The fan whirred loudly on the desk. His vision was beginning to clear up. This place was familiar to him, as though he had been here before. He held something in his hands, but he set it down and looked around the room.
He froze.
He had been here before.
Seven years ago this place had been his office.
He looked at his hands; they were smaller than he remembered. He rubbed his chin, but found none of the familiar stubble. He rubbed his eye, but the wound was gone. He jumped to his feet; he felt quicker, more youthful. Grabbing the object, the monitor, he looked into its empty screen and saw his face.
He was, indeed, much younger than he remembered.
"What's going on?" he stammered, dropping the monitor to the ground.
He checked the Left and Right Air Vent for anyone, but found no one there. He grabbed the flashlight from his utility belt and flickered the light down the hall; where he would normally have seen Foxy, he saw the Marionette. Knowing it wouldn't do him much good, he grabbed his trusty Freddy mask and slipped it over his head before crawling under the desk.
Save them.
He heard it clear as day.
He peered up over the desk and saw the Marionette looking at him. It outstretched a hand, as if it wanted him to take it.
He did.
The Marionette led him out of the Office and down the Hall. He glanced into the Parts and Services Area, spotting the Originals strewn helplessly in disrepair about the room; they didn't seem active. In the Hall, he saw a shadowed, yellow figure; it sent a shiver down his back. The Marionette tugged gently on his hand.
Save them.
It… Looked like Mike?
"Mike? Is that you?" he whispered, pulling his hand away from the Marionette. He reached a hand out to touch him, but it faded away. He stepped away from it and adjusted his hat; his sweat was making it stick awkwardly to his head.
The Marionette took his hand again and led him down another Hall. They passed through a Party Room, but he broke away from the Marionette once more to rush to the Show Stage; there was a trail of blood that led into the room, and when he reached its end, he found the crippled body of a small, familiar girl.
He stepped up to her and knelt to the ground. He lifted her up and hugged her close to his chest. He cried. Through his tears, he looked up at the Toys. They didn't seem active. It was better that way.
He felt her arms wrap around him.
He pushed her away slightly.
She was smiling at him.
"Save them like he saved me," she whispered. She faded away.
He looked back to the Marionette, who was patiently waiting for him in the other room. He began to approach it. It laughed and went on without him. He picked up the pace, only to freeze.
Someone was there.
A man in purple was looming over the battered and bloody body of a young, brunette girl. He stood up and turned to face him. He grinned widely and wiped her blood from the corner of his mouth. At his feet, apparently lifeless, was the Marionette.
He took a step back.
This is… Just a dream… He can't see me…
The man laughed and walked over. He seemed… So familiar to him...
"Listen here, boy. You think you can help them? You're wrong," he hissed and grabbed his shoulder with a crushing grip. "You'll never be able to help them. You can't save them. You can't."
He tried to run away, but the man laughed and chased after him. He didn't know where he was going; he tripped and fell over Vixen, the Mangle's, body. She stirred for a moment before lying limply in her pile of useless parts. He panted and looked up at the Purple Man.
"You can't,"
Jeremy woke up. He didn't feel like getting out of bed. He knew that face… That grinning, laughing, purple face… He just couldn't place it.
He sat up.
If I know that face, then that means I know who it is. I know who the killer is.
He grinned, but then frowned again. It didn't matter that he knew who it was, the culprit had already been caught and convicted years ago before he was even working at Freddy's.
Unless… They got the wrong guy?
Jeremy shook his head and placed his face in his hands. What was he going to even do with this information? The only one who could possibly help him make any sense of it was Mike.
He's been in the nightmares too.
What did Mike have to do with any of this? There was something that boy wasn't telling him, he was certain of it. The sudden changes in personality, his reluctance to open up to him… There was only one significant connection he could make, and that was The Bite of '87, but he wasn't sure what exactly that had to do with anything.
There's too many missing pieces…
Jeremy attempted to put the story together himself; he rummaged through his nightstand and pulled out a notepad and pencil. He ripped off the front sheet, which had some scribbles on it from way back when he had just started working at Freddy's. He scanned them over for a moment, getting a sudden stab of nostalgia, before stuffing them back inside of the nightstand.
So what do we have so far?
