#watermans

Note: I've started this series on my Wattpad, but thought it would get more attention on tumblr.

Description: A fanfic about the Watermans from The Walten Files Special 'Mystery House' and the MC, who GN of course for all readers to enjoy, and no, it doesn't get sexual. The most R-rated thing you'll see, reader, is Gore. I'll put up a warning for any chapter that might have one.

(Divider made by saradika-graphics on tumblr)

Intro

     You didn't want to move to Nash-Lake, but your adoptive father, an ex-military snow fox, married a nice red fox about a year ago. She was kind and treated you well, unlike other critters...With how the staff at the orphanage looked at you when you asked about your parents, you decided you didn't want to know why they weren't around.

You weren't an animal; unfortunately, you were human. Either feared or disliked by other creatures. 'Animal cannibal,' they called you. Humans weren't very common; minorities like you were often massacred off the face of the planet. You've never eaten meat in your life, not slaughtered animals anyway, but you still ate some dairy products. 

 You planned to stay with your father through college until you had enough money to move out. You didn't want to waste your money on a small apartment, draining your resources for all eternity, hoping to pay in full cash (because back in the day, that was something that could actually happen).

"Are you doing okay back there, honey bun?" Your father glanced at you in the rearview mirror and halted at a red light. You were basically pressed against the car door, glaring out the window as if it offended you.

Huffing out a sigh, curling your knees to your chest, you murmured, "Are we moving here because of your job or because I got suspended for defending myself against that wolf pack?" You were weeks away from graduation before the attack; it was a miracle you lived to see your diploma in the mail. 

He stayed silent for a bit, the light turned green, and he stepped on the gas with ease. "Baby, you know it for your own safety, plus Nash Lake is surrounded by lush green nature and clean air. You loved nature, remember?" You couldn't lie about that, after watching the movie Midnight, A love triangle between a wolf that turns human and a blood thirsty snow wolf fallen in love with the same sheep. The forest background really made you appreciate the isolation of nature. "Plus, aren't you excited for Halloween? It's your favorite holiday!" He gleamed, trying to lighten the conversation.

"Not as fun when there are no friends to celebrate." You yanked your hoodie over your head, hearing the deep sigh come out of his maw, uttering, "But... they can always drive in to meet me." 

"Yeah...See? You'll adapt, I promise you. I won't let you walk on eggshells," he promised. "No one is gonna be laying any eggs near my child!" he says in a deep superhero-like tone. Raising his fist like he's gonna fight someone.

"Dad, the road!" The car swerved a bit, and he quickly turned his attention back to the wheel.

"Whoops- haha. Almost killed the mood...Get it? Geeet iiiit? I'm killing it," he snorted

"No."

"Well, look at that! Were here!" We were in a mostly isolated suburb. Pines and oaks surround the area's backyard. The house was nice, freshly painted white, a two-story, with the front door a dark red matching the metal roof atop. "Nice, right?"

Gazing at the mowed grass in the lawn, there is a ground dug up in the front. "What's with the dirt?" You unlock your seatbelt and get out of the car, stretching your limbs after hours of being in the cramped space of the seat.

"Martha wanted to plant some rose bushes in the front. Thought it would add color to this place," he placed his claws on his hips, staring at the house with hope in his eyes, at a new beginning. Before turning back to you, "I'm proud of how far you've come, y'know that runt..." He gave you a tight side hug before patting your shoulder, heading inside. sighing, looking around the property. 

Noticing something on the light pole, you walk over to it, and a paper is taped over it. 'MISSING- Jose Miller', it was a 5-year-old horse...oh. poor parents. Now that you've thought about it, there were a lot of missing posters of kids on the same date. October 31st, Halloween

Chapter One

     "But you promised my friends could come over for a Halloween party!" you protested to your father. He just sighed, slouched at the dinner table, sifting distractedly through the mail.

"Sweet-pea, Martha has to work, and I have to handle some tricky business with a client. We can't let Veda go out by herself," your father replied, rubbing his tired eyes.

"Why do they even let kids go out every year when some random dumb person goes missing?" A low growl escaped his mouth.

"They aren't just people. They. are. children. You know my sister was one of those victims! And you know why she isn't around?! Because I stepped away for the same reason....What matters more to you? family? or friends," he barked back, claws digging into his thigh as he bit back some other emotions.

Your jaw shut tightly, and your hands hugged your body. You stormed up to your room, stomping up the stairs, slamming the door like you were back in high school getting over a breakup. Flinging yourself on the bed and staring out the window, you ignore the tiny paddling of feet and the grunts of the kid struggling to get onto your bed.

