Hehe...er, I return like Springtrap from the dead!
Hey guys! I'm soooo sorry about the long wait, this chapter did not want to be written, plus...quite a bit has been happening for me. And motivation has not been gifted to me recently. But here it is! Three...months...later...
Heh...yeah, so thank you guys so much for the support even while I went radio silence. Cause my goodness! 81 follows? That's crazy!
And for those who have stumbled upon the story, disliked it and left a review about it...I'm sorry the story isn't in your tastes. Every bit of support is appreciated, and hey, the negative comments got me all the way to a hundred and seventy six reviews for a forty seven chapter story. So there ya go.
For my loyal, kind and supportive reviews, thank you so much guys, I know I've said this before, but your reviews they mean so much to me. They honestly are what helps this story keep going, and what reminded me that I do need to update this. So here you are! This isn't too much of a eventful chapter. But it's a leadup to one. Hopefully I can get the next chapter out soon! I haven't abandoned this I promise!
Now, onto the reviews...
PK - SPRINGTRAP HUG MEH: I'm so glad you liked the chapter! And I know this is awhile since your very hot day but hey! I completely understand the heat! It's still sweltering where I'm at even now so I totally understand. I'm glad you will treasure those moments!
Fantom Knight: Ah yes, Acid, Ennard and Michael. Those three...yes there is definitely going to be a confrontation at one point. When will that be? Who knows? Michael certainly isn't looking forward to it...
TU4QU0I53T4IAN6L3: Ah, yes the locations, William was a very...forward thinker. And perhaps it shall, we shall have to see won't we? Oh yeah, Leo has got it rough, and it will certainly...be very rough going forward. Eventually things will get better I promise! Just...not quite yet. Things always have to get worse before they can get better right? Yes, Michael still definitely fears Acid, hence why he was even at the sister location in the first place. And yeah...Acid is the worst, he happily kidnapped Lucas and is definitely doing something to Joey. But what might that be hmmmm...? Yes, William would prefer to let his son do all the dirty work. He definitely has...other things to attend to right now.
Boss Teal: Ah! Welcome back! I missed seeing your reviews. I don't know if you are caught up but I shall answer your reviews here! The Anderson's and Smiths? Ah, well no matrix for me...just a lazy brain and the first last names I could think of...and no, Leo never got compensated. Acid is a jerk. And certainly, how dare Leo. The Puppet does often speak wise words. And that was a typo on my part, I meant bias, my bad.
Murderleo38: I found your name to be wonderfully ironic, I was so confused when I saw it and I certainly hope you don't mean my Leo. But if it does, I know a few bots who would probably agree with you. And by those guys I assume you mean Acid and Joey. I assure you, they do survive. And yes, what the freak indeed springtrap.
My following attempt is a translation of my answer above, I use google translate. I apologize for any errors.
Murderleo38: Encontré su nombre maravillosamente irónico, estaba tan confundido cuando lo vi y ciertamente espero que no se refiera a mi Leo. Pero si lo hace, conozco algunos bots que probablemente estarían de acuerdo contigo. Y por esos tipos supongo que te refieres a Acid y Joey. Te lo aseguro, sobreviven. Y sí, lo que el monstruo de verdad es springtrap.
I own nothing but my characters and ideas.
Thanks to my bestie Selkiesong22
Chapter 47
Dread in the Dark
Acid rubbed his hands together taking a seat at his desk. However, as he reached for the keyboard to turn the bots on, his eyes fell to them.
They were shaking.
A frown tugged at his lips and he took a deep breath, pulling his hands back and clasping them together tightly and close to his chest.
He could still see his father's glowing eyes gazing down at him with something that could only be described as...hatred.
"...it…it's fine...you got Leo back...the plan was only slightly delayed." He muttered softly, before biting his lip and drawing up his knees, hugging them close. "This will work...and father will love me. He will be proud of me." That was whispered, and with a nod, and lips firmed into a line. He reached over and pressed the activate button.
"This will work."
The sound of Leo screaming was familiar to the young Afton's ears by now. So when the man shrieked in terror, Acid didn't even flinch. He had set the bots on automatic mode, he had someplace else to be.
