Hello! This is a few days early to it's due date...which leads me into my announcement. I am not currently able to keep with the scheduled days. Inspiration is like the wind, it comes and it goes, and if I want to give you guys quality chapters then I won't be able to cram them in before a certain date. I plan on updating all three, and the other two, with Colt and Knightley will be updated, but because this one is so far along, things are easier to get out now rather then just starting from the beginning like those are. So, this one will probably be updated more frequently. However, all at some point will be updated unless something changes.
Sorry for the lack of consistency...
Now for the reviews...
TU4QU0I53T4IAN6L3: Congratulations on being the 30th review! I know I should've been celebrating earlier but hoora! Thirty! That is the most reviews I've gotten on a story! So thank you! And thank you to all the reviewers! Honestly all your reviews help me to write when I'm stuck so super thanks! Though, onto responding, yes, Acid is very much bonkers! Guy is pretty much a lunatic, so your thoughts on him is pretty accurate! Annnnd yes, Leo's tendency to take drugs is not at all good for his health. Tragically he doesn't much care about that, and in a way...both your deductions are correct. So good job!
Kurama The Platinum Zoroark: That is a very good question, but tragically for Leo, Acid is just high on his own insanity. So no drug dealer I'm afraid.
GalaXTheUniver: Once again, very accurate, he is very weird, and I can totally see how you would think him annoying, and I'm glad you're growing used to him! He is one of the main humans in this series! And aww! Thank you so much! I'm so glad you like them! That makes me so happy! And don't worry! You certainly will!
SilentAmbiance: Yeah...I never really have...but that's another matter! Interesting thoughts! Lets just say, he is genuinely insane, very much so, so the insanity is not a act. And yeah, Leo struggles with self-control, that will be something throughout the series that causes some problems. And thank you! It is...difficult at times and some things just...don't get written. But I am trying! And that's what counts in the end eh?
Guest (A Reader): Hmm, :) Perhaps, perhaps not, we shall see. :D
Thank you to everyone who reviewed! Five reviews on one chapter! Wow! Thank you so much!
I own nothing but my characters.
Chapter Seventeen
Anxiety...
The day following the last brought upon what they dreaded. The lawsuit papers, hand delivered by Carl's assistant to Leo.
A thin folder had never felt heavier.
The other staff had gathered around as Leo swallowed back his nausea and opened it up to see.
The number made him feel like throwing up, honestly a part of him had hoped that he would be able to find some way to pay the man off. But there was no way in...well anything that he would be able to make enough money to pay this off.
"M...maybe we can still fight it…?" Jamie tried, and Leo spared a brief glance at him only to see the even paler face of the already pale redhead.
"I don't know how, it explains exactly what happened, harassment and threat of assault." One of the other waiters, Diana pointed out, and Leo swallowed feeling small. Especially with all these tall people around him.
Well….tall to him.
"Any...chance the judge here is lenient…?" He tried looking at the people around him, they shared glances before giving him a sympathetic smile and patting his back before walking away. Some of them muttering on how they would have to start applying for a job soon. Jamie stayed behind.
"I'm sure things will work out Leo. The company has to have a good lawyer right? With all the...accidents that have happened over the years..."
"Yeah but maybe that will be our downfall, I mean, would you not jump at the opportunity to cause problems for a company that has issues over a dozen or so missing persons reports?" Leo countered, unable to help himself. Jamie took a breath and rubbed the back of his neck.
"Lets just get through the day okay? We'll be starting in an hour. We will deal with this as it comes. I'm sure John will contact the company's lawyer." The waiter turned to look at him once more, "we'll get through this." Then he gave Leo a smile and headed off to prepare for the day.
It wasn't like he didn't want to be optimistic, he didn't want to be negative. But it felt almost impossible to feel positive about the papers in his hands. Looking at the number was almost too much, the guard had to put it down in his office. He felt the eyes of the animatronics on him, but he didn't care right now. There was an hour before work started and he needed to calm down.
When he had first moved here, Leo had not known where to get all the...drugs he needed, but it hadn't taken long for him to get in contact with the side of town that provided it. And the kind of people who sold them.
With the cash from his paycheck Leo hobbled into the sketchier side of town. Which, unsurprisingly was pretty close to where Freddy's was.
He had already used a telephone booth to call the dealer he wanted, he didn't want to have to do it the long way. He did have to work soon.
All the guard needed was something to take the edge off. Otherwise he was going to be wound so tight that he would snap at one of the children.
...which could get them another lawsuit.
So really, he was doing the company a favor.
When he got to where they were supposed to meet up. Leo couldn't help but wish that once again, he wasn't as injured as he was. This place was extremely sketchy, and if someone decided that his time on earth had come to an end.
