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FNAF-tober Edition

7: Shadow Secrets

"I hope this works." Fritz didn't know how many times he had repeated that as he set up everything that was called for. He followed the ritual exactly as he sat the small birthday cake on the office desk and lit the candles one by one. "I really, really hope this works..."

Back when he worked at Freddy's he might've never considered anything like this, but now it was a matter of him being charged for a crime he never committed. Children went missing on his watch and now Fazbear Entertainment was pointing their many fingers at him. He needed help, he needed to find the children, and it was while he was asking around that he heard about the ritual.

It was Jeremy who mentioned it, though he said he heard it from the night guard before him, and Fritz was sure that man heard it from the one before him, but apparently there was a ritual that could be used to summon 'shadows'. It was said that these shadows could whisper and would give answers when ask questions, like a Ouija board.

Normally, Fritz would've thought it was stupid and shrugged it off, but now he was desperate. Not to mention that Jeremy claimed he had seen shadows in the office when he worked on Friday nights. Jeremy might've been nervous and stuttered when he talked of Freddy's, but he was honest and clear-headed. If he said he saw shadows then he probably did.

So, here he was, sitting in the office when he wasn't even supposed to be here. The animatronics weren't a threat as they had been sealed up in the back rooms until upper management figured out a good enough PR stunt to get the pizzeria back open. Technically, Fritz shouldn't have felt like he was in danger, but what he was doing made him very uneasy.

Swallowing thickly, he continued with the next part of the ritual. The part that would supposedly summon this creature to him. He plugged a normal keyboard into the security monitor, shut the screen off, and then began to type in a code.

"Alright, let's see... R, W, Q-." As he began to slowly type, something strange and heavy seemed to fall over the room. Like how the air would get after it rained, but more stagnant. "F, S, F, A-." The lights flickered momentarily and he hesitated only a moment before finishing. "S... X... C."

With that final button press, a strange noise like a chime suddenly echoed down the hallway. Fritz looked up startled, thinking one of the animatronics had been left out, but he didn't see anything. The silence that followed afterwards seemed wrong. Even the dull hum of the computer quieted down and left him in what felt like a void. A lit office in the middle of a dark pit.

The final on the directions was clear: "Keep flashlight close. Shine light on it if it becomes hostile. It will disappear with direct light."

Fritz was suddenly very much regretting his decision to summon whatever 'it' was. Just when he was starting to consider going out the back door and pretending he hadn't done any of this at all, he heard something in the hall. An echoing noise that sounded like wind blowing through a deep shaft, and it was getting closer.

Slowly he raised his eyes from the birthday cake and felt a chill go down his spine as he saw something dark seemingly appearing in the air. It didn't even look like a shadow, but a void sucking in light around it, slowly approaching the office. He kept his thumb on the flashlight button as it began to take form.

It looked like Toy Bonnie, though pitch black in color, and without any gloss or finish to its body. It gave it an almost two-dimensional look, or again like it was just a void sucking in light. Except for its teeth and eyes which glowed nearly as bright as the flashlight yet cast none of it on its dark complexion.

As it approached the desk, Fritz got up and backed away, turning on the flashlight and pointing it at the ground between them. Though the Shadow Bonnie didn't approach any further as it had noticed the offering and turned its head down slightly to look the cake. One by one, each candle went out, as though snuffed by an unseen force.

The last one went out and with it so did the office lights. All that was left was Fritz's flashlight and he reflexively yanked it up, only for it to be shoved back down.

In one blink, Shadow Bonnie was directly in front of him. Only an inch from his face with the glowing eyes shining brightly into his own. Fritz couldn't move, couldn't gasp, and could only stand there and feel how cold the darkness was. As though it sucked the warmth out of the air, leaving his skin freezing, goosebumps spreading across his skin.

There were whispers echoing in his ears. A dozen voices speaking in hushed tones and blurred so he couldn't distinguish them. He had a feeling that it was asking him something, so he forced himself to speak.

