"What?" She was getting kind of freaked out. What did he mean by that? Why was he acting so weird all the sudden? It reminded her of when she and her friends had tied him up, he seemed to have shut down and wouldn't speak until they put the Spring Bonnie head on him. If he was doing that again, she wondered where he kept the suit. She looked away to survey the room.
"Charlie," She turned back to look at him. "You aren't them. You aren't your parents."
"Yes, I mean no. I mean, Dave what are you talking about?!" She was actually confused now. What was he going on about?
"Keeping you here made me start to give into the illusion that you were like, a piece of them. That you weren't your own person. You look and act so much like them. I... I guess I just wanted to indulge in the feeling of being with them again." He was rubbing his hands in a contemplative manner.
"For years I've done nothing but run away from the past. Retreating to my own fantasies. Suppressing bad memories and thinking of a better time. I loved your parents. I loved them with all my being. But they didn't requite that love. And I made a lot of bad decisions after that." He slid off the bed and looked up at the small window bordering the ceiling, being almost blinded by the white light, as it glowed so heavenly.
"Perhaps thinking about it and imagining myself back in a time where I was actually happy, was my way of coping. But either way, I can't keep you here. I promised your father a long time ago that I would keep my distance. I remember that now, it was the last thing he asked of me. So, it would only be right if I tried to make good on that promise. It's time for you to go back home. Or at least back with your friends." He hung out his hand to her. Her eyes wide and jaw dropped.
"You.. you're serious?" She finally spoke.
"Yes," He replied. "Come on." She stared at his hand. He really has lost it, she thought. However if it meant she could finally leave, to get out of here and back to her friends, then she might as well go along with it. She took his hand and he helped pull her off the bed.
"You might wanna put your shoes on," He pointed down at her sneakers near the end of the bed. She reached down and began slipping on her shoes, all the while Dave grabbed her stuff and his keys.
"I'll drop you off outside of the hotel you were staying at. Then when I'm out of there, I'll call the station and let them know you where you are and that your safe," He explained. "I know everyone is probably worried sick about you."
"And where will you go?" she asked.
"To the only place I can. The only place where there's anybody left waiting for me," He replied looking down. "Now, come on." He started walking towards the door and she followed. They made their through the building and out of the front. Dave put Charlie's stuff into the back and they both got into the car. It was an awkward car ride to say the least. They were both quiet. But then again, what was their to say?
Charlie relegated herself to leaning against the window and watching the familiar scenery pass by. The houses, the parks, the mountains in the distance. Before she knew it, they had arrived back at the hotel. He got out and grabbed her stuff, pulling it out of the car. She opened her door and got out. He pulled her stuff onto the sidewalk out the building before calling her over. She approached him and he told her to stay there.
"Like I said, I'll call them to let them know you're here," he said. "But, this is goodbye forever. I promise you, that you'll never see me again. No one will." He walked back to his car. All she could do was stare. Part of her wanted to say something to him, may be a goodbye, but it wasn't right. This guy was a murderer, a kidnapper, and he ruined everyone's lives. He was a monster. Yet, she almost felt a little bad for him in that moment. She watched as he got back into his car and drove off. Not even giving her a parting glance.
"Goodbye Da-.. William," she muttered.
...
Charlie waited for what felt like forever. She sat on the sidewalk looking down. Even though her car wasn't to far away, she still stayed put, like an obedient dog would. She sighed as the wind blew, making a few of her hairs move with it. Finally her head jerked up when she saw a couple of cop cars pull into the parking lot. She watched as they drove up and stopped in front of her. Doors opened as she was surprised to not only see cops but also her friends. Her eyes widen and she stood up.
"Charlie!" She was being embraced by everyone. She couldn't even register everything that was happening. They were all asking different questions before Clay finally got them to break up.
"We got William's call, he told us you were here- wait, where is he?" He asked looking around.
"He left me here," She replied.