He couldn't do much to stop them.
It also didn't help his confidence that he wasn't the only one here. There was another man. Aside from the lack of injures, he much resembled Leo in appearance.
Haggard, messy, with clothes that look like they hadn't been washed in days.
Honestly he needed to see if he could borrow someone's shower or something, this was getting ridiculous.
Messy, but wavy blond hair fell over the young man's face, there were glasses that had been taped at the bridge on his nose, and he was carrying a small pouch like his life depended on it.
Seeing how Leo was doing the same, the guard could easily conclude that was likely the money.
"...uh...come here often?" To be perfectly honest, Leo could not say why those words exited his mouth.
But it was probably because he just hated awkward silences…
The man looked up at him, and Leo offered a weak smile in greeting. Only to receive narrowed eyes in return as the man gripped his pouch tighter.
"Who the ^#%$ are you?" He demanded and Leo let out a breath trying to maintain his friendly smile, even though it's strength was dropping by the second.
"My name is Leo! What's yours?" He asked, keeping his tone light. The man looked at him like he was insane.
"Are you stupid or trying to get killed?" the blond asked, and in turn Leo let his smile drop completely.
"I uh...maybe the stupid one? I kinda want to live…" He trailed with a helpless shrug. The man gazed at him like he was genuinely stupid.
"Then don't tell people you're name idiot." That was stated as a bit of a growl.
"Well, I mean true, but ya know...being nice is a thing." he tried, and the blond sighed and rolled his eyes.
"Ugh. Well you aren't getting my name." He said pointedly and the guard raised his hand in surrender. The man scowled at him a bit more before looking at the run down house before them. "But uh...guess it's nice to meet you." That was said like he had to fight it out of his mouth, and the guard couldn't help but wonder if this was what it was like to speak with him.
He kinda felt bad for all those times he snapped at Jamie now….
"Nice...to meet you too." That was said with a lot less enthusiasm and the guard rubbed the grip on his crutch feeling like an idiot for opening his mouth.
"...I can only take a guess as to why you are here. Especially in that uniform." The nameless man spoke suddenly causing Leo to look up at him again, and then down to his purple uniform.
...maybe he could ask Jamie for the use of his wash machine as well? Is that what friends did?
Then of course the man's words hit him.
Leo snapped his head up to look at the man who was gazing at him solemnly, "wait…what do you mean by that?" The guard demanded, and a rueful smile graced the blond's face.
"Let's just say...that place was the reason I'm here today." He explained, but it only left Leo with more questions.
"You mean...you worked here? And survived?" He demanded, unable to quelm his bubbling excitement. The blond raised an eyebrow.
"And if I did?" He turned away, "it doesn't really matter anyways. Either you die or you leave with your tail between your legs." The man summarized solemnly, and Leo couldn't help but blink.
"...you left?"
"More like...removed by medical officials."
"...medical? What happened? Did...you get stuffed like Mike?" Leo asked in a lower register of tone than before. Like he was speaking of something that was to never be said aloud.
The blond raised an eyebrow at his dramatics and leaned away slightly, Leo leaned back as well, not even realizing he had leant in as he spoke.
"Um…^^#^% no. It did not get that far...thankfully. But it was close, close to losing my life I mean." The man took a breath and turned to look back at the house. "I wouldn't go back tonight if I were you."
At the echoing of similar words, the guard felt himself tense up and look away. "I need the job, I've had it for awhile now. I'm fine." He ended tensely, and the blond looked at him once more.
"Well, you are a lot more determined than I expected. That, or you are an extreme idiot." At that Leo let out a hard breath and looked to the side.
"I really need the job-"
"For this right? You need it for the drugs. That's why you are here with a bag full of cash in the middle of the day, you are hooked. Just like me." The man summarized and Leo paused, and could only give a slight nod. With a slight chuckle, the blond turned back to the house of the dealer. "Yeah. Gets to the point where you'd do anything, including risking your life every night." Leo turned to look at him, but quickly cast his gaze down again as the man continued. "...all for that little bit of relief it brings. Making you forget about things you don't want to remember."
"...yeah." It was barely above a whisper, but the man must've heard it because he nodded a bit.
"You should just be careful alright? Just because you've survived this long doesn't mean one of those monsters won't catch you by surprise one day."
The guard opened his mouth to protest, but paused. This guy had seen them as monsters, because they had been monsters to him. Who was Leo to start saying that they weren't bad now? The man would probably think him crazy.
In a weird well...he felt...weird.
This man...and many more had experienced so much terror and pain from the animatronics. The same ones that Leo played...card games with at night.
