"So yeah. People are saying it's some freaky skeleton monster in a cloak, running around and rooting through dumpsters!" Dylan exclaimed after pounding back a strawberry boba tea. "It's got my mom really freaked out since it was spotted in a town really close to here. Now she's not letting me stay out late until her friend from the police department calms her down."

Brooke tittered, twisting a blonde curl around her finger. "That's so freaky. You think it might just be someone dressed up and dumpster diving?"

Millie tapped her foot anxiously as she listened to the two of them go back and forth about their theories of the newest urban legend, The Stitchwraith. It seemed to match up exactly with the cemetery endoskeleton.

"So where was it last seen then?" Millie asked, trying to be nonchalant. She wouldn't be able to investigate until Dylan's mother let him go out, but it was worth looking into beforehand.

"It was in Westbury. Near some residential area, rooting outside someone's trash cans. And then at a high school in the dumpsters. Apparently they got pictures on security footage, but it hasn't been leaked yet." Dylan huffed. "Which sucks, because I really wanna see it!"

Millie's scowl deepened. Westbury was only about a 55 minute drive away from their town, Bluffwood. And if she remembered correctly, it was the spot of another urban legend. The one about the mass hallucination of a girl's body twisting and falling into mechanical junk. It couldn't be a coincidence. Bon-Bon really was right, there was no doubt that it was all connected.

"Wasn't that where a bunch of people saw a girl turning into garbage or whatever?" Brooke leaned across the table, echoing Millie's thoughts. "It's so freaky! I don't want to even believe it's real."

It was, but Millie hoped that Brooke would never have to face that reality. She wanted Brooke to stay safe and warm, cozied up in her fairy-light lit bedroom surrounded by the smell of vanilla candles and cakes in the oven as she prepared for a summer bake-sale. She never wanted the girl to be exposed to the horrors of the world, mechanical and human. And otherwise.

"Well, hopefully it's not." Lying made Millie's teeth hurt, but she wanted to assuage Brooke's fears. "Probably some creep in a costume causing trouble."

Dylan's eyes twinkled with mischief. "Well, there's only one way to find out!"

XXX

"So that's where I'm thinking a good start would be." Millie said, hands on her hips. "With both the Stitchwraith and that freaky rumor, there's gotta be something going on in Westbury."

"But we'll need to wait until your friend is allowed to go out and use his car?" Bon-Bon tsked. "I worry about your safety if we are not there. It was so easy for us to drive the endo off. I'm not sure you and your friends will have that effect. And what will happen if we wait too long and lose the trail?"

"I don't see why we can't be your ride, sunshine!" Funtime Freddy added. "With my new legs, I could get you there in a jiffy, and we could keep an eye out while you investigate."

"Sure." Millie deadpanned. "And what if my Grandpa comes out to the workshop? Or comes looking for me?"

"We just make sure he's distracted! Find him a new project to keep his head preoccupied. And you've gone to a few sleepovers during the school year. What's one more? Your sweet little grandfather doesn't need to know it's me rather than that girl you blush over!"

Millie flushed. "I don't blush over her. She's just annoying. Like you. But… That's not the worst idea. But how would we get there without being seen?" And am I really okay with being around you for that long? Away from home? From Grandpa?

"You leave that to me, cupcake!" Funtime Freddy said smoothly. "It'll be a piece of cake! I'm used to being cunning."

"Cunning wouldn't be the most apt descriptor, dear, but we are programmed to be sneaky when needed, and have plenty of tools at our disposal to provide distractions. Under the cover of night, I'm sure it really will be a piece of cake!" Bon-Bon mused.

Millie's mouth twisted in thought. "I mean… Yeah, it all checks out. But it'll be safe, right?" The unspoken truth of the question hung in the air.

"Oh, Silly Millie..." Funtime Freddy's voice was the equivalent of a smirk, teasing. "Pinky promise, remember? Double, even! Remember, if I were to break that swear, you'd have the power to break my finger! It's the symbolism of it, yes?"

Millie's leg bounced with anxiety. She couldn't imagine breaking any part of the hulking animatronic. "Uh. Yeah, sure. We'll be fine. Let me talk to Gramps, figure it all out, and then we can plan to go." She turned, preparing to leave, before halting in her tracks. "Wait. Night? Where will we go?"

