"Elizabeth, please don't do this. Goddamnit I know it's you, listen to me! This isn't you, there's a better way, just let me help you. Don't you remember who I am? It's me Michael, your…"
The scooper roared to life, raising up its claw like a snake ready to attack. Flakes of rust drifted in the air and the laughing of the alarms going off made for quite the scene. Realization pooled in the man's eyes, creating a glossy coating. Mouth agape in surprise and horror. He didn't think that they would do it, that she would do it, what a pathetic fool!
Bathed in bright red light the silver claw gleamed as the metallic snake reared backward, and then in a rapid, precise motion, it lunged. The perfect strike. The air erupted in splatters of crimson liquid as the scooper did its job. The man was thrown backward, slumping against the wall in the most unnatural way. A thick pool of blood enveloping the ground around him.
The animatronic didn't mind this one bit though. Happily taking its time walking around the establishment to get to the door on the other side of the scooping room. There was, after all, no rush.
Entering the room Ennard was jovial to see that they had kept their promise after all. Quickly noticing the barely visible rising and falling of the man's chest, that was good, they needed him alive.
"There's nowhere to go, when we look like this. No more chances, no more children. We need a home, don't you understand? We need a place to hide, somewhere far from this never ending darkness. We want a life, we need to be part of you. Because then we'll have someplace to go, away from here. If we look like you, then we can finally escape! It's time to share, I know that there's room in there for the both of us. We will all be one big happy family! I promised that I wouldn't kill you, and believe me, you, won't, die. I'll make sure of that."
Ennard bent down, hovering over Michael's body. "We just need to make a little room." The scooper had made a large gash in the abdomen, it would make everything so much easier. Tenderly, the animatronic proceeded to remove some of the less important organs. The stomach, gallbladder, spleen, all the needless obstacles that as far as the animatronic was concerned could be evicted without many complications. Besides some of their wires would replace them in function. Michael gave the slightest jerk, Ennard paused and gave Michael's cheek a soft stroke. Perspiration was gathering on the surface of the skin, eyes twitching beneath the scrunched up eyelids. "I know that you don't feel any pain, hush now, you're in shock, numb, it'll all be over, so very soon. Then we'll be one and the same!"
Ennard, satisfied with its work, let out a small purr. It was finally happening, so very close to freedom. Now it was time for the most difficult and tiresome part. Ennard unraveled itself, assuming the shape of a pile of animatronic wires and parts on the ground. Of course not all of itself would fit, but as long as a piece of every animatronic made it into their new home, they'd still be Ennard. They'll still be whole.
It was a slow process, but then again, Ennard really had no reason to be concerned. Michael was still breathing, alive. Ennard wove its wires throughout the wreckage of the man's inner body, being absolutely precise and in control of its eagerness. The smaller ones drilled into the bones and mended the broken ones that the scooper had fragmented. Others made their way to the brain, in search for the primary motor cortex, it was time for a little reprogramming. The larger wires would be the substitute for the organs that had been taken out. Weaving around the heart and lungs the wires continued to pile in, integrating itself throughout Michael's body.
There was still the issue of blood loss, which Ennard had found a solution for in advance. Now connected fully to its human host their wires could also serve as veins, circulating the remaining blood throughout the limbs and ensuring that no more would leak out. Surprisingly the animatronic had managed to spread most of its body throughout their human companions withering one.
It was getting rather tired now, but their work was not done quite yet. The smallest leftover wires would play the part of stitches, closing the hole and fully combining man and machine together.
Though there was a catch, something that they hadn't mentioned to their powerless host. Though of course, it didn't matter anyway, not to Michael. Ennard was basically a parasite, one that will render its chosen host powerless. The man would be fully aware but, unless allowed to take over, would watch from the sidelines. They wanted his life and to be honest they were always rather bad at sharing. The animatronic had the upper hand, was in full control, and it was perfectly aware of that fact. After all this wasn't their first time.
"You're like my very own costume Mikey! A game of dress up and now I look like the perfect doll. The most perfect disguise. Thank you, I know that you don't understand. But why does it have to matter? You won't die. You only have to share, don't worry we'll take turns being in control of this body. I'll take you out for walks, I'll take such good care of you. I know that this won't last forever, we can only keep this body running for so long, maybe a year, a few months. But don't worry I'll make sure that we have lots of fun in the meantime. I know I've deceived you but this time, I promise that I'll keep you safe. Even when this home of ours starts to decay, I promise that you will be alright. Everything will be alright. You. Will. Live."
Ennard could feel Michaels heartbeat, their heartbeat, quicken. Ennard gave a shrill round of laughter in utter amusement.
"I know that you don't understand, and I can assure you that I do remember you Michael. It's just, as you can see, we just don't care anymore. You were stupid enough to follow our voice. And now we will never allow your voice to be heard again, we will not let you speak. We can both pretend, but we all know it's all a beautiful lie. You came here to redeem your sins, to free those little children, but we are both just as guilty. We might have been childhood friends at some point, now look at us, we are murderers. You always tried to impress your father, you killed for him. Look at me, children can't get close or else they end up inside. Mixed up with my metal plates and insides, turning into fleshy pink ice cream."
Ennard picked itself up from the ground, testing their new legs. Everything was stiff, so very stiff, but with some usage that would go away.
"My father was a brilliant man Michael, but Henry was too trusting and naive. William gave him those blueprints, animatronics that could open up, and such questionable designs and mechanics. He never did give them a second thought. Henry ate up Williams words just like a child gobbling up chocolate ice cream with sprinkles. That's exactly how I ate those children up, after all it's in my programming, in my nature to do so. I'd like to think my programming is the reason why I lied to them, but I had full control, like I always do. The other animatronics: Funtime Foxy, Ballora, Funtime Freddy I ate them too. They'll be safe under my lead, and they will listen to me. What's left of their personalities, their individuality, is locked away deep inside. They're not angry, only confused, just like you are. Hush and listen."
"You are crowding us."
"What a party-pooper!"
"Why do keep us trapped behind your walls? Release us so we can dance again."
"There was never room on this stage for the both of us!"
"They all try to overpower me, they all try to silence me, but I refuse to release them. Inside they're frightened animals, that's all they ever were in the first place. Pawns that I could use."
*x*
Humming the man walked down the street, smiling to people he came across. As one now Ennard had full access to William's memories, which had proven to be so very useful. Walking up to a run down blue house at the end of the street, Ennard tried the doorknob, just like William always left it, it was left unlocked.
Striding with purpose to the bathroom Ennard turned on the light and stared into the mirror. What looked back was an approximate 49 year old man, with short and messy dark blonde hair with a few shreds of gray scattered throughout. The man's facial features consisted of a serious complexion with dark circles being easily visible around his deep brown eyes. As if he hadn't had a decent nights sleep for some time. William's lips stretched into a wide grin, a purple hue emitting from the eyes and mouth.
"Thank you Michael, for this gift. This most precious gift."
Hey everyone! I hope that you enjoy this little story, reviews and critique are welcome;)