[PUNCH CLOCK ANIMAL] MAYBEQUEST: PART 1

[skinstealer]

 

MAY: We have a chance- not a big one, and we could always die or worse.
MAY: But we gotta try.
MAY: Yeah, this started as a suicide mission and I don’t think any of us expected to get this far...or pick up these kids either.
MAY: But this is something bigger than just us now.
MAY: We can try to help give some kids a chance at a less terrible life. And screwing over the people who kept us here is a bonus. It's worth a shot.
MAY: I wanna be a part of it, and I guess at this point I’d do a hell of a lot to get us out of here. 
MAY: I’m sorry you got a rough deal and all, but you’ve got the chance to help us out now.
MAY: Or just...let us go. 
MAY: Look the other way. Anything.

  

 
The beast sighs, rubbing his face into one of his massive hands. 
 

????: It won’t do you much good.
????: They’ll find you, and they’ll catch you.
????: And when they do, they will kill you.
????: If you somehow manage to avoid that, it’ll be a miracle. 
????: But I can give you a shot at getting out if you’re so determined to try.
????: Just...don’t expect that hope to last. It never does, not when dealing with these fucking people.

 

DWAYNE: Thank GOD.

  

You peek over, the pockitt having interjected from his spot looking over Chance. 
 

DWAYNE: I mean...no offense, I just don’t think we could take any more beatings from you.
DWAYNE: Or...whoever was around earlier. Chelsea, I think.
????: ...yeah.

 

 
Doc Fuller leans over, doing their best to whisper in your ear.
 

FULLER: Keep an eye on the other kids. I’m going to go take a look at Chance.
MAY: On it.

 

 
You shuffle a little closer to Mason as the doc tries to sidle away, the beast following with his eyes and saying nothing. You get the feeling that he understands the situation enough at this point, and you swear that there’s...a bit of guilt in his eyes. 
 

????: The wall that Chelsea put up’s gotta be weak by now thanks to both me being out and the one in specs hacking away at it.
????: I’ll tear it down and you’ll have a clear shot at the elevator to the surface.
????: But that doesn’t change the fact that you’re covered in blood, and one of your group’s knocked out.
NELSON: Maybe someone will help us!

  
You startle a bit at the softbody’s sudden intrusion.
 

NELSON: I mean...fuck, I don’t know. 
NELSON: If we’re trying to get out of here, I’d hope that things are better up there.
NELSON: People might see us and try to help us through if we explain-
????: You tell anybody about this place, you’ve marked them good as dead.
????: Anya and Spit will do whatever it takes to silence people who know about what goes on down here. 
????: If you have to say something, lie. 
????: Even that might not be enough, but it’d be something.
NELSON: A-ah…

 
The beast doesn’t wait for Nelson to come up with any kind of response, straightening out his back and stepping forward. 
 

????: Wall’s not going to tear itself down.
????: Move.

  

 
You pull Mason out of the way with your good arm, Melanie still wrapped up in your tail. Both you and Nelson watch as the monster pushes on the flesh wall with a single palm with a derisive snort, almost mockingly, before slashing through the entire thing with a single motion.

The barrier that prevented you from leaving this hellish corridor is gone now.

[seppawku]

thank him and run for it

[Shifter55]

Check with Fuller to see if Chance is at least going to be in any shape, he took a bad hit. Maybe we'll be lucky enough that he'll get to see the surface again.

[skinstealer]

 
You decide to go check with Fuller to see how Chance is doing, and to your relief, it looks like he’s starting to come to. 
 

MAY: How’s he holding up?
FULLER: Well, he’s alive. 

 
The dog gazes up at you as you approach, looking dazed.
 

CHANCE: ...the kids?
MAY: They're safe. 

 

 
You lift up your tail, Melanie reaching out with her little paws to give Chance the best hug she can reach.
 
Chance's grip is weak, but he squeezes her back as best he can, relief washing over his face as he spots Maes and Mason just to the side.
 

CHANCE: I'm glad.
CHANCE: What happened to--?

 

 
He spots the monster as he turns his head back, and instinctively pulls Melanie close.
 

