ASTRO POV

Ever since you joined Dandy’s Ichor Extracting business, the stress never seemed to let up. Between the constant tension and the looming threats, the only thing keeping you sane was the occasional company of Sprout - the friend you made in the elevator.

Conversations with him made everything feel just a little easier, a little lighter. Even when the two of you ended up being chased by Twisteds_ which happened more often than you'd like-having him around made it less terrifying. Most of the time, he was the one saving you… when he wasn’t busy handling another machine elsewhere.

But now, Sprout was missing.

One moment, he was on the same floor as you, and the next, he was gone. You searched every floor, every corner, but he was nowhere to be found. That was, until you reached Floor 16.

The floor was strangely empty- except for a single Twisted lurking in the distance. Something about it felt... off. Still, there was no time to dwell on it; you had work to do. You focused on the extracting machines, pushing aside the eerie feeling settling in your chest. Five machines down, one to go.

But as you worked on the last machine, a presence made your skin crawl. Someone was standing behind you.

You turned, slowly, heart pounding in your chest. And there he was.

Twisted Sprout.

But not the one you knew. The only Twisted on this floor… was him.

Despite the alarm ringing in your mind, your body moved on instinct. Without thinking, you reached out, placing a hesitant hand on his cheek. His skin was cold... too cold. Yet, as your thumb brushed against it, his expression softened. Instead of attacking, he leaned into your touch, a quiet, almost... affectionate sound escaping his lips.

"Mmm..."

Sprout murmured, his voice low and muffled, a soft purr vibrating in his throat.