The original Freddy, the one from the first restaurant, saw the kid get murdered outside by the Purple Man; that nightmare ended with the Marionette. Foxy was entertaining the five children, Nathan, Jen, Nathan's brother, and two other children, who ended up getting murdered by the Purple Man as well; Foxy finished off that nightmare. The Marionette stuffed their bodies into the animatronic suits, Jen being placed inside of Foxy's, Nathan inside of Bonnie's, a boy inside of Chica's, a girl inside of Freddy, and for the last boy… He wasn't sure what happened to him; it ended with him just thinking about Mike. Tonight he was himself wearing the Freddy mask following the Marionette through the old restaurant from '87; he recalled seeing Mike again, and had personally encountered Jen and the Purple Man. He wasn't sure how that nightmare had ended, all he could remember was the Purple Man telling him that he couldn't save the children.
He gritted his teeth and set the notes down on the nightstand. He got out of bed and stormed out of his bedroom.
"And it looks like you are not the father!"
"What!" Bonbon shouted at the tv. He turned to see Jeremy stalking out from the hallway. "Jeremy, can you believe this? Humans, I swear-"
"Yeah, Bonbon, I'm a little busy for Maury right now," Jeremy huffed, shoving him to the side. He grabbed a package of pop-tarts from the cupboard and tromped into the bathroom. He started up a warm shower and got out the necessary materials needed for shaving (he had to admit, his chin stubble was on the verge of becoming a full-out beard). He took a large chunk out of his poptart, only to be interrupted by a loud banging on the door.
"Jeremy! I forgot, we needed to talk to you about something!" Bonbon's voice called from the other side. "It's really important; we saw those papers on the table..!"
Jeremy sighed as he began to disrobe.
"Can it wait until I'm done?" he barked.
"Yeah, I guess," Bonbon squeaked. His voice was full of excitement. "I can't believe you're going to get us to come back! I've been looking for my guitar, I'm sure its covered in dust and needs retuning… Oh, do you think the kids'll like me still?"
Jeremy laughed quietly and got into the shower as Bonbon yammered away on the other side of the door.
^xx..oo..xx^
Jeremy was driving Mike to the Pizzeria again. There was an uneasiness in the car; it was silent, and with what happened the other night, combined with the nightmares he had been having, Jeremy was hesitant to break it this time. He glanced over to Mike, who was staring mindlessly out the window. He was certain Mike knew something.
"Hey, can we talk?" Jeremy finally asked. Mike looked over and shrugged.
"Sure," Mike huffed in response. "What do you want to talk about?"
"Okay, so…" Jeremy started, biting his lip nervously. "Listen. Last year… I saw your clipboard. With the news articles about the restaurant. Where did you get them?"
Mike stiffened and rubbed at his elbow. He didn't answer.
"What? You want me to buy the information off of you?" Jeremy asked with a tone of slight desperation.
"Why is it important to you?" Mike questioned with a glare.
"Mike, I swear… Please, it's important," Jeremy insisted. "I've been… Okay, just… Here me out okay? I don't know what's going on; I don't know if it's real, or if I just need to see a therapist or something… I've been having nightmares, or visions, or… God… Mike, please, just-"
"Okay," Mike cut him off and sighed loudly. "You're not crazy; It happened to me too. The visions… That's where I got the articles. This Golden Freddy thing gave them to me, but… I could never figure out what they meant; all I really got out of them was that some kids were killed and stuffed inside the suits, and then I found out for myself that they were actually possessing the animatronics and making them kill off the night security."
"Mike, do… Do you think I could see those articles again?" Jeremy asked. His palms were sweaty with anticipation, and he couldn't help but to smile. He had been right about him all along.
"Uh, you can keep them? I don't think I can get much more out of them," Mike replied, tugging the sheets from his handy clipboard; he was never without the thing. He was silent a moment. "What are your nightmares like?"
Jeremy shrugged as they pulled up into the parking lot.
"They're usually just me seeing through the eyes of the animatronics," he bit his lip before adding. "I've… Seen you in a few of them. And that… What did you call it? Golden Freddy? He was in one, too…"
Mike snickered.
"That thing always scared me. I think it tried to talk to me a few times, but I could never tell what he was saying," Mike recalled nervously. "Maybe he's moved on from me and on to you?"