It was weird...and surreal, it was like he was talking to someone from a different world then he was. And in a way, that was true. The reality that this man had lived was one of terror and pain that resulted in an injury that he had deemed far too great to return.
It made Leo feel...guilty.
Guilty for his friendship with the same animatronics that murdered so many people. Guilty for defending and trying to figure out ways to save them when they destroyed so many lives.
It was a strange and conflicting feeling, and often-times without realizing it, Leo had put their crimes into a jar labeled things of the past. Things that didn't matter anymore.
Then there were moments like this, where it hit him, and...he was angry. How many lives had been destroyed? How many were lost?
He had always been afraid to ask, and he really didn't know if the bots themselves knew.
This was...all linked back to that man. That psychopath that had started this line of murders. This...tragic tale of pain and sorrow.
It did...feel weird to consider the very same bots that murdered so many people his...friends. But he had to remind himself, that they weren't responsible for all of them.
...but they were responsible for some.
And it was deeply unsettling to think about for long.
"Shortie?" The voice of the blond made Leo jump, and it took him a moment to look up and process what had been said.
When he did, his body stiffened up and he stood taller.
"Who are you calling Shortie?" He demanded, though moments later would internally wince at how pathetic that sounded.
The blond even smiled, amused.
With a breath the guard let his shoulders drop and he looked the other way.
"Yeah what is it?"
"I think it's your turn, a hand from behind the door is waving you over." At the information Leo looked up, only to frown.
"...well that's weird." He muttered, before taking a breath and going up to the door.
"You got the money?" A gruff, but clearly faked voice from the other side of the door demanded. Only his hand was visible, and it was clear that this was a middle aged man.
"Uh...yeah, but I wanna see the stuff first." He ordered, very rarely did he give cash first.
There was hesitation behind the door before the hand retreated and returned, this time with a box of cigarettes. Leo looked it over before nodding and handing over the appropriate amount of money for it.
The hand retreated once more, the door shutting, and momentarily Leo wondered if he had been scammed. Though, the next moment resulted in the door opening and a bag being placed onto the ground and the door shutting once more. Leo leaned over and picked it up looking through it and letting out a breath of relief.
He turned and hobbled down the steps, passing the blond who sent him a glance and went to the door.
Leo debated saying goodbye, but resisted and started heading back to the pizzeria.
Only to pause and glance back as he heard the hinges of the door groan, he watched as the door opened, and as predicted there was a middle aged man there.
Not that Leo should judge, but the man looked like a drug dealer, and not the flash or charismatic kind. But the kind that sat in their basement all day long.
"Ah! Jeremy! It's nice to see you again!" The dealer greeted and Leo blinked before letting out a slight chuckle and turning away with a bit of a smug smirk.
"Well, know ya name now buddy." He chuckled to himself, and headed back to the pizzeria.
Once he was sufficiently high, Leo entered the pizzeria watching as the waiters got the tables ready for the day. There was supposed to be a birthday party today, but that was a common occurrence here.
The difference was the extra effort that was put in today, Leo didn't know for sure, but he speculated that it was because they were trying to put up a good impression due to the incident earlier. It was purely coverup, making the place shiny and nice to disguise the almost tragedy that happened.
It was the same kind of extra effort they had put into place when Mike had gone to the hospital.
The display as a result, let a bitter sort of taste in Leo's mouth. Shaking his head he headed into his office. His mood was considerably dampened, even more than before. He knew it had to do with what that guy, Jeremy had said.
After hobbling into the office Leo took a seat with a breath. Soon the day would start, and honestly it would be best if he just stayed in his office. He would just look through the cameras. Only interact with the guests if he absolutely had to.
He didn't want to be around people, and perhaps more so than usual today. Leo honestly just wanted to wrap himself in a blanket and hide. The guard wasn't sure if it was because of the interaction earlier, or something more.
People had never really been his strong suit, whenever he was around them he had always felt somehow...cut off from the group. The awkward man out, he wasn't sure if it was due to his tendencies, or just the pure and simple fact that he had always felt...different.
He could never understand how people fit in, how they managed to woo people into hanging out with them. How people could interact so easily and effortlessly with each other.
Maybe it was different in his childhood, perhaps he was different then. Happier, more full of life, charismatic, able to have a magnetism to him that people couldn't resist.
Perhaps that had been his childhood.
But it was not his reality now.
Now, he was cynical, often saying or doing things that killed the mood. Or even, not knowing what to say at all.
Maybe that's why, besides the obvious limitation of finding a job that allowed his criminal record, perhaps he enjoyed the job he had due to the fact that people interaction wasn't always what he had to do.
The guard could hide out in his office, he could hide away and watch people from afar. Away from their judgements and scrutiny. Away from their raised eyebrows once they realized what he was truly like, and just how inept in social situations he was.