"Please, please! PLEAAAAAASE!" Your 10-year-old step-sibling, Veda, a white fox with slight hints of red, begs, tugging on your sleeve. "I want my new friends to think I'm cool. Please come trick-or-treating with us!" You couldn't resist the pestering from her in that homemade Annie doll costume.

Inhaling slowly and exhaling, you sat up, rubbing your face before ruffling the red strings of yarn covering their head. "Okay...Okay. I'll come. only because I don't want anything to happen to you."

gasping dramatically and jumped on the bed. She dropped to her knees on the bed before hugging you tightly. "Thank you, thank you! I love you so much!" tail wagging.

"Let's just try to get it over with before the storm starts..."

____

     You didn't dress up; you were only wearing a white t-shirt with 'Costume' scrawled on it.

"Really?" your father sighed, scratching his head.

"It's a costume. Am I intimidating?" you asked, stretching out your arms to make a point.

"You look like a dimwit. But I forgive you," he said dramatically, acting like an old woman reluctantly accepting her child for who they are, as if it was a struggle, while placing a hand on his chest.

Your eyes roll to the back of your head as you fold your arms. "I'd disown you by now if I weren't on your insurance," you grunt.

"I could take you off any time~" he sang, as you and your sister are hauled out the door.

You stood on the porch for a while, turning your head and gazing at the festive embellishments for Halloween with awe. Some houses have cheap plastic skeletons in different poses, and others have paper leaves hanging off the house.

"What's in insurance?" she questioned you.

"Most of what I know is money you get when someone dies or gets hurt," you answer.

"If I hurt my friend, do I get money?"

"No, you pay them."

"Aw," she whined with disdain. You couldn't help but snort, placing a hand on her back and guiding her from the house into town, meeting up with your sister's friends. One was a small white duck draped clumsily in a blanket with holes cut for its bright orange beak and round black eyes. Another was a purple creature... with pointy ears, a fluffy tail, and a mashup of cat and fox features that you couldn't quite place.

The parents beside them draw back once they glimpse me. I could hear them gossiping: the duck's hen mother, feathers fluffed in suspicion, sneered, "You didn't inform me it was one of those hairless things."

"Mom, please!" he begged, tugging at his mother's feathers. Reluctantly, she nodded, but not before giving you the death stare; the kids skuttle over happily. Instantly, they start bomb barding you with questions:

"Is it true your hair never stops growing?"

"What colors can you see?"

"How long do you live?"

"Is it true most of your is down-"

"Okay! Who wants to go trick-or-treating?" You changed the subject and dragged the kids to a random house.

____

     "Aww-man ! This year's Halloween sucks, we barely got any candy!" Duckie soughed, looking down at his Halloween basket."

"Maybe it's because your costume looks cheap and basic. What kind of ghost looks like that? You didn't even try!" Tammy scoffed, pointing at his cover

"Kids, be nice," you try to butt in.

Duckie stomps his feet. "At least I have a costume!" 

"You know I hate dressing up for Halloween!" 

You get in between them. "Alright-Alright. let's stop fighting, there is still plenty of time to get candy, we just gotta find a good house." 

"Yeah!" they cheered. 

"The night is not over yet." You walk along the suburbs for a while until you come across another missing poster on a wooden light post showing, 'MISSING- Johnny Bear, ' who was last seen on October 31st, 1978. You tighten your jaw while skimming through it, brushing your thumb over the photo "poor parents," you remorsed.

____

      You stand before a field with a Bus stop at its edge, surrounded by pumpkins. 

"Wow! That was fun! We got a lot of candy." Duckie squeals, Veda bobbed her basket, the sound of wrappers music to her ears.

"Yes...But it's late, I need to get you kids home before your parent's cursifie me. I don't want you guys to get caught up in the storm."

Tammy tugs at your shirt. "One more house! Please?!" she dropped to her knees and cried out like she was in an opera, "I'll do anything!"

"Alright! One more...One. But then I take you home. final."

"Hmmmmm," She turns back to Duckie while pointing in the other direction. "Oh, what about that one?" a house with boarded-up windows and the paint peeling off the walls outside."

"Does anyone even live there? I don't trust it." You pull the kids close, Tammy slinks out of your grasp and skips over to it, and the rest follow suit.

Banging on the door, they all sang "TRICK OR TREAT!"