"Well night is a good time to investigate!" Bon-Bon said.

"And I've always wanted to go camping! Oh, sunshine, you'll have to make sure you bring some of your vegetarian marshmallows! I'm a master at starting fires, so you won't need to worry about that." Freddy's faceplates clicked excitedly.

Millie sighed. "You can't even eat, Freddy. But if that's what we have to do… Fine. If it gets us closer to figuring all this out, the sooner the better. I'm tired of restless nights. Just try to find somewhere that's not a gross back alley."

XXX

"I am not riding in you." Millie's voice was hard, her knuckles white as she gripped her bag.

She had brought snacks, water, a blanket and a few other things for the trip, though she didn't anticipate staying more than an evening. Her grandfather was elated for her to be going out with friends again and hadn't asked too many questions. She almost felt bad about lying to him, but decided it was all for the greater good. Up until Freddy suggested that she hitch a ride inside his stomach cavity, insisting it would make things go along faster and smoother.

Funtime Freddy huffed. "Why not, creampuff? It'll be a lot faster than having to wait for you to keep up with me. And a lot less likely to fail!"

"Your stomach is a literal death trap." She deadpanned.

"Aw, that's so sweet of you to say! It's no iron maiden, but I do pride myself on it." The bear glowed with pride.

"Wait!" Bon-Bon jumped in. "What if I ride inside with you, Millie? Would that help you feel a little safer? It really will help things go along much faster, but I do understand your reservations. But, as entailed by our promise, I-and Freddy-will ensure nothing happens to you!"

Millie bit her lip. "Are… Are you sure it's the best way? And nothing will happen?"

"You bet!" Bon-Bon said. "You crawled into it that...one night, for comfort and solitude! Think of now as the same. Just without an unhappy, ah, occurrence."

"You have nothing to worry about." Funtime Freddy winked. "I've got my eye on the Stitchwraith right now! I hate an unfinished job."

Millie didn't feel the need to remind him that she was also an unfinished job. "Ugh, fine. Just...be quick. And if you do anything, I'll kill you."

"Sure thing, cupcake. Hop on in!" He said gleefully, the door to his holding cavity swinging open. It was nice and shiny inside now, and would be much more comfortable without flakes of rust falling onto her head.

Millie reluctantly stepped forward as he knelt down, bracing her foot on his bent thigh and pulling herself into his stomach. She was surprised that she didn't feel as ready to panic as she thought, but her blood still felt cold. She squeezed on inside and pulled her knees to her chest, wrapping her arms around her legs. "Okay." She said. "I'm in. Let's just hurry up and get a move on." Anxiety fluttered in her stomach like a pack of startled butterflies.

"Wait for me!" Bon-Bon said, disconnecting from Freddy's wrist and hopping in. He snuggled in close to Millie, patting her arm. "No worries, dear Millie. Everything will be just fine, if not a bit jostled and cramped."

Millie just groaned. She relaxed into the hand puppet's touch, trying to soothe her nerves.

"All aboard!" Funtime Freddy laughed. "Next stop, Westbury!"

The door to his stomach cavity swung closed, shrouding Millie in darkness.

But, most surprisingly, it didn't really feel that dark at all.

XXX

The ride to Westbury had actually been rather interesting. Funtime Freddy moved quickly and efficiently, taking plenty of shortcuts a car would be unable to reach. Plus, since he couldn't run out of breath, he nonstop talked about the bloody French Revolution and the most interesting methods of torture from medieval times. It was actually...pretty interesting.

In return, Millie talked about some of her favorite gothic poetry and horror stories. Having Funtime Freddy ask to borrow some of her books was more than a little surreal.

Bon-Bon was concerned by their interests per usual, but did his best to be supportive. Millie had to wonder how such a sweet little rabbit had ended up with the two of them and laughed to herself.

Also, the back and forth sway that accompanied Freddy's gait was almost relaxing. Millie supposed the ride in his stomach wasn't the worst thing she had ever experienced, and when she asked him to not roll his eyes back in to look at her right now as to not trigger her, he was actually respectful for once.

