people would say.

WHY MUST YOU FEEL ATTRACTED TO PEOPLE LIKE THAT?! AAAAHHHH!!!

Why couldn't you grow out of that? You thought you had left crushing on Emos back in middle school! Aaggghh!!

Well you shouldn't call your boss emo. That man had been way more expressive when Mortimer is in play. Maybe that's why you 'love' that strange puppet was because of Owen. The feeling of heat flushing your cheeks as you remember the times the puppeteer had called you many lovely pet names and the times he flirted with you.

Of course Owen tried to deny the act but you knew he liked you. You happily sighed, Owen is such a cutie.

Maybe you'll bring back a souvenir for Owen. You already promise one for Katie, so why not your boss too?

Tearing your eyes away from the city landscape, your [EYE COLOR] orbs couldn't help but curiously eye'd a box labeled 'Wigs'. Another one 'Heels', 'Breast Padding'? What the fuck is your sister actually doing?

Julie is actually your older brother named, Edward. She's a drag queen but that's not the point! What are these paddings for? Like, what the fuck?

Unconsciously you've begun to reach, hand shaking the closer you got. Thought of strangely perky breast being in a tan cardboard box kind of freaked you out! But you must see!

Of course you hadn't waited for your family, off to the first booth you saw. The kind that listed Elephant Ears off, you bought a few of those sweet treats for yourself and your gang. Since you guys hadn't made any pit stops, you were basically hankering for something to drink and snack on.

Garbage Fries for your Dad, And two things of cheesy nachos. You're a little bit lactose intolerant but damn you love nachos and cheese! It'll be worth it!

With food and drinks in hand, you happily skipped back to the vehicle; Knowing your family would still be there because they were located next to the port-o-potties. You don't know who but you're pretty sure someone had been holding it in.

Your pace would soon come to a crawling halt, a crystal vendor and a few people watching her small to-go TV. Even yourself got sucked into the group, curiosity taking a hold of your mind. The TV showed firefighters tackling a raging fire, most of the building disappearing behind the hungry flames. A few firemen storming into the chaos, brave fellows most likely looking for any living souls.

The presence of static made it hard to understand what the news reporter was saying, only a few word at a time could be understood.

Mortimer's Handeemen? Fire? Your [EYE COLOR] orbs widen in disbelief. How? Why?

You forced yourself away, your brain not believing a single word. It couldn't be real! You actually liked your job- Why would anyone do this? The feeling of your chest tightening and the sudden sting of tears hitting the corner of your eyes. Your arms tighten around the things within, some drinks being crushed and liquid nearly spilling out.

Does this mean you lost your job?

Did any of your friends get out in time?

You hadn't register a hand bracing your shoulder, a voice that sounded muffled and to far to hear. The face of your sister appeared before you, blocking your view of the mini TV. She continued to speak but her words weren't there. The elder sibling shook you, making a poor attempt to snap you from that thousand yard stare.

Everything started to blur and deform before your very eyes. Colors and shapes fusing into a mess of grey before becoming black.

Chapter Text

Your eyes bolted open, [EYE COLOR] orbs darting all around. The panic ever present as confusion settled within your mind.

Where are you?!

This isn't the fair!

You stood within a dirty parking lot, some cars here and there and then there was this building before you. A warehouse it appeared to be, a rusty looking thing. Taking a step back in fear,

"Dad! Julie!" You spun around, hoping to see your family. There had been no one else but you, the fear growing stronger the more you panicked. You backed up into a dingy old car, you jumped in freight as you whirled around to see your own reflection staring back at you.

Hair graying with strands of white instead of luscious [HAIR COLOR] locks, your young flesh covered in wrinkles.

You look like the Crypt Keeper!

Your racing heart begun to slow when the cloud lifted from your jumbled mind, realization and clear thoughts bringing you back into the present. You can't believe you just had another episode at a time like this!

Someone could've mugged you while you were experiencing an Alzheimer's moment, luckily you were still in one piece with everything intact. Looking back to the building, seeing the sign worn and feasted upon by rust. It's been a few decades since that horrible event happened- Since you lost your favorite job and friends who've perished within that fire.

