++Author's Note++

This is the background of Cascade, the other main character who also replaces Gregory.

Cascade Aelius was born during the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic on March 17 - Saint's Patrick Day. She'll definitely have fun birthdays when she gets older. Her mother, Juliette Aelius-Williamson, passed away a day after she was born due to infection and her body already being fragile.

When she was the age of two, her father Leland got remarried Sayuri Izuhara - where Cascade met her older step-brother Cole for the first time; he was 13 then. Despite the parents having difficulties accepting each other's lifestyles, the step-siblings got along and became very close.

Cascade cried a lot the day she watched Cole take off in the airport terminal and hugged him with all her might.

After that day, she began to spend more time with Sayuri and even started calling her "Mom". She started to learn Japanese and other traditions. Sadly, Leland wasn't really too fond of his daughter doing such activities since it wasn't "ladylike". Cascade had to deal with such for a time and because of Juliette passing away, it didn't help either as she was stuck at home to do nothing.

Cascade just wanted these arguments to stop and have everyone get along.

~~Location: Black Bear Diner (Layton, UT)~~
~~Date/Time: March 14th, 2027 (1:35 PM)~~

Cole was already at the diner, waiting for his friends and family to show up. His hair was in a side-parted punk hairstyle while wearing a plaid flannel button-down shirt with tight jeans and plaid shoes along with the medallion his grandmother gave him. He was using his vape pen to inhale a tropical mix of watermelon, kiwi, peach, and passionfruit; whenever exhaled, it left a chilling finish that wasn't too strong.

One of the friends show up first. Kylan Richards was 19, the same age as Cole. He has short, curled, brown hair and brown eyes. He was wearing a brown V-neck shirt with jeans and black sneakers. His nose and lower lip had piercings as well as him having tattoos that cover his arms. Kylan was originally born in Clarksdale, Mississippi; his parents' expectations were too much, so he left home and moved to Layton to attend Weber State University for a master's degree in accounting. "Howdy! How ye doin'?"

Cole chuckles and fist-bumps his friend. "I'm doing fine. Where's the other two at?"

Kylan then starts to chew on a piece of 5 gum. "Them doofuses should be 'ere by now."

10 minutes later, the other two pull up. Rhys Hopkins was 20 with long, braided, white-blonde hair and green eyes. He was wearing blue denims, high-top tennis shoes, and a burgundy double-knit hoodie. He was also wearing a Fitbit active & fitness smartwatch on his right wrist. He was a licensed workout trainer.

Chase Cameron was 19 with lengthy straight, black hair and blue eyes; he also has 4 piercings on his left ear. He was the closest friend of Cole's since he was born in South Korea and their fathers knew each other. He was wearing a men's gamer at work tee that said "Eye contact and small talk: currently unavailable" that made the four friends laugh; he also wore black jeans and Nike Revolution 5 men's running shoes in the color choice of black white anthracite. He was an online student at Full Sail University, taking courses for video game development. He either wanted to work at Santa Monica Studio in California or Rockstar Games in NYC or Arkane Studios in Austin, Texas.

Rhys chuckles. "What's crackin', little bitches?"

Cole rolls his eyes at his best friend as he embraces Chase. "Okay, smartass. Tone down the language. Cascade doesn't need to start cursing at her age."

The trainer puts his arms into a surrender position while Cole inhales his vape deeply and letting Chase hug him. "Thanks for the check. I can relax and not worry about college debt." He then starts to speak in Korean. "Dangsin-ui eum-ag-i deudgiedo hullyunghadaneun geos-eun malhal geosdo eobs-seubnida (Not to mention that your music is also awesome to listen to)."

Cole chuckles and at 2:00, a red 2018 Kia Sorento pulls up and sees his family pull up.