It wasn't that bad of a miniature roadtrip. And somewhere along the way, Millie realized that once she was aware of her triggers and talked about them… Things weren't as scary anymore. Bon-Bon soothing her helped too, as did Freddy's endless speech. She found herself enjoying it all.

Now, they set up camp in the woods outside of town. Funtime Freddy assured that he would look around town during the night while Bon-Bon stayed with Millie, and then she could investigate more hands-on in the morning.

"What am I supposed to do with my phone to charge it?" Millie complained, pulling her blanket over her shoulders.

"It's called 'unplugging', pudding." Funtime Freddy said. "That, or you should've thought to bring a portable charger!"

She grumbled. "Whatever." She put her phone on power saver and slipped it into her pocket. No need to admit the robot was right, she'd just conserve the power in case of an emergency. In the meantime, she opened up a bag of cookies Grandpa had packed for her, starting to nibble on them.

"I'm off then, little ones!" Funtime Freddy stood in front of the fire he had crafted-he really was inexplicably good, gathering the materials and having a strong set of flames up in under ten minutes. "You two enjoy a bit of getting back to nature, and I'll see what I can suss out! Ta-ta!"

"Goodbye Freddy! Be safe, and be good!" Bon-Bon called as his partner disappeared into the trees.

"You sure it'll be safe without you?" Millie asked hesitantly, watching the bear disappear.

"For shorter periods of time, yes. We are meant to be linked, so the influence will remain. We've separated before, it's just long periods and forced ejections that are damaging." Bon-Bon assured her. "Nothing to worry about, Millie dear!"

"I trust you." Millie leaned back, continuing to nibble on the cookies. Her Grandpa really was a good cook, and after they had started cooking together and trying out new recipes, he had only gotten better. "I would offer you some, but you know…" Millie laughed.

Bon-Bon giggled. "It's alright, Millie! The smell itself is plenty charming. Perhaps I could tell some stories by the fire to help pass the time before it's time for you to sleep! Not too long though, I feel that we'll have a long day ahead of us tomorrow."

"Sure." Millie smiled softly, leaning against a gnarled tree stump. This camping thing was actually pretty cozy. And she felt safe knowing Funtime Freddy was prowling around, knowing nothing was worse than him. "Tell me whatcha got, bunny."

XXX

Millie cracked her neck, wincing. While camping had been fun, the pains from sleeping propped up on a stump were not. "So what is it you found, Freddy?" She said blearily, taking a swig of water.

"Well, I heard a bit of noise in an alleyway next to this place called Pizza Palazzo and decided to investigate. Just a bunch of punk kids gossiping, but I did hear some very interesting information!"

"That's wonderful! Any leads for our investigation?" Bon-Bon asked eagerly.

"Oh, yes, my dear bunny!" Funtime Freddy was vibrating with excitement. "Apparently, the girl who just started working at some shop called the Brown Cow is the one all the rumours were surrounding. All those kids said it was a shame that there had been such a mess surrounding her since she's so sweet. But one of them said that they were there in the cafeteria, and swore they saw her fall apart! Bits of metal and junk, but some parts were almost skeletal like."

"Like an endoskeleton?" Millie's heart raced.

"Exactly, cupcake!" Funtime Freddy exclaimed. "She said that the girl's name was Sarah Cisneros, and was in one of her math classes the year that it happened, last year. Said she had a makeover, that happened, and then came back her usual self the next day."

"That's...really weird." Millie frowned. "Definitely doesn't make sense. And if the Stitchwraith was spotted around here… What if it was drawn to her house?! Dylan mentioned it had been seen in front of someone's house, digging through the trash!"

"We'll need to find her immediately." Bon-Bon surmised. "Millie, you can carry me in your pack for safety and I'll use my proximity sensors to keep track of things. And help you any way you need! Freddy, can you use your sensors to listen in and keep watch here?"

"Of course! Don't mind me if I start a few extra fires in the meantime. You know, there's really not enough torture methods that make use of the power of fire!"

"Yes, yes Freddy." Millie grunted. "We'll be back in a little bit, okay?" She steeled her nerves, emptying her pack so she could help Bon-Bon inside. First off would be finding the Brown Cow.

