Chapter Text
You had been running for a while.
If you just kept running, they wouldn’t catch you, right? That’s what that kid had said… but your instincts had been wrong before…
No time to think. No time to doubt. Just keep running.
Wait, is that…
Finally!
You can see the ferris wheel from here, even though it’s still so far away. The purple lights illuminate the raccoon plastered on the front, its smiling face filling you with hope.
You clutch the note in your hand tighter, the familiar feeling of the paper crinkling in your hand further increasing the feeling of sudden and intense relief.
You were finally here. Indigo Park.
Your sister had loved this place as a kid, enough to beg your parents to take you when you got old enough to really experience it.
Too bad you didn’t have the chance.
Looking at the note, you read the words you had read so many times before:
Meet me at Indigo Park. Once we meet up again, everything will go back to normal. Even though mom and dad
I promise.
Love,
Your big sis
It had taken forever to get back here. You had wanted to escape immediately, but you hadn’t been able to. Finally, though, you were back, and you had been able to get away unspotted. You had begun to run over here the second you had gotten a map.
You jumped at the smallest noise in the woods memories of loud noises promising pain and hurt , and you were still running, even though you knew that you were safe (for the moment). You couldn’t help it. What if they caught you? What if you had to go back, to those awful places with mean people and scary things? What if-
No. You were safe, and you would see your sister again, and everything would be alright. Sure, it had been about nine years since you had been in this area, but she was still here, right? She wouldn’t abandon you, right?
Of course she was. You would see your sister, and everything would go back to normal. You would be able to sit wherever you wanted, eat whatever you wanted, wear whatever you wanted. You wouldn’t have to be constantly scared anymore. You would finally be safe.
All you had to do was get to Indigo Park, and then you and your sister would reunite, and everything would be perfect again. That’s what had kept you going throughout everything. And, finally, that promise was coming true.
You were finally here.
After what seemed like a million miles’ worth of running, you saw the front gate. It was metal, and closed shut. For a second, you were devastated. What would happen if you weren’t able to get in? Then, you realized that the park was probably just closed for the night. Your sister most likely wouldn’t come back until morning. All you had to do was wait here, hope that no employees came and found you during the night, and you would see your sister again!
First things first, though; you needed a place to sleep. Without money or any kind of transport, you were pretty much stuck here. You didn’t mind too much, though; you wanted to see your sister as soon as possible, and that meant sleeping as close to your meeting place as you could.
Looking around, you saw that the place was incredibly dirty, with trash lying in piles around the entrance and dust lingering thickly in the air. You were confused. Wouldn’t there be some kind of cleaning team for things like this?
Shaking your head, you brushed your concerns to the side. You would figure it out in the morning. That wasn’t important right now.
You found two stuffed animals in your search for a relatively comfortable place to sleep: a raccoon plush on the ground, and a sea serpent one on top of some boxes. You decided to take both. It would be nice to have some buddies to keep you company while you slept.
You wished you knew their names, but it had been so long you couldn’t recall them. It didn’t matter. You would ask your sister in the morning, and she would tell you enthusiastically, along with an explanation of both of their full backstories and lore like she always did. The thought of her trademark rants made you smile.
Finally, you found something promising: a door, which opened easily when you turned the doorknob. Bingo.
Stepping inside, you looked around for a nice corner to curl up in. Once you got to the middle of the room, though, sparks flew in front of your face, causing you to drop the plushies and put your hands in front of your face in an effort to protect yourself. Not a moment later, you hear a voice coming from the TV to your right, surprising you even more.
“Hi there, and welcome to Indigo Park!”
Still in shock, you stay silent and still as the mysterious voice continues.
“The world’s most innovative and engaging family fun experience!”
Finally regaining your bearings, you turn your head to get a look at what scared you so badly. It was a raccoon, cartoonish in style with a red bandana and a big, fluffy tail. Wait, you remembered this raccoon! He’s the mascot of the theme park! And, if you’re remembering correctly, he’s also the main attendee, able to help you out with anything you need using his state-of-the-art AI technology. Unfortunately, you still cannot remember his name, though. You’ll have to ask.
“Jump into the world of your favorite chara-“
Suddenly, he glitches out, surprising you and causing you to flinch.
“Wait! You’re our first guest in 2920 days, 4 hours, 23 minutes, and 38 seconds! Congratulations!”
Wait… 2920 days?! That can’t be right! That doesn’t make sense, your sister had to have been waiting for you, she didn’t… no, she wouldn’t… right?
No no no, he has to be wrong, it couldn’t have been that long, because your sister has to be here, she just has to be-
“I’m Rambley, Rambley the raccoon, and it’s my job to make sure that- are you okay?”
You were shaking, body hunched in on itself, your hands clutched at your sides. Your eyes were tightly closed, your breathing irregular as you fell deeper into your thoughts.
“Breathe… take deep, steady breaths…”
After a moment, the raccoon’s instructions seemed to reach you. Your breaths came more regularly, your chest rising and falling as you struggled to even out your breathing. Your hands remained clutched at your sides, but after another moment of steady breaths, they loosened.
You opened your eyes slowly, seeming to take in the room a second time. Looking back at the screen, you saw the raccoon’s concerned face looking back at you.
“…Thank you.”
The AI’s face relaxes at your voice, relieved that you’re alright.
“Of course! Do you feel better? I have multiple other breathing exercises in my database if you want to try any of those.”
After taking another deep breath, you stand back up fully and relax your body until you look better than you feel.
“…No, no, I’m alright. What were you saying again?”
“Oh, right! My name is Rambley, Rambley the raccoon, and it’s my job to…”