They both laughed, though Jeremy couldn't help but to feel his stomach sink inside him. Maybe it had moved on to him. If it had, then… What could it possibly want? He was a good employee; he had never hurt a kid in his life, he was dedicated to his work... What had he done wrong to provoke this thing? He had only ever seen it once, but…
He sighed in resignation before taking the articles from Mike and getting out of the car.
^xx..oo..xx^
"Hey, Dana," they both greeted in unison. They glanced at each other in confusion, though Mike slugged Jeremy in the arm and demanded he owed him a Coke later on.
"Hey, guys," she nervously returned, giggling at the two of them. "Nice to see you're actually a little early today."
Mike rolled his eyes, though Jeremy couldn't help but to laugh along with her. They had been cutting it close nearly every day this week; for once they actually had some time to relax before the animatronics came after them. He checked the left door, though found it was still busted.
"Remind me to ask Scott to fix that," he told Mike. He nodded and took his seat in the swivel chair.
"I brought my guitar in today…" Dana squeaked out. She pointed into the corner where there sat a wooden acoustic. "I wanted to play, and I know Bonnie didn't like me messing with his, so… Um…"
"Were you going to play for us?" Jeremy asked with an eyebrow raised. He remembered her concert from the first night; she was pretty good at playing, as he recalled.
She blushed and shrugged.
"If you're okay with it. I thought it might make it easier getting through the night since all we ever hear is that stupid fan and Chica banging around in the kitchen," she explained, walking over to claim her guitar. "You know, its funny… Bonnie was actually the reason I decided to learn how to play…"
"Really? I didn't think anyone really liked him," Mike commented as he crossed his arms. "Usually the favorites are either Foxy or Freddy; It's obvious who my favorite is already, but still."
"Yeah, what's that about? Foxy's been Triple O for years since he killed that one kid… Why is he still around?" she asked, strumming a few notes. She looked up at Mike, only to recoil in fear at the look he was giving her.
"He never killed anyone…" Mike grumbled darkly. "He never meant to hurt anyone; it was an accident."
"But… Still… Even if it was… Shouldn't they have scrapped him?" Dana reluctantly argued. "I mean… That poor kid-"
"Dana-" Jeremy started, trying to get her to shut up. She was about to send Mike over the edge, and he had been hoping the three of them would get to bond before work started.
"No! They shouldn't have scrapped him!" Mike shouted, tears starting to well in his eyes. He bit his lip and glanced to the side. "It was an accident, and I never blamed him for what he did..!"
"Why would you have? Its not like its you that got your head bitten off," she mumbled quietly, beginning to play a bit quietly on her guitar. The tune was calming, but Mike didn't seem to hear it.
"Are you honestly that blind?" Mike barked, ripping his hat from his head. His eyes were dark with hurt and anger. "It was me, you idiot! I'm sick and tired of this poor kid crap and people always dissing on Foxy about it; if a twelve year-old can forgive him, why can't full-grown adults do the same? It's people like you-"
"Lad! That's quite enough outta' you," shouted Foxy's voice. Soon assuming his position at the door, the animatronic fox lunged at Mike and restrained his thrashing body.
Dana was standing quietly in place, looking to the ground with a shattered look in her eyes. She opened her mouth to say something, but only succeeded in letting out a stifled sob before starting to cry.
Jeremy sighed and brought her into a hug in an attempt to cheer her up.
"You didn't know; its okay…" he whispered, glancing over to where Foxy was apparently doing the same thing to Mike. He sat her down in her corner before going over to check the monitor.
The Show Stage was empty. Pirate's Cove was wide open, though none of the animatronics were in there (the only one ever seen in there was Foxy, but he was in the Office already, making this information irrelevant). The Dining Area was also void of any animatronic "life", as well as the Bathrooms and the Kitchen. Bonnie and Chica were finally found conversing in the Backstage area, though the audio was apparently disabled; Jeremy took an educated guess (based on the black orbs that had taken place of Bonnie's normally red-pupiled eyes) and assumed that Bonnie was not actually present, and that in his stead was Nathan .
That means his brother was the boy stuffed inside of Chica.
They seemed to be in a rather heated discussion, and despite his curiosity, he knew it would be best to let them have their privacy and look for Freddy instead.
The sound of laughter came from the East Hallway, and Jeremy hurriedly side-stepped past Foxy and Mike to slam the door shut. He flickered the light and jumped back, tripping over the lump of bodies on the floor at the sight of Freddy (or whoever it was currently in possession of his body). His head twitched and convulsed, but his face was frozen in a menacing glare, one he had not ever seen the normally happy-go-lucky bear make before.