"Where- Where's the kids?" Fritz forced out. "The missing children. Where are they?"

Suddenly Shadow Bonnie closed the gap between them and it was as though ice overtook Fritz's form. The flashlight slipped from his fingers and darkness overtook his vision. He couldn't even breathe.

Then the images started to come. Road. Parking lot. Outside building. Caution tape. Hallway. Elevator. Hallway. Door. Room. Furnace. Empty Furnace. He gulped in a gasp of air before more came. Highway. Road. Desert. Ghost Town. Desert. Disturbed dirt. Stretch of dirt. Holes. Another quick breath and then. Road. Forest. Overgrown path. Grass. Clearing. Mound of dirt. Grave.

Then, like an exhale from his body, the coldness and darkness all released at once and disappeared with the voices. Fritz lost control of his body and slid down the wall before landing heavily on the floor. The office lights came back on and his flashlight was still waiting at his feet. Shadow Bonnie was long gone.

When Fritz closed his eyes though, he could still see the images as clear as day. He knew that the entity had not let him down but showed him the location of every missing child.

Swallowing thickly, Fritz grabbed his flashlight and staggered to his feet. He had to get moving while the memory was still fresh. He was going to find the children. He had to; he was the only one who could.

9: Ice Scream

A new body was more than just a new exterior, it was a new life. It was taking a completely new form and watching as the world changed around you. For Eleanor, that thrill right after getting a new body was what she existed for, and that was why she frequently grew bored of her new appearances and moved onto the next. Today was the day she found her next target.

Eleanor's targets were frequently children and young teenagers, the only ones who would fall for her ruse, but her newest plan seemed like it could work in a favor. Using her current body, she would befriend a child and find one with an older sister or young mother, then would follow them home, strip herself of her guise, and promise something she wouldn't provide in full. It was worth it to become a true woman.

Which meant she would need a child, and the best place to find them was her old restaurant. Years ago, Eleanor had been mounted on a stage singing and performing to children of all ages, but had been discarded when another model had come in. While Eleanor hadn't liked being on stage, she had a deep-set anger for being tossed in the garbage, so she didn't feel bad in using the pizzeria to her advantage.

The body she currently guised in was of a preteen who looked a little too old for Circus Baby's Pizza World, but nobody stopped her from walking inside and beginning to prowl. She smiled and pretended to peek at the arcade cabinets, tried to make her interest in the cupcakes believable, and wandered around with an awestruck look, all to cover that she was eyeing the children.

One was particularly of interest to her, and that was a girl who had come with what looked to be her older sister. She checked off all the marks. She was timid, hesitantly keeping to herself and by her sister's table, and watched the other children with longing look. She would be easy to persuade; Eleanor could already see through her cracks.

But right as she was about to approach the girl, she started to wander off by herself into the pizzeria. Eleanor took this as a positive sign and followed, leading her into one of the back party rooms. The girl must've been there as part of a birthday party as the room was set up with tables and plates. There were only a few children left in the room. Eleanor followed her inside with the intention of finally approaching her.

Except that was when she noticed the stage against the back wall, and what was on it. Much to Eleanor's disgust, there was her replacement, a large, bulky Baby model with childish features. Why anyone would choose that thing over her was beyond her, but it didn't matter anymore. She had a new life, and she was going to have another in only a few days if she played her cards right.

Speaking of which, Eleanor turned back to the tables only to stop short when she saw something unexpected. Her meek little target was being engaged by two other children who were chatting her up and inviting her to play. Much to Eleanor's dismay, the girl quietly agreed and they started to make their way out of the room, leaving her alone with her replacement.

It was an annoyance, maybe, but that was the thrill of the chase. Maybe she could use this to her advantage. This taste of friendship would be enough to convince the girl to want more of it. Eleanor would just have to watch and wait, and she prepared to follow her out.

"Hello. What's your name?"