Shaking your head, you shouldn't be thinking about those who were lost. The reason you came all this way, you've heard rumors of the homeless disappearing around this area. You don't know who started this silly rumor but you came to put this to an end, there had to been a logical reason. Because no one "disappears" for a reason and maybe a young part of yourself wanted to do one last adventurous thing before you kick the bucket.

Walking up to a set of double doors, you inspected the lock, jiggling and turning the knobs- Locked but could possibly be breakable with a crowbar. You even rounded the warehouse, trying every door and window you spotted and being very surprised how tightly locked they were.

Why would someone keep up maintenance with this but not the main set?

You thought about breaking a window but you were to old and most likely break your fragile wrist... And you certainly didn't want to get in trouble with the law. You're nothing like that extreme granny from Hood Winked, you're that sweet old one with a dirty mind. (A broken mind that is.) When you made it to the front, you briefly starred in thought, there could be a hidden key somewhere.

But, there wasn't anything that could be used as an object of suspicion. Looking to your old car, you did have a pair of large wire cutters in your trunk, you could probably use that to cut off any kind of lock. A loud creaking brought you out of your reverie, your eyes widen upon seeing the formerly locked door slowly creak open.

'Yeah. That isn't scary at all.'

Your brain sarcastically said, but your body telling you to just Scooby-Doo your ass out of there!

You're a wife and mother first and a grandmother second! You're pretty sure you've dealt with a lot worse! Having gone through unnecessary bills, terrible twos, and of course that mugging.

You can handle this.

Sucking in a breath of cold night air, holding and released. Gaining your courage before heading on over, you don't know what's behind the door but you'll be careful with whatever is on the other side. You cringed upon hearing the door creak loudly, anything nearby could be alerted to the intruder.

"Oh boy, I didn't like that." You muttered to yourself, slipping inside and slowly carefully closing the door- Praying no other noise could escape. You failed, a very slow creak echoed. "Ah, my poor ears. Ahh. They keep everything up-to-date but they don't even bother to oil the hinges." The sound of the entrance lock clicked in place, indicating it had locked on it's own. No problem, the lock itself could be clearly seen upon the metal door, no need to panic encase if the need to run would arise. The first thing that came to your mind was the smell of musty mold, the air reminded you of your grandmother's basement.

Turning to face whatever horror you're about to see, you were honestly expecting to see props, crates, and various things one would find in a warehouse. To your surprise, you stood within the entryway of the old studio. You couldn't help but take in the sight, an honest-to-god recreation. From the walls, carpet, and to the well known posters of the puppet gang. Pedestals held their iconic items, each one unique- Each belonging to their respective owner. Your [EYE COLOR] orbs sparkled at the various pictures of your friends and teammates.

Seeing these pictures brought joy to your heart, like revisiting old family photos.

"Aww, I remember these! We were so young." You sighed, straightening a frame that held the puppeteers. "Oh? Helllooo.~" You purred out with a flirty smile, across the hallway was the picture of Owen Gubberson. "My, my, my. You looking handsome as always, Mr. Boss Man." You giggled to yourself, tracing your fingers along the picture's glass. "I wonder whatever happened to you." Your voice was a whisper as you briefly recalled the day of the fire. Pulling yourself away, you just done and upset yourself. The flickering of a light had caught your attention, glancing around the corner. The one flicker soon turned solid and the second flickered, the pattern repeated until a singular door lit up at the end of the corridor.

You know that definitely leads to death.

Your husband had passed on, your children and grand-kids don't even acknowledge you anymore. So the only thing you had left was to venture further, nothing is going to stop you and you really want to know the reason those homeless kept going missing. Your low heels were muffled against the carpet as you followed the lights' guidance, your heart sped up the closer you got.

Where there druggies? A meth lab?

The possibilities were never ending!

Upon entering, you had to cover [EYE COLOR] eyes. You should've asked for the special sunglasses combo, these lights were murder. When your eyes adjusted, the sight of a library of books and VHS tapes, each one holding an episode or an original story. It appeared as if the place had been ransacked, most of the things had been tossed about but the cardboard cut outs stayed in place. It's as if the people hadn't even bothered, like it was an inconvenience. Before you could touch a cut out, a familiar voice caught your attention.