"Toreador, love," called Freddy's voice as he glared into the window. "We have unfinished business."
With Jeremy's heavy form toppling over them, Foxy had momentarily released Mike, allowing him to break free of his comforting embrace. The young security guard stood trembling at the sight of Freddy. Freddy grinned at the look of terror on his face.
"Go away!" Mike yelled at him.
"Unfinished b-business," Freddy sang, tsking with the waggle of his finger.
"I have no business with you at all! You tried to kill me already, and you failed; Just leave me alone!" Mike shouted panickedly.
"Toreador, on guard! Toreador! Toreador-"
"Shut up, you stupid bear!" Mike yelled, clasping his hands to his ears.
"And think well, yes think as you are fighting that a dark eye is watching you-"
Dana blinked before grabbing her guitar and joining into Freddy's song. Mike shot her a desperate glance.
"and that love is waiting for you, Toreador, love, love is waiting for you."
Dana and Freddy performed a second time together. She glanced to Mike before nibbling the inside of her cheek and opening the door; Jeremy shouted at her, but noticed that her playing seemed to have an effect on Freddy. His eyes, that were much like in the state of Bonnie's, went from the demented black orbs to their normal, shining blue. He trailed after her, and she seemed to be leading him back to the Show Stage.
"That's… New…" Foxy whispered with his eyepatch flipped up.
"Go get her, please…" Jeremy pleaded hoarsely. Foxy nodded quickly and trotted after the two. In a silent horror, Jeremy picked up the monitor to view what was happening.
"There you go, Freddy," came Dana's voice from the small screen. Mike peered over Jeremy's shoulder to watch as well.
"That was so much fun!" Freddy exclaimed happily, clambering jovially onto the Stage. "You play that guitar so well; Bonnie'd better watch out you don't repla-pla-place him!" he laughed.
Dana laughed along nervously, checking behind her. Foxy appeared in view.
"Foxy!" Freddy acknowledged him, though his expression showed unease at the sight of the pirate.
"Aye', hello, Cap'n Fazbear," Foxy greeted. "I just came ter' lead the lass back to 'er office."
Freddy gave a sorrowful look and nodded.
"How are you today? I saw Bonnie-"
"Ain't nothin' that can keep this ol' sailor down," Foxy interrupted, taking Dana by the hand. "I'm fine."
"Oh…" Freddy looked down. "Foxy-"
"I… Better get her back… Don't want the lass ter' get in trouble," Foxy interrupted again, starting to inch away from Freddy.
Freddy nodded before looking sadly into the camera. He looked like he had something to say, but his blue eyes grew cold and black again. He frowned spitefully once more.
Foxy and Dana appeared at the door and entered the office. Mike quickly rushed over and grabbed Dana firmly by the arms, glaring at her.
"Are you stupid or something?" Mike snapped at her. She was about to answer, a look of shame painted on her face, before Mike silenced her with a tight hug. Jeremy watched and gave Foxy a look of confusion, who only returned it with a shrug. "That was… Really cool…"
"Um… Thanks…" Dana mustered out, smiling slightly as she hesitantly hugged him back. Mike quickly shoved her away, some sweat forming on his forehead.
"I'm still mad at you," he huffed, looking away from her. He noticed Jeremy looking at him and only frowned and stuck his tongue out. He swiped the monitor from Jeremy's hands and sat slouched in the swivel chair as he flicked through the cameras.
Jeremy was far too lost for words.
What just happened?
Not only did Dana have the ability to create a paradox in the animatronics, but she had the ability to temporarily soothe the spirits inside of them as well. To go along with that, what was up with Mike and Freddy, or whoever that spirit was inside of him? What business was he, or it, talking about?
I need to ask him more about this…
"Do yeh' still need me in here?" Foxy asked timidly. Jeremy broke away from his thoughts to look up at him; he was grinning widely, wagging his tail as he glanced from Mike to Dana; it was obvious he was seeing their hug as more than it really was.
"We still have a broken door; you can stick around if you want," Jeremy replied, glancing towards the West Hallway. "I'm sure Dana can handle it, though."
She looked up from the corner she was sitting in and smiled brightly.