Hello all! I wanted to get something out sooner, but something came up. Last Friday night (on 9/11, not last night) I lost a man I considered my "adopted" father. It was completely and totally unexpected. It was a stroke and less than a day later he was declared brain dead. My heart is absolutely shattered losing him, but I know he wouldn't want me to just stop what I do. What I love to do. So, I must apologize if the work this time around isn't of amazing quality. I wanted to get something out for you amazing people!

So, here we go.

Emaley stood outside the restaurant, glaring at the sign hanging over the entrance of the building. The animated characters smiled warmly, alluring any excited children and reluctant parents that happen to drive by. She hated that sign. She hated everything about that restaurant. Yet, here she was. All day and every day throughout the week. Even on the weekends, she let in the night guards that worked weekends. It was the place that she truly loathed, yet it was her life.

Funny how life turns out.

Glancing down at her watch, Emaley huffed a breath and resisted the urge to growl. Braden said he would be there early, but he was nowhere to be seen. His version of early was the complete opposite of hers, obviously. She still didn't know what he had planned for her tonight. In all honesty, she didn't care. All she wanted was someone to join her on her journey for the truth. Anything outside of that one request did nothing for her.

It was almost closing time. Where was he? She didn't care about the surprise he had for her now; he was going to be late for his shift if he didn't hurry up! He was the only friend she had at the restaurant. The last thing she wanted was for him to lose his job. Who else would she rant to?

Your mother.

Her breath caught in the back of her throat at the thought. She still had her mother, but she couldn't crawl back to her! Every time she thought of her mother, she felt betrayal. Rejection. That was before she crossed the line. She grew up around it her entire life, her mother and father always trying to turn her into something she wasn't. Sometimes, she thought of her mother's betrayal as the best day of her life. She would never go back to her.

What about John?

Her stomach flipped at the thought. John. The man she thought she was going to spend forever with, even when she was just a little girl. She grew up with him, got pregnant, had a child, and got married to him. An entire lifetime shared with one person. It all ended with one person, too. The mere thought was draining. She couldn't think about that.

Fortunately for her, a familiar little, black truck pulled into the parking lot. With a sigh of relief from her inner turmoil, she crossed the parking lot to meet him. She didn't care what the surprise was now; she just wanted something to take away her previous thoughts.

Braden crawled out of the cab of the trunk in his usual uniform -a long-sleeved, navy blue button-up with a Freddy Fazbear's logo on the right collarbone, black slacks, a pair of black work boots, and a cap that has "security" printed on it in bold- and greeted her with a smile.

"Didn't think you'd actually show up. Glad you did, though." Braden chuckled with a toothy grin as he strode over, a bag slung over his shoulder.

Emaley arched a brow at the new accessory but ignored it, for now. "Speak for yourself. I thought you said you were gonna come early! Your shift's about to start soon."

Braden glanced down at his watched and flashed a crooked grin. "Not for another ten minutes. C'mon, you know that's a record for me." He teased with a flirtatious wink.

Emaley ignored the wink and rolled her eyes. "Whatever. Don't tell me you made me sit out here for an hour just so you could show me your new purse." She mocked, bringing the mysterious bag to attention. Braden never brought something with him that didn't relate to work.

"You've been out here for an hour?" He questioned, cocking his head to the right.

"Braden! The bag!"

"Oh, yeah, the bag." Delicately flipping back the flap, Braden reached inside and carefully maneuvered a small camcorder from deep within. Working his hand into the strap, Braden showed off the new treasure and grinned.

"A camcorder? You really brought me out here for that?" Emaley gawked at the thing, wondering why she was supposed to be thrilled about that.

It was Braden's turn to roll his eyes. "It's not about it being mine, it's about what I'm going to do with it."

Emaley just shook her head and dug through her pockets, looking for the keys to the main entrance. "Braden, I'm sure it'll be great, but I'm really not interested in another of your attempts at filmmaking. I told you that the last time you made me wear that hideous bow on my ass." She complained and started towards the entrance.

Braden was one step ahead of her though. Clutching the precious camcorder to his chest, he ran out in front of her and blocked her path. "No, Em, it's not that again. You were right about the filmmaking. Everybody ain't Hitchcock. I didn't bring this to make anything. At least, not of the entertainment kind."

Emaley stopped in her tracks. He had her attention now. "What're you talking about, Braden?"

