#hahaha idk why this came out so angsty and spooky BUT I LOVE IT

[where-ismydonkey]

DCA PROMPTOBER - DAY 12

CAROUSEL

When Moon had asked if you wanted to see the Pizzaplex’s carousel, you gave him a weird look. Because as far as you knew, there was no such thing. At least, not anymore unfortunately. Since you remembered it'd been scrapped years ago, after repairs had made it so costly.

Or so you thought, at least.

Honestly, you just assumed he was either trying to trick you or confuse you. Like he always did, with a charming twirl of his face and that perpetual grin of his.

Until one night—Hours after your shift—he’d scooped you up and out of the daycare. And as you giggled into his chest, you failed to notice as he went down a utilidor you didn't recognize. Cheeks flushed and smile wide, you wrapped one arm around his neck. And the other rested on his chest as you raised your eyebrows.

“Moon!” you whispered, voice full of amusement, “Where are we going?”

"The carousel."

Huh?

You tilted your head, trying to make sure you had heard him correctly. Looking up at him, or as much as you could from the angle you were at, you could only wonder why he was bringing this up again.

"Did you hit your head or something?" you asked confusedly, "Because there's no—"

"Look ahead."

Suddenly, you were set back on your feet. And as you wobbled from the sudden shift, he wrapped a hand around your waist to steady you. But you were too intrigued to thank him, as you were face to face with a tall, imposing metal door a few feet away.

No doubt it was bigger than you, and almost as big as Moon. And smack at the end of the corridor you two were in. That you also didn’t recognize.

And on that note, you turned to face him. There was a sweet smile on your face as you looked at him, "Yeah, I'm not going in there."

“Why?” his hold on your waist tightened, and he tugged you toward him. As you were brought forward, you yelped as he teased. “Don't tell me you're still scared of the dark?”

You gawked at him, “Hey! That's still a normal fear for some adults!"

"Is not."

"Is too."

"Is not."

"Is too—" you cut yourself off and asked as if he was capable of forgetting, "Okay, come on. Why are we here, Moon?"

"Carousel," he reminded you and nudged his faceplate against your face. His adorable way of a kiss, "I wanted to show you it."

“Aw. Well, that's a really sweet sentiment,” you leaned up to his face and appreciatively kissed the middle of his grin. Truthfully, you did feel a little excited at the improbable mention of it, “But there’s no carousel at the Pizzaplex anymore, Moony.”

He just stared down at you silently, and you stared back at him. Why did you have a sneaking suspicion you knew what was next? “…Unless?”

Moon took that as the right time to continue, “They may have decommissioned it, but never fully scrapped it,” he clarified, his hand leaving your waist. Instead, he moved to gently take your own hand, and carefully intertwined your fingers together. With that, he began to take slow steps backwards toward the door, and you had no choice but to tentatively follow.

As soon as his back bumped against it, he darted his elbow out to harshly push against it. And with a creak and a groan, the iron door opened. Inside, the room was dark and endless and you could only frown as your peered in.

No way in hell you'd be stepping in there.

So you stopped as he turned to walk in. His hand hadn't let yours go and it was only a moment before he noticed you'd stilled. Glancing over his shoulder, he looked down at you in silent question.

You shook your head, "I'll just stay out here."

"It's safe." he tried to reassure you, gradually letting go of your hand. He crept further into the room, waiting for you to follow, but you remained at the entrance. And you would stay there, at least until you were able to see what was in the room.

"I'll go in when I can see a little better," you smiled for his sake, "On that note, does the carousel have lights?—Is it even working?"

Moon crooned from further inside the room, and the sound of tinkering could be heard. You wondered what he was messing around with, "It was last time we tested it out," and you felt your heart skip a beat, "We wanted to make sure it was working. Just for you, Starlight."

With a besotted grin, you shook your head. All this confusion over a carousel was because they wanted to be romantic? You wanted to propose right now!

And just before you could consider it, soft lights belonging to the carousel came on. From the center of the room, it illuminated the room enough to entice you in. And as you stared in momentary shock, you could see Moon's sharp grin form the corner of your eye as he awaited you.

Willing yourself to walk in, you got a closer look at the revived, rotating carousel.

It almost was like you were in a trance, and sucked back into your childhood. Only reminders of fuzzy, colorful memories as you used to ride the merry-go-rounds as a kid. A ride that was fun, and seemingly endless to you in those moments.

Now, all you felt was your heart flutter as Moon came around to stand beside you. And you wished the moment could never end as you took his hand. Smiling over at him, the lights glowed around you two as the horses did a slow dance.

"Pretty, isn't?" he asked, staring right at you.

You flushed, and nodded all the same. Holding his hand, you readjusted your grip. And from the corner of your eye, you swore the lights from the ride reflected against his usually red eyes, "It is."

"You're such a flirt," you smiled through warm cheeks, "But thank you, you're pretty too I suppose."

"Who says I was talking about you?" he mischievously asked, and you swatted at him arm.

"How rude!” you grinned, ducking his free hand as he attempted to return the swat. However, he aimed at your head and you just chuckled. Darting away from another attempt, a string of laughter left you as you doubled over. Hardly noticing as Moon froze, suddenly several feet away from you.

Huh?—

His eyes were the first thing you noticed. Once a shade of red you expected, they shined with a purplish tint. You looked away, hoping it was just the light again. But as you looked back, he began to creep toward you.

"Run." came a staticky growl, making you jump.

“Moon,” you started quietly, “What's going on with you?”

"Run!" he'd hissed, teetering on a snarl. His steps were erratic, going back and forth as he seemed to struggle with himself. Until a hand of his darted out, nearly catching your face.

You sprang back, eyes growing wide. But before you could question him again, the lights of the carousel flickered once. And then twice. Then on the third time, it went out.

Immediately, you tried to run for the dim doorway. You couldn't see much, but that couldn't stop you.

How did you go from being more in love than ever to disorientated and a little scared in a matter of moments, huh? Just your luck!

Moon growled from somewhere behind you, "Run!"

And from afar came a shrill scream. A familiar sound that you didn't realize had been yours until it happened again, and the noise ripped out of your throat.

Purple, reddish eyes darted at you in hatred that made you want to cry.

"Get out of here!" you heard as you landed on the floor, trying your best to dodge the attack, "Run!"

Hissing, having landed on your shoulder, you struggled to get up. But too aware of the depraved cackling in the room, you whimpered. There was nothing else to do, and you knew it.

Moon had never liked disobedience, so when he chuckled darkly from above you, you made a run for it. Just like he had said.

Screaming, so raw it hurt your throat, you turned on your heel. You began a mad dash toward the open doorway, unable to process anything other than the warning the animatronic had been shouting. Ignoring that your legs felt like jelly, and your body was ready to give up. Throwing away the fact that this had all been a surprise for you, meant to make you grin and throw yourself into their arms.

And pushing down the reminder that whatever was chasing you, was not the robot you loved.

So with that, your whole body trembled as you ran out into the corridor, swift footsteps following you.

—

ERMMMM so this was a lil spooky HUEHUEHUE