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“…Yeah, they don’t tell you all this stuff when you sign the contract. But hey, the first day should be easy. I’ll talk to you tomorrow! Uh… check the cameras and remember to close the doors only if it’s absolutely necessary. You need to save power! That’s all, good night.”
Michael was still trying to process all the information he had just received from the man on the call.
Shit… This was supposed to be an easy job. They should be paying more for this crap…
He sighed, leaning back in the chair inside his office while watching the cameras. Nothing seemed out of the ordinary.
Maybe the guy was just exaggerating… It’s been two hours and nothing’s happened… Maybe he was just messing with me, trying to scare me.
I can’t quit this job. For now, it’s the only place that accepted me, and I need the money…
Even if the pay is low… At least it covers food, utilities, and taxes…
Good thing we don’t pay rent… At least the money from that damn house gave us the chance to buy another one.
He didn’t want to think about going back to that place.
At twenty-one, the young man had taken responsibility for his siblings. Through sheer effort and juggling multiple tasks, he managed to gain custody of them once he reached legal age.
He was lost in thought when he noticed movement in Pirate Cove, immediately putting him on alert.
It must be the ventilation making it move…
That’s what he thought—until his opinion changed instantly. Terror seized him, and he nearly fell backward when he saw a hand emerge from between the curtains.
What is that…? A person?
He noticed the person trying to slowly step out of the cove, but the hook snagged their shirt, yanking them back inside.
Michael panicked, grabbing his flashlight and walking toward that section.
With shaking hands, he yanked the curtain open, only to find the animatronic standing there, a person hanging from its hook.
-"Huuuh… I fell asleep again… Foxy, let me go," you complained, causing the hook to release your shirt. "One of these days I’m going to lose an eye because of that hook… This isn’t safe for kids… I really should change this— eek!"
You yelped when you finally noticed Michael standing in front of you, shining his flashlight directly at you. Nervously, you glanced around.
-"Yoooou… you’re the new guard, right?" you asked, fidgeting with your fingers as you stood up and brushed off your clothes.
Michael stared at you, trying to make sense of the situation. He noticed you were wearing clothing that belonged to the establishment, and immediately realized you were an employee—most likely a party entertainer.
-"What are you doing here? You know everyone has to leave when the place closes," Michael scolded, sighing.
-"I was fixing Foxy, and I guess I fell asleep in here," you replied with a smile, shrugging.
-"That should be handled by a mechanic. Not an entertainer."
-"Hey, there’s not enough budget to hire one, and every time I manage to fix him, I get fifty extra dollars," you smiled. "Well, I should go. I’ll let you finish your shift in peace. It was nice meeting you anyway… Schmidt?" you said, stepping closer to his chest to read the name on his badge.
You murmured it softly before walking away, idly playing with the entrance keys as you went.
Michael felt his cheeks warm slightly and covered his face.
Don’t act like a desperate idiot. You’re going to scare her off.
He thought, lightly smacking his own head. But when he saw the animatronic tilt its head and power on by itself, panic shot through him. He quickly shut the attraction down and hurried back to his office, determined to finish his shift.
Somehow… she feels very familiar…
The sound of music and children screaming woke Michael abruptly. He had fallen asleep sometime after 5 a.m.
He shook his head lightly and checked the time on his watch—it was noon. Looking at the cameras, he realized a party was already in progress.
Carefully, he stood up and left the office, locking the doors behind him so no child could wander in by accident.
He had to make his way through a crowd of children running through the dining area, laughing and screaming, parents sitting at tables chatting, loud music blaring everywhere. It was far too much noise for him.
One of the kids accidentally bumped into him, sending him to the floor.
-"Hey, watch where you’re going," he snapped with a scowl.
The child immediately began to cry, and the parents started murmuring.
-"Oh nooo, what happened here?" you said as you rushed over, kneeling beside the child. "Did you get hurt, champ? Come on, let’s see if you’re all okay~~ May I check?" you asked gently.
When the child nodded, you took his hands, inspecting him for scrapes, then checked his knees, finally tapping your nose against his.
"Beep, boop." You tapped his cheek too, making him laugh softly. "You’re all in one piece~ It was just a little scare. Come on, how about we ask Chica for some cupcakes?" You extended your hand to him.
The child lit up at the idea, nodding enthusiastically and taking your hand so you could help him up.
-"Alright, kids! We’re going to Chica for cupcakes! Who wants to join the candy train? Choo chooo!" you said with a smile as the children quickly lined up behind you, following like little ducklings.
Michael stood there in silence, unable to process what he had just witnessed.
What kind of awful act is that?
He thought with a grimace—quickly changing his expression when he noticed you looking at him.