"Do you know where he went?" He asked. She looked down.
"Nevermind, the important part is your safe. Now come on into the car, I'll drive you down to the station where you'll be safe," He said putting his arm around her. He brought her over and helped her into the car.
"What are you kids waiting for?" He asked the rest of them.
"Actually sir, could we drive our own cars back?" Lamar asked, motioning to all of their cars in the lot.
"Alright, but you guys head right over to the station. Got it?" Clay responded.
"Of course sir," Lamar replied as they all nodded. They all got into their cars and all drove back to the station.
He sighed as he shut the door behind him. It felt almost strange being in the Spring Bonnie suit after so long. He had forgotten just how humid and restricting it felt. Not to mention the fact that the last time he wore it, was when he died. He's died in this suit twice, yet he's never feared it. This suit let him pretend he was a different person, that he wasn't William Afton. It let him pretend he was a happy go lucky rabbit that liked to make children smile. Children that he has also killed in this same suit. God he was a monster. But now he has a chance to fix everything.
He reached down and picked up the halfway filled, red plastic, gas can. He walked down the dark hallways of the quiet pizzeria, pouring the clear fluid onto the tile floors. He walked all around to each and every room, coating the floor in it. There could be nothing left, otherwise they'll find something to cling too. He knew despite how much they wanted the suffering to end, they still would try to cling to what's here, thinking that they still needed to kill the one that killed them. But they didn't to worry anymore, they didn't need to cling to anything anymore. They were all going to leave, together.
After dousing every room, he made his way back into the main party room. He stood in front of the stage looking up at the unmoving animatronics that stood there. He scanned their eyes to see if any of them were looking at him, if they were conscious. They weren't. Perhaps it'd be better that way.
"Well everyone, it's been a trip. A terrible, awful, torturous trip," He said, taking out a match box. "We're all that's left of Freddy's, of it's legacy, all of us are it's veterans. And I think we've reached our end. Freddy's over, everyone's moved on, and I think it's time we moved on as well… I used to be scared of what's to come, however, I'm not scared anymore. Because I'm tired of running. Running from my mistakes. It was going to happen eventually, I just ran and hid away, hoping it never would." He lit a match.
"God rest thee innocent children. You deserve freedom from this.. from me. It's probably best, if we all just disappear." He closed his eyes. He let the match fall from his hand, within moments after it fell, fire burst up from the ground. The flames grew tall rather quickly as it crackled loudly in his ears. He hung his head low as the flames slowly continued to consume everything around him.
"Henry, I hope you can forgive me..."
Charlie sat there holding the cup of hot coco, staring into the brown fluid as steam rose from it. Carlton's father Clay, along with a few other cops had shown up and took her back to the station to ask her some questions. The other's had to wait outside, despite their pleas to be with her. She smiled at the thought of them actually caring for her. That there was anybody that really cared about her.
"Don't seem to keen on drinking that hot chocolate," Clay said smiling, trying to break the ice. Charlie looked up and smiled at him.
"Sorry, I'm just not that thirsty," she replied back shakily.
"It's alright," He said. He walked over and took the hot chocolate out of her hands and sat it on his desk. She looked back down.
"Charlie?" Clay said, kneeling down to her level as she sat in the chair. She looked up to him. He pulled out a notepad and a pencil.
"Charlie, I need to take your statement, ok?" he said. She nodded. He smiled and brought a chair over and sat down across from her.
"Some of these questions may be uncomfortable. But we need to ask them to get an understanding of what happened for the records," He continued.
"I know," She replied.
"Alright then, first question. Did William Afton restrain you in any way?" He asked.
"Yes," She responded quietly.
"Did William hit you or cut you?" He asked.
"No," She muttered.
"Did William physically hurt you in any way?" He asked.
"No," She whispered.
"Did William shout at you or did he guilt trip you about anything?" He asked.
"Yes," She said. "We argued but it never escalated that much."
