Vanessa might be free from Glitchtrap and Vanny, but that doesn't mean that she was free to start over fresh immediately.
After she walked Gregory back to the orphanage she had to return to the Pizzaplex, drove there in her car to do two things.
Well, one big thing and several smaller things masquerading as a bigger thing.
The big thing that she did was to quit her job, she made up a story about the stress of the job and crazy animatronics, her manager simply muttered something about repeating history and let her go.
The collection of smaller things were a lot harder but amounted to removing all evidence that she was Vanny.
She visited her 'lair' first, destroyed everything. She couldn't bring herself to descend bellow, but her fuzzy time in the suit told her there was no evidence of her being down there. After that it was a matter of erasing certain security footage from last night, burning the suit to ashes and then finally leaving a big anonymous tip to the police to check bellow and most important of all…
A tip on the location of the bodies.
She considered seeing the bodies one last time but threw out the idea, she didn't think she'd be able to handle it.
And with all those things done Vanessa left the Pizzaplex for what would hopefully be the last time.
It was all very robotic, a very going through the motions type thing. Trying not to think as she went about removing herself from the remnants of Vanny and the Security Guard.
Of course, the memories weren't nearly as easy to deal with.
They came mostly at night, sometimes at day. Memories of what she did under the direction of the copy of the infamous Purple Guy.
She knew about him beforehand through stories and curious google searches.
Purple Guy, the notorious serial killer responsible for numerous child murders around the Fazbear franchise. His true identity was unknown despite multiple investigations and theories as to who it was, although one of those theories was of great interest to her.
The mysterious William Afton. He co-founded the entire Freddy Fazbear franchise with Fredbear's Family dinner and was heavily linked to the designing of the animatronics before his disappearance from the public view in the early eighties, declared missing then dead in the nineties. He was suspected of the murders but was never convicted and his disappearance from the public only added fuel to the fire.
She and him shared the same last name.
Vanessa Afton and William Afton.
What were the odds? Was she related to one of the two founders and a possible murderer?
Glitchtrap never bought it up and she didn't dare mention it, as far as the A.I knew she was just Vanessa A.
Still it was only a theory, there were dozens of other subjects it could have been. But it was one hell of a coincidence, although for now she was just going to leave it be.
Something to deal with another time, for now she was just glad that she could move on.
After that it was a matter of going to the old apartment that was given to her by the head of Glamrock Freddy that was possessed by a fragment of the soul of some guy called Michael.
It was just as weird as it sounded.
And now here she was awake the following day in what was probably the dustiest place she'd ever seen.
"Well, might as well get to work," Vanessa said aloud. She liked talking to herself, made things seem a little less quiet.
She checked out the kitchen and wasn't surprised to discover it was baren of any food at all, she'd have to go out and get some food later. The rest of the apartment wasn't in a much better shape, not much in way of furniture. The living room had a single armchair with a TV, along with a close by bookshelf filled with what seemed to be mostly science fiction, science and mechanical books. They were
Her clue as to how old this apartment was came in the form of the PS2 lying lazily on the floor by the TV, there was even some old games for it. And as a former game designer and a little bit of a gamer herself, Vanessa was actually happy to see them.
"Holy crap… in my restless dreams I see that town," Vanessa quoted. These games would be worth a small fortune now, and ironically Vanessa had always been a fan of horror games.
Although her experience with the VR game had killed a lot of her passion for making them.
It was funny in a way, she went from Uni student to programmer to Senior IT representative in just six months and then to Beta tester. In many ways it was the dream, only it was a nightmare in disguise as she was slowly taken over and brainwashed by a monster then turned into a monster herself. Descending into more and more a madness that caused her to commit horrific acts that would haunt her every waking moment and if she stopped to actually think about it for more than a moment she might have a breakdown.
…
Okay, maybe it wasn't actually funny but Vanessa was laughing a little, more than a little in fact.
It was a tad hysterical actually, but it went away after a couple of minutes so it was probably fine.
Vanessa went to the bathroom next and was pleasantly surprised that both the shower and toilet were working as intended, so thankfully that meant that she wouldn't have to hire a plumber.
There was also two bedrooms, the one she slept in last night she found to be clearly Michael's. That was because there was actually bed sheets and even a few pieces of wrinkly clothing in the drawers.
Although from the smell she'd need to throw them out.
The second bedroom only had the bedframe in it.