MAY: He backed off when he noticed the kids. 

 
You make sure to whisper this next part.
 

MAY: He's kind of an ass, but when it comes to them, I'm betting he's as soft as you.

 

 
His expression softens, and he lets Melanie go, letting out a big sigh.
Chance, surprisingly, addresses the towering figure who had previously knocked him out.
 

CHANCE: I'm glad we were able to work things out.

 
The beast avoids eye contact.
 

????: ...yeah. Sorry about that.
CHANCE: It's okay, I wasn't knocked out for very long, I don't think.

 
The dog struggles to get to his feet, but you quickly help him up.
 

CHANCE: I'm Chance, by the way.
CHANCE: What's your name?
????: ...Bazil. 
????: Not that it matters, you're never going to see me again one way or the other.
CHANCE: You could always come with us, Bazil.
CHANCE: We could use the muscle, and I doubt you wanna stay here.
????: Tch...

  

 
He stretches out, the bulk of his form fading with a crackle across his skin. Before long, he's back to the karacel form he was in earlier, staggering a bit as he loses his balance. 
  

BAZIL: No can do.
BAZIL: There's a million reasons as to why that couldn't work, and you don't have time for me to go over all of them.
BAZIL: You're best off just leaving me and going ahead before they come for you.
BAZIL: Chances are they're already on their way to clean up after us.

  
Chance is quiet for a moment, then gives Bazil a nod.
 

CHANCE: Just... get out when you can, okay?
CHANCE: And if you change your mind, there's a spot for you.
BAZIL: I'm not gonna make promises I can't keep. 
BAZIL: Now stop yammering and get yourselves patched up before you get killed. 
FULLER: R-right...look, Suplex, I have to patch you up now, too- you're going to bleed everywhere and I don't need you passing out either.
MAY: Wh- no, I'm good.
FULLER: You are not good, and the more blood you get everywhere, the worse we’re going to look. For god’s sake. Come here.

 

 
You begrudgingly let Fuller take some bandages out and get to work on your arm, wincing as the wound stings. Whatever medicine they’re putting on it stings like hell, but they keep telling you it’ll keep it from getting worse. 
 

FULLER: I really wish I could stitch it up here, but this is going to have to do for now...

  

 
As the doctor works, you can’t help but let your gaze sneak back over to Bazil, your blood running cold as you notice Mason wandering over to bother him. 
 

MASON: You’re not so big and tough anymore.
BAZIL: You’re not too big and tough yourself, kid.
MASON: I’m bigger and tougher than the others!
BAZIL: Guess that’s fair, you the same age?

 

 
He nods, and Bazil smiles a little.
 

BAZIL: I stand corrected, you are relatively big and tough.
BAZIL: You, uh...you keep at it and you’ll probably get big enough to flip a car or something someday.
MASON: What’s a car?
BAZIL: ...don’t worry about it, kid. Just know that you’ll be able to flip one.

 
You exhale in relief, only to have Fuller wrap a bandage around your hand especially tight.
 

MAY: Watch it!
FULLER: Sorry! 
FULLER: You’re all done, anyway.
MAY: Sheesh…

 
You get to your feet, dusting yourself off and watching as your party comes together again.
 

MAY: Everybody ready to go?

 
There’s a collective murmur of agreement, but nobody seems as enthusiastic as before- considering you just got the shit kicked out of you, you can’t blame them.
 

MAY: Look, we’re almost there. We just need to get to that elevator.
MAY: Then we’ll be on the surface, and we’re home free. 
MAY: Right?
DWAYNE: Right!

 

 
Dwayne’s enthusiasm catches a bit, and peoples’ energy starts to pick up. You sigh and head over one last time to Bazil, extending your good hand.
 

MAY: Thank you for letting us go.

 
He just kind of stares at you.
 

BAZIL: Don’t thank me when I beat your ass.
BAZIL: We’re not the kind of people who deserve that kind of appreciation, and the shit we’ve done here today even aside from just now would make me feel dirty shaking somebody’s hand, even if it wasn’t me who did it.
BAZIL: Just go. 
MAY: ...yeah.

