Before Author's note: Hello! Here's a quick chapter for everyone to read while everyone is staying home amidst the pandemic. I hope everyone is safe and without further ado. Roll chapter.

Chapter 3: Post-Night 1

Jeremy always felt nervous whenever he pulled into Freddy's. There was always a disaster waiting to happen or has happened there. However, he was especially worried whenever a new night guard came in. He couldn't sleep that night knowing the new guy was probably drunk.

"Heh, maybe he would be too numb to feel getting stuffed." Jeremy told himself as he dragged himself out of the car.

"Oh, that's not a nice thing to say. Please don't actually be dead." Jeremy cringed as he reached back inside for the two coffee cups inside. Balancing the cups of delicious brew in each hand, he withdrew himself from the car once more. Hopping on one leg he closed the grey s80 Volvo's door with his knee.

Jeremy sort-of half jogged and half walked going down the sidewalk to the pizzeria. When he made it to the entrance he shook his head and cradled the spare coffee in his right arm while still holding a cup with his hand. He was always surprised at how small Freddy's looked from the outside. Freddy's had been losing business for a while with their customers going to other competitors in the strip mall they were in. The worn logo at the top of the restaurant probably didn't help though.

Cramming his left hand in his left pants pocket, Jeremy fished around for his keys to the restaurant. Finding only empty plastic candy wrappers he litters them on the ground and resumes searching his pockets for the keys. Finally finding them by twisting his arm into his back right pocket.

The key itself was attached to a keyring and was otherwise nothing special except for the Freddy fazbear fob that was also hooked onto the keyring.

Inserting the key into the door's lock and giving a small practiced turn, unlocking the door. Pulling the door open, Jeremy strides his way into the pizzeria. Noticing the dining area to be neat and orderly. Glancing up to the stage he examines the animatronics trying to gauge the way they look. Typically if they seem pleased with themselves then that means a guard has, unfortunately, had a rough encounter in a suit backstage.

Freddy merely looked at Jeremy with little interest and resumed staring out over the dining area. Most likely judging to make sure everything is kept up to his standards. Chica was adjusting her cupcake on the plate she carried and seemed to be hyping herself for the morning show. Bonnie, on the other hand, kept side-eyeing Jeremy and was silently giggling to himself by holding his hands in front of his mouth.

"You've better not have!" Jeremy hissed as he began detouring towards the backstage room.

Placing the coffee drinks on the nearest dining table, Jeremy swung the backstage door open and peeked into the parts and service room. Finding only a barren endoskeleton on the lone table in the center of the room. Sighing Jeremy was relieved he didn't have to scrub out another suit. How the company avoided and sort of legal repercussions were beyond him.

Jeremy turned and closed the door behind him. Regathering the drinks Jeremy glared at Bonnie who was now doubled over and openly cackling at the day-guard's expense and was imitating wiping tears from his eyes. Shaking his head in disapproval, Jeremy walked away from the stage and not wanting to be near pirate's cove, continued down the east hallway.

Reaching the end of the hallway Jeremy noticed the door had been closed. Sighing, Jeremy is starting to feel the minor inconveniences drag on his soul. Kicking the door, Jeremy heard some shuffling and sliding followed by some cursing before the blast door suddenly flew up. Revealing a disheveled Mike standing in the doorway.

"Hey, s'up Jeremy?" Mike puffed his chest out as he took a step and leaned against the door frame.

"Hey!" Jeremy exclaimed, "Congrats, I'm glad to see you're alive and well!"

There was an awkward pause between the two as Jeremy stood there and Mike scratched his head beneath his cap.

Jeremy sheepishly breaks the silence.

"Hey, um, I figured that you would have liked a 'pick me up', so I got you a coffee. But I, um, didn't know what you would have liked, so I sort of got a regular and one with creamer and stuff with it."

Mike seems to perk up to the sound of free coffee and offers a tired smile.

"Hey, thanks man. I'm gonna need it after what I just went through. I prefer creamer."

Jeremy hands the foam coffee cup with cream and sugar to Mike as they move from the office down the hallway. Mike turns the drink up and lets the coffee flow into his mouth before swallowing it in one big gulp. Jeremy however, hazardly sips at the dark drink grimacing after each taste.

"How do people freaking stand this stuff? It tastes god awful." Jeremy shudders.