"Alright then, new life, new house, err apartment. Not much a of difference." Vanessa talked to herself. "Might as well get started then. Cleaning first, then some renovations. Also food."
Her last paycheck bought her up to a grand total of exactly one thousand dollars, enough to last her a few weeks if she budgeted correctly, but she'd definitely need a job.
Which is why she ended up here, funny enough by technicality this would be the second time she worked here, although this time she wouldn't be warding off a VR Springtrap hopefully.
She went right to the office space.
"Excuse me, I'm Vanessa A- Afton. Here for the job interview for Fazbear Frights security guard."
"Hey, hey! Glad you could make it, please take a seat."
The voice sounded just like she remembered from the VR game, if she remembered right it was part of the settlement that both parties agreed on.
After Fazbear Frights was burnt to ashes it was almost immediately rebuilt in time for Fazbear entertainment to launch a lawsuit before their big rebrand. She wasn't sure about the details, but it was settled outside of court and one of the things agreed on was that the VR game could use his voice.
His name was Dave Harrington and he was probably the dictionary definition of 'unexpected'. He had the body of a complete 'gym bro' and the personality of the biggest Fazbear fan in the world.
"I just gotta say that it's an hour to meet a security guard that's actually worked at a Fazbear location," Dave said excitedly. "When I heard you were applying for the job I told Barb I wanted to interview myself."
"I'm happy to be here," Vanessa did her best interview smile.
"That means like a lot coming from you," Dave looked thrilled. "Now to business. Why did you leave your last job?"
The interview was in all honesty a breeze, Dave seemed more interested in hearing about her time at the Pizzaplex, he even asked if the name Afton was a coinfidence, although she told him she had no idea if they were related he still look thrilled, she felt a little guilty about it.
But she needn't have felt that guilt, not when Dave asked the last question.
"So, according to your CV you worked at the entertainment division in a couple of jobs before moving to security guard. And when I was doing research, during those last two jobs, as a Beta tester and in your security gig, you were given a company mandated therapist."
Fuck. Fuck. Fuck. Fuck. Fuck. Fuck…
"Well I say therapist, it was actually multiple, five to be exact. And all of them have went missing, only found one of them and they were like messed up."
She forgot about the therapist sessions, she forgot about them oh god this was bad.
"So I was wondering what exactly happened with them, What the deal with them was," Dave looked at her pointedly.
Alright, she was a big enough girl to admit she was panicking internally. Although panicking was probably the mildest work for it.
The therapy sessions started when she was a Beta tester, talking about how they wanted to make sure she was in good mental health after what happened to the last Beta tester, Jeremy.
They'd started off fine, but as things changed after Glitchtrap got into her head.
It was symptomatic of his larger influence on her, missing memories she was only now starting to get back. Him occasionally puppeting her as he created Vanny in her mind. He always seemed to know exactly what to say to play on her darkest fears and most desperate hopes.
Her skin would always crawl, he made her be distant from her work friends, even poor sweet Luis.
God, poor Luis.
She was fairly certain they hadn't found his body yet, she'd have to report it once she got out of here.
All of the missing therapists as well, each of them unknowingly playing a game of chess with Glitchtrap unaware that he had a pawn ready to checkmate them at a moments notice. Her first one lasted the longest by virtue of Glitchtrap not being there for the first few sessions. She pitied the third one the most, she was the one that became Vanny's first victim.
The worst thing is that they all knew what happened before the end, he always made sure of that and always made sure to make it slow.
She could still remember the fifth therapists eyes as the light faded from them, blood dripping as Vanessa- as Vanny twisted the knife in her stomach…
"Uh, hey are you okay?" Dave's voice ripped her out from the memory. "You're shaking."
Perceptive wasn't he? Although she was pretty sure a blind Endo could pick up on it based on how badly she was shaking.
"I- I'm fine," She lied through her teeth. "I was just going through some issues then, it was scary back then and I'd really rather not talk about it."
Technically none of those things were incorrect.
"Alright I get it, we've all got our own issues," Dave nodded slowly. She tuned as his voice as he continued talking. Yeah, her hopes for getting the job went out the window.
Great job Vanessa, you really are the stupidest person in the fucking world. She messed everything up, it was all her own fault like everything was. Couldn't she do anything right? She could even pass what should be the world's easiest interview. She shouldn't have come here, she shouldn't have tried, she was a stupid idiot that no one should give half a chance to, Glitchtrap was right-
"-Tomorrow," Dave had been talking as though she was listening. That was her, unable to focus on even a basic conversation. Way to go Vanessa, way to go.