XXX

Sarah Cisneros didn't look too terribly abnormal, but she was way too excited for someone working during the summer. She was a year older than Millie, but honestly looked younger. She had wide green eyes, short frizzy brown hair pulled into a low ponytail, and an adorably crooked nose set to her round face. She wore the cow-patterned uniform shirt and khakis for the Brown Cow and a near unnerving smile to match.

Millie wasn't sure how she felt about someone that excited to be working when they could be doing literally anything else, but shrugged and approached the counter. "Uh, hi." She held one hand up awkwardly. "Are you Sarah?" She wasn't the best at social encounters.

"Yes ma'am, hello! How can I help you?" Sarah asked, her voice pealing like bells. "We have our flavor of the day, Chipper Cherry Chocolate Crunch! Would you like a sample?" She leaned over the counter, batting her eyelashes. "It's to die for!"

"Um, maybe in a second." Millie said, taken aback by the wave of positivity. "I'm actually working on a blog about urban legends and scary stories."

Sarah's eyes suddenly flattened. "Oh. What do you need?"

A chill crawled up Millie's spine. "Uh, well… There were rumours of a mass hallucination, and I was wondering if you knew anything about it. Or how it was a prank or something." She scrambled for an explanation. "I try to disprove myths too. To appeal to skeptics. So it's just a, uh, truth seeking thing."

Sarah's smile was still wide, but it seemed stretched thin now. "Oh, so you've heard about that too! I have no idea what happened… You know, I tried a new look, and then that rumor started." She looked down, frowning. It felt like the entire world was overcast. "I think everyone was trying to play a prank on me, or bully me, actually. I was trying to be something I'm not, and I know I'm not conventionally pretty. So I just went back to my old look. It was easier."

Millie was taken aback. "Oh! I'm so sorry, I had no idea… I didn't mean to upset you. I think you're very pretty, even if, uh you know.." Millie clumsily tried to reassure her. "That's so horrible."

"It is, but that's life. And I think I'm beautiful, so that's what counts." Sarah's smile was all teeth again. "I feel much better being myself."

"Well that's really nice!" Millie said. "But… There was nothing mysterious, really?" She felt herself losing traction.

"Not at all. Just the cruelty of highschool." Sarah sighed. "But I'm fine now, after everything."

"That's good. But uh… Have you seen anything else strange out here lately? Like at night, outside your house?"

Sarah paused for just a moment. "...Nope! I've just been enjoying being with my friends and working here. I can't wait for next semester! Where do you go to school at, actually? I've never seen you before." Her cheeks were pink with the sweetness of blush, her nose crinkling as she smiled. She really did look pretty, Millie thought, even as she chilled at the question.

"I'm actually from out of town. My dad came here to visit a friend and I thought I'd have some fun." Millie lied.

"Well how lovely!" Sarah clasped her hands together. "Now, would you like to try our Chipper Cherry Chocolate Crunch?"

"Er, I think I'll come back later." Millie said. "My stomach is actually kinda hurting, and I've been trying to totally axe dairy from what I eat. Thank you though! And thanks for answering the questions."

"No problem!" Sarah beamed. "If you come back, you can try some of our non-dairy flavors! See you again soon!"

Millie swept out of the shop as fast as she could, the familiar twinges of anxiety fluttering about in her chest. That had to be one of the most awkward encounters she had ever had.

Once she was out of the shop and a little ways down the street, Bon-Bon poked his face out of her bag, his eyes narrowed. "Hey, Millie? Something was...really strange about that girl. My proximity sensors picked her up, but no vital signs. Just something being there. And she gave me a really bad feeling!"

Goosebumps rose up on Millie's arms. "Yeah, she was...a little strange. Too excited. And you sure your sensors weren't just malfunctioning?"

"Our sensors couldn't pick up the Stitchwraith's vitals either." Bon-Bon answered. "So this gives me some bad feelings. Why don't we go back to Freddy and see what he thinks, or if he's heard anything else? We'll go from there."

"Sounds like a plan." Millie looked over her shoulder as she ushered Bon-Bon back into her bag, stomach flipping as she eyed the Brown Cow. Something really didn't feel right.

XXX

"I don't think I've seen her eat all day…" Millie frowned. "Or even drink." She and Bon-Bon had been discretely following Sarah all day, keeping a good distance but still trailing wherever she went. Sarah had shown no indication of knowing they were there, much to Millie's relief. Sarah had seemed preoccupied with the world around her, staring at people passing by, their pets, and even the flowers wistfully. She was completely oblivious to her pursuers.

