The JereMike Collection

Game On

One of the best attribute of the criminal recognition software was the ability to detect someone's heartbeat. It was a underused feature, it's purpose meant to tell if someone was lying. Though, in the business of children, there was hardly any need.

The range was short and defective. During the nightshift, the toys would have to be within the same room as a human to find a beat. Even then it couldn't be trusted, it's readings erratic and unorderly. But every now and then, it gave a solid result.

Chirp sauntered over to the merry-go-round, giving the attraction a good look over. The power was turned off, of course, with the ride in the corner of the room away from the only light source, shrouding the inside in shadow.

A racing pulse echoed from within the darkness.

Mike was probably on the other side of the building by now.

Chirp gave the ride one last scan, blinking in uncharacteristic surprise as the readings displayed solid results. The program brightened the images, automatically seeking out a face in the dimness. Her endoskeleton tensed as hint of movement shifting in the small of her vision.

A small, huddled human backed up against the inner walls of the merry-go-round stared at her approaching figure with intensifying fear.

Chirp hesitated, a tick in her system. "I'm not going to hurt you" She spoke, keeping her voice box to a hushed level. "Not this time"

Jeremy didn't move, keeping his distance. "Why should I believe you?" He whispered. "...Any minute now you'll try to k-kill me..." His voiced cracked as he spoke, a little hitch that was left floating in the air.

The ringing became louder. "Not tonight" She replied, her once cheerful tone replaced by something much more serious. "We don't want this" Her unmoving mouth spoke. "We don't want him back"

He faultered, furrowing his brows. "...W-we?" He repeated, "Who is we...?"

The ringing cut off abruptly, replaced by a long lengthening dial-tone. Chirp inwardly cringed at the change, her head twitching to the side as a golden tint ran through her sensors. "The animatronics and I..." She trailed off, earning a baffled look from the nightwatch. "...and then there was another...."

Her vocals began to glitch and stutter. Jeremy blinked, edging away from the robot. "You're not making any sense..."

"It's not important" Chirp shook the sensations away, recollecting herself. "What matters is that we're willing to help you. We can give you a place to hide-"

"I-in a suit?" He interrupted, "I-I already have one maniac after me, c-couldn't you guys just cut me a break for once?" A shudder ran up his spine as he stared into her unblinking eyes. "Please?"

Tilting her head down, Chirp managed a warm demeanor. Jeremy paused at the action, uncharacteristic for an murderous animatronic. "You won't have to worry about us tonight, nerd. There are other responsibilities to take care of now. Things too important to waste time on you" She paused. "That came out more hateful than I meant."

The nightwatch hadn't payed any mind to the unintentional insult, really, just too focused on keeping the distance between the robot and him a safe measure. Ben could be anywhere by now, and he'd have to move to another location soon if he wanted to keep up the score.

"W-what responsibility could you possibility have?" He asked, clutching the flashlight closer to his chest. "I thought stuffing us was the only..."

"Not really something we toys would like to do, mind you" The chicken cut off, a little snark in her tone. "But the old models like to keep tradition, I guess. It's supposed to be against the rules anyway." A familiar sense of youth and warmth returned to her pitch, although hushed, she maintained her friendliness.