Michael never talked to that clown girl the next day. Nor the next. Not even the following week or month either. Soon enough, a year passed without another exchange. The conversation was always in the back of his mind, and he finally realized why the clown girl wanted him to find the suit. By its design, it was a spring lock. And spring locks were special.

Someone had worn that suit before Michael entered Fredbear's that day. That he was completely sure about. But who was the question that riddled his mind.

For him to be thinking about that all on this very special day flabbergasted Michael.

It was Evan's birthday.

The day was always annual, and thankfully they didn't go anywhere last year. Mom made sure that stayed the same. She constructed the decorations and party plan and even the party itself all by her own two hands. Michael had offered to help, but she'd always told him to keep his brother company. It was a big celebration but also a big traumatic event all at once. They were just very grateful Evan didn't remember anything from his fifth birthday.

Colorful balloons were tied together and wrapped around the dining room tables legs. Michael admired the work when he woke up that morning. Party hats were laid on the table with paper plates in a delicate circle. Little gift bags rested in the center of the plates. The set up was almost similar to the ones from Freddy's, but the effort to make it unique was definitely visible at the same time. He almost expected there to be a jumpscare birthday surprise.

To top the whole thing off, Mike didn't even know what was planned for the party. The guests were, so far, anonymous. The gifts were well hidden. Evan was oblivious. Perhaps it was all a part of Mom's plan. If the others didn't know, they probably couldn't spoil any of it.

Early the previous morning, Mike spent hours understanding how coil springs worked in the whole of an animatronic's endoskeleton. So, the next day, he was absolutely not expecting to see a bouncy castle being set up on the front lawn.

Jesus. Mom really went all out this year, he thought.

More unexpected things followed. Kids living around the neighborhood that never talked to Evan were enticed by their parents to go to this party. Mom's doing- he was sure of it. Evan didn't have any friends outside of family, so it was also possibly a part of Mom's plans to get him to talk to more kids. It was clever, but also reisky. Depending on the neighboring kid's first impression was, well, that would determine everything.

It was just a simple day party. Games, presents, and cake. Nothing else. It was the same thing last year with just family, and Evan seemed perfectly fine with that. Having a party with the other kids was like a test. A very important, life deciding test.

Mike wasn't sure how Evan and the other kids would fare. Evan was a sweet kid who loved life. Maybe they would find him adoring?

"Would they make fun of me?"

"Why would they do that?" Mike answered with.

Evan's blue eyes gravitated to the floor. "I used to be that weird kid who liked his stuffed toys more than anybody else. And then I became that crybaby nobody liked. I'm worried that they'll think I'm still that weird kid or a crybaby."

"You're not a crybaby," Michael said reassuringly. "Neither are you weird."

Evan shook his head. "I am weird. Mikey, I-I see some weird things."

"I don't think that's weird."

Evan shook his head again, insistently.

Michael sighed. "Look Ev. What you can see is unique. Nobody else can, but you can! It's like… Well, it's like a superpower."

"Hmm…" Evan looked up. "A superpower?"

"Basically, yeah!"

Evan didn't look as confident as Michael wanted him to, but he did smile meekly. And that was probably the best there would be. For now.

The day proceeded as predicted. The kids arrived with their parents, and although shy, they started to mingle with Evan. It was all relaxed. Michael smiled. This day couldn't get worse.

He jinxed it.

It got bad.

Afton had spent the entire day in his office after he and Mike were at Freddy's. He hadn't came out once during the decorating nor the beginning of the party. When he came out of his office, he was dressed in his purple suit, ready to head out.

Mom clearly had none of that. She stood with her hands to her hips. A scowl riddled itself on her face, making her look like a disappointed beauty queen.

"You daft man," she said. "Where are you headed off too?"

"Work," was Afton's reply.

Mom clicked her tongue. "Not tonight you're not. Tonight is your son's birthday and you want to spend the day off chattering business about other children? You cheeky man."