 
You pull your hand away, giving him a nod.
 

MAY: Hope you get out of this someday too, man.
BAZIL: Not planning on it. 
BAZIL: Now fucking, go already! God!
MAY: Alright, alright!

 


You turn and start moving, the rest of your party already having picked up their backpacks. You sling yours over your shoulder as Nelson hands it over, and the whole party books it down the hall.

And there it is.

The elevator.

You set Maes down, the maybecat hesitating for a moment before reaching for your hand. She looks scared, more at the prospect of heading through those doors than the situation that the party was just in. 
 

MAES: Is this the way out?
MAY: ...yeah. It is.
MAES: Oh…
MAY: Hey, chin up. 
MAY: It gets better from here on out, yeah?
MAES: Y-yeah...

 
There’s a button going up, and a button going down.

[seppawku]

we gotta go up, yeah? squeeze maes's hand gently

[Zenthis]

push both buttons

[skinstealer]

You press the button going up, and you swear that you feel your heart about to pound out of your chest. This is it. 

Maes is still looking up at you, and you give her hand a squeeze for strength. 
  

MAY: Seriously, it’s gonna be okay.
MAY: You’re gonna get out of here and we’re gonna have a new life.
MAES: ...away from Mom…
MAY: ...yeah. Away from her.

 
There’s a moment of silence before she speaks up again. 

MAES: She’s going to be really mad at me for going away.
MAES: I had stuff to do with her, and now I’m not going to do it.
MAY: Y-yeah?
MAES: She was going to teach me more about reading. I’m still learning.
MAY: Well hey, we can learn together out there.

 
Her eyes widen. 

MAES: You don’t know how to read?
MAY: Nope. Never got taught.
MAES: Oh...I thought all grown ups knew how.
MAY: ...not all of us were lucky enough to get classes, kid.
MAES: Mom does say stuff like that a lot…
MAES: That me and Mel and Mason are lucky, because she’ll teach us things and take care of us and give us food…
MAY: Yeah.
MAY: Lot of us didn’t get that. So...I guess I’m gonna start doing that for myself, now.
MAY: And I figure we can do that other stuff for you three too. Somehow.

  
She smiles a little, and you feel relief wash over you. Maybe you’re not so bad at this.
  

 
You hear something going on behind you, and your ear twitches as you listen in.

FULLER: Not now. 
FULLER: Leave her be.
NELSON: I just want to check on her-
FULLER: She’s talking with one of the kids, have some decency and give her some space.
FULLER: Frankly the two of you shouldn’t be attached at the hip anyway, you’re playing a dangerous game with your whole...relationship, and I don’t like it.
NELSON: But-
FULLER: But nothing.

  
You catch a sigh, and from the corner of your eye you can see Fuller massaging their temple. 

FULLER: I appreciate you stepping in and fighting for us earlier.
FULLER: You clearly want to be a part of this team and you’re willing to make things happen.
FULLER: But I do not trust a guard who’s willing to get into some kind of messed up, whatever you have, with another maybecat. 
FULLER: I may not have grown up with the others or gone through the mutation process, but I still have the collar to prove I’m considered one of them.
FULLER: And I know enough about us and my own studies on psychology to know that what you’re doing is wrong. 
FULLER: So don’t test my patience-

 
Their voice is like ice. 
  

FULLER: Or you’re going to be sorely missing having a doctor around to help you specifically.
FULLER: Understand?
NELSON: ...got it. 

  

 
They grow silent, and your urge to eavesdrop continues as you listen for what else is going on in the hallway. There’s a sudden noise of alarm from your other side, and you whip around to see Melanie stagger and nearly collapse.

Chance is already on it. He reacts quickly and scoops her up, then winces in pain, having to catch himself on the wall with his other hand.

CHANCE: I got you. You okay?
MELANIE: I'm o-okay-!
MELANIE: Just feel weird, I think...

 
She looks up at him, startled when she sees the bruises on his arms.