"Hmmmm," She hummed.
"You'll have all the proper benefits of course, although probably no where as great as your last place," Dave said. "So what do you say? Will you take the job?"
Vanessa did a double take, then a triple take.
"Th- the job?" Vanessa asked, daring to hope. "I've got the job?"
"Yep, if you'll have it."
"Yes, yes!" Vanessa let out a disbelieving chuckle. "I'll take the job, when can I start?"
"Like I said, tomorrow, either morning shift, afternoon shift, evening shift or night shift. Whatever works best for you." Dave pulled out some paperwork. "Just sign the contract and I'll take you around the attraction."
"Sounds good," Vanessa said faintly, she… she was actually doing this. She was actually doing this, although it was concerning that this was a shock to her. Like a proper shock to her core, alright fuck she wasn't doing this now. Revelations concerning her tendency to think so little of herself can come whenever she's at home and not now. Right now needed to the answer to one question.
"What happened to make the last guy quit?"
Dave's face lit up. "Oh man, you'll love it! Well Jamie didn't, always said he was too creepy."
She followed Dave through the complex, it was mostly the same as she remembered from the game excepting that it was twice the size. They stopped at a room she didn't remember from the game.
What was behind there? What new thing was waiting for her to see it? What if it was a trick? A trap?
He opened the door which led onto something that she wouldn't have guessed in a thousand years.
"Is that… Balloon Boy?"
Dave's grin told her yes, it was the genuine article looking as shiny and creepy as he did back in 1987.
"We found him a while back in an old trash pile, pretty beat up." Dave explained. "Jamie, our last guy just couldn't work with him. Said he was just way too creepy."
"I've seen creepier," Vanessa said lightly. "Does he talk?"
"Hello," Balloon Boy answered the question. Dear god he was creepier in person.
"Yeah man he can talk, isn't he the coolest?" Dave gushed.
"He is certainly… Balloon Boy," Was her non answer.
How the hell was he managing to look so much creepier with every passing moment? Was it the lighting? The way he always seemed to be looking at her? The Uncanny Valley effect?
Whatever it was, she could stand to deal with it for work.
"Well then, let's see the rest of it."
In between the desperate scrambles of trying to make something resembling a life, Vanessa made sure to make time to hang out with her only two friends.
Gregory and Freddy.
The fact that her only two friends were a child and the head of an animatronic bear with the fragment of a soul in it was probably sad, but she'd take what she could get.
But of course, the first time they tried hanging out was probably peak awkward.
The second time however was shaping up to be marginally better.
"Hey Vanessa!" Gregory cheered as he approached with his duffle bag.
"Greetings Officer Vanessa," Came the muffled voice of Freddy from inside.
"You boys ready for a few hours of retro fun?" She asked as they all stood outside of the agreed location.
Ozzy's Fantabulous Retro Arcade, all of your classic arcade games in one place.
"I've always wanted to go here," Gregory said as they entered. "But I could never get enough money."
"Well Fazbear Fright's pays well," Vanessa said more than a little happy. She was still delighted that this place even existed, retro games like these were among her favourites.
The place was a proper arcade, coin operated machines that played all the classics provided that you could pay the ten dollar per person entrance fee.
The pair of them took a look around, then she looked and saw one of the best games ever made.
Vanessa made a beeline for Mortal Kombat II, the game that ignited her love for games.
"I call Raiden," Vanessa said as she started putting in the quarters.
"Fine, Johnny Cage is cooler anyway," Gregory said as he set the bag down and pulled out Freddy's head.
"You've actually played Mortal Kombat before? Isn't it like way too old for you?" Vanessa asked.
"And yet you want me to play it with you," Gregory sassed. "And I'm Eleven, I've played Mortal Kombat 14, the workers don't care."
"That one is totally overrated," Vanessa said as the match loaded. "Now let's see who's better."
The game was just as she remembered, she'd played it in the old arcade in her old town when she was young whenever her Stepfather and Mother argued, so pretty much all the time. It was the start of her long love of video games.
The first round was a slow and clumsy one as she and Gregory got used to the controls, or in her case re-familiarised, it ended with her victory.
The second one is where Gregory surprised her.