Shouldering a backpack, he went to the small guest bedroom and found the familiar young woman sitting there. Wide awake, but completely unseeing.
"Joey." He beckoned, and as if powering on, she looked up and came over to him. Nodding slightly in acknowledgement to her approach, the man took a breath and headed down the hall, Joey following after him.
Only sparing a glance at the nightmarish Bonnie who gazed back at him with barely veiled hatred.
The Afton would've kept going, but something made him stop. He gazed up at the large purple bunny and a smirk tugged his lip upward.
"Do you like it? Like it when you make him bleed?" He asked softly, the red glow of the bot's eyes shining onto his face. "This way you can take out all that residue anger on him huh? Do what you've always wanted to do?" he pressed, and the ear of the rabbit twitched.
Acid couldn't help but chuckle and pat one of the parts of his chest that wasn't withered or destroyed. "You go along and have your fun. Of course, after one of my new toys has his chance huh?" He asked with a wide grin, his eyes flashing over to the larger and more monstrous bot to his left.
Out of the corner of his eye, he saw Bonnie do the same.
But Acid only smirked, "don't get jealous that he will get more screams Bon, I designed him based on what I've learned about the little guard from you guys." And with that, he skipped down the stairs humming happily to himself.
Enix glanced around the dark room. There were two windows on each side and a control panel before each.
"This is creepy in a whole other way..." he mumbled, eyes flickering between the two windows.
"Yeah, I dunno why they don't have brighter lights in here." Colt claimed, as he fiddled with some of the controls on the main panel between the two windows. But then the man paused and straightened for a second and then sighed, "no, that's a lie, I know exactly why." He turned and glanced back at Ashford and Enix. "It's easier for the bots to kill you when you can't see them."
Ashford shifted uncomfortably from next to the blue haired man.
"Right...so why were you...helping them?" Enix asked, "are you guys...buddies? Or..."
"Did we just let hostile bots in with our semi-friendly ones?" Ashford finished quietly shoving his hands into his pockets. Colt blinked and turned to them.
"No, no, they are fine...a little...unstable, but fine all the same." He turned to the control panels on each side and lit up both rooms as seen through the windows. "It's what's in here that's the problem." That was more mumbled, but both men heard it.
"So...what then?" Ashford asked, glancing between both windows. "What exactly are we up against?"
At that Colt paused gazing at the control panel before him.
"Yeah, I guess I should tell you." He took a deep breath, "okay. So everything was going fine, I was finally getting along with the bots, and doing my best to teach them about morals. There were really only...two of them that were very difficult." He sighed, "but...apparently my boss didn't like me 'befriending' them. He told me to stop...told me to wipe their memories, that kinda stuff...I didn't listen. So...he took my brother." That was said quietly.
"I...I'm sorry..." Ashford muttered, and Enix nodded a bit after a moment. Colt took a deep breath and turned back to the controls.
"We need to search each room. Here are some ear pieces." He handed them each an ear piece and after a moment they put one in. "I know this is a lot to ask...but I really want my brother safe." He took a breath, "and of course...there is also that little girl. I haven't personally seen her, but I know she is here somewhere. The bots mention her from time to time."
"Right. Okay, we should probably get started shouldn't we-"
They were cut off by the sound of the elevator opening.
All three men froze and looked toward the small tunnel that led to the elevator.
"Do...you have a coworker?" Enix asked in a whisper.
"...yes." Colt whispered back, but took a hard breath. "Except...I wouldn't call the being in his place my coworker." At that confusing statement, there was the sound of someone shuffling down the tunnel.
Both Enix, and Ashford's arms were grabbed by Colt and they were shoved to the right room.
All three men had to shove their way through the small opening.
Ashford just barely cleared it by time the other worker entered.
Shuffling around quietly, Colt moved back to the opening and kept it just barely opened so he and the other two men could peer inside.
They saw two different converse sneakers.
One a dark blue and the other a lime green. Both looked worn with age.
Both had dried blood on them.
"Who..." Enix started, only for his mouth to be covered by Colt.
When the Byrd freed Enix, he proceeded to push the opening further. Giving them a clearer view of the person before them.
It was a man, face shrouded in the shadows of his hoodie, but the small amount of face they saw had a trail of blood on it...and looked to be having the beginnings of bruises.