Braden flashed another crooked grin at her before delving into his explanation. "That's what I called you about. Like I've said before, I can't help you find out what happened here six years ago, but I want to help you in some way. After you showed me that plushie and since you left, I couldn't stop thinking about the restaurant and the animatronics. I'm going to record my shift tonight. I know it's going to help you. I want it to." He revealed gently, reaching out and cupping a hand around her wrist. He wasn't brave enough to try to touch her hand again.

Emaley glanced down at the hand around her wrist and resisted the urge to slink away from his touch. She wouldn't be rude to him two nights in a row. "You're going to record your shift?"

"Yeah, to show you what goes on at night. You've been asking, so I decided it's time that I gave you an answer. Knowing you, you wouldn't believe anything I would just tell you, so I decided to show you." Braden replied with a grin and glanced down at his camcorder.

She had to admit, it was a brilliant idea. He was right, she would never believe a single word spoken without seeing it with her own eyes. This would be the only way to really have the truth she's wanted for so long. At least, the truth behind the local legend.

"You're right. I wouldn't believe you. This is the way it needs to be done." She paused for a moment and looked at the cracked pavement under her feet. With a scoff, she continued. "Why didn't you tell me you were so smart?"

Braden rolled his eyes and chuckled with her. "I tried, but you were too damn stubborn."

The two laughed for a moment until silence fell amongst them. It was only getting later the more they stood there. His shift would start any second now and he needed to be inside. She never felt such reluctance to let him inside than she did right now. Perhaps it was irrational fear of the unknown? She wasn't sure, but there was no time for it. They both had questions that needed answers.

Emaley stepped away from him to unlock the door with familiar ease then turned back to Braden, one hand wrapped tightly around the door handle. "You ready?"

Braden glanced down at his camcorder, flipped the screen out, and looked back up at her with an uncertain grin. "Not like it really matters, right?"

Emaley chuckled and stepped aside to give him space to walk through the door. Braden reached for the flashlight hanging at his hip -he would need it later when he shut off the main lights- and looked back at Emaley. "'Morning, Em."

"Goodnight, Braden."

Mason stood outside the 24-hour convenience store with Mike at his side. Shelbi was still inside arguing with one at the employees at the register about the way they stacked their displays. She was such the perfectionist. It was annoying.

Mason drowned out the sounds of Shelbi's complaints and the stuttering replies of the employee and took a drag of his cigarette. "So, you really gonna take that job? Don't they hack up night guards like you there?"

Mike waved the smoke away from his face before turning to face his cousin. "I thought you didn't believe bullshit like that, dude. You were the one that recommended it."

Mason chuckled and brought the cigarette to his lips again. "I don't. Just surprised you wanted it. You were always the superstitious one, little cousin."

Mike rolled his eyes at his cousin's statement, even if it was true. Mason and other cousins use to tease him mercilessly growing up because of his superstitious fear of the unknown. It always intrigued him, when he was older that is, and he had dreamed once to devote his time into studying it.

Funny how life turns out.

Mike bit on the inside of his cheek, punishing himself for thinking about that again. He didn't realize how hard the moving on step of this new life would be. He couldn't wait to start his new job and start this new chapter in his life. He thought he deserved as much. Then again, it was hard to imagine he deserved anything after the things he and his so-called friends did.

His thoughts vanished as a new car pulled into the parking lot, driving past the gas station and parked. He didn't think too much of it until the driver stepped out and slung a bag over their shoulder.

"Emaley?" He muttered, arching a brow.

Mason perked at this and followed his cousin's line of sight. Mike expected some kind of taunt or chuckle, but he surprised him with silence. Mason stomped out his cigarette and stuffed his hands deep into his pockets.

Emaley didn't seem to notice them until she came up to the door and glanced over at Mike. Recognition flashed across her features and she paused to take it in. It took a moment, but she remembered him.

"You know, if stalking is your next step after terrifyingly staring at me walk out of my apartment, you're doing an awful job." She smirked, placing a hand on her hip and cocked a brow.

Mason snorted while Mike blushed a deep shade of red. Running a hand through his already messy hair, he stood straight and did his best to send her a friendly smile. It must not have looked as nice as he wanted it to considering she furrowed her eyebrows in disgust after. "No, ma'am, I'm not stalking you. I just, um, was shocked by you...is all." He finally answered nervously.

