Hello fellow beings of awesome! Here's chapter 8. Apologies for the length (or not. Something tells me you guys looove long chapters).
Enjoy!
{Angel's POV}
"Momma, guess what?" A voice chirped beside me. I ran the washcloth over the plate in my hands.
"What?" I asked playfully to the kid beside me. Gaia's eyes twinkled.
"I know what Freddy's favorite song is."
"What's his favorite song?" I placed the plate in the dish rack to dry. "Toweado, no, toreadi, no. I got this. Tor-ea-dor March," I couldn't help but chuckle as she sounded it out.
"You wanna know something crazy? I work with him for six hours every night, and even I didn't know that," I confided in her. The way she grinned afterwards made my heart swell. I don't mean to sound arrogant, but that kid is adorable.
Sitting on the couch with the phone book in my lap, I dialed the number for the pizzeria into my cell.
"Hello and thank you for calling Freddy Fazbear's Pizza. My name is Michelle. How can I help you?" a voice said from the other end of the phone. I could faintly hear the animatronics singing in the background.
"Hi Michelle. I'm Angel Montgomery, the nightwatchman. May I speak to Mr. Fazbear please?" I asked politely into the phone.
"Yes you can. Just give me a second," she responded. I heard the phone disconnect, and then reconnect.
"Hello, Mr. Fazbear speaking," I could hear him sighing as he spoke.
"Good evening, sir. This is Angel."
"Ah, Angel. How are you this evening?" he asked.
"Doing well, sir. And yourself?" I replied, rubbing Gaia's back as she hugged my leg.
"It's been a long day, I'll say that," I heard him sigh again. "Is everything okay? Can you not make it in tonight?"
"I can make it in tonight sir, no doubt about it. I just have a, favor of sorts to ask, sir. Do you have the animatronics' blueprints at the pizzeria?"
"Yes I do. Do you need them for something?"
"If you don't mind, I would like to check what make the animatronics are to see if I can fix them if needed,"
"You can do repairs?"
"I'm the head of Assembly and Repairs at my day job,"
"Oohhh. You've worked with many different makes of animatronics then, I assume?"
"I have sir," I didn't want to agitate him too much.
"Alright then. I'll put them aside for you. But I just want you to know Angel. You cannot, lose, those, blueprints. Those are the only copies I have."
"I won't lose them, sir. That's a promise," I assured him.
"Alright. I'll see you at twelve o'clock then?" Hmmm. That was going to put a cramp in my schedule.
"Yes, sir," With that, he hung up. Standing up from my seat on the couch, I looked at my watch. 7:00 p.m. At this point in time I could take a shower, have dinner, and maybe spend some time with Gaia before work. I was exhausted already.
{Chica's POV}
I sang the final note of the song before the curtains closed. We have our sentience throughout the day, but during working hours our voices are claimed by performing programs installed in our minds. From the time we open to the time we close, we put on a show for kids and adults alike.
Freddy sighed beside me, and Bonnie shifted his guitar. The day had been a long one. Two birthday parties and a lot of customers besides. I fidgeted with my cupcake as we waited for closing time.
Something we often do in this time is sort of, dose, with our eyes open. After a few minutes my mind began to drift off. But before I could, I heard this, straining sound. I looked over to see Freddy opening and closing his jaw repeatedly. I noticed that every time he closed it, it did so with a little snap. Like he needed it to start acting up again.
{Angel's POV}
11:58. Wow. I was actually early this time. I was sitting in my car, trying to collect my thoughts. Emphasis on trying. I looked at the pill bottle in my cup holder. I hadn't really needed them for the past few weeks. But for me, jumbled thoughts would often lead to freaking out, and thus, anxiety. I grabbed the bottle and twisted the cap off. I shook out a pill and was about to pop it into my mouth, when I stopped. I moved the pill into the glow of my cab light to look at it. It was white, with red and blue speckles. Gaia would call them 'Mommy's calm pills'. She was right, they did make me calm. But, in all honesty, I didn't need them anymore. Not working the night shift with killing animatronics had relieved my need to be anxious. I dropped the pill back into the bottle, and got out of my truck.
Upon opening the door, my watched beeped. 12:00 on the dot. I'll say I'm impressed. Thus I made my way to the boss's office. I knocked, and the door opened a few seconds later. Mr. Fazbear looked as tired as he sounded.
"Ah, Angel. Right on time. Come in," he ushered me in, and partially closed the door.
"The blueprints, as we discussed," he picked up four rolls of paper as long as my arm. I received them with a nod. He picked up his briefcase and hat, which I noticed was almost identical to Freddy's.
"After you," he opened the door for me. I walked through with a thank you.
Mr. Fazbear's office was located near Pirate's Cove, so when we walked out, we were pretty much in the Dining Area.
"Good evening Angel," Mr. Fazbear tipped his hat, and walked to the doors. After hearing them lock, I went to one of the tables.
"Angel. You're here early," I turned to see Bonnie striding towards me from the stage. I could see Freddy and Chica stretching before they followed suit. I turned my gaze back to Bonnie to see him holding his arms in a slightly awkward outward position. I stood there confused for a second until I realized what he was asking for.
"Oh, you want a hug," I said. He nodded, his ears lifting. I gestured him closer and pulled him into my arms.
Hugging an animatronic can be a little awkward at first, since they have solid outer bodies. But then things fit together like puzzle pieces, once you get the hang of it.
I rubbed Bonnie's back, and his arms relaxed around me. His ears twitched a little, and he tucked his nose against my neck. I heard an 'awwww' from behind Bonnie.