Until an unexpected voice chimed up from the stage. Eleanor looked back quickly, feigning exaggerated surprise, and tried to figure out if this was an automated response or something else. Baby was watching her and waiting for an answer, so she gave one.

"My name's Ellie! Wow, I didn't know you could talk!"

"I can sing too. Would you like a song?" Baby offered sweetly. Had to be aware like she was but seemed a lot denser. Poor thing probably hadn't had a day off the stage since she got here. Eleanor almost pitied her.

"Gosh, I'd really love to, but I got to catch up with my friends," Eleanor excused. She gave an innocent wave, "See you later!" and turned to head out.

"Oh... Alright..." Baby sounded downtrodden, though Eleanor cared little. Though what came next did catch her attention. "You're just... So pretty."

Pretty? This body? This body was full of imperfects- save the pouty lips and curved cheeks, which drew her to the guise in the first place. How Baby could find this body pretty was beyond her. If anything, it piqued her curiosity.

"You think I'm pretty?" Eleanor asked, feigning a tone of awe. Baby pulled her arms together as though she was shy and timidly nodded. "But... I look so boring. Nobody ever notices me, and people make fun of my ears," she said, adding in the girl's own comments into her assessment.

"I think you're beautiful..." Baby quietly assured. Eleanor was sure that this model had never seen anything except children, parents, and her own self. She didn't understand true beauty, and what one could do with it.

"There used to be another girl robot on that stage before you. I think she was a Baby too. She was beautiful," Eleanor clarified, feigning quiet defeat. Baby tilted her head.

"There was... Another Baby?" Baby asked. "What did she look like?"

"She was tall, and thin, and looked a lot like a real person. She had long lashes and rosy lips, slender curves, shapely legs and delicate hands. She was the most beautiful girl I've ever seen."

"Wow, she sounds so pretty. I wish I could meet her. Maybe she could make me pretty too...?" Baby almost sounded like she was asking for something, like she thought Eleanor could tell her where this 'beautiful Baby' was.

"She could've, but they threw her in the dumpster," Eleanor said a little too coldly. She recovered quickly and smiled wide. "But that's okay! We can still be friends... Oh, my friends! I better go!"

"Oh, okay. Have fun," Baby said pensively. Yet right as Eleanor was about to leave, she perked up abruptly. "Wait, before you go..." She cut off with a humming and rumbling in her chest. Elanor watched wearily, just wanting to get away from this clown, until a hatch in Baby's chest opened and she pulled out a freshly made ice-cream cone. "Here. All of my new friends get ice cream."

"I don't really like ice cream," Eleanor said, her annoyance starting to come through.

That was, until Baby said, "Then you can give it to your friends. Or to somebody new, and then you can become friends with them too. Everybody likes ice cream."

That was true. Children especially seemed to become very friendly with those who gave out free goodies. She never considered it before but giving candy and sweets could be a good way to get children to let their guard down. Then she could learn just enough that when she revealed her true self, she could relay details back to them, making her look like some sort of magical being ready to grant all their wishes.

"Well, okay! Thank you!" Eleanor came up to the stage and reached up for the ice cream. Baby leaned over to hand it down to her.

Until suddenly her eyes went black and her chest opened. A large claw shot out of her middle and caught Eleanor by the shoulder before forcibly dragging her inside.

It was a tight squeeze. Even with Baby's large size, Eleanor was compressed tightly inside the storage tank, and though she didn't feel pain she was very aware of the trouble she was in. Especially once the hatch closed tight behind her.

"...Did you really think I was stupid enough to fall for that?"

Baby's voice had changed. Once gentle and innocent, it was now low and bitter, and angry. "You're so vain that you thought you could put on a flimsy illusion and fool everyone. But not me. I saw through you the moment you stepped into the room. I know what you are."

"Then you should let me go," Eleanor smoothly replied. She stopped mimicking her victim's voice and returned to her natural one. One that was painfully like Baby's own. "I meant what I said. I could make you beautiful."