MELANIE: You're hurt!
MELANIE: Why-

 
He follows her eyeline as he sets her down.

CHANCE: Oh this?
CHANCE: I got hurt earlier, from Bazil.
CHANCE: But I'm okay! Promise.
CHANCE: It's no big deal at all.
MELANIE: Bazil? 
MELANIE: Who's Bazil?
MELANIE: What happened?

 
Her brows furrow, the kid clearly distressed. Chance opens his mouth, the words not quite coming out yet.

CHANCE: ...Bazil's the person we met earlier.
CHANCE: We had a disagreement, but he turned out to be nice.
CHANCE: ...You don't... remember at all?
MELANIE: No...
MELANIE: I'm sorry...

Melanie seems to droop a little, upset with herself- but you swear there's something off about it, where things are just a bit different than when she got upset earlier.

You can't put your finger on it, though.

Chance's shoulders drop almost imperceptibly. 

You catch a glance at his face. It's difficult to read, but he seems almost... despondent. His eyes are sullen, the smile he usually has around the kids eroding away.

But, it picks back up again quickly. His tone grows quieter now, though; as if how he responded suddenly became much more important.

CHANCE: ...That's okay. It might've been a little scary, so you forgot, that's all. 
CHANCE: It happens. You don't need to worry.

  
He looks down at his bruised arms.

CHANCE: ...We're both having a little trouble right now, huh?
CHANCE: But we can work on it together, right?
MELANIE: Okay...okay.
MELANIE: We'll be okay.
MELANIE: Right?

 
He nods.

CHANCE: We'll be okay.
CHANCE: Just have to ride up the elevator, and we're out of here.
CHANCE: ...I've always got you, okay?

Chance notices her still-worried expression.

CHANCE: Here.

He crouches down, putting his hands behind him.

CHANCE: For old time's sake.
CHANCE: How's that sound?

  


She nods and immediately goes for it, clambering up onto his back. 

MELANIE: I'm ready!

 
He hops up with her in tow, paying no attention to any pain he might've felt from holding her.

CHANCE: Elevator should be here aaaany minute.
CHANCE: We can ride up like this, if you want to!

 
Melanie seems cheered up immediately, all signs of distress gone from her face. 
  

MELANIE: Yeah!!

 


...you file this interaction away with a sense of unease, and turn your attention to the last two members of your party.

DWAYNE: Hey, kiddo.
MASON: ...don’t call me that.
DWAYNE: You got it.
DWAYNE: Just wanted to know how you’re holding up after all that.
MASON: I’m...fine.
DWAYNE: You weren’t scared-
MASON: No.
MASON: I could have helped if the doctor let me.
DWAYNE: I dunno about that, though your guts are appreciated.
DWAYNE: Good to see that kind of courage on the team.
MASON: Yeah?
MASON: You think I’m brave?
DWAYNE: I mean, you walked right up to that guy after he kicked the sh- the tar out of Chance. 
DWAYNE: I couldn’t have done that. I was terrified of him!
DWAYNE: Braver than me, at the very least.
MASON: Heh…
DWAYNE: Hey, I got a smile out of you.
DWAYNE: First time I’ve seen that.

Mason doesn’t give a response, and there’s a moment before Dwayne starts up again.

DWAYNE: You really need out of here, huh?
MASON: ...yeah.
MASON: I don’t...want to leave Mom, but she’s…
DWAYNE: Mean?
MASON: Yeah...she hurts me a lot.
MASON: I end up getting all bloody and messy when they do the tests and everyone makes a fuss but they keep doing it…
DWAYNE: You won’t have to deal with any more of that.
DWAYNE: I’ll punch anybody who starts anything with you, got that?
MASON: I thought you weren’t brave.
DWAYNE: Well...I can learn.

The elevator dings as the doors start to open, and everyone freezes. It’s large and completely empty.
Nobody moves at first.

MAY: Come on. Let’s go.

Everyone starts filing in, spacing out throughout the elevator. You stand by the buttons, ready to push- until you realize you can’t read any of them. 

MAY: Uh...help, somebody. Reading.
FULLER: I got it.