The door opens, showing a tall sheep. Her fur is a dark grey, with a lighter grey stomach. Horns stick through her wool atop her head, just under her ears. Her arms, hands, neck, and joints are all colored chocolate brown. She was dressed up as a witch, which made you and the children feel safer. She opened her mouth to speak. "Why hello there, little children. Are you looking for candy? Then come in, come in, we have candy for you too, silly bunnies!" she turns, disappearing inside.

You all walked in and looked at the decor. The house looked better from the inside than out. Duckie gleamed, "Wow, this house looks neat!" You nodded with a hum of agreement.

"Thank you, I'm so glad you kids like it. Now allow me to introduce my friends...This is Billy." he had red hair, black eyes, white pupils, white face paint, and a red clown nose. He wears light blue face paint over his eyes, save for his eyebrows, and wears a smile in red face paint. Around his neck, he wears a yellow and purple ruffle.

"-TVA," he was a tall robot with a television for a head. He has a larger mouth with jagged teeth and has big eyes and eyebrows. He also has two antennae sticking out of the top of his head.

"HeLlO" 

 "-and The Pumpkin Rabbit." 

"..."

You stare at the enormous bunny man, who has an orange coat of fur, with lighter orange undersides to his ears and belly. Frankenstein-like stitching covers his body. His yellow mask depicts a twisted smile and a yellow snout. His arms, neck, and legs are dark green, and he wears a purple bowtie around his neck. Something about him left you feeling like a fly caught in a web.

"Pleasure to meet you!" Tammy greeted them with normalcy.

"Ohh, little children, we have plenty of candy for you." While he spoke, Veda and her friends stuffed the candy from the bowl into their bucket. TVA is taking a picture of that moment. "Sorry about that, we like taking pictures of our guests every year, so that we will never forget them. Go take a look, little children." You glance at the wall where the pictures are hung, the first one depicting a man, a golden retriever in an angel costume. You gave a wholesome smile...Guess you shouldn't judge too soon.

"Well, thanks for the candy, uh...Yeah, it's getting very late, we should go home now." You usher, beginning to push the kids towards the door

The sheep's face drops, shifting to worry, concern, and a slight hint of displeasure. "Ohh, really? Don't you think it's a bit dangerous for you to be wandering around the streets at this hour?" It was as if on cue, lightning struck nearby, making you and the kids jolt, and the rain started heavily. 

The bunny stepped forward, extending his sharp claws to rest on your shoulder. Nippy sensation crept up your spine as he proposed, "I have an idea, why don't you stay here for the night?"

"A-are you sure?, We still need to go home. You sure it's a great Idea?" You gave an awkward laugh, showing your disdain, which they seem to pass off. Squeezing your little sister's shoulder, stepping back to maybe loosen the man's grip.

"I think it's a great idea, besides, it will just be for one night," He expressed it, squeezing your shoulder, trying to come off as reassuring, but it just felt like he was pressuring you. Gazing down at your sister, you saw her look back at you with an unbothered face. You considered her safety. It would be riskier to travel out there than to linger here with strangers, plus...what alternative did you have?

With a deep inhale and exhale, you force yourself to relax and agree, looking out the window to the raging storm, "Alright, I guess you're right."

Intro/Chapter one Chapter three

Chapter Two

      You lay on your side, keeping your sister close, kind favor or not, they were still strangers. There was something off about their energy. Her eyes flickered open as she shook her head and whispered, "Bubby...Can you get me a glass of water?" You could hear the dryness in her throat. Giving a nod, you got up and exited the room. The hut was a lot more unsettling in the dark.

Going into the neat kitchen, glancing out the window over the sink, hardly catching anything, like the world didn't exist outside the home. There was something about this house that felt so cold, so wrong; it felt like little voices were screaming and crying for you to get out.

You grasp the counters with your fingertips, striding towards the cabinets, searching through them for the cups. Your face fell as you realized the glasses were on the top shelf. A grunt escaped your lips as you stood on your toes and stretched out your arm.

"Oh my, little bunny...do you need help?"

A large shadow came over you, and you froze, placing one hand on your shoulder while the other took a glass with ease, putting too much pressure on your shoulder than he should. You tensed, trying not to show your dread as the rabbit loomed closer. "Thank you," you managed to say, your voice barely above a whisper. 

He chuckled softly, the sound echoing ominously in the quiet kitchen. "Of course," he replied, stepping back, allowing you to take the glass. 

