Hello everyone! Happy new year! Gosh 2021 went fast. And here we are 2022! Thank you all for the support on this fic, and I'm so glad so many people like it! And my goodness we are at a 105 followers! That's so crazy! And don't worry! There is plenty more story to come everyone!

Onto reviews…

Silverleone: Yes, I have big plans for SB, I'm very excited to get their in this fic, and okay, I'll make sure not to spoil anything! Good luck on the streams! And yes, William does deserve…many kicks in the teeth. However you are right, the angsty boy does love to blame himself.

Davie Wilson: I'm so glad you do!

TU4QU0I53T4IAN6L3: Yeah, its definitely good, and hopefully they can get those kids back soon! And for you concerns about Leo, now I was going to PM you my response, but I decided to say it here in case anyone else was feeling the same. Okay, right now we are in a place where for the first time in the fic, Leo is being a lot more vulnerable and everything has come to a head. With his trauma, the situation with the bots…the situation with Willam. It's all bad right now, yes, however often things have to get worse before they get better. While this sequence may be hard to get through, it's all things that have been building for awhile. It won't stay like this forever, there will be down times again, but the ending isn't for awhile. A lot of things can happen between now and the end of this story. I have everything planned out, and while things will be dark and sometimes even be sad. Everything in that I have happen is for a purpose. I love angst, but I don't do it without reason. I want to say more, but I have lots planned, and lots planned for Leo, and I don't want to spoil anything. But I'll leave you with this, there will be times when it will be sad, and it will seem like there is no way out of a bad situation, but things always get worse before they can get better. When that better will come? I cannot say. But it will come.

I hope that addresses your concerns, and any concerns that anyone else may have. My goal is not to depress you guys, but to tell a story that I feel compelled to tell. However if you ever feel like the fic is too angsty for you, or you don't like the direction it's going I hold no hard feelings if you stop reading. Leo is a basket case of problems, and he seems to attract even more as life goes on. He's a broken character, and he does his best to handle the situations before him. And I want to do my best to do his character and the arc I have for him.

But anyways, happy new year everyone! I have lots of plans for this fic in the coming year and I can't wait to share them with you!

I own nothing but my characters

Thanks to Selkiesong22 for all her help.

Chapter 57
Other me?

Leo didn't want to look at William, he didn't want to acknowledge the man behind him.

The man that no one else could see.

"Leo?" Jamie's voice caused the former guard to lift his head and swallow a bit, doing his best not to glance behind him.

"Y…yeah?"

"You doing alright? You look a little pale." The redhead claimed softly, and Leo nodded, taking a soft breath.

"Yeah…yeah I'm fine."

He felt so tired, was it cause of William? When did he last sleep?

He couldn't remember…

With another breath he let his head fall on the table. Doing his best to shut out the world, shut out everything around him. William…the bots…Jamie…Enix…he just wanted it to be quiet…just for a moment…

"Well that's not going to happen." Drawled the undead murderer, Leo tensed but glanced back at him, only to find William gazing at the door.

The former guard followed his gaze, and there stood…

A young woman by the looks of it. She had a hand raised to knock but then caught their gaze and waved her hand at being acknowledged.

"Jamie…whose that?" Leo asked in a hushed breath as he gave a small wave in return.

Jamie looked up from the book he had been reading and blinked.

"I….don't know." He paused and looked at his wrist watch. "It's…like…six in the morning…" he muttered brows furrowing.

Leo frowned a bit before folding his arms around his head with a disgruntled breath.

"Maybe if we ignore her she'll go away." Jamie sent him a hesitant look at the suggestion before turning back to the door.

"She…isn't leaving. She's….mouthing something? What…something about music…?"

"She's probably high."

"I don't think she's high Leo…she's…holding up a notepad…it says…Alder sent me…" the redhead turned back to Leo as the guard let out a groan.

"Why would he send her?" William wondered, but Leo didn't warrant it a answer, with another hard groan he got up and went over to the door. Wincing, but able to fare better now that he had finished tending to his wound.

The woman lit up as he approached and composed herself, straightening up her clothes.

Leo hardly paid mind, he opened up the door and gazed at her with bleary eyes.

"What did Alder send you for?" He wasn't in the mood for polite greetings.

The woman blinked her near golden eyes before adjusting and clearing her throat, "oh, um, well he asked me if I could help with revamping some of the music that the animatronics sing? I'm sorry I wasn't able to come sooner, I was caught up in another job for a lot longer then I expected…" she glanced over him briefly, "is this a bad time?"