-"Your shift ended six hours ago. If you’re not leaving through the back without anyone seeing you and instead plan to cause a scene in the dining hall, you should come during your scheduled hours—when there’s no one for you to bother," you whispered so only he could hear, before walking off with the children trailing after you.
He rolled his eyes and headed home, ignoring the parents’ stares.
When he arrived, he dropped his things on the floor and collapsed onto the couch.
-"Hi, Mike," Elizabeth greeted him as she walked by, setting a cup of coffee and a piece of toast on the small table in front of him.
-"Hey, Eli… Did Evan go to school?"
-"I took him myself," she said, sitting on a pouf and turning on the TV.
-"And you?"
-"My teacher had an accident. We got out early," she replied, eating a bowl of cereal.
-"Mm…" he murmured, sitting up and grabbing the coffee and toast while watching TV with his sister.
-"I took Evan this morning. You’re picking him up later."
-"Ugh… of course," he sighed, glancing aside and noticing the utility bills piled up nearby. "Damn it… they’re already here? They were supposed to arrive next week… I don’t have a single cent to pay them…"
-"Can’t you ask for an advance?" Elizabeth suggested.
-"I highly doubt it. I just started."
-"And don’t you have anyone you could borrow money from?"
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The place was immense. Men worked almost everywhere, blueprints and materials scattered across every surface imaginable.
You were not accustomed to structures of such magnitude. The moment you entered alongside Victor, the noise disoriented you, and before you knew it, you were wandering aimlessly.
-"Oh? Have you gotten lost, dear?" a man smiled when he saw you.
-"Heinrich," Victor called out, hastening his steps toward you. "I see you’ve met my wife. (Y/n), this is Heinrich Harlander—the man I told you about. He’s the one helping me turn my studies into reality."
-"Your wife? I was unaware of that detail. Have you been hiding such a beauty all this time?" The man reached for your hand, intending to kiss it, but you pulled away at once, glaring at him with disgust.
-"You’re sick," you spat, the words dripping with contempt as you turned away.
-"She is… a very faithful woman. Please excuse her. Why don’t we focus on—"
As you walked away, Victor’s voice faded into the distance. You moved among the men and machinery, careful not to collide with anyone.
You reached the top of the tower and finally exhaled deeply, as though you had been holding your breath the entire time—until you were free from prying eyes.
You approached the large window overlooking the surroundings, gazing out at the view beyond.
Resting your head against the frame, you tried to understand what was meant to take place in this building, to make sense of it all.
You flinched when you felt two hands gently grip your shoulders.
-"I’m sorry if I startled you. I was afraid that if I spoke, you might jump out the window," a young man said. "You’re far too close to the edge, and this is an old place. Could you step back?"
Allowing his gentle pull, you took a few steps back and looked at him.
-"I assume you’re not one of the workers here," you said.
-"My name is William. I’m Victor’s brother. I saw you enter with him earlier… and you are…?"
-"His wife." You gave a small curtsey in greeting. "It wouldn’t surprise me if he hadn’t told you yet. It was all rather sudden—my parents’ final wish," you added with a nod.
-"…And perhaps you could enlighten me with your name?" he asked with a smile.
-"Oh, yes. (Y/n)." His request struck you as odd. "Are you sure you’re Victor’s brother? You’re very…"
-"Different?" He let out a soft laugh. "We were raised quite differently, that’s all. May I invite you outside for some fresh air? You seem a bit overwhelmed." He offered his arm, which you accepted as you began walking beside him. "You must be excited about the project my brother is about to begin."
-"Not at all. I loathe it—challenging death itself is absurd. Still, I admire his stubbornness and tenacity… also known as idiocy. He is the most idiotic man I have ever known, and I have known many."
-"Then why did you come here?" William asked, intrigued.
-"To make sure he doesn’t do something so foolish that it gets him killed."
-"Ah, you care for him," he chuckled softly. "That is enough for me."
-"And what about you? Have you already taken a young bride?"
-"Well then, if the opportunity ever arises… I would love to meet her."
-"I’m certain the two of you would get along quite well. Your thoughts on my brother’s project are nearly identical to those of my dear Elizabeth. You should have been there when she said it." He shook his head with a smile.
You slowly released his arm, stopping to give him your full attention.
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You could feel your coworkers’ eyes on you, but you were far too lost in your own thoughts to care about what they might be saying—or assuming—just from looking at you.
Prism: —"Ooooh, I think our little witch is in a very good mood today! She’s been more than thirty minutes without screaming at us! That’s a record!"
Malevola: —"How much you wanna bet she got laid?"
Visi: —"Who would want someone like her? Ugh, you’re gonna make me puke just thinking about it."
