[Please note that this story did not have any edits to it, so there might be some mistakes. If you see any just let me know, and I will fix it.]
I want to see how well I could do these tests, so I said fuck it and went with them. The staff members led me to the first game station musical memory. The kids had noticed that I was going to a game station. Some of them didn't look happy about it, I may have made good friends with most of the kids here. But some of them were jealous of me. I was smarter than them, social, and more likely to get adopted because I was younger.
I was everything a parent wanted in a kid, and that made some of the kids feel jealous. I tried to get them to calm down, saying that I didn't want to be adopted until every kid did. It helped some of the kids, but not all of them.
Whenever parents showed up, I made sure I was the first one that they saw and spoke to. I made sure to show them the other kids, their names, what they liked and all of that stuff. I also interviewed the parents, asking them what they wanted, and what child would be best for them.
It was weird at first, as I was a straightforward honest kind of guy. So, some of the parents didn't like it and other parents loved me. They were the ones that wanted to adopt me, but I refused every time. Instead I would lead them to the other kids. I always, absolutely always told parents that I knew every kid in this place, and that if they wanted to find anyone they needed to come to me.
There was only one incident where it had actually worked. Parents came by, wanted to adopted, I gave them the whole speech I do, they found a kid they liked. However, staff said he was sick, which I told the parents was a fat lie and they got the kid they wanted. It was a nice family, they couldn't have kids on their own and wanted to adopt.
I thought about how I was going to calm the jealous kids down. I knew they wouldn't fight me, or try anything but I still didn't want them to feel the way they did. Maybe, when I use my prize to get that sewing machine I can make Pokémon toys for them. I am sure the kids will like them, I know I did when I was growing up.
When we finally reached the entrance to Musical member, I was given a small grab pack. They showed me how to use it, which in all honestly was a lot easier than I thought it was going to be. Once they saw that I got the hang of it, they left the room.
The giant TV screen in the room turned on, and just like it in the game it played the video.
"Welcome to musical remember this-blah, blah, blah. A sequence of colors will be shown-blah, blah, blah. Bunzo will be lowered. Blah, Blah."
I heard this shit before when I watched a play through of the game, and when I played myself. Although I don't want to admit, on how many times it took me to beat it. Needless to say I knew the instruction fairly well.
The test started, and I got each round correct. I wasn't the smartest person in the world, in my past life but I did like these kinds of games. I think the highest I ever got was like 14 or something on that google game. However, this was different usually I would make to get a rhyme or something going to help me remember but this was easy…too easy. Like I got to a point where I had to stop. Not because it was hard but because I literally had to.
Maybe, reincarnating helps with the mind or maybe being in "otherworld" helped. The staff came into the room, walked me back into the Game Station, and into the next game Wack-a-Wuggy. As we made our way there, I started to get second thoughts. Did I want to do this? However, I knew I was in too deep now.
There was literally no point in this besides being able to make toys, and to see if I was better. Every time I was able to kill an undead, I felt stronger. Not crazy, I can kill the hulk stronger but just minor things. I was always going all out in "otherworld" fighting, practicing using weapons that I found from spears to swords. Speaking of which spears were better, but using a spear against an undead wasn't that good. The sword and shield was the best for undead. It was strange, by the time I was done with my fighting of the undead I really didn't have much energy to do anything else.
I mean I did play with some of the kids, but it was mostly hide-and-seek or tag or something like that. I never really went all out, never really saw the need for it. This was a way to get that though, so I was a little excited about it.
Wack-a-Wuggy door lead down some flight of stairs and into a long hallway. There was some pictures painted on the walls. When we got to the end of the hall, there was a room with what looked like sand in it. The room had multiple holes in the walls, with pictures of buildings and other stuff painted on them. There was an screen window that lead to the observation room above me, and on the corner of the wall was that TV. That showed the player how to play this game.