You hurriedly filled it with water, your heart pounding, and made your way back to your sister, determined to keep her safe from these unsettling strangers. 

He shot his arm out a bit to aggressively "-Wait a second, dear." You could feel his claws dig into your wrist. You twist your head slowly to face him...his face has no expression, almost like a mask. "I want to know..." he lingers the sentence.

Your hands twitched in an attempt to slap his hand off your shoulder, but his unnerving presence kept your feet rooted in the ground, your hands glued to your sides. "Know what...?" you asked slowly.

"You creatures are so... Vulnerable," He breathed out, almost sounding like an exhaled chuckle, amused by my own existence. "Furless... only flesh and bone, barely anything to protect you...How is it you've gone every day without an illness?" he waved his hand to illustrate further, "Lyme disease, common colds, even such a tiny thing like allergies could cut you off the face of the earth," he purred at the thought of it. claw scratch at his chin, "You could fall asleep one day and never wake up," he cooed, running his nails through your hair. "So fragile." It was almost a whisper.

There was a hitch in your breath as you jerked away, trekking backward, clutching the water to your chest. "Every animal is different..." you managed to muster.

"Mmm," he hummed, clasping his hands behind his back, tilting his head. "It's a good thing you didn't go out in the storm; you could have drowned in it." He strode away; you don't know whether to feel terrified or offended.

"Excuse me?" You whispered to yourself before heading back to the room. beelinging to your sister, letting out a breath as she was already out cold, curled up holding a random stuffy she probably found lying around. You smile. sitting at the edge of the bed near her.

She was one of a kind. Most kids her age are unfiltered, mean, and thick-headed. She was kind, polite, and rather smart. I guess that's why she was so popular in school. Sure, teachers say they don't have favorites, but she had nothing but gold stars on her chart.

looking up to check on the others, only to see that the other two were missing. "Oh no, no, no... their parents are gonna kill me."

You hop off the bed and plant your feet onto the hard, cold floor. The rain was still beating against their roof, and the wind was howling through the trees as if crying out for you to find them. stepping out of the room and back into the freezing, pitch-black living room. "Kids?" you whisper out, only to be met with a ghostly silence.

You padded across the living room into one of the hallways. You saw one door creak open, so you stalk over to it, looking around at the total gloaming of the room enveloping you before clutching the handle and opening the entrance. "What are you doing..." It was calm, almost a whisper, and a gentle query, but it made your feet cling to the floor, like a kid being caught stealing from the cookie jar at night by his mother. 

You turn around to meet the eyes of the sheep, no costume now. Her face bore no emotion. "I-I'm sorry...The kids are missing, I-I can't find them-" She cut you off before you could further explain

"They're gone," she stated, crowding you; feeling her breathing down your neck, maw practically right against your ear, making you swallow. "Their parents picked them up in a hurry while you were in the kitchen," she clarified.

"In this storm?" You added, feeling a bit disoriented.

"Yes, that is why they picked them up, was it not? To get out of the hurricane when it calmed for a bit." Convincing, nonetheless, your shoulders sank once more as you nodded slowly. They were safe, at least to your knowledge now. "I think you should go back to bed." It wasn't a recommendation. "After all..." she continued, tucking a small strand of hair behind your ear. "You must be so weary from the long day you've had." Her voice was enough to put a slumber hex on your mind.

You shook your head and shuffled back to the room, rubbing your arm while the sound of the water pouring to lull you back to the room, crawling back in bed next to your sister, the stuffed original in her arms now abandoned on the floor. Her limbs twisted around like a flexible pretzel. You never knew hope she could sleep like that without discomfort.

Once settled into the sheet, you sink into the fictitious softness of the mattress, your eyelashes flutter shut, muscles turning into putty as you glide off almost instantly into a deep rest, not even detecting the small creak of the door you forget to seal.

____

To your own surprise, you wake alive as storms rage outside. The other side of the bed is cold and empty; you shoot upright. "Veda?!" you call. panic feels your system, did they cook her? Is she dead? dismembered? You sprint out the door, colliding with the tall yellow rabbit.

You nearly fall before he catches you, sharp talons digging into your back. face pressed against his fuzzy coat. The smell of breakfast running through the room...pancakes, toast, orange juice, and something salty and crispy hits you...meat. You feel your heart drop, and in a rush of adrenaline, you shove him harshly, bolting to the kitchen. before the man tug you back

"Now. Now. Don't start hopping to conclusions, little kiddie. It's Shiitake mushrooms cooked in coconut oil. All vegan," he scoffed. lifted you by your side, holding you in 'air jail' like a child throwing a tantrum. "I think  you should calm yourself."