Sonar: —"I can name a few people inside the office… and outside too."
—"Okay, you’re crossing the line," you snapped at last, a crooked smile forming as you listened to the mix of disgust and cheers from the team "I had a lovely night with Mr. Vibrator. Everyone happy now? Is that what you wanted to hear?" You waved a hand dismissively. —"Yeah, yeah, complain all you want. You caused this, now deal with it. Move your asses, we’ve got work to do, you bastards."
Out of the corner of your eye, you noticed Blonde Blazer approaching, grimacing and gesturing with her hands as if begging you to stop talking.
You pulled off your headphones and raised an eyebrow at her.
—"B.B. could really use a fun night herself."
Blazer: —"I need both of you in my office when your shift ends. I have news for you," she said, trying to ignore your comment—though the faint blush on her cheeks betrayed her anyway.
She hurried off, half-covering her face with one hand, clearly hoping no one else had noticed.
Chase peeked over the wall separating the desks, resting his arms on it as he raised an eyebrow at you.
Chase: —"What kind of fucked-up trouble did you two get yourselves into this time?"
—"Oh, come on! I didn’t do anything!"
Robert: —"Does terrifying a group of guys because they honked at your car count as nothing?"
—"Son of a bitch, you sold me out!" You jumped to your feet and pointed at him, making him smirk.
The day dragged on until the end of the shift. You endured endless teasing from the team, but you were already used to that kind of treatment.
Despite what had happened with Robert the night before, both of you were acting strangely normal—as if nothing had changed.
Every now and then, you kicked his chair to get his attention. He kicked back, until you decided to rest your feet on his legs, leaning back comfortably in your chair.
—"Do you think they figured it out?"
Robert: —"Maybe because of the hickey on your neck?"
—"Don’t fuck with me—" panic shot through you. —"I told you, no marks! You asshole—"
You glanced at the reflection in the glass door, only to realize he was just messing with you. There was nothing there.
—"You’re such a—" you started hitting his arm repeatedly, making him laugh—until it actually started to hurt.
Blazer opened her office door and found you both right in front of her: you had Robert in a headlock, choking him playfully. You dropped him immediately when you noticed her, both of you straightening up as if nothing had happened.
Blazer: —"...I’m going to pretend I didn’t see that…" She sighed. —"Please, come in."
—"So what’s all this mystery about the meeting? One of these days you’re really going to scare us," you said, sitting down immediately.
Blazer: —"We need a new member for the team, and I wanted you two to decide."
Robert: —"And what are our wonderful options?"
Blazer: —"Phenomaman and Waterboy."
—"Water who?"
Robert: —"The janitor’s assistant. You’ve never seen him?"
—"Oh, no, never noticed him," you shrugged. —"Can’t we take both? I mean, the more people, the better, right?"
Blazer: —"That’s not how this works. You can only choose one."
—"Well then, Robert? Need time to think? I vote for the alien—better the devil you know than the one you don’t."
Blazer: —"(Y/n), could you take this seriously?"
You stood up and walked straight out, heading home.
You groaned when you realized you’d forgotten your bag and went back inside to grab it.
That’s when you noticed a young man mopping the floor. Beneath his feet, a small puddle of water was slowly forming.
—"Nervous? You’re sweating like crazy," you said casually as you picked up your bag.
Waterboy: —"Ah—n-no—it’s just that—my power is… water. I produce it. That’s what I do," he said, gripping the mop tightly with an awkward smile.
You raised an eyebrow and stepped closer, pressing your index finger against his chest and sliding it up to his neck. He startled, stiff as a board—you were just testing the quality of his waterproof suit.
—"Your whole body produces water? No control at all? Tch, tch. We need to work on that, buddy."
You patted his cheek lightly. —"Don’t slip."
Waterboy: —"Y-yes ma— miss— ma’am!" He snapped to attention.
As you passed Blazer’s office again and saw Robert stepping out, you slammed the door open to face her.
—"Try to make it so both of them can join, please?" you said with a smile.
It was rare for you to smile like that.
Which meant you were definitely planning something.
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You woke up when you felt a strange movement and heard the sound of cars.
You slowly sat up from what you thought was your bed, though it felt a little different.
You looked around, seeing windows and the road rushing past.
—"Mom… where are we going…?" you asked, rubbing your eyes softly, realizing you were in the car, in the middle of a highway, in the dead of night.
—"I’ve been thinking about what you told me… and I still say it’s a bad idea, but you’re not going to stop insisting on it, are you?"
—"Mm…? What are you talking about, Mom…?" you shifted back into the blankets and pillow that had been arranged on the back seat.