"Alright," He responded. He flipped the page of the notepad.
"Did William... touch you? Touch you in inappropriate ways or places?" He asked.
"No," She whispered. She took a deep breath.
"Did he rape you?" He asked in a more serious tone. "Or insert foreign objects into your body?"
"No," She replied with more certainty.
"Then tell me, what happened while you were with Afton?" He asked sitting up.
"He tied me down to a bed and told me that he wasn't going to let me leave, ever. He said that me being stuck with him was torture enough for me. We argued about how he was restricting my freedoms and how I wasn't a child anymore. However, it seemed that I had actually hurt his feelings." She stated.
"What did he do after the argument?" He asked her.
"He went out and got drunk. I'm assuming that he got back before I woke up the next morning, because I awoke to find him holding me. When he woke up, he rambled drunkenly before he began comparing me to my parents. And then, his whole demeanor changed, after he talked in depth about them." Clay's eyes widen and his eyebrow furrowed. That sounded.. familiar.
"What did he say about your parents?" He pressed.
"He basically told me how they all met, how they open the diner, then he got all silent when it came to our birth," She replied. "Then he started talking about how I wasn't my parents and that he loved them. However apparently he promised my dad he's stay away from me, so he decided to drop me off at the hotel."
"That's.. interesting. So he said he loved your parents," He reiterated.
"Yeah," She responded.
"That lines up with the info we got on him." He stated looking down. "He apparently had romantic and even well, physical desires for them."
"Yeah, I kind of guessed that," She responded in a dry tone.
"Sorry, it's just that 'love' can mean a lot of things," He replied awkwardly before coughing. "So, he let you go because he made a promise to your father?"
"Yeah, apparently my dad told him to stay away from me. However he didn't remember it until just then. So, he decided to drop me off and leave to try and make up for it. At least, that's what I could gather from it."
"I see. Did you know where you were being held?" He asked.
"It was an old apartment complex. I don't know the name though," She responded.
"Alright. I guess we can take a look around. See what we can find," He got back up.
"One last thing Charlie," He spoke. She looked up at him.
"Do you have any idea where he could've gone?" He asked. She stared for a moment, she opened her mouth, getting ready to answer, when-
"Chief!" Both of them looked towards the now opened door.
"Sir, there's been a report of large fire. Western side of town, in the outskirts. Coming from an abandoned mall."
"Freddy's..." Clay muttered. "Alright, I'll grab my stuff. Take Charlie here to the others. She's had a long day."
"Yes sir," the officer walked over to Charlie. "C'mon miss." Clay went over to his desk, gathering his things while Charlie was being escorted. He had no doubts it was William. The question was: Was that bastard still alive?
Everyone's heads raised as they heard the door open. They all jumped up when they saw who it was.
"Charlie!" They all ran up. Marla and Jessica embraced while the boys stayed out of her personal bubble.
"Charlie, oh thank god," Marla said.
"We're so happy you're alright," Jessica spoke.
"Yeah, we were worried that, we'd never see you again," Carlton added.
"Especially after we heard you were taken by that child murdering bastard," Lamar chimed in.
"Charlie," John said. She looked over at him. He moved closer to her.
"John..." She replied. Marla and Jessica let go and moved away from her. Giving them their space.
"Charlie I.. I was worried sick," He told her. "There was never a moment, where I didn't think about you. Even when others tried to distract me from it." A few of them rolled their eyes at his words.
"Somehow, I-I had a feeling that, that was the case," She replied, giving him a smile. He held out his arms apprehensively.
"Can I?-" He started.
"Yes," She replied back, knowing what he was going to say. They walked forward and embraced. Evoking a few awws from the group. Charlie felt so warm in that moment. So happy, warm, and safe. She didn't want it to end. But before she new they broke away. She was smiling so genuinely. She'd never been this happy before. She felt heat rising to her cheeks and her eyes beginning to water. Before she knew it, tears began to run down her face as she continued to laugh even louder.