The man turned and pressed a button on each keypad, and each time he did there was a hum. When he got to their keypad, Ashford jumped a bit as a light flashed on above them, humming and flickering ominously.
The man held there light for a moment longer then the other, and they waited with baited breath, before he then turned and headed into the opposite room.
Once they were sure he was fully in the other room, they climbed back into the center room. Once all standing and after a moment or two of silence…
"What the ***l is that?" Enix hissed looking at Colt, and the black haired man sighed before pulling on his gloves a bit better then before.
"My coworker. Or at least. What's left of him." At that Enix's brows furrowed, but both there attention was drawn to Ashford when he gave a small squeak.
"Ash?" Enix asked after a moment, before following his gaze to the ground. What he saw made him stiffen up a bit.
It was unsurprising really, with them already having seen the blood on his face. But to see a pool of it where he had been standing...well it was deeply unnerving to say the least.
"***k...Colt...what the ***l happened to your coworker?" Enix asked, tearing his gaze from the blood and to the Byrd. The man sighed and rubbed the back of his neck.
"I was too late. That's what happened."
Leo held himself tightly taking deep breaths to calm his hyperventilation, his grip was tight on his left cheek. He wasn't sure if he should be squeezing it so much, but it was bleeding...one was supposed to hold something bleeding right?
"Leo? What are you doing out here?" The sudden voice made him jump and look up at the animatronic before him. Scott stood before him and Leo took a deep breath.
"I...I..." He stammered, but could get no more words out, his body was shaking uncontrollably and his jaw was following suit.
"Hey...what's going on kid?" Scott asked again, his ears pulling back with concern. Leo took several hard breaths before holding his head with his free hand, ignoring the spike of pain that shot through his system.
"I dunno if you would believe me if I told you..." he muttered. Though the words seemed strange, considering that the man before him was a ghost inhabiting the body of a robot entertainer.
Out of anyone Scott would understand.
But the problem was, Leo didn't even know himself.
Was it real? Was it a nightmare? He didn't know! Was he sleep deprived? Or had extremely realistic nightmares?
But where did the injuries come from?!
His breaths came out sharper and harder as his grip on his face tightened.
He barely knew what was real and what was in his head anymore.
Wouldn't Scott have done something if they were real?! He wouldn't leave him to those horrific monsters!
What was those random and strange dreams!?
Before Leo knew what was happening a choked sob escaped his lips. His hands were bloody and slippery but was even that real!? It was pain! It had to be real! But he had injuries before!
HIS SKULL HAD BEEN BITTEN AND HE STILL WOKE UP!
But was he ever asleep!? Was this a perpetual and inescapable dream!?
"Leo?" Scott asked again, but his voice was lost within a swarm of questions that spiraled chaotically within Leo's mind.
He curled up gripping his face to the point where the pain of the wound was almost ignorable. His breaths came out hollow, he felt his face was wet and it could only be the result of tears and blood.
But he hardly cared.
"What is happening to me?!" He finally demanded, breath hitching as his body shook. His eyes were screwed shut but he knew Scott was hovering just before him.
"What do you mean Leo?" The man asked, and Leo wanted to scream at him.
Did he not see his bleeding face!? It was getting all over the carpet!
"Do you not see this!?" He yelled, lifting and opening his eyes to face the rabbit man before him.
Scott stared at him with that expressionless face and his eyes flickered over Leo before his left ear twitched.
"Leo, you are going to have to be more specific." He said carefully but Leo stared at him incredulously before motioning to his face finally releasing his grip.
"MY ***KING BLEEDING FACE SCOTT! I DON'T KNOW HOW MUCH MORE SPECIFIC I CAN GET!" He screamed, how did he not see!? How!? Was it real!? Was it just in his head!?
"...Leo, there is no blood." The ghostly man responded carefully with the words that Leo dreaded.
The previous night guard froze staring at Scott before slowly lowering his eyes to his hand.
Just like Scott claimed...there was not a drop of blood on his skin or clothing. And when he lifted his now trembling hand again, he found that his flesh was unbroken.
He felt at his perfectly fine face, his mind spinning uncontrollably.
"It was bleeding..." he murmured, "I was bit..." He didn't intend for Scott to hear, but the bunny man did regardless.