"Now you know why I like cream and sugar. Takes the edge off." Mike chuckles as he takes another drink from the cup.

As Mike and Jeremy wander out into the dining room Jeremy looks over at the stage and feels his chest swell knowing what he has to ask next.

"Hey, so I have been in this job for a long time now and I just want to make sure- are you sure you want this job?" Jeremy looks over at Mike and stares sternly, waiting for a response.

Mike hesitates for a moment glancing up at the stage and seeing the animatronics. He figured Jeremy wasn't the only one interested if he was going to stay.

"You know, I think I've gotten the hang of it." Mike nodded coming to terms. "I just gotta not invite the bunny in the office next time."

Mike smirked as he turned back to Jeremy who was smiling ecstatically until he finally registered what Mike said.

"Excuse me, you what!?" Jeremy gawked, "Please tell me you did not actually."

Mike could help but start cackling trying to wave away the accusation. "Well, It wasn't exactly on purpose."

Jeremy sighed, pinched the bridge of his nose, and just shook his head. "Unbelievable." Checking the time on his watch Jeremy clicked his tongue when he realized how little prep time was left.

"Hey, I hate to cut this chat short but I have to prepare the rest of the restaurant for the day. Clean up the kitchen and that type of stuff."

Mike nodded, eager to get home as soon as he could. They each exchanged pleasantries and headed in opposite directions. However, right as Mike opened the door to go outside, he stopped and turned.

"Hey! Later when I come in early, any chance I could get some survival tips?"

Jeremy jumped and after quickly settling himself turned to reply. "Yeah, absolutely!"

Mike gave a quick thumbs up and swiveled back leaving. As soon as Mike left, Jeremy deflated turning back towards the kitchen muttering, "I am going to be in for a wild ride, aren't I?"

Mike fumbled through his layers of keys on his chain before finding the right one and hastily inserting it. Giving the key a sharp twist and shortly afterwards doing the same with the door handle. Swinging the door wide open Mike hurried into his dingy apartment.

After closing the door behind him, Mike buried his keys into his jacket pocket. The sound of the old box television may have filled his ears but Mike was more preoccupied with how he was going to prepare for the nights ahead. Lumbering into the open floor of the living room / kitchen Mike shook his head focusing on being home first.

Glancing over to his right he saw the outline of his bastard of a father sitting on his slimy green recliner, watching one of his reality shows. Heading over to the kitchen, Mike opened the dusty old refrigerator. The lightbulb in the fridge had burned out again; Mike made a mental note to replace it. Fishing around the fridge Mike grabbed himself a Budweiser and a Budlight.

Walking to his dad's side he tossed him his Budlight and was met with a grunt. Just being near the man made Mike's skin crawl. Seeing him in his usual tacky orange shirt and khaki pants. It was always difficult to know which stains were sweat or grease because he rarely cleaned himself or his clothes for that matter.

Trent's voice was deep and gravelly as he spoke, "Bout time you remembered to be useful."

Mike gritted his teeth, knowing full well not to talk back. He had earned one too many bruises because of it. He simply turned and walked down the hallway towards his bedroom to enjoy the simpler times before his father moved into his apartment.

Right as Mike opened his bedroom door he heard his father's voice call after him.

"You had some mail come in, better check the trash bin."

Mike could hear the sneer in his father's voice, but he blocked him out and continued into his room and locked the door behind him. Quickly bending down and grabbing the mail in the trash can next to the door. Crashing into his bed Mike glanced at several of the envelopes most of which were bills and notices for either the apartment, bank, or college debts.

Sighing, Mike tossed them into the growing pile at the foot of the bed. Placing his drink on the nightstand by his side he cupped his face in his hands. Memories flashed by Mike's mind as he recalled all the times him and his little brother, Jamie, spent together. One memory stuck out in particular though, him and Jamie competing against one another in skee-ball at the old Fredbear's Family Diner.

He didn't linger too long onto the memory. It was painful knowing what happens later. All Mike could focus on now was making things right.

After Author's Note: Well, that was more serious than I had originally planned. Either way I hope y'all enjoyed this chapter a new one should be coming soon. (Now that I have some time on my hands.) Here is the segment where I shamelessly self promote myself. If you are absolutely bored out of your mind You can find me on rare occasions at Twitch and Youtube. So don't miss out!

Youtube: CreeperMage Inc.

Twitch: CreeperMageInc