Everyone else began to laugh and all gathered around to embrace her. It had been so long since they all were together like this, sharing a laugh. But it honestly felt like a day had never passed in that moment. Of course to Charlie, thinking back to the coldness and distance her Aunt kept from her. She could only wonder where this had been all her life.
Clay's heart was beating, despite his inner thoughts telling him to calm down. He was a professional and this was a very dangerous man. He needed to focus on doing his job and doing it well. He couldn't let his emotions get in the way. This could be his one chance to bring that bastard to justice and he can't allow himself to screw up.
"Chief Burke," His radio emitted, the voice muffled through static. He picked it up and pressed the button.
"Yeah?" He responded.
"Chief, were approaching the premises. The fire department has already managed to calm the flames down, when we get there it should be safe enough to scour the wreckage," the voice on the other end said.
"Alright," He responded. "I'm not to far behind I'll be there in a few minutes."
...
When he arrived, he was surprise by just how much smoke was emitting from the abandoned mall. He quickly got of his car and hurried inside a bunch of firefighters were in there making sure the fire was completely out, officers surveying the scene, and all Clay could do was stare. He remembered what Freddy's looked like. The ins and outs of it. To see the building, as this. It was taking it's time syncing in.
Before he knew it, it was almost as if his feet were moving on their own. He walked through the rubble and ashen debris. He looked around, noticing some of things that were still somewhat intact. Some speakers, some plastic toys, decorations all strewn about. His attention was caught by a few metal endoskeletons sticking out of the ash, along with what was left of their costumes. Once he got close enough, he recognized the remains as Freddy, Bonnie, and Chica. Then he saw it. Not too far away from them was an all to familiar animatronic suit.
He approached the limp, burnt up suit, before getting down on a knee and brushing off the soot. It was most certainly the same rabbit suit that they had found all those years ago. Upon closer inspection, he saw burnt flesh underneath the suit.
He did his best to open up the rabbit head in order to see the face. From what it seemed, the rabbit head did a pretty good job protecting his face, as he only needed to take one look and his suspicions proved true.
"So," He muttered. "It IS you." He moved his fingers down to the rabbits exposed neck. The flesh their was burnt, red, and raw. He pressed them into the flesh, checking for a pulse. He waited and waited and waited. Finally he pulled his fingers away and his eyebrows furrowed.
He's dead... He's.. he's actually dead. His heart was beating in his ears. William Afton was dead. After all these years.
"Chief! What is-" The officer ran up but stopped when he saw the body.
"Well, I guess we found our kidnapper. But it seems he didn't want to stick around to explain himself," Clay said turning to the officer.
Charlie and the gang were all packing their bags. They all had spent the night at the Burke household, enjoying their last night together, before getting ready to head back home and go their separate ways. Clay had informed all of them the night prior of what happened to William, and just as he suspected, Charlie was the most shaken. He had offered that they could all stay a bit longer at his place, but they all agreed that their families were probably anxiously waiting for him to return home. After all, they had all left Hurricane for a reason. But now, that reason was gone.
Charlie seemed zoned out the entire time she packed. She stood their faced towards the bed as the suitcase laid on her bed. In her hands she held the journals of her father. The others gave them to her as they had found them at his house. Charlie was fixated on the old, brown leather books while she was deep in her thoughts.
So many things happened over the course of a couple of days. She learned a lot as well, finally getting the answers to what she's wondered for so many years. The others told her about what Mr. Burke had said. About how they found William's obsessive writings about her parents, how he was in love with them. Which of course, only further confirmed what he told her. She thought deeply about what he said to her while she was with him, the way he projected those feelings onto her.
Then she remembered back to when they had tied him up, in what she guessed was now an alternate timeline. How they were interrogating him for information as to what happened. Then she remembered, how he just turned to look at her. The blank stare as he leaned closer to her. And then hearing those words that still echoed in her head.