 
Fuller presses the top button, and the doors close. The elevator starts moving slowly, and you feel a bit woozy at the feeling- you’d only been on these when they were transporting you around the cell blocks growing up, and you don’t think you’d ever get used to it. Blech. 

But then-

It stops, jolting everyone around. 

NELSON: What’s going on?!
FULLER: I- I don’t know, I didn’t touch anything-
DWAYNE: We can’t be close to the surface already-

The elevator is cast in red as a light above the door flickers on, and the voice that comes from the speaker nearby is unmistakable.
 

ANYA: You all thought you could make your way out of here just like that, didn’t you?
ANYA: I knew I couldn’t count on Chelsea to clean things up.
ANYA: You may have gotten this far, but I’m not letting you progress any further.

ANYA: IT-573-

 
Nelson’s frown deepens as his old number is called, twisting into a snarl.  

ANYA: You’ve gone against your orders as a guard and let one of our candidates escape- though to call her a candidate really is pushing things, as she never had a chance anyway.
ANYA: I suppose I shouldn’t have expected better from your performance, considering you choose to sleep with something like her.
NELSON: Don’t talk about her like that!

 
Anya doesn’t respond, pressing forward. 
  

ANYA: IT-966, IT-394...you really have disappointed me as well. You had clean records up until this point, enough to the point where I allowed 966 to interact with my daughters.
ANYA: Words cannot describe the betrayal I feel at your mutiny-
ANYA: But I suppose my actions will make those feelings very clear.

 
Dwayne says nothing, gripping the straps of his backpack tighter.
Chance grits his teeth, but can’t hold his tongue.


  

CHANCE: They’ve always deserved better than you.

 
His rebellious streak peaks, going for a low-blow without raising his voice.

CHANCE: Really, anyone who could actually get things done for them.
CHANCE: Not some deadbeat.

His eyes widen, surprised at himself as he quickly shuts up. There's a moment of irritated hesitation before Anya presses on.

ANYA: MC-157...tch.

 
Fuller’s ears flop back, their gaze to the floor. 

ANYA: I knew raising one of you creatures as a doctor without my supervision would be a mistake.
ANYA: I always suspected your treachery, but to have it confirmed like this…Disgusting.

ANYA: And MC-173...oh, 173, you’re the real problem here, aren’t you?
ANYA: After all I’ve done for you.
ANYA: I’d say you could have had a chance at being one of my daughters, but any time spent on testing and training you was a waste.
ANYA: I’m glad I never bothered teaching you anything academic, because that would have been a completely futile effort spent on something that could never amount to anything. 
ANYA: And yet, I tried for years despite this, and you repaid me by
ANYA: KIDNAPPING 
ANYA: MY
ANYA: DAUGHTERS.

 

Her voice seems to nearly bust the speakers, everyone wincing. You think Maes is starting to cry a little, and you give her hand a squeeze, trying to look stronger than you feel right about now. Your blood is boiling and it’s all you can do to keep yourself from screaming right back at her, but judging from Nelson earlier, it wouldn’t do any good. 

 

ANYA: I will get them back.
ANYA: Maes and Melanie will be mine again, and you’ll sorely regret even thinking of crossing my path. 
ANYA: You foolish, idiotic mistakes.  
ANYA: But as for Margaret…

 

Mason flinches, his eyes welling up with tears as the next words leave the speaker. 

 

ANYA: You can keep her.
ANYA: She serves no use to me anymore.
ANYA: I’m sure you’ll get along well in your final hours. The two of you have so much in common, 173.
ANYA: Absolute, total failures.
ANYA: A waste of goddamn oxygen.

 

 
The elevator jolts, a sudden downward motion sending the party staggering.

 

ANYA: You will all pay for what you’ve done.
ANYA: And it will be a long, torturous death.
ANYA: Not at my hands, though, no.
ANYA: I can’t bear the idea of washing off your filthy remains.
ANYA: Enjoy your bodies twisting into horrid flesh, all before being eaten alive.
ANYA: Goodbye.

 

The elevator plunges.

END OF PART ONE