It's common knowledge for a child, since it's something they are told day after day, don't trust strangers. Don't talk to them, don't listen to them, don't follow them. Of course while children may know the rules that they are told by their parents, they do not truly understand why not all adults are trustworthy, especially not in a place that they thought was safe and fun. So when they are approached by a familiar face of a mascot they have come to know and love, why else would they treat them as anything other than a friend?

As it was approaching Aiden's 6th birthday, and he couldn't be less excited. Typically for other children, adoption was a fun experience, a loving family, nice food, and no more strictness. Except what he found himself in was far from that. But only being a month in, he already knew too well his new brother hated his guts, not shying away from telling him how worthless he felt the new addition to the family was.

At least he had his friends, the stuffed plushies of a very special bear, fox, chicken, and bunny rabbit. There was also something else, he didn't really know when he found it, or if he even found it at all. It was a bear, the same as Freddy, though its fur was a bright golden colour. Another thing that made it different from the others, is it seemed to always be there for him. Speaking words of comfort when he was in need. He tried to take it anywhere he could, keeping it close to so he never felt alone.

When the word spread to his family that he wanted to spend his birthday there, the torment immediately got worse. His brother didn't want to spend a single minute at that lousy place, and made his voice known. His toys were cut up, and he couldn't walk around the house without treading extra carefully, because the loud scream as his brother leapt out at him could happen at any time…

Soon he didn't even want to go anywhere near that place anymore, but it was already decided and booked with his friends…

A few days before the actual event, he was taken there to visit, and he walked in cautiously holding his golden friend close to his chest. The building no longer felt safe, the bright colours and sounds became sickly. As soon as the little boy dared to let out a distressed whimper, the teenage boy smiled and darted out of the building, leaving the child there all alone with the intimidating adults.

Managing to sneak under a table with a cloth that draped over the sides, he felt comfort in the dim light that only got through in a tiny amount through the fabric. It was also secluded from the outside dangers.

He placed the bear in front of him, it toppled slightly but he sat him up again. It's eyes glowed silver as they always do when the bear speaks to him. Usually it would speak of encouragement against the bullying. Though this time, it was words of dangers, of teeth…

Of course he didn't know what this meant at the time, and it wasn't long before one of the staff members found him. She politely requested him to leave the underside but got a bit firmer when he initially refused, explaining people needed to sit around it without kicking him. Reluctantly, he left his sanctuary into the cluster of noise, taking the bear with him always.

Compared to the cartoon show he likes to watch, this restaurant only had two golden animals. They would be fun, if it weren't for the shadows cast onto the walls next to it. He felt like he was the only one who could see them at one point. The bunny had an evil grin on its face made by darkness that took all the courage to not run from, while the bear's silhouette looked like it was weeping tears of sorrow and distress. They blocked his way so going to see the actual ones up close was far too scary.

Stepping back and sitting down at the table, he noticed something was different. Usually the tall red doors that stayed shut permanently was cracked slightly. He snuck round and peered in, unable to make out what he saw, someone being put into a costume, and someone else that was obscured by the darkness. Soon he was met with an annoyed look, and the door was shut quickly.

Being a child, this had only strengthened his curiosity of what may lay behind these doors. He pushed again, though this time it had been locked tightly. The same woman from before was giving him stern looks at this, keeping an eye on his behaviour from then on.

Feeling tired and overwhelmed by now, he tried to head towards the exit. Though he seized and froze in place as he saw the mascot coming closer and closer to him. The bear in his arms started whispering to him again, telling him he needed to get out, and get to the exit as fast as he could manage. All he could focus on was the teeth of the mascot, they were large and looked like they could tear him to bits.

You know what happens if he catches you.

He tried to run, but the shadows left him cornered, and huddled up, sobbing to himself. At least he has tomorrow…