Leo opened his mouth to say, yes, this was a bad time, all times were bad times, and it would be best if she left and never returned to this little corner of hell.

But he never got the chance.

"Bad time? No! No, it's perfectly alright, thank you so much for coming!" Enix's overly cheerful voice chimed from behind him. Leo flinched and looked at him but nothing more.

He turned back to the woman and watched her relax and smile.

"I'm glad, I was a bit concerned no one would be here at this hour, but it seems I was wrong." She tilted her head slightly causing her bushy ponytail to swing to the side. Her eyes flickered between the two of them, a clear question in her eyes. "Are you the night staff?"

"Night guards, but close enough." Enix once again chimed, before then stepping aside, and after a moment of realizing what his intentions were, Leo followed suit.

Getting the message, the woman stepped inside with a smile.

"Thanks, my name is Piper." She greeted, and now that she was in better light Leo couldn't help but feel a bit embittered at the fact that while she was short…she was still taller then him.

"Well maybe if you ***king ate more you wouldn't be so short." Griped William from behind him, Leo tensed but forced himself not to turn.

"Well I'm Enix, and these are my coworkers Leo and Jamie." Enix introduced, and Leo gave her a bit of a nod when she glanced his way.

He was still pretty confused as to why she was here.

Good thing it was past six…

"Well…I'm glad to be working with you guys!" She smiled and Leo couldn't help but furrow his brow.

"I'm sorry…but I'm afraid I don't understand…what do you mean you are here to revamp the music? When was this discussed?"

"Probably during the time that you were blacked out…." Leo tensed at the words but nothing more.

"Oh…um right, I forgot to mention it but Alder told me that he hired someone to help revamp some of the songs that the bots sing…make them more…modern and relatable to the kids and such." He explained and Leo could only give a nod as he wondered just how much had happened in the past two months.

However he then paused and grabbed Enix's sleeve just as he was about to speak. Leo raised his eyebrows, "Does the…other staff know?" For a moment Enix looked confused before it dawned on him.

"Yes, everyone knows. We've spoken about it. And thought it would be best to leave Miss Piper to her devices." he explained and after a moment Leo nodded with a breath. Releasing his sleeve.

"But if you did show her. It would scare her off." hummed William who now stood next to him. Gazing over their guest critically.

Leo glanced at him, why'd he want her to leave?

His unspoken question went unanswered as Piper spoke again.

"I won't be in your way at all, I just need to look over the music you already have and compare them with Alder's notes." She explained, and both men nodded.

"You can use the office. We'll stay out of your way." Enix reassured and Leo tensed a moment.

He liked using the office to hide away, his tense expression went suspicious as he gazed at Enix critically.

What was he doing?

His question didn't get answered as Piper said a thank you and headed to the office. Leaving the three men in the dining room.

"Can someone explain why we need someone to rewrite the music?" Leo grumbled looking at Enix with a furrow of his brow.

Enix sighed, "I wasn't the one who ordered it. Remington is trying to make the place better I suppose. This was one of his ideas in improving things." He paused with soft breath. "He's…talking about this big project he hopes to achieve with the company one day. Says we need to boost business." That statement made Leo frown deeply.

"What big project?" But Enix shook his head with a sigh.

"He won't say. He's been a bit elusive lately." Leo nodded quietly before taking a breath and collapsing back in a seat and rubbing his forehead tiredly.

"Question." He stated, gaining Enix's attention, "if…I agree to eat something…will you please explain to me what has happened these past few months? I need to know if I need to be watching out for anything." That last part was a bit more mumbled, but Enix and Jamie heard it.

Both younger men shared a look before Enix sighed and turned to him.

"Alright, just…not here." He turned to Jamie, "do you mind sticking around to watch everyone?"

Jamie gave a shrug, "sure, so long as you bring me back some food."

Enix nodded, "no problem." He turned to Leo, "you ready?"

All he received was Leo nodding and getting up.

Leo still hated Enix's motorcycle.

But this time he didn't say a word about it.

Taking a breath to steady his nerves, Leo stepped inside the small diner.

There weren't many places in Hurricane, but of course it had to be the same one where he went to all those months ago.

Sally's still smelled the same, that mouthwatering scent that made his stomach rumble.

There was a reason why he tended to avoid this place.

With a sigh, he sat in the booth, glancing briefly at William who lingered by the door staring at everything with a slight furrow of his brow.

Leo couldn't help but wonder what he was thinking.

"Two number ones please." Enix's voice pulled his attention away from the murderer and to him.