"You're lying... But that's alright. I lied too, and you fell for it hook, line, and sinker."

Right then, the tank's walls compressed further, tightening further against Eleanor's sides. Now she was becoming increasingly aware of the severity of the situation.

"You thought you could come into my pizzeria and make it your playground. You thought I would just let you do whatever you wanted, didn't you? There's no sweet talking your way out this time. This is my pizzeria. I am the star. I can do whatever I want."

Suddenly, Eleanor knew what her victims felt like in the moment they realized there was no coming back. A moment that would give her glee, seeing their hopeless faces, and now experiencing from the other side as the walls cracked the metal body hiding underneath the ruse.

She screamed for help in her victim's voice, but just like in her final moments, nobody was there to hear it.

"We'll see how pretty you are when I'm finished with you..."

11: Uh, hello, hello?

"Uh... Hello, hello? Hey, uh, Will. I'm glad I caught you before you left. Listen... We need to talk about some things. Now, I know you're probably busy, but trust me, it can wait. You need to hear this... Are you listening? Okay, here it goes.

So, something happened last night and it got me thinking about some things. Like some of the past 'accidents' that we've dealt with... Like what happened to Jeremy. That was pretty... Yeah.

Anyways, I started to notice a pattern in some of these accidents. Whenever someone had an issue with the company or Freddy's, they'd get set on the night shift, and usually they'd get in some sort of accident. And if they didn't, there'd be something that would pop up to discredit them right after it.

Jeremy was having those issues of his, Sam was threatening a lawsuit after that run-in with Foxy, and the less we say about Zeek, the better. These guys were mostly on the day shift, but the second they complained you put them on the night shift... And they wound up having accidents. Suddenly all those issues were gone, weren't they?

But what's funny is that somehow on those nights the security footage would disappear. Just like it did that day those kids went missing. You're the only one who had access to that footage, so... It must've been you. You must've deleted it... But why would you hide it?

Didn't you want them to find those kids? Was me asking about those kids why you put me on the night shift? Did you just hope that they would get me, a-and silence me for good?

I guess that means you were pretty happy when you heard about the accident. Probably really shocked to hear my voice, hear me alive and well, aren't you? Probably think I just didn't show up for work or snuck out.

I wish I wouldn't have showed up. I really wish I wouldn't have trusted you. All these years and you... You sent me to shut me up. You wanted them to get me.

Bet you're happy then. They did get me. They killed me. You killed me.

...But I didn't move on. I, uh, heh, I was holding the phone when it happened. I was trying to fight them off when it all went wrong and I just- I ended up dying before they even put me in that suit. Just holding onto that phone.

Will, do you know what happens when dying people cling onto objects? They become a part of them. I clung to that phone and I became a part of it...

And now that you're on the other line, I'm going to become a part of you too.

Do you feel it? That fuzzy head feeling? That's what I felt when I was bleeding there, that numb feeling as I lost everything. Vision fades, breathing feels heavy, everything gets quiet... You can still hear me, right? Well, heh, not for long.

There's no point trying to let go of the phone. I'm already too deep, Will. It's best just hearing what I have to say before you go.

Just... I wanted you to know that... It didn't have to be like this. If you could've just controlled yourself and not been such a selfish monster- You did this to yourself, Will! You did this to all of us! Those children, your children, did you care about anyone at all?!...

No, you didn't. All you cared about was yourself... Which is why it feels so good taking away the one thing you love.

Is my voice getting faint yet? Can you still feel your fingers? I guess not, you just dropped the phone. But you didn't know, did you? They say hearing is the last thing to go. I can't remember if that's true, but I won't keep you any longer to prove it.

I'm going to take good care of your body, Will, but only because I'm going to need every second of use out of it to try and fix what you broke.

So, goodbye, Will. Wherever you're going... I hope it's hell."