"Well, well, well, if it ain't the darling gazelle that got away" Shock filled your very being, there with arms held out in a welcoming display. There was no way that puppet could've survived the accident! You thought the props and sets were lost in the blaze? "Welcome my dear! Don't look like a frozen deer and come over here! No need to be shy." You slowly approached, spotting a well dressed man with a hood upon their head. If that doesn't scream suspicious then you don't know what! Mortimer straighten the ruffles, watching you like a hungry predator. "You don't know how glad I am to see you again! You don't even know how sad I was when you hadn't returned." The victorian puppet took a hold your hand, sharp fingers digging into your flesh.

Mortimer pressed a kiss to the back of your hand, it was rather a teeth press rather a 'kiss'. An old feeling had been brought back to life, one that always left you flustered around the wooden creature.

"You've become a sliver minks while away, I bet you couldn't keep all the boys at bay." Arched brows wiggled suggestively, you couldn't help but giggle to yourself as you pulled away.

"Mortimer don't say it like that." You whined as if you were an embarrassed teen whose dad made an uncomfortable announcement. You couldn't help notice the masked man slightly slouch forward, "Hey. Everything alright?" You asked the stranger as you reached forward, before you could touch them, Mortimer took a hold of your hand once more. Bringing your attention back to the puppet before you, "Mortimer, what's going on here?" Unease settling within your guts, your stable mind warning you of something before it had been silenced.

"Everything is peachy keen," A brow rose upon your elderly face. Mortimer is hiding something, he avoided the question like water running off a duck's back. "There is something I must beseech of you." The puppet pulled away, you watched with suspicion as he ducks behind the mini stage. Masked man not once made a move, the sounds of stuff comedically being tossed about as Mortimer muttered to himself. You flinched back as a rubber chicken nearly hit you followed closely by a tennis ball, snorkeler, and a wooden oar.

You won't lie; You kind of missed childish jokes like this- The kind Sesame Street had done in a few episodes. If you remember correctly, that blue bird thing that dated a chicken did these kind of skits.

"I know it's here... Where? Where is it!" Slightly leaning forward, you wanted to try to get a glimpse of what he was doing. Quickly straightening your back- It cracking in the process with some pain to boot. Mortimer shot up with box in claw hands, it appeared like any shoe box- Minus any brand design and letters. "Here we are." The brown box rested upon the counter surface, your eyes widen when the lid had been lifted. Another puppet, she laid within- Packing peanuts keeping it safe.

"Woah..." You were in awe, a never seen before handmade puppet. From the way she was carved, only Owen could create something like this. He also had a preferred type of wood, the kind the others were made from. You've heard it was expensive wood too.

"You like? I'll give you a clue, she was made just for you." Mortimer nudge the box your way, you were confused.

Why would Owen even make one for you? You guys really weren't that close- Basically just friendly acquaintance... Even though you may have a small crush, luckily no one ever figured that out. If your dead husband figured out your small crush, he probably would've went berserk.

"Go ahead. Try it on." The puppet's voice dropped a few octaves as he suggested for the lifeless doll to be picked up. You won't lie; Mortimer's voice sounded pleasant on the ears- Sexy even. Mortimer seemed to become gleeful at the sight of you delicately lifting the bride, your fingers glided along the silkie smooth texture of the white gown. A pleasant feeling you enjoyed. Looking from the ever eager Mortimer to the blushing bride within your shaking hands.
You weren't scared nor excited, your hands have always shook upon becoming forty. "Don't be shy give it a try."

Without a second thought, you slipped your hand within the holder. There were controls that operated the eyes and mouth, it felt complex but it probably didn't look that way. The doll's [EYE COLOR] orbs opened, no eyebrow function. It must've been easier that way, easier to control. The sound of Mortimer's voice caught your attention, what he spoke was something weird. Your own eyes locked unto the puppet before you, as he spoke, his hands moved in patterns.

His strange words created a fuzz within your head, vision becoming dull and lacking. Even your limbs were feeling a lot heavier then before, you don't understand what's going on.

"What are.. You Doing?..." Your concern drowned into a slur as your sight dulled into a closing black, the void claiming your very being.