Again, Mason snorted at Mike's answer and turned from the two. Emaley took a step closer towards them, letting others go through the door, and craned her head back by an inch to look up at him. "Shocked?"

"I mean it in the best way possible, really! It's just, you were different from the others I saw. Sad. I was worried." Mike replied honestly, hoping to stir something within her. He didn't really expect any response, though. Even if he knew a lot about her already, they were still strangers. There was still so much about her that the media and news didn't show.

Emaley's face softened the tiniest bit, but she didn't let it last long before restructuring a glare on her pale, delicate features. "You're new here, aren't you? I bet that tour guide filled you all in, didn't he? It's all the same from people like you! 'Oh, poor little Emaley!' or 'What you went through was so tragic, Ms. Carter.' How about y'all mind your own damn business?" She growled, making her way to the door.

Mason imitated a buzzer noise as Mike chased after her and stopped her hasty escape by gently grabbing her wrist. "Wait, please! Mr. Hemmingway did nothing wrong, it's not his fault! I made him tell me, he didn't want to." He knew it wasn't entirely true, but he didn't care. He wasn't going to have their first conversation end like that. After all, they were going to work together soon. He made to make things right before they were dreadfully awkward.

Emaley sighed and nibbled on her lip. "I believe Mr. Hemmingway is a grown man and can make his own decisions. He wouldn't let some stranger just tell him what to do."

"So, you two did know each other?"

"We were neighbors once, yes. I didn't know him as well as others did."

"Like your husband?"

Emaley stiffened at the words. How much did her old neighbor really tell him? She didn't want to find out. "Word to the wise, don't mention the past around here. It's a pretty touchy subject."

Mike nodded. He understood. The past wasn't exactly what he wanted to delve into either. He wasn't going to make someone else do that. Instead, he stretched out his arm and offered her a handshake. Before she could question his motives, he smiled and explained. "We haven't officially met."

Emaley arched a brow and resisted the urge to grin. She had to give it to him, he sure knew how to dodge a bullet. "You already know my name. In this town, it doesn't take very long for newcomers." She replied darkly.

Mike just grinned warmly. "True, but you struck me as someone who doesn't let things consume or control you. Figured you would've liked an actual introduction more than people talking behind their back."

Emaley couldn't resist anymore. She smiled. Maybe she misjudged him. "I'm Emaley. Emaley Carter." She introduced herself and firmly shook his hand. She easily noticed the callouses, but was surprised at the softness of his skin. He was obviously no stranger to work, but at the same time, it was like he hadn't touched a single tool in his life. It was nice.

"Mike Schmidt. Your new neighbor." Mike introduced with a smile, hinting at his new apartment.

"Neighbor?"

"Yeah, I'm taking the apartment a couple doors down from you. Looks like we'll be seeing a lot more of each other from now on." He explained with a knowing grin.

Emaley scoffed. "You're a really bad stalker, you know that?" She teased accusingly and broke their exchange by walking towards the door.

"I'm not a stalker!"

"Whatever!"

Then the glass door interrupted their brief exchange. Mike watched her walk through the aisles of snacks and junk food before disappearing. Grinning, he blushed as he turned back to his cousin who had lit another cigarette that was now hanging from the corner of his lip.

"The hell was that?" He questioned breathlessly, glancing back in the direction Emaley had disappeared.

"What was what?"

Mason furrowed his brow and took another drag of his cigarette. Eventually, he just shook his head and moved on. "Whatever. Just, go wait by the car. I'll go drag Shelbi outta the place before she burns it to the ground."

Mike chuckled and peered through the glass door. Shelbi was out numbered now that the employee had called in backup to sort this argument out. It was time for one of them to drag her out of there. "Okay, good luck with that."

As Mason strode towards the mess with his sister and the employees, Mike peeked in one last time as he watched Emaley snatch two bags of candy, Twizzlers to be exact, and looked around her before bringing one of the bags to her nose, like she was trying to smell the licorice candy inside its plastic wrapping. He arched a brow, but looked away when he thought that she was going to catch him.

One thing he was sure of tonight, Emaley Carter was one strange, yet interesting, girl.

Ending note, I want to apologize for such short chapters. I didn't realize I was cutting them kind of short until lately, but hopefully, they should get longer as the story continues to progress. We're just now getting into the good stuff ;)

Thank you all so, so, so much for reading and reviewing! It means so much to me! With that said, don't forget to review! They help me through rough writing blocks and inspire me to keep writing for you guys!