So, Leo was happy that day. Isolated in his small rectangular office, watching the proceedings of the outside world. It was a self-imposed isolation of course, but in the end, Leo would rather disappoint himself, then be hit with the reality that people just...didn't want to be around him.
It was far easier to push people away then it was to realize, they didn't really want you in the first place.
There was no incident most of the day, it went by pretty peacefully.
Until a child got a little too close to the stage with his...Freddy fun sized cup of soda.
Leo wasn't really paying attention, and that was his mistake. He was on another camera when the child was bumped into and shoved forward, thrusting his drink...all over Freddy's torso.
The guard only looked up when there was the sound of screaming, his eyes widened and panic shot through him. Grabbing his crutch Leo hobbled out only to find Freddy spasming on stage as sparks of electricity shot all over him.
"Oh %$#%..." He cursed before hurrying over and struggling to get on stage with his injuries.
The other two animatronics had broken from their normal programming and were looking at Freddy wide eyed.
"Freddy! What's wrong?" Chica asked her hands hovering up around the twitching bear.
Leo looked over him trying to find something he could do, but he couldn't find anything, he tried to avoid the jerking and shaking animatronic. Only to be suddenly jerked away by his good arm. He let out a surprised yelp only to find that he narrowly avoided Freddy's arm as it swung where he had just been. He looked up and saw Bonnie behind him holding his arm with his large paw.
"I uh...thanks?" He managed to get out through a breath, the rabbit only nodded letting him go, Leo let out a breath and looked over the bear. "Do you guys have an off switch?" He asked with a nervous breath glancing at Chica and Bonnie. The bear was still spasming and twitching uncontrollably.
"What...what is going on!?" John's voice made Leo stiffen up and glance over to his manager. He wanted to instruct Chica and Bonnie to stay still, but it was already too late.
"A child spilled a drink on Freddy." Jamie explained making Leo notice him for the first time. The waiter was between the animatronics and the guests. Likely having guided them back away from the spasming bear.
"Well why don't we fix it?" The manager suggested tensely and motioned to the curtains above. Leo blinked and looked up at them, making a 'oh' face and giving a grimace to his employer who shook his head and turned to the guests. Doing damage control.
Jamie hopped up on stage much easier and smoother than Leo had been able to.
The waiter went over and lowered the curtains and the guard let out a breath as they fell. He...vaguely remembered John saying something about them on his first few days. But to be honest, he had been pretty wasted that first week.
For all he knew there was other important information that he couldn't remember…
Once the curtains were down Leo turned back to the still spasming Freddy.
"There is a power down button on the back of his jawline." Bonnie informed pointing.
Leo's eyes fell to Freddy's jaw. It was chomping down, plus his head was jerking side to side repeatedly. "Er...you mean that jaw...don't you..." he trailed sheepishly.
"Not sure what other jaw I would be talking about." The rabbit responded dryly and Leo sent him a glare before taking a breath and fidgeting.
"Can't one of you two do it?" He asked, clutching his crutch tightly. But both animatronics shook their heads.
"No, our fingers are too large." The rabbit explained, and held up his hand for example. Four fingers, all far too big.
"Just how small is this button?!" He asked, feeling his heart starting to pound a bit harder.
The hare grimaced and held his fingers barely open a pinch, Leo blinked at him before taking a deep breath.
"I hate whoever designed you guys." He grumbled, before watching Freddy spasm and jerk side to side.
He tried to follow the pattern with his body before biting his lip and reaching up, only for his arm to be smacked by Freddy's head as it swung side to side quickly.
Leo jumped, it didn't hurt that much, but his anxiety rose.
With a breath he moved more behind him and finally spotted the button. Worrying his lip, Leo took a breath and reached a trembling hand up, he could feel the presence of Chica and Bonnie next to him. Likely ready to pull him away.
"Alright Freddy...lets take it easy huh…?" he asked before watching the pattern a few moments.
Left, left, swing, right, right, swing and repeat.
Nodding to himself, he waited for the lefts to happen, and finally went in, just as he was finishing up the set of right jerks.
He had the pattern down. It would be fine.
If only things were consistently going in a pattern.
There was one extra jerk to the right that took him by surprise, but his, and the others reaction time wasn't fast enough...as Freddy's jaws came down on his middle and index fingers.
Did I cliffhanger properly? Ah perhaps not, but I wanted to try something different, hopefully the next chapter will be out soon!
What did you think of the appearance of Jeremy? What of Leo's thoughts while he was in the office? Or even some of the thoughts he had during the conversation with the former guard?
I'd love to hear what you think!
Thank you for all your support! It means so much!