"I..." you pause, glancing behind you to the dining table where your sister sits unharmed, calm, and enjoying the breakfast they prepared. "I'm sorry... I just wanted to check if she was okay." You admit guiltily, ashamed not only of being judgmental but also of thinking so poorly of them after they let you stay during a storm.

"How do you think that makes us feel?... Making us feel like we're walking on eggshells in our own home?" he lectured, you didn't think his voice could have gotten any deeper or slower than it already had. He turned to his wife in the kitchen, a spatula in her hand, held against the white apron she had, 'Kiss the cook' was scribbled onto it. Her expression was calm with a hint of hurt etched deep into it. "And shoving me so rudely, I ought to put you in time out," though his manner was soft.

With your face now burning with humiliation and remorse for your actions, you sewed your mouth shut and moved your head with agreement. "Forgive me..." You repeated, more quietly this time. "I guess I'm just a little bit paranoid," he said, setting you back down, your feet anchoring on the ground. You fiddle with your fingers, unsure what to do next.

Then the sheep spoke up with ease, her tone inviting and pardonable, and she had her hand on the man's arm, brushing her thumb over it to calm him from your actions, probably. "Well, don't just stand there like a kitten in cement, come, join us, won't you?" So you strode over and sat down in the chair across from your sister; she was kicking her feet happily while going to town on the waffles.

The bunny set a plate in front of you, two strips of vegan bacon, a single waffle with butter and syrup on it, and final was two slices of toast, one with margarine already on it and another with cream cheese. You mumbled a quiet "Thank you." The two sat down at the two ends of the table.

"Well, isn't this nice? It's been so long since we've had a full table~" she clasped her hands together, tilting her head to the side with a song. "Like a little family..."

"What happened to TV and Billy?"

"Gone." was all the bunny said. He didn't touch his plate, kept his elbows on the table, and stared; you couldn't tell who, but you could sense his gaze boring into your soul, maybe with calculating curiosity or ridicule from your demeanor. 

"I never got your names." You noted before sticking a piece of bacon in your mouth, it tasted strange, but you pushed off as some different recipe they used. You were careful not to scrape your fork against the porcelain paint, not wanting to ruin the paint job or make too many scratching sounds.

"Lorenzo Waterman..." he said before motioning his hands to the sheep, "My partner in crime is Rachel Waterman," cooing toward her. She dramatically flutters her eyelashes and sets a hand on her chest in awe.

"I'm-" but you were shortly cut off.

"Oh, we've already have a nickname for you, dear," she stated, tapping your nose lightly. You didn't like the sound of that; nicknames never were a good thing for you. You've suffered enough ridicule from an'imals. "We'll call you Bunny," you let out a breathy chuckle, not so bad, but it seemed a bit inappropriate for strangers.

Lorenzo's throat shuddered, giving off a cat-like sound. placing his palm on his chin, "Bunny..." he purred, a trace of a smile in his voice. His free hands tapped against the wooden table, making you notice the faint scratch marks on it. "Fits you well..."

You took your gaze away from them, focusing on the telephone connected to the wall. "Can I call my parents? So they know my sister and me are okay." You request.

"..." Lorenzo interwined his fingers but remained silent, as if waiting... The lights flicker before a loud, giant strike of lightning slammed into the house, and both you and your sister yelp and bawl up; the whole house was enveloped in total twilight. "I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but...The power is out. You'll just have to wait, my dear." You could only rely on sounds, listening to his chair scratching the ground before the scratch of a match against a box. He lit an oil lamp before croching right in front of you. "Why so tragic, little rabbit? Are you scared of thunder?"

He offered his hand to you, taking it without a second thought and looking over to your sister. "Are you alright, Veda?" she let out a whimper but nodded. getting herself up. Lorenzo helped you with such gentleness that it surprised you, considering you could feel a slight bruise from when he caught you just moments ago.

After, he strode back, positioning the oil lamp on the table, sighing, "What to do now? tsk, tsk, tsk." he pondered before perking. "Oh. I know~ how about hide and seek?"

"Ah! What a lovely idea, Pumpkin." She clapped her hands; it was the most emotion you've seen out of her. It wasn't too much of a bad idea. It would make your sister feel better, who was clinging to your leg like a life raft in the middle of the ocean.

"Yeah. Hide and seek it is...Right, Veda?" Veda gave a simple nod.