'Oh, you're something beautiful aren't you?' She remembered how freaked out and kind of creeped out she was at the time. How she had no idea what he meant and felt it just came out of nowhere. But now, it made so much sense. He said she was something beautiful, because to him, she was. She was her parents daughter. A manifestation of their love. Of them. She looked a lot like them and supposedly acted a lot like them too. Not that she would know. She barely knew her parents, her aunt never told her anything, one of them was dead, and the other kept her distance.
Perhaps that should change...
"Hey Charlie?" Charlie jumped. She looked back over to Marla who was standing in the doorway.
"Yeah," She responded.
"You almost done?" She asked.
"Yeah, yeah," She said turning back to shove the journals into the suitcase and zip it up.
"Everyone's already packed and waiting downstairs for you," she continued.
"Yeah, I'm sorry, I was just.. deep in thought," She replied, gathering her stuff together.
"I can see that," Marla said. She looked down for a moment before looking back up to her.
"Charlie?" Marla asked. "Are you going to be alright heading home? Do you think you're well enough to drive?"
"Yeah, yeah, I'll be fine," She replied.
"Well Charlie, I guess it was nice getting to see you again," Marla spoke. "Even though it was for a day before you got kidnapped by a deranged serial killer who murdered dozens of children." Charlie smiled as she finally got everything in order. She turned around to Marla, holding everything the best she could.
"Hey, Marla. This doesn't have to be goodbye forever y'know. In fact, we all should started talking again. We can all start writing letters again, or we can email each other, or even call," Charlie stated.
"Yeah, I guess so. It's been a while since I've written a letter. I think my mom will have to reteach me," She joked. "And as soon as I get my hands on a computer, I'll be sure to shoot you an email." She winked. Charlie smiled as they walked out the room together and made their way downstairs. Just like Marla said, everyone was waiting for them. Even Mr and Mrs. Burke.
Charlie was confused for a moment as to why Carlton didn't have any bags with him, but then she remembered that he lived here. They all walked out the driveway before saying their goodbyes and giving each other hugs. Mr. Burke told them all to drive home safely. Or in the case of Jessica, fly home safely. They all got into their cars and Charlie made them all promise to send letters or emails or calls. After they all had left, Mr. Burke drove Charlie back to the hotel and parked near her car. She unbuckled her seat belt before he stopped her.
"Now Charlie, you sure you're alright to drive yourself home?" He asked.
"Yes, I'm fine," she said. She opened the door and got out. She closed it, before opening the back door to grab her stuff.
"Alright, but listen, if you ever need someone to talk to," He said, pulling out a card. "Call my friend Diane. She's an expert on helping people deal with these types of things." She smiled.
"Thank you Mr. Burke," She said, taking the card from him.
"Please, call me Clay," he responded, smiling back. "And good luck Charlie. Don't forget to write. Carlton's gonna miss you guys."
"I won't," She promised. "Goodbye Clay."
"Goodbye Charlie." Charlie shut the door and walked over to her car. She open the back door and put her stuff in, before shutting it. She got into the front seat and started the ignition. She looked over one last time and gave him a wave. He waved back. She smiled before she put the gear into reverse and backed out of her parking spot, then driving away. All the while, Clay watched, making sure she got out safely. It was going to be a long drive home, so she might as well get comfortable.
...
When she did finally return home, Aunt Jen was actually sort of happy to see her, but tried her best to act like she wasn't. Without hesitation, she told her that William Afton was dead and how they never had to worry about him again. Without even needing to explain herself, Aunt Jen seemed to know exactly what she meant and gave a simple nod. Then Charlie asked her for her mothers number, which Jen responded with telling her that her number was on the fridge.
Charlie took the number upstairs with her to her bedroom, where she picked up her phone and dialed it. It rung and rung before finally.
"Hello?"
"Mom.. I think we need to talk about some things."