Leland was a strong-firm man who was raised up in a Mormon household. That strong belief pushed Cole to move in with his grandmother and uncles. His Shinto beliefs were being pushed aside and he didn't appreciate it. He was a tall man at 6' and a masculine build while wearing a blue twill-textured dress shirt, a khaki leather belt holding up relaxed straight jeans, and black shoes; his short auburn hair was combed neatly and his golden-hazel eyes held a hidden fierceness to them. To top it all off, he had sprayed Tuscan Leather Eau de Parfum cologne; the smell of merging primal leather with night-blooming jasmine and black suede for a distinctive spin made Cole wrinkle his nose.

Sayuri steps out as she sees her son for the first time in years and they embrace each other. "I've missed you so much." She was wearing skinny ankle pants, pointed-toe slip-on flat shoes, a 14K white diamond fancy statement necklace, a 14K white diamond sapphire for symbolism of her marriage, velvety wine asymmetrical top, and Lost Cherry Eau de Parfum spray that didn't bother Cole at all. Her long black hair was in a cinnamon roll hairstyle.

Cole smiles and kisses his mother's forehead before letting her go. "Watashi mo anata ga inakute sabishikatta, okāsan (I've missed you too, Mother)."

Finally, Cascade comes out the car. Last time Cole saw his sister, she was a short-ass squirt with messy cropped short hair, braces, a broken ankle after a trampoline accident, and big bobbly glasses. But after healing, growing, and getting eye contacts - Cole could barely recognize her.

Cascade was now 4'2" tall with straight teeth, wearing contacts, and long medium fawn-brown hair; it was styled in a long side-parted, angular cut, layered bang that covered her left eye with the rest in feathered layers that ended at her lower back. Her icy eyes were the exact same color as blue orchids. Her outfit consisted of all Adidas: a black short-sleeve tee with purple accent flowers and a drop-tail hem, silver-glam black tights, and white casual '70s-inspired court sneakers.

Cascade sees Cole and jumps into her brother's arms, tightly hugging each other. "Cole! I've missed you, ani (big brother)!"

He smiles at the affectionate name she called him. He returns the gesture after kissing her temple and putting her down. "I've missed you too, imōto (little sister). You been behaving?"

She gives a questioning look before shrugging her shoulders. "Maybe."

The three friends start laughing. For a seven-year-old who's gonna be turning eight in 3 days, her sarcastic energic persona was a welcoming change for Cole. He rolls his eyes at her. "Still having a smart mouth, little lady. Be careful with it."

They all go inside the dinner and grab a circular booth where they ordered drinks. From left to right: Leland got water, Sayuri got iced tea, Cascade got root beer, Cole and Chase both got hot coffee, Kylan got a sweet tea, and Rhys got Sierra Mist.

Cole then taps Cascade's shoulder. "I got you something for an early birthday present."

Her blushing is pink perfection, the hallmark of one who is true of heart. "Really?"

He reaches into his pocket and the gift left her speechless. It was an obsidian fox necklace with a small rope. Cascade lets Cole put it around her neck. "Black obsidian. It'll protect you from negativity and evil. Keep smiling and stay the way you are, okay?"

She smiles and hugs him. Leland eyes them and showed major dislike for Cole ever since his career took off. In his mind, he was the reason why his daughter went from being quiet and shy to sarcastic and wild child.

Cole then pulls out his wallet and shows Cascade a card, making her eyes light up. "You remembered my birthday wish!"

Sayuri looks at it. "Freddy Fazbear's Mega Pizza Plex - Special Birthday Entry Pass? Those cost a fortune!"

Cole smirks and gives one to Cascade. "Mom, no need to worry about it. With my career and the bank I'm making, I can afford it. I even paid for Kyle and Chase's college."

"She's not going." Leland was eying them hard.

Cascade's eyes fill with tears. "But, Daddy! You promised that if I got all A's in school, I would be allowed to go."

Leland's hazel eyes glowed with anger. "I said no. And that's final."