"Bit by what?" He implored, Leo let his eyes lift...and then look back at the door that he had so desperately held close only a mere hour before.
"...a monster."
An hour earlier...
Leo felt like screaming, both in frustration and pure unadulterated fear. He felt like a madman, running from door to door and slamming it shut as fast as he could.
No familiar face was with him tonight. There was no Bonnie or Chica haunting his left and right door. No Foxy hiding in the closet, and no Freddy or his little buddies lurking on the bed that was not his.
No, an unfamiliar yet somehow more terrifying monster haunted him this night.
He was bigger than all of them, his color as black as tar, eyes redder then blood. And with the stark and disturbing contrast of yellow of his bowtie, hat and buttons.
Not to mention that Leo dizzily wondered if he had a second mouth in his stomach.
If his appearance wasn't bad enough, he seemed to have the ability to teleport from one place to another. He was never in the same place twice in a row. Jumping from the left and right door. Then he would appear in the closet.
And somehow appear on the bed.
Leo had only just barely dodged his attacks each time, but those dodges usually involved in throwing himself against walls and under the bed to escape the jaws and claws of the monster creeping in his midst.
This one wasn't terribly talkative, at least until the first time Leo screamed.
It was then that the creature bellowed a laugh. It echoed in the room and shook the doors like they were nothing more then flimsy leaves in a storm.
Leo curled up tight covering his ears to shield them from the laugh. His breaths coming out sharp and hard.
"Stop it! Leave me alone!" He yelled, and the beast laughed again, Leo's stomach did a sickening summersault at the noise of one of the door creaking open.
Lifting his eyes he turned to look at the monster with deadly red eyes.
"Pathetic pleas from a pathetic man." The bot rumbled tromping into the room with heavy footsteps. Leo got up and scrambled back pressing against the wall behind him.
"Leave me be!" He barked, trying to put authority in his voice, even though he knew it was fruitless, and the quivering of his voice showed that.
The monstrous black bear chuckled again, stepping further into the room.
"Do you use that voice when addressing the children? Or did they teach you that in prison?" The bear asked, but gave Leo no time to answer as he came forward again. His clawed paw reaching out to grab ahold of him. Leo pressed himself against the wall staring wide eyed and panting. "They talk about you...all of them, my bear-kin...the rabbit...the chicken...the fox...I hear their whispers of hatred...their rumbles. They blame you for the separation...for the children's troubles." He leaned down and grasped Leo's face, claws pressing against his cheeks painfully. "They fear you...they hate you...you remind them of him..." He whispered the word with so much emphasis he could only be referring to one man.
The man who started this mess in the first place. The one who destroyed the lives of the children...who crushed their souls and suppressed the bots.
"N...no! They...they know I'm not him! We've been through this! I'M NOTHING LIKE HIM!" He screamed.
No! He was nothing like the man who stole the lives of innocent children. Whose actions indirectly caused the deaths of so many fathers and sons. Nearly cost his own as well.
He was not.
Leo was a criminal, fine, he was a ***hole. FINE.
But he was not a murderer, and he was most certainly not a child murderer.
The bot before him however, only chuckled at his outburst. Opening his jaws and the jaws of his stomach following.
Leo's eyes widened like saucers and he pressed back against the wall doing his best to push the bot away from him but to no avail.
"Struggle...struggle like a rabbit in a trap, like a lamb in the jaws of a wolf. You were never supposed to win Leo. You were never supposed to be the hero. You are a screwup and nothing more." The bear rumbled, Leo grit his teeth and pushed against him more. But the bear's jaws just kept opening. His hand slipped on the slick parts of his frame where the fake fur had fallen off.
"Shut up!" he yelled, but the bear chuckled again, leering over him like a predator going in for the kill.
Leo's eyes flickered down and he grit his teeth before jerking his head down hard, he felt pain illuminate in his face, but he was free.
The previous night-guard darted through the legs of the bear and scrambled to his feet only for his ankle to be grasped and for him to be yanked into the air upside down.
A yelp escaped him, hot thick blood fell down his face forcing him to shut his eyes to prevent them from getting the thick liquid into it.
Pain screamed from his face and soon began in his ankle as the beast squeezed tighter.