—"That’s right, you must not remember anymore," she smiled as she watched the road. "If we stayed there, you would’ve kept insisting. That’s why we’re moving, my love."
—"Are we going to have a pretty house…?" you murmured, slowly closing your eyes.
—"The prettiest one. And we’ll have a yard—you can have a pet this time if you want. It’ll be a quiet neighborhood, far away from… bad people."
—"Uncle won’t be able to visit us… right, Mom?"
—"Of course not, sweetheart. He won’t be visiting us anymore, and Auntie won’t bother us again…" she murmured, pulling into a gas station.
She slowly turned around and stroked your head, feeling you tremble slightly when her fingers brushed over the scar you had there.
—"You know Mommy loves you very much, don’t you, sweetheart?"
—"Yes… I know," you smiled, feeling her hand caress your cheek.
—"And that she always does what’s best for you?"
—"Mm…" you murmured, nodding as you slowly drifted back into a deep sleep.
She stepped out of the car to fill the tank and noticed a scratch carved into the door. She stared at it, reading the words etched into the metal: “You are mine.”
She could only let out a soft laugh at the sight.
—"I’ll have to fix that…" she sighed, glancing at you through the car window. "Oh, my little princess… you were getting along so well with those boys… I’m so sorry to do this to you… but there’s something that’s true…" she thought aloud. "If something is meant for you… it always comes back."
She went inside to pay and buy a few things to eat on the road.
When she calmly returned to the car, she grabbed a bag of your favorite snack.
—"Sweetheart, you should wake up and eat something, there’s still quite a long way to go, so—"
Her words died when she turned around and found only the empty seat. All that remained was your blanket and pillow, and a note stuck to the seat that read:
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—"That damned woman escaped before I could do anything… all the better. At least I had time to relax on my own." William muttered through clenched teeth, a crooked smile on his face as he drove back home.
His smile vanished in an instant when he saw several police officers and patrol cars surrounding his house.
His heart nearly stopped when he saw your mother standing in front of the house, watching him with a cold, cutting gaze, her arms resting on your shoulders as if shielding you.
He tried to drive away at once, but the officers stopped him and forced him out of the car.
Michael stood behind you, observing the scene. It only took a second for him to lock eyes with his father before William began to scream at him.
—"WHAT DID YOU DO, YOU LITTLE PIECE OF SHIT?! COULDN’T YOU STAY IN YOUR PLACE EVEN WHILE WE WERE AWAY?! YOU’LL SEE—"
The officers quickly slammed him against the hood of the car and snapped the handcuffs onto his wrists.
—"Oooh, darling, aren’t you going to say anything now?" William asked, looking at your mother with a nervous laugh.
She remained silent, staring at him with pure contempt.
—"You got rid of my husband. Did you really think that just by making him disappear you’d have any chance at all? You’re repulsive," your mother said venomously, every word meant to wound him.
You felt your mother’s hands tighten briefly on your shoulder. Discovering that her friend had murdered your father out of sheer jealousy was a dagger straight through her back.
The man’s eyes flew wide open, as if they were about to burst from their sockets. The only thing he could do was laugh hysterically while the police dragged him toward the patrol car.
—"You’re the best, sweetheart! You’ve really freed me from those vermin! I’ll still have a roof over my head and food to eat, without having to tolerate that trash!" he shouted after her.
—"Let’s go, (Y/n)," she said softly, taking your hand as she began to walk.
—"But I want to stay with the kids—what’s going to happen to them? Where is Mrs. Afton?" you asked, deeply worried. "You don’t think he…?"
—"It’s very likely," she replied. "Don’t worry about them… they’ll be kept in a home until a relative or a family willing to take them in is found."
—"What? No—no, Mom, we can’t leave them there… I know our house isn’t very big—but isn’t there a chance we could take them in, at least for a while?" you tried to convince her as you followed.
—"Sweetheart, it’s an expense I can’t handle on my own. Taking care of three more children is much more work—"
—"I can help with the little ones! I’ll take care of them, I promise! I’ll wake them up for school, make breakfast, walk them to class! Michael has special needs, but he can still help around the house! And he doesn’t have much left to finish school either—he wanted to start working as soon as possible! He could even help you financially—! Mom, please!"
She stopped and took your hands.
—"I won’t let you become a child raising children," she said firmly. "It’s not as easy as you think."
When she said those words, you remembered that your mother was a 33-year-old woman, while you were still her sixteen-year-old girl.
—"But… you’d be there to help me…" you suggested, making the situation even harder for her.
She sighed and looked away.
—"Let’s go home… and we’ll think it through properly there, alright? Tomorrow I’ll give you a final answer."
Somehow, her words filled you with a sense of relief—and a fragile spark of hope.