"It brings the money in."

"Oh posh! Forget about the money and come relax with your family," Mom said. "This day is special."

"I'm seven now Daddy!" Evan spoke with a big smile on his face.

Afton didn't say anything. He didn't even move. Simply, he stood there. Was he hesitating? Michael couldn't tell. Afton looked… Emotionless. Blank. Devoid of anything and everything.

"I don't- I need to leave," he softly said.

"Are you deaf William?"

Afton didn't answer that either. Was he trying to decide between his family and his horrible work? Michael wished he knew the answers. He wished he knew what went on inside that horrible man's mind.

"Come sit down and enjoy our company," Mom said with her hypnotizing voice. Wel, it seemed to hypnotize Afton. His shoulders slumped back and his posture changed. He looked almost like a broken doll. Or one of those lifeless animatronics. Regardless, the sight was concerning.

Slowly, Afton walked into the living room. The children avoided looking at the creepy man, except for Evan. Evan was the only one grinning ear to ear, clearly excited that Afton would be participating, even if it was to a minimum. He would barely try to converse with anybody, nodding silent in agreement and just staring off into space when the adults started laughing. It all made Michael visibly uncomfortable, especially given something was definitely going to happen.

The party continued without any more delays. Children were treated with juices and sugar-filled treats. Adults with light alcohol drinks and stories about their life. Michael realized he didn't fit anywhere. Simply, he just stood on the sidelines, watching and listening, holding a little cup full of juice he had no interest in actually drinking.

He watched as some of the adults migrated outside for a casual smoke. The idea almost made him gag.

The kids ran around the house, high on sugar and laughing like little maniacs. They would crash so hard later, Mike predicted.

Bored, he sat on the couch. The tellie was on some cheaply made kid's show with puppets and a cardboard stage. He couldn't hear the volume whatsoever, and was too lazy to turn it up. But he understood enough to know that this show was way too young for these older kids.

Michael began to reach for the remote to turn the show off when he heard his name being spoken by one of the adults. His attention immediately latched onto the conversation.

"So how's Michael been?" was the sentence that drew him close.

Afton didn't say anything, so Mom replied, "He's doing fine by the looks of it. Michael's been in and out of the house so much lately that I almost fear that he's taken after his father."

The adults laughed. Mike rolled his eyes. He was nothing like Afton. He was neither a murderer nor was he some deadbeat whom didn't care about his family. He cared.

Sometimes he cared too much.

"How's the business William?"

Oh. Another topic that held onto his attention span.

"It's been a little slow recently," Afton responded, talking slowly and rather carefully. "There's a few blocks, but it won't be soon until they're eliminated."

Did Afton just glance at him? Mike shuttered, haunted by those words. Those words sounded so threatening. Where did they come from? Were they directed towards him?

Mom smiled. "Some problems with the business William?"

"Just some. Fredbear's closing really hurt the franchize, and I'm afraid Freddy's will be targeted as well."

What? Mike listened intently. That had to be because of the missing children's cases.

"I've also got a court appointment soon too."

Michael's blood ran cold.

"With who?" asked Mom.

Afton looked at Michael. Dead on looked. "Would you like to tell them?"

"You want me to be convicted for that accident," Michael said, eyes widening. It made sense. It made so much sense.

Mom grew confused. "Michael?"

"You want me to be blamed for what happened to Evan!"

"Michael!"

"I know you kid," Afton sneered.

"I didn't do anything malicious," Mike pleaded. This all felt like a lost cause. "I didn't mean for anything that happened! It was an accident!"

"Michael!"

He bit his lip at the sight of his mother's stern face. She had lifted herself up from her seat a few inches. Mike was fifteen now, but he still felt five years younger with all of this helplessness pulsing through his system.

Mom lowered herself back down in her seat, facing Afton.

"You're planning on sending our son to court?" she calmly asked. When Afton nodded, she grabbed her glass, purse and declared she was going out for a drive.