He jerked and gasped into the air blindly for the arm that held him but to no avail.
A noise of frustration escaped his lips, and pain screamed at him for the movement of his mouth.
"Oh little boy...you've always screamed for help. Always pled for the aid of others. But no one ever came...and no one will ever come. Because no one will ever want you." The bear taunted, and Leo felt himself moving, he dared to crack open his eyes only to instantly regret it as he stared at a black pit that was now the opened stomach maw of the black bear. "You fight a pointless battle. You fight for your life, but what life is there to live little boy? You are a waste of oxygen, a piece of humanity that is withered and decayed. Who really wants a drug addict? An anorexic druggie who can't take the help of others? Who behaves like a petulant child at any sign of discomfort? How many more attacks from your so called friends will it take for you to realize that nobody actually wants you around?!" He demanded, voice finally raising above the calm taunting to a frustrated growl.
Leo struggled, wiggling in the grasp of the bear. Though how frightened should he be? Wasn't this a dream? Like the others?
He...really didn't know anymore.
"S...shut up! S...Scott cares about me!" He defended, but his words sounded pathetic to even his ears.
"Does he now? ...then where is he? Where has he been the nights you have screamed?" The bear taunted, his voice taking on an amused tone. As if the concept of someone caring for Leo was absurd.
It made the previous guard feel so little and so infuriated at the same time.
"He was here the other night! He came and held-"
"Held you while you cried like a pathetic infant." The bear continued and a chuckle followed it.
Leo's face burned but his eyes were on the black pit that he hovered over.
Despite the knowledge that this was probably a dream...his stomach still did backflips at the concept of falling down the pit.
His heart was pounding in his ears and he knew it was a mixture of panic, and the position it was in.
"I...I wasn't p...pathetic! J...Just s...scared!" He defended, struggling some more. But it was useless, the bear had him in his hold, and Leo wouldn't escape unless the beast wanted it.
"Hmm, are you scared now?" The beast prompted, and Leo hesitated only a second before nodding.
"O...obviously!" There was another chuckle.
"I'll see you again soon little boy..." the bear rumbled, and it took a second too long for Leo to realize what was happening as he dropped into the black pit...and continued to drop even as he was submerged in complete darkness. The haunting laughter of the bear ringing in his ears.
He didn't even have time to register that he was falling for a ridiculous amount of time because the next moment he slammed face first onto something solid.
With a groan, the previous guard pushed himself up slowly and looked around. But that was pointless as there was nothing but pitch black around him.
What the ***k was happening!?
With a hard breath he pushed himself to his shaky feet and lifted a hand to his face. It was sticky and wet, he couldn't see what was on it, but he was sure it was blood.
Looking around the man huffed a breath, "what is this!?" He demanded, only for his voice to echo around the evidently large room.
There was no response and he grumbled quietly looking around and wondering what would happen now.
Silence descended upon the empty space. At least, until the sound of something scraping against the ground broke the thick silence.
A strange hissing sound made Leo jerk around to try and spot what was making the noise. But with the total blackness surrounding him, there was no way for him to do that.
He took a step in one direction, but before he could pursue whatever was in the darkness. There was a sudden jerk, like someone had wrapped a rope around his waist and jerked him backwards.
Leo let out a grunt and looked over his shoulder but there was nothing but blackness behind him. Yet the tug came again, jerking him off his feet and onto the ground behind him. The previous guard let out a hard grunt and landed with a breath.
"W…what are you doing to me!?" He demanded before finally looking down at his waist.
Only to freeze at the sight of something black and white striped arm…or rope…but…he was pretty sure…it was an arm.
Someone's arm in particular.
"P…pup-" but before he could finish the word, another thick rope wrapped around his face covering his mouth and pulling him against something thin and firm.
Letting out a startled noise he struggled and clawed at the arm around his mouth but every noise was muffled and every struggle was fruitless.
He was being dragged away, and whether it was by the original Puppet or some strange monstrous version of him.
Leo wasn't sure.
He kicked, claws and made muffled noises of protest as the spindle dragged him quickly across the slick floor.
He attempted to bite down on the arm, but to no avail, nothing but cotton filled his mouth.