"Does it have to be a number one?" Leo asked as the waitress went to deliver their order. His stomach turned with how big he knew the plate was.

"Yeah, it does, I know for a fact that Fox was barely eating anything." That was muttered a bit crossly as Enix set out the forks and knives. Leo paused for a moment, biting his lip before taking a breath.

"So…are you going to tell me who Fox is, or do I need to guess?" He asked, leaning back and crossing his arms.

"A pain in the **s, that's what he is." Grumbled William, sliding into the seat next to Enix. Not that the blue haired man noticed.

And also not hearing the ghostly murderer, Enix sighed before rubbing his face leaning on the table before him.

"Fox…is…well, you, at least…a part of you." He claimed and Leo couldn't help but frown. "I know it sounds crazy, but you can ask Colt, he knows all about Fox…and apparently he knew you in the past as well."

Colt…

Swallowing and dismissing the image of the man with dark eyes glaring at him, Leo clenched his fists on his lap brows furrowed low.

"So…he's…me. But I don't remember anything of the past few months. I don't…" he trailed off trying to rationalize and calm himself down.

Another him?

Did that mean he was…actually crazy?

Cause, the thing was, he didn't doubt Enix. Enix was a lot of things, but he wasn't a liar, or at the very least he wouldn't lie about something like this.

But the thought of another version of him existing…doing who knows what in his conscious absence…

It sent chills down Leo's spine.

"…he's like…another version of you…he claims that he is what protects you? He says he can remember everything in your past…but that it's better for you if you don't remember. He's…also a lot angrier then you are." Enix's brow furrowed and a low frown, "a…lot angrier."

However Leo was only half listening, this…Fox….this…him…he knew everything. ****it! Then why couldn't Leo know?! Why did it have to be kept a big secret!?

What was so bad about his past that it had to be kept from him!?

He didn't realize he was taking short and fast breaths until he felt a hand land on his shoulder.

Catching his breath he looked up at Enix, the man was gazing at him with concern.

Leo diverted his eyes taking a deep breath, "what did he…what did I do?" A million questions swarmed in his brain, buzzing like angry bees. But he needed to know the damage that his other…angrier self had caused.

Enix was silent for a moment causing Leo's stomach to drop, he turned to him setting his jaw. "****it Enix, what the ***l did I do?"

"Nothing…bad. But…you kept…sneaking away with the phone and wouldn't tell us who you were calling…normally I would just assume it was your dealer…but the snippets of conversation…it didn't sound like a buyer and seller talk."

Leo's hands curled into tighter fists; he didn't even care that William was watching Enix curiously.

"What did it sound like?" Leo pressed clenching his fists so tight they shook.

"…it sounded like you were…recruiting people."

"Recruiting them for what?"

But that's when Enix sighed and shook his head, "that I don't know."

"****it." He hissed before taking a hard breath, his eyes flickering to William who looked amused. "What?" He couldn't help but snap, he didn't notice Enix frown and look behind him confused.

William lifted his purple eyes to him and smirked, "nothing, it's just funny is all, for all he preached about wanting to protect you, it seems his words didn't match his intentions." At that Leo stiffened up.

"You spoke to him?" Still he didn't notice Enix gazing at him concerned.

"Mmmhmm, we spoke quite a bit." He smirked smugly at Leo, "he even told me some of your past…wanna hear it?"

Leo opened his mouth to respond-

"Leo? Leo…who are you talking to?" Enix's voice cut him off and Leo stiffened up ignoring Williams wide grin.

"No…o…one." He whispered, they would lock him up if they knew William was like this.

"Is…it Fox?" Then Enix paused, pursing his lips, "is it…William?"

Leo's lack of answer was enough.

"Leo…what's he telling you?" Enix asked gently, and Leo took a soft breath.

"That he spoke to Fox…that he knows about my past." He glanced briefly at William who leaned back gazing at him coolly.

Leo swallowed and forced himself to look away.

"Don't listen to him." Enix said firmly, causing Leo to look up at him, "he can't take over right? That's why you are you. He's gonna want to get under your skin, make you think that you are weak and are better off retreating. That's not true. He wants to take over so he can continue to do what he was doing. Killing." Leo's gaze dropped to his lap.

"…I know that. That's why I haven't given in…it's just…hard. I'm so tired…I'm tired of everything bad happening all the time." That was whispered.