The TV turned on, showed the Playtime Logo and started speaking
"Welcome to Wack-a-Wuggy. This advance test is design to- blah, blah, blah. A grab pack blah blah. Around you are blah, blah. If one comes out hit it."
Say less my nigga, say less. I fought horde of undead everyday. I fought surrounded, constantly having to pay attention to my environment every night, and in my past life when I was on deployment. This will be easy.
Surprise, surprise, it was easy. The wuggys didn't stand a chance against me. Poor things couldn't even get their little heads out. Though, I am pretty sure that they upped the challenge, but whatever it was fun.
When it was finally over, the door opened. I was instructed to give the grab pack back to them, and was told to follow them to the final Game Station Statues
This Game Station was in the center of the room, right by the train that we got off at. I looked around and saw all the kids looking at me. Probably wanting to know how I did or hoping that I failed so that they could brag about it or something.
Same thing happened again, go down a flight of stairs, into a long hallway, which in turn lead me to a room. The room looked more like a play around you would send your kids to, then anything else. There was a small wall, with a metal gate in front of me. Just like in the game the TV from behind me started to play
"Welcome to Statues…blah..blah. The lights will turn off, you can move. However when the lights turn on you can look around but cant not move. Blah…blah. If PJ reaches you…blah"
Here is the thing, I liked dogs. I was a proud dog person. A pitbull was one of my favorite dogs. The game doesn't do PJ justice, he looked absolutely adorable. I am not ashamed to admit it, but when the test started I ran and got some cuddles.
Was I a 31 year old in a child`s body, yes. Was a military service member with a purple heart and multiple confirmed kills, yes I was. Did I fight literal undead monsters, and demons every night, yes sire I did. Was I also a dog lover, who wanted cuddles more than anything else…yes god damnit I was.
It was fucking stressful being here, and only focusing on the negative makes everything 100 times worse. If it is hot outside, and one of your friends say "man its hot out here" immediately you start to realize what 'holy fuck' it is hot.
So, with that said I tried not to think about my nightly events. Tried not to think about the grim future. I just wanted to sit down, and sometimes pet my dog. The problem, I didn't have a dog here or a pet or a girlfriend to cuddle with. I was cuddleless in a world that needed it. So, when I saw and had my chance I fucking took it.
PJ looked confused with his mouth slightly open and his tongue out. I cuddle with him for a little bit, which I think he liked. Then I got his cheeks, looked him in the eyes and said
"You are the cutest thing, don't let anyone tell you otherwise. If anyone dare bully you junior you let this one know. This one will commit acts of extreme violence to those who are mean or hurt you. The river will run red with their blood, and their screams will be-
"MAX. We will restart the test. PLEASE, focus and try to follow the directions and complete it."
I turned my head upwards to see the observations room, gave them a look then turned back to PJ whom based on the face he was making looked happy. Like, I just made his entire month happy.
Poor guy, kids didn't really like him much. He wasn't a favorite among the orphans, not only that but kids were scared of him. There was a lot of kids that didn't like this game, because of him. Saying that he was ugly, or stupid or something like that. Remember the things that I was told to by the other kids. I decided to look DEEP into the soul of PJ and said
"You are a beautiful person, who is special and is loved. DON'T. EVER. FORGET that. Okay. You are special and loved."
"MAX. PLEA-"
"Hold you horse alright, geez. Calm down grandpa, I am going. Holy fuck can you guys wait for like 2 minutes, fucking inpatient motherfuckers" I turned back to PJ
"Beautiful and loved."
I swear on God that I saw PJ almost start crying from happiness. If I get a chance I will make sure to come here more often.
The test started again, and I ran through. It was easy, just like the other exams I did. I was able to move through the maze, tunnel, the box/ball pit, and the circle bars with ease. I wasn't superhuman or anything crazy like that, but I could definitely move around in this small body.
I felt like robin, before the show and comics started making him do like crazy superhuman feats. I didn't know how strong I was, but I was surely in the upper levels. Which brought me back to my original thought. Did I get stronger do to being in 'Otherworld' or did I get stronger from killing those undead.