A sudden yank from his captor was followed by his face roughly colliding with coarse carpet.
Letting out a groan it took Leo a moment to realize he was back in the room he had been staying in.
With dim light, the previous guard was now able to look around him. The room was empty, and all was quiet.
Eerily quiet.
Cautiously he pushed himself up to his knees and looked around taking shallow breaths. But there was no sign of life, whether it be undead or mechanical.
Slowly the once night-guard rose to his feet and crept about the room cautiously opening and closing doors. This was strange…wasn't there usually a strange memory following the terror?
With a soft curse, the guard leaned back against the left door with a hard breath.
Was his night over? Should he try to get some rest?
But as his eyes flickered over to the bed and an involuntary shaver ran over his body.
No, he should probably just go sleep on the couch downstairs or something.
With a nod to himself, the small man turned around and opened up the door. Wincing unconsciously as it creaked loudly.
However, he did a full backpedal and stumbled at the sight of a tall spindle and monstrous version of the Puppet before him.
It stared down at him with some kind of twisted grin.
"…***k…" he swore hoarsely and scrambled to his feet as the gangly creature ducked under the door and stepped into the room. There was a hissing chuckle as it crept silently into the room.
"Did you not hear me….?" It whispered, catching quickly up to him as he collided back with the wall behind him.
"N…no…" he stammered out and swallowed hard, "ya…ya know tho…I'm starting to suspect that all of this is bark and no bite…I uh…keep waking up after I die…so this all must be a dream huh?" He challenged shakily. The monster Puppet reached out a hand and stroked Leo's cheek causing him to cringe.
"Oh? And how much is a dream then? Was it all ever just a dream? Has all this been a conjuration of your mind? Perhaps…you are still in prison…" it purred and he inhaled deeply gritting his teeth.
"Don't mock me. I know what's real. This has all hurt far too much to be fake." He growled out before pushing away it's arm. "You know, I'm getting sick of this! Every night you torment me! Every time! I'm a ***king adult! Not a child shaking from nightmares!" He barked, but the monster Puppet just stared at him calmly.
"Have you overcome your fear of us?" He asked, and Leo clenched his fists and raised an eyebrow.
"And if I have?" He asked challengingly, just as he did something warm began to leak down his face. He didn't have to investigate to know it was blood.
"Then we will have to be more creative." That was his simple response, and before Leo could muster a response the Puppet grabbed his mouth and forced it open.
The guard let out a shout and grabbed at his arms but to no avail, the door behind him was torn off it's hinges and two big and clawed hands grasped him and held him tight. Incapacitating him completely.
And well, the next part wasn't pleasant. The Puppet and bot who was holding him ignored his screams, and Leo would probably never forget the feeling of cotton scraping against his esophagus.
His screams were cut off and he gaged but to no avail. The Puppet had reached down and somehow inexplicably was able to cut off Leo's breathing.
The guard struggled, choked and spammed in the arms of his unknown captor. His eyes were wide and he would be screaming if he could, but there was no voice, and the corners of his vision were growing darker. Pain erupted all over his body, and it almost felt like the Puppet was trying to climb inside him.
But he didn't last long enough to find out.
When Leo did finally wake, he didn't ask questions, and he didn't hesitate. He bolted from the room, slammed the door shut and did his best to keep it closed even as there was banging and bellowing laughter from the other side.
He didn't want to think about how he was spitting out thin cotton hairs, he didn't want to wonder about why his body felt heavier and he could swear he was more swollen then usual. He didn't ponder on it, he didn't think about it, he held his bleeding cheek and hyperventilated until he couldn't think straight anymore.
Leo held himself tightly taking deep breaths to calm his hyperventilation, his grip was tight on his left cheek. He wasn't sure if he should be squeezing it so much, but it was bleeding...one was supposed to hold something bleeding right?
"Leo? What are you doing out here?"
Heyo, thanks for reading the chapter! I wanted to try something different with the layout of the night in a way of him recalling it. I hope you liked it!
Now for the questions...
Why is Acid doing all this to Leo? What is the point? What does Scott (William) gain from all of it? What is Acid doing to Joey? What's going on with Michael? Do you think Ashford, Enix and Colt will find the kids before it's too late?
I'd love to hear what you think!