Millie also knew that Funtime Freddy was somewhere close behind, though how such a massive animatronic managed to go unseen she had no idea.

"Yes, and you humans need to do it throughout the day,?" Bon-Bon whispered. "Correct?"

"Yeah. It makes me...kind of worried about her. But she has perfect energy, not like someone starving themselves. In fact, she has too much energy. She's so nice to everybody and doesn't stop talking. She's constantly moving around, almost too much. And she looks...perfect."

Millie was right-it wasn't that Sarah was perfect like a supermodel, it was that she literally had no actual flaws. Not a pimple, no oil on her skin, not even a fingerprint when she traced her finger over a window in a cafe she went to with a friend. No wrinkles in her clothes, an unbreaking smile, and Millie swore she hadn't even seen the girl blink. Such small details, but it all came together to make one uncanny picture. She wouldn't have even noticed half of them if Bon-Bon hadn't pointed them out.

"There's definitely something up." Millie surmised. They had followed Sarah as she got off work and met with another girl, Abby. Abby had actually seemed a little withdrawn, as if she was overtaken by Sarah's pep. They went to a cafe, but Sarah never touched her food, or even her water. She just pushed it around and seemed to pretend to take sips. She seemed attached to Abby's hip, clinging to her and laughing far too loudly. She didn't seem to notice how uncomfortable the other girl was the entire time.

After they bid goodbye, Sarah quickly left to go on a jog-in which she never ran out of breath or formed a sheen of sweat. Then she grabbed a snowcone from a roadside stand, sitting on a bench as she stared at it with a bright smile. Then she...simply threw it away. After that she returned home, entering her house through the garage. Twenty minutes later an upstairs light came on, and Millie retreated.

"Let's get back to our camp and get you some dinner." Bon-Bon advised. "We'll figure everything out there."

XXX

"We need to get in that house, obviously!" Funtime Freddy announced. "That's all."

Millie nearly choked on her sandwich. "What?! Freddy, I can't do that! That's a crime!"

"So is stalking someone. Look, Silly Millie, she's clearly some sort of freak. We need to figure out why she was clearly lying to you, and what she's hiding! Signs of everyone's darkest secrets are always in their abodes. You wanted to be an investigator. Well now it's time to investigate!" He said cheerfully.

Millie faltered. "But what if I get caught?"

"Always a worrywart, sunshine! I'll keep watch out for her or anyone else, and if something bad were to happen…" He slid a finger over his neck, chuckling gleefully. "I'm a professional!"

"No no, there will be no need for all that!" Bon-Bon chimed in. "We can do this without violence, okay Freddy? It'll be much more interesting that way anyways! Calm down, and let's work together to make a plan!"

Funtime Freddy huffed, but complied.

"Now Millie… We can pick the lock to the garage and head in there." Bon-Bon said. "She went that way for a reason. I'll come with you, and we can do a quick sweep and see what we find. We'll do it in the morning when she leaves for work. If she has any parents, they'll be gone too. It will be perfectly safe, and Funtime Freddy will make sure nobody else is watching using his sensors and directing anyone away with his mimic!" He patted Freddy's cheek sweetly. "Everything will be just fine!"

"I mean… I guess we have to." Millie said with a gloomy sigh. "Something is clearly up with her. I've had goosebumps all day! And I can bet her house is the one the Stitchwraith was at." She finished off her sandwich. "I'm going to get ready for sleep, and take my meds so I can calm down a bit. I already called my Grandpa, but we've gotta be back by tomorrow night. Plus I miss my bed." She looked to the two of them. "Is it really going to be okay?"

"Of course it is." Funtime Freddy said zealously. "I'm here, after all."

She snorted, digging her medications out of her bag. "Of course. Nothing goes wrong with you around." She was anxious about doing something as risky as breaking into someone's house, but she knew this was the first tangible lead she had. She just knew she'd find something hidden in that garage to give her answers. But for now, it was time to rest and prepare.

Tomorrow was another day.

A/N: This one was a lot of fun to write, especially their little trip. I wonder what's up with Sarah Cisneros though? :P Thanks again for the support!