Sayuri then punches her husband's arm. "Honey, you don't break promises to your only daughter! She's a top student, loves her classmates and teachers, follows all of your house rules, and does as you want! I've also been faithful to you, regardless of you accusing me of cheating every other day! Let your daughter celebrate her birthday. The Pizza Plex isn't cheap to get in and she can be a kid for once. Your religion should not influence your daughter's birthday. If you don't, I'll have divorce papers ready."

He growls at her. Leland did have a decent job, but his wife made more money since she was a fashion designer. Her two older brothers, Tokinari and Sadamasa, were great lawyers and would gladly take Leland to court. "Ugh, fine. She can go, but I'm not attending."

Sayuri was in awe at his childish behavior. Kylan shakes his head. "There ye go, pitchin' a hissy fit all because Cass's a wild child. Let 'er be a kid!"

Rhys shakes his head. "If you're gonna throw a bitch fit, then leave! We're not gonna stop you."

Leland did just that. He tosses his water onto the floor in anger and leaves the diner.

Sayuri comforts her stepdaughter and tells her to ignore such behavior. But the bad notion was out of the air as they order their food and got it pretty quickly.

Sayuri ordered a large crispy chicken cobb salad; it was consisted a mix of chopped crispy chicken strips, cherry tomatoes, bacon, hard-boiled eggs, avocados, bleu cheese, red onions, and homestyle croutons.

Cascade and Cole both ordered bacon and cheddar burgers; Cascade got sweet potato fries and green beans for her sides while Cole got regular fries and chili for his sides.

Chase ordered homemade chili; it consisted of the diner's own special recipe made with lean ground beef, mild Italian sausage and beans mixed with just a hint of cayenne pepper, chili powder, cumin and other spices. It came with two large square pieces of cornbread.

Kylan ordered two Rueben sandwiches; it consisted of the diner's own carved corned beef piled on grilled rye bread with Swiss cheese, sauerkraut, and homemade Thousand Island dressing. His sides was fries and coleslaw.

Rhys ordered homestyle fried chicken; it consisted of bone-in leg, thigh, wing, and breast of chicken lightly battered and fried golden brown. His sides were onion rings and mashed potatoes with country gravy.

Without Leland's negativity lingering in the air, the entire group talked about the good old memories and Cascade got to smile once more. Not only that, but she got a VIP to go to the Pizza Plex to celebrate her eighth birthday and get to visit the animatronics up close and personal.

After they were done, Cole paid for everything and they leave the restaurant. The three guys take their leave after waving to the trio goodbye.

Sayuri looks at her son, who had a worrying look in his eyes. "Mom, why do you tolerate him?"

She sighs. "I really don't know anymore. He hardly spends time with Cascade or me..."

Cole picks up his sister and holds her close, feeling her rest her head on his shoulder. "Not only that, but you're miserable and you don't go out as much as you used to. I can tell that you miss Grandma and my uncles. He also disrespects our Shinto beliefs. You deserve to be happy and Cass loves you. Please think about it."

Sayuri looks at Cole with a sad look. He was right; her marriage to Leland was going down the shitter and she was more unhappy than she's ever been. She gives it a thought before turning back to him. "Lead me to your grandmother's house. I'm gonna file a claim for divorce."

++Author's Note++

1. If you recognize the names of Rockstar, Arkane, and Santa Monica - they are RL companies who've put out some of my favorite video games of all time.

2. As for the other characters (my OCs), I had to call in for diversity for characters from various regions of the US. As for Utah, it's the setting for the FNAF books and the pizza place's located in a specific county of the state. That's where it'll take place in the next chapter.

3. Kylan is of Southern heritage. I based him on my stepsisters who have the accent and live in Tennessee. || As for Leland (Cascade's father), he is of Mormon faith - hence why his marriage to Sayuri (Cole's mother) is failing. She's a believer of one of Shintoism. I'm pretty sure many of us have experienced impending or fully divorced parents.

4. Also, I had to mention 5 gum. It was all the rage when I was in junior high and I just had to bring that back LOL