Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

David goes to bed after a long day. He hung out with his friends and had a good time. One of them had gone missing recently, but despite that, it was a good day.

David ends up in a weird dream world. It looks like his room, but when he steps into the hallway, he sees four doors, each glowing inside.

A voice can be heard.

"Hello, child. Tomorrow could be another great day... But it depends on your choices. What will it be like? The choice is yours. Pick a door, any door. You will get to see what the future holds."

"Who are you?"

"That is not important. Take a look if you wish, child."

David picks the first door and looks inside...

Chapter Text

"Hey, Dad!"

"Jimmy, my boy! I have a surprise for you!"

"Is it a new video game?"

"It's a rental! Here you go, sport!"

Jimmy gasps. "Yay! Duck Season! I can't wait to play this!"

"Remember, son, it's a one day rental. If it's lost or broken, I'll have to pay for it."

"Okay! Thanks, Dad."

"Anytime, kiddo."

Jimmy inserts the game cartridge into the console and the game begins. But he hears something out of the ordinary.

"Get me outta here!" David cries. He looks back and sees Jimmy. "Who are you?"

"Well, I'm Jimmy! Dad got me this cool game and I can't wait to play it!"

"Hello, Jimmy. I'm David, the previous kid who rented this game. All I ask is that you heed my warning."

"Warning? Warning about what?"

"This game. It's not what it seems. The dog in this game, he's not here to play. He trapped me in here because I kept antagonizing him! And now I'm a duck with a winter hat and a shotgun!"

"You're a... sitting duck in this situation?"

David sighs. "I guess you could say that. Just... Don't antagonize the dog. And if you do, and you don't want anything bad to happen, call the police. They might know something about this. Oh, and when you're done, break the cartridge. I don't care if your dad has to pay for it. The only way for me to escape is to break the cartridge."

"So, don't antagonize the dog, call the police if I do and something strange happens, and break the cartridge when I'm done playing?"

"Exactly! Thank goodness you're listening!"

Jimmy plays through the game, heeding David's warning and not shooting the dog once. When he's done, he stomps on the cartridge, breaking it.

He sees David appearing and fading away. "Thank you, Jimmy."

Jimmy watches as David disappears. "You're welcome, David."

Jimmy feels content for a moment until his dad enters the room.

"Jimmy! It's 8:00. Time for bed."

"Coming, Dad!"

Jimmy gets ready for bed and sleeps well knowing that he helped David out.

"Jimmy! You broke the cartridge?!"

Oops.

"Sorry, Dad! A duck told me to do it!"

"Nice try, buddy. No video games for a week."

"Awwww!"

"Sorry, champ. That was a rental."

---

David closes the door, wondering what he just saw.

"What was that? Who was that Jimmy guy? And why was I trapped?"

"Well, I can't quite tell you. You'll have to figure it out yourself."

"Awwww! But I wanna know!"

"Why don't you try another door, child?"

David picks the second door and looks inside...

Chapter Text

David packs his stuff and gets on the bus. He knows that the dog killed his mom, but he was neither able to prove anything nor sure that the authorities would believe him. He quietly cries into a tissue, making sure no one hears him.

Soon, the bus arrives at another town. David gets off and looks for somewhere to go. While he's walking, he bumps into an anthropomorphic dog.

David is caught off guard and looks scared, but the dog places a comforting paw on his shoulder.

"It's okay! I don't bite."

David calms down. "Sorry. For a moment there, I thought you were someone else."

"Oh! I see. I'm Hunter. And you are?"

"David. My name is David."

"You look quite young, David. How old are you?"

"I'm 10 years old."

"10 years old? Where are your parents?"

David goes silent for a moment. He feels tears welling up in his eyes.

"Oh, sorry. Did I touch a nerve?"

David hugs Hunter and sobs.

"Hey, hey, kid. It's okay. Shhh, shhh." Hunter hugs David back. "Wanna talk about it somewhere more private?"

David is desperate for anyone to cling on to. He nods.

"You're sure? We just met."

"Yes. I just need someone to talk to."

"Alright. I know a place. Follow me."

Hunter leads David to a secret den far from the highway, hidden by bushes. It has a blanket, some food and water, and a bucket in the corner.

"Welcome to my secret hideout. You can hang out here while I figure out where you can go. For now, what seems to be the problem?"

"Well... my mom was killed by someone in a dog costume."

"She was murdered?! By someone in a dog costume? What kind of person would do that?!"

"I don't know. But I can't stay with my dad because he's an alcoholic. He also hit and yelled at me."

"Do you have any family or friends that you could stay with?"

"No."

"Well, darn. I don't know what to tell you, David."

"Have you ever experienced something traumatic like that?"

"As a matter of fact... yes."

"You have?"

"Yep. I was abused by my old owner. I still remember his name - Jackson Redwood. He would often neglect me, starve me, and even hit me if I failed to perform my tricks. He was an awful guy. He even threatened to debark me! But luckily, I was saved by this man named Mr. Sys. He took me in and cared for me. He taught me to trust and love again. He and his friends - Simon the Smick, Levi the Lakitu, and Kaden Koopa - they all helped me adjust. They're like a family to me."

"Mr. Sys, Simon, Levi, and Kaden? They all sound awesome! Can we go see them?"

"Sure thing, David!"

Hunter and David went to go see Hunter's pals.

---

David closes the second door.

"My mom died? And I met this cool dog? I mean, I like the dog, but I don't wanna lose my mom."

"Don't worry, child. You won't lose your mom in these next doors."

"Oh, okay..."

David opens the third door and peeks inside...

Chapter Text

David watches as the dog is shot down. He is quite shocked, but glad that nothing bad happened to him or his mom.

He checks on his mom. She's alive, just asleep. He smiles, then goes back to his room and goes to sleep.

He sleeps well knowing that the creepy dog won't be hurting anyone else.

---

David closes the third door.

"Who was that dog? And why was he shot down?"

"You'll find out, child. One more door is there to open."

David opens the fourth door and peeks inside...

Chapter Text

David plays Final Fiesta 2 and parties in the night. He watched a VHS tape from the dog and found it cute. He enjoys his time as he thinks...

"I could spend the rest of my life playing games like this."

David enjoyed the idea.

His mom wakes up.

"Honey, I told you to go to bed. Turn off the game."

"Okay, Mom."

David turns off the game. He goes to sleep - this time for real. He loves the idea that he could grow up and play video games.

---
David closes the fourth door.

"I got Final Fiesta? And I could spend the rest of my life playing video games? Awesome!"

"I'm glad you enjoyed it, child. Now look to your right."

David sees a door that is wide open and glowing bright.

He enters...

...and wakes up.

David goes downstairs, pondering his dream for a bit, feeling bored. Soon, his mom comes in.

"Mom?"

"Help me carry in these groceries!"

David helps her out. He finds a copy of Duck Season.

"Aw, you got Duck Season!"

"One day rental. Make the most of it."

"Oh, I will!"

David inserts the cartridge into his console and the game starts up...