"Hey! No fair, stop projectile spamming," Vanessa complained as she was hit by force ball after force ball.
"I thought you were good at this game," Gregory taunted.
Oh? Alright then.
Round three. Fight!
Vanessa introduced Gregory to one of the things that modern games didn't have.
Infinite combos.
"No fair!" Gregory complained. "You didn't give me a chance to fight back! I demand a rematch."
Vanessa grinned. "It's on kid."
She went on to school Gregory in the ways of pain, old muscle memory coming in and half forgotten memories of combos coming to the forefront.
FATALITY! FLAWLESS VICTORY.
"Teach me your ways," Gregory looked up at her.
"Later, we've got a lot more games to try," She handed him a fist full of quarters. "Go nuts."
They went around playing the various games and it was more fun than she'd had in years, watching Gregory try his hand as Ms. Pack Man, Freddy's commentary as he tried to encourage them both even when they were directly in competition with each other. It evened out as while Vanessa had the experience, Gregory was a really crafty little fella and a very fast learner.
A highlight was Dragon's Lair for the fact that Freddy could contribute as he and Vanessa yelled out contradictory advice on what to do, then Gregory got revenge on Vanessa by trouncing her in X-Men vs Street Fighter.
And the prevailing feeling she got, the feeling that stuck with her was fun.
Vanessa was actually having fun.
It was evening by time they left, they headed right for the Chinese next door. It's been years since she's had takeout, then they went to the nearby park to eat it.
"Sorry we couldn't get you any Freddy," Vanessa said awkwardly as she set him between her and Gregory on the bench.
"It's no problem, although any of the food at the Fazbear affiliated restaurants or shops would be more nutritious Officer Vanessa." Freddy replied with the propaganda.
"Yeah, kid word of advice, never eat any food at a Fazbear location," Vanessa imparted valuable life advice. "It's all pretty much carboard and they recycle any left overs."
"Gross! Really? The guy from the emails wasn't kidding," Gregory shuddered. "But this is better."
"And you know Freddy I did quit the Pizzaplex. You don't have to call me Officer Vanessa anymore," She nudged the head gently.
"You'll always be Officer Vanessa to me," Freddy said. "You were a good security guard."
"A good security guard, you always did have a sense of humour." Vanessa shook her head.
"I'd shake my head if I wasn't just one," Freddy said. "In fact, Gregory could you…?"
Gregory complied and shook Freddy's head for him.
"Thank you Superstar. Now Officer Vanessa, you were a good security guard. Despite all of your rhetoric about hating kids you always went out of your way to help them with anything and everything."
"Out of guilt," Vanessa looked down. "Nine of those kids trusted me and I let them down."
"I won't deny that, but you were there for all the others and hackings aside you always treated me and my friends with respect." Freddy said kindly. "I remember once there was a birthday party with this little girl called Jessy, Roxy was having a panic attack and wouldn't come out to play." He told a story she was starting to remember. "One of the parents got you to deal with the problem, and while other guards or techs would have just deactivated her. But you talked with her, alleviated her fears. You treated her like a person."
"I… I related to her a bit," Vanessa shifted uncomfortably. "But not long after I started getting worse, started treating you all like objects. I was cruel, I'm sorry."
"You don't have to apologise, it's not your fault."
He was wrong, all of it, everything was her fault. She was the absolute worst. But…
"I don't believe you…" Vanessa said quietly. "But thank you for saying it."
Work at Fazbear Fright was surprisingly enjoyable.
Playing the part of the classic Fazbear Security Guard was something that came naturally to her, from both the game and her own experiences.
She liked telling stories about all the old locations, the ones that would get you banned from Pizzaplex. Dave insisted she tell a different story each time and said it was alright to make things up, so that' what she often did.
She told them about the different theories, all except the William Afton one, working with Balloon Boy was also something she could tolerate. Even better her Co-workers were all decent people, although Vanessa wouldn't call them friends or even acquaintances, not yet.
She was currently on a break, taking a sip of coffee as she read the news. It was announced that the police had found all of the bodies that she reported, the constant weight on her chest lessened ever so slightly.
All of it, the apartment, distancing herself from Glitchtrap, the job, hanging out with her friends, all of it was one thing.
It was a start.
A start on the long road to getting better.
She leaned back in her chair as she heard the laughs and screams of the visitors from the hallway, her timer went off.
Vanessa got to her feet.
Time to get to work.