I never felt stronger after killing them only just slightly better emotionally. Fighting undead is a great way to help with anger, who knew.
The test ended with me winning. Immediately once it was over I ran my little legs right back to PJ. Hugged him, squashed his little face, jumped on his back and hugged him.
PJ was happy, I was happy….life was good, until.
"Good job Max. You win. Now, what prize do you want"
I was resting on PJ back, so I only lifted my face from his fur enough to speak. My first out of my mouth were almost..PJ, but stopped myself and said
"Sewing machine"
"Sewing machine? Max why do you want a sewing machine"
"You said, and I quote 'whatever you want' I could get anything, Yes? Well get it for me, and don't ask questions"
"alright max, you finished. Time to leave your friends are waiting for-"
"No. PJ and I need more cuddle time. Right PJ"
There was a sound that he made that wasn't quite a dog, or really any animal. But, any pet owner knows what sounds their animal will make when they are happy or sad. His sound was a happy sound, so I stayed. The fact that I haven't done this before, kind of pisses me off. I should have done this ssooo long ago.
Dogs help with trauma, sure as hell helped me back in my previous life. PJ was..kind of…sort of..a dog. He was close enough to one to get all the therapy I needed, and that is what mattered.
"Max, you cant stay here. The train is about to lea-"
"Nope, not leaving"
"Max, this isn't-"
"I need time with PJ. Don't take that away from us bitch"
"Ma-"
Another voice interrupted her.
"Jenny, let me. Max. how about this, if you come again tomorrow and win we can arrange for you to have time with PJ. How does that sound"
The deal was good, but I wanted to add something to it
"I come in tomorrow and win. I want PJ AND Mommy long legs to be able to play with us at the orphanage. I also want the big Kissy Missy that some of the kids were talking about. I want them or I wont do this stupid test again. Take it or leave it." If I could get them out of that place, and into something better than it was possible to get them on my side. With them I could at least save as many people as I could before Hour of Joy. Mommy or Marie controlled an entire section of the factory by herself. How she did it, I don't know. The point is she did. Kissy was able to hold her own against things, and come out. PJ…I don't really know, but I am sure he isn't weak. Kissy was my key to getting Safe Haven, which in turn got doughy, and Poppy. Marie was my tank, Kissy my scout and aid, with PJ finally being my…I don't really know support? Either way getting them on my side was going to help me. I could talk to them more, get them more stable, and really get them to doubt "Prototype" I didn't need anything besides their doubt. Doubt led to hesitation, which led to thinking, which led to turning over. That small seed was everything I need. Was it wrong of me for doing this, Yes. Did I have a choice, No.
"We can arrange for one of them at a time. We cannot however have all three. How about we rotate them, one day kissy, one day PJ, and one day Mommy. Sound good."
"I want that in writing."
"Excuse me"
"I said I want that in writing, on a contact. I want this official. I want an official deal, not a verbal agreement."
It took about a hour, of getting the stupid contract made. With me and the staff going back and front, but finally we or more I got it. More than once did they want to do it tomorrow, but I wasn't stupid or dumb. Marie was going to attack tomorrow, if I don't have this thing done by that time…then it will never happen. Best to have a little pain now, than to suffer longer.
The contact was made, with official stamps and signatures. I made sure to have a copy of it, with me.
The contract was that on Sunday, Wednesday was Mommy days. Monday, Thursday was PJ. Finally Tuesday, Friday was Kissy days. With Saturday being that for a short while they could all come together.
I walked out of the room, contract in hand and happy as could be. The train rid back was draining on my social battery. With the kids constantly asking me how I did, why I took so long, what did me and the adults talk about. If I missed something on the test, will I be chosen next. All those questions, which I tried to answer but after repeating the same thing three times I had to stop.
Hopefully tomorrow will be a good day.