"Leo…not everything has been bad lately." At the unimpressed look he received, Enix continued. "I know it's been rough, and there are times where it's been like you're in the depths of hell. But look at the positives. You're here, we got you back, the bots don't actually want to kill you. We have a boss who cares and is trying to get back the children that have been lost. Aside from William, things aren't going so bad." He attempted and Leo took a breath.

"I suppose so."

Before the conversation could continue, the waitress delivered their food with a nod and a smile. Enix smiled in return and thanked her, Leo gave a small nod.

His eyes focused on the large plate of food before him, his stomach both growled and turned at the sight of all the food.

***k.

"…you don't have to eat all of it. Just the meat." Enix informed, and Leo gave a small nod picking up the fork. He poked the food for a moment before getting some on his utensil.

"….how's your family doing?" Leo asked quietly, sparing a glance up at Enix.

"Family? He looks a little young to be married, don't you think?" William asked, giving Enix a once over. Leo decided not to comment.

Enix swallowed his food and paused, letting out a breath and glancing down at his food. "…good, I talked to ma the other night. My younger brother Liam…he stole the phone from her and told me that he was going to be playing a star in the school play." A small smile lit his face as Leo watched on quietly, "I told him, 'well that might be a problem kid. Cause you'll be a great…no you'll be such a superstar the rest of the kids will be completely outshined!' He laughed and well, I'm gonna see if I can get a night off work, so I can go see it ya know? Plus, I think ma is planning on having a get together with the family, haven't seen them all in awhile and they've been naggin' me to come over."

There was a weird…hallow ache in Leo's chest, one he couldn't quiet place the origin of, "don't worry about the night. I'll cover for you. And I'll make sure you still get paid." He turned back to his food, "lord knows you've been doing enough extra shifts lately." Enix blinked but smiled easily.

"Thanks man." Then there was a moment of silence as they both ate.

Or rather, Enix ate and Leo poked and prodded at his food taking very small bites. He mulled over something for a long moment before finally taking a breath.

"…did…Fox…mention anything…about…well did he say if I had any…" He trailed off, but the question was implied.

Enix lifted his gaze but Leo did not meet it.

There was silence for a moment, before the blue haired man set his fork down with a breath.

"…no. I mean…yes and no." At that Leo lifted his gaze, "he…said that…" Enix sighed and Leo felt his insides turning, "he said that your parents…sold you to some kind of gang…claimed the price they asked for was a pack of cigarettes and a bottle of beer." That was said softly and for a moment Leo gazed back at his coworker, before his eyes dropped to the plate and he nodded quietly.

"I see."

He heard Enix shift in his seat and steal a breath, "you know if we can find out what your real last name is, maybe we can try and find any other relatives that you may have-"

"…no. I think its best that we don't." Leo's voice was soft as he stared at the strips of nibbled on bacon before him. His stomach both rumbled and turned at the sight of the food, but at the moment he didn't have much care.

"Leo…there could be someone who is looking for you-"

"No one came Enix." That was whispered but it was enough to cut Enix off.

"…no one came?"

"If there was anyone looking for me, anyone who cared. They…they would've come. They…they would've…sent a letter or something. It's not like my trial was quiet. I killed a ***king drug lord didn't I? It was broad-casted. If anyone cared…there was six years…six years at a place where they could've contacted me. Either they want nothing to do with me because of me, or they want nothing to do with me because of my history."

A quick glance up at Enix told Leo that he was trying to figure out how to make light of it.

"It's okay Enix. I figured whatever makes up my family wants nothing to do with me a long time ago." However, that seemed to make Enix's mood worse, as his shoulders slumped.

"Leo I-"

He was cut off by the door of the diner clanging loudly against the wall.

Everyone in the diner stiffened up, some yelped, others gasped, and one of the waitresses dropped a glass.

Enix and Leo turned their attention to the door where there stood a man, he had a cigar in his mouth, wild looking black hair that seemed to defy gravity itself. He was tall and thin, with a odd and dramatic black cardigan that ended about at his knees. He looked…like a druggie.

"Greetings fine people of Hurricane!" He leaned forward with a lopsided grin, "I don't mean to be a bother, all I'm looking for is a certain Foxy boy…" he held up a hand at about half his height. "About yay tall, grumpy little gremlin." He explained and Leo felt himself further sinking into the booth seat.

If the description wasn't obvious enough, there was also a feeling of dread that filled him.

Cause…even without having any memories of this man…Leo knew that he knew him.

***k.

So, not much happened in this chapter but it did set up things. So, two new characters were introduced, what do you think will happen with them? You think they will be important going forward or no?

I'd love to hear what you think!