"Worry is the stomach's worst poison." ~ Alfred Nobel
Time moved but I didn't seem to move with it. It was the anniversary. I hated this day with all my soul. I wasn't the only one who utterly despised this day. The kids hesitated this day as well. We all moved, following the lines we did the day we died. The kids played, blinded to the days before and what would come. I did too, I supposed. I moved like a zombie but knew it wasn't real and it didn't mean anything. I moved swiftly around, inspecting the machines just as I did, ending on Foxy, then moving to my table where I had my last meal. I sat alone, burning with the anger I once had but this time for that twisted fiend I once called a friend.
"I didn't want…to die," I snarled, grasping my imaginary glass.
The doors opened suddenly, unexpected for this late night. I casually glanced over to see who had arrived. A rather nondescript gentlemen placed the night cap on his head, snapping the last button on his uniform. I groaned. They found a new guard already? Tonight was lucky for him. The kids wouldn't do much tonight, not until well into the night at least. The guard said goodbye to the day watch, moving into the back.
"Good luck," I mumbled. "You'll need it tomorrow and the nights to come."
Hours passed. The lights shut off, cameras sizzling to life. I sighed, feeling my body tense. Pain. I could feel it already, in my stomach. The hour struck and my body moved without warning. Legs inched closer to the guard room. Doors opened, I slipped in and felt the sharpness of the pain I'd left behind years ago. I screamed. No matter how often this happened, the pain still felt more real than when it really happened. I could feel the pole ram through my skin, tear into my stomach and pierce through to the other side. I yelped again, choking on the blood that once churned through me.
This is where I'd black out. No doubt the kids were experiencing their own hells down in the cellar. I could feel the will leaving me, couldn't move anymore. I collapsed to my knees, looking heavenward. This is where I would talk to Foxy. Oh, Foxy, my old friend, how I missed you. I glanced to my left, watching the new guard. He didn't seemed phased by the events going around him. His tag glittered in the lamplight. Mike. I grinned lightly.
"Mike…" I whispered, lying flat on the ground. "What a nice name…"
Mike's head perked as if he'd heard a noise. I doubt it was me. Probably paranoia. Some of the guards have that coming in and its only provoked when they began working here. Mike shook his head, glancing back down at his tablet. A new little invention. It was helpful no doubt in these trying times. I grinned again. Still so much pain and yet I laughed somehow. I might be losing my mind in my old age. How old would I be now? Does it even matter?
"Mister Mechanic?"
I lifted my head slowly. They all stood there, each child looking at me like a broken doll. They sat on their knees, weary eyed and sniffling. So much pain. We were all in so much pain. I felt their tiny hands grasp onto my collar, my waist, my arms. They held onto me like the scared children they were. We all were scared, hurt.
"I don't wanna die…" one of them whispered, choking on tears. "I…want my mom…"
I shut my eyes. So much pain. I heard their cries. We've heard the night guards cry each night but our cries echoed these hollow halls more than anyone. We screamed more than any hurt child or deathly howl of a dying guard. We were the dead that walked and never left. We were the forgotten. We were the tortured souls of Freddy Fazbear.
I heard the alarm ring. It was 6. The pain lifted gently. I was officially dead again. The children's cries turned to snickering. They were recovering. Eyes opened, I heard Mike move out of the room. Sitting up, I watched the children follow him. They danced around him, tapping on his arms and circling his legs. A new guard or rather a new toy for them to play with. I slowly crawled to my feet, stumbling after them.
"A new guard, a new toy, time to play tonight…will he die or will he live, it all a matter of time," they chanted, holding hands and circling him.
"Leave him alone!" I shouted.
Mike stopped, looking around. The children stopped singing, staring at him in wonderment. After a moment, they turned slowly to me. I froze, arm reached out as if I could stop him. I had stopped him. Mike shrugged his shoulders, moving quickly out. The kids released him, simply staring at me. I could hear him greeting the morning guard and leaving out the front.
"You spoke," hissed Stephanie. "You spoke, and he heard."
"You're not supposed to talk," hissed Jack.
"They're not supposed to hear you," added Conner.
"Shut up!" ordered Gavin and Michael.
"I didn't…" I sputtered, stepping backward.
They began approaching me, eyes seemingly glowing. I could hardly contain myself. I stepped back until I could step back no more. I hit the wall, feeling it with my hands as if it would fall away and open a new hall. I had never truly seen them like this. I could hardly breath. The lights quickly switched on, blinding for a split second. I knew my way though, taking off quickly into the guards room and out of the other side. No where to hide for long. They would find me. They always find me.