"This is when I wish I could find my camera," I could hear Chica say to Freddy. At this, Bonnie lifted his head and turned to look at the other two. He blushed, and gently releasing me, went backstage.
"If I had known that that was going to bother him, I wouldn't have said it," Chica muttered.
"He was just a little embarrassed is all. That's what Bonnie does, when he's embarrassed or scared. He hides," Freddy explained.
"So what have you got there Angel?" Freddy asked me, changing the subject.
"These," I began, gesturing to the rolled papers. "are your blueprints," I walked over to the chair I had placed my bag on, and hung it on the back. "I wanted to check something in them. Nothing you guys need to worry yourselves over," I opened my laptop and logged in.
"Do you need us to help you with anything?" Chica asked.
"No, I'm good. You guys can do what you want," I replied. The 'tronics then wandered off.
The next half hour (after I got the tablet) I spent looking at the blueprints, taking in every detail. Their endoskeletons were all the similar I noticed. All 1970 models, which would make sense as they were built in 1973. Endo manufacturers usually update their models every ten years. Their suits all had a similar shape too.
About an hour later still, I was doing work on my laptop, *this* close to falling asleep. I closed my laptop, and put my head in my hands trying to fight sleep, and more or less failing.
In a vain attempt to stay awake, I opened one of the blueprints. Through my dreamy haze I recall laying my head down on it, and falling into a soundless abyss-
I jolted awake, my head snapping up. My brain tried to make sense of what was going on. Why did I wake? I could've sworn I heard som-
He-he-he.
My neck cracked as I whipped my head around. What. Was. That?
He-he-he, he-he.
Why do I know that laugh? Now wide awake, my mind was racing.
Wait, that's from a song, the song, the one I played- but how is that possible? That song was based off a game…
He-he, he-he.
"What the actual fuck?" I said aloud.
He-he-he-he.
I jumped out of the chair, and practically ripped the gun from it's holster. I cocked it, and held it in front of me.
He-he.
The laugh was coming from the East Hall. I slowly made my way to the entrance, my eyes sifting through the shadows madly. I desperately wanted to run for the door, but I was afraid to turn my back for fear of being attacked.
SCREEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee.
An ear deafening screech echoed through the halls, followed by a thumping that sounded like a fist banging on a door.
"What in the Holy name of-"
He-he.
"-God. Wha-,"
A child's giggle echoed into the Dining Area.
"What the fuck is going on?!" I said angrily, my hands shaking.
"Angel, could you not, use that language?" a voice asked from behind me. It was Chica. I turned to look at her.
"I'm sorry, but what was that?" I said in a rush.
"Just Freddy," she replied.
"That was Freddy?" I asked in disbelief. She nodded.
"How long has he been able to do that?" My mind was reeling.
"Since we we're created, according to him," Chica said with a shrug. I lowered my gun, and turned my head back to the halls. I felt, blind for some reason. Like I had missed something. With a gasp I ran back to the table.
I quickly rolled open Freddy's blueprint, and began scanning it over as fast as my eyes would allow. Now I was noticing things I hadn't before. Like how Freddy had an earlier model of the multi-tone voice box. Also that his blueprint had the numbers '2/2' in the bottom left corner, the word 'model' barely visible before it. And one last thing. Freddy's endo model number was non-existent on the blueprint. I hadn't noticed it was missing before, and now that I did notice it, it bothered me.
"Hey Chica?" I called to the chicken.
"What?" came her response.
"Can you get Freddy for me please? I need to ask him a question,"
"Sure," She walked to the East Hall, and called down it. A minute or so later Freddy came strolling into the Dining Area. He looked stressed.
"Everything okay, Angel?"
"Everything's going great. I just have a question or two for you," Freddy's ears perked up a little when I said this.
"What endo model do you have?" Freddy thought about this for a moment.
"Model ESH-80," 80?
"And you were created in 1973, right?" Freddy nodded. Chills went up my spine. I put my hands together and tapped my fingers. It was a miniature puzzle, and the pieces were coming together.
"Angel, what's wrong?" Chica sounded worried.
"Uh, this is something that could be described as a personal matter, so, would you mind giving us some privacy?" I asked the chicken politely.
"Sure," Chica began walking over to the Kitchen, when Bonnie walked out of the West Hall. Chica called him over, and they entered the Kitchen together.
"So, how is this personal?" Freddy asked.
"Because this could change the way the other feel about you."
"It's that serious?" Freddy's eyes widened.
"Yes."
"Well, what is it?" The bear began fidgeting with his hands.
"Do you know what you were originally created to do?" I asked, hoping he wouldn't lose it when I told him.
"Not necessarily."
"You were originally created, to be a, horror attraction animatronic," Freddy looked stunned.
"What?" I only nodded.
"What do you mean by 'horror attraction'?"
"Have you heard of Schmidt and Fitzgerald's Robotic House of Horrors?"
"I believe so. Where are they located?"
"Brattleboro, Vermont."
"Yes I have heard of them. Are you suggesting that I go and join them?"
"No, not at all. I was just offering a basis for comparison," I put my hands up in a surrendering type pose.
"So, I'm just like them?" Freddy spat.
"Originally yes, but at the moment, not quite," I put my hands down.
"How do you mean?" Freddy asked.
"From what I can tell, you still have the endo and voice box that they first equipped you with. The original suit, I don't know," He pondered this for a moment.
"Why did you get all worried when I told you my endo number?" He pulled out a chair and sat down.
"Endoskeleton manufacturers update their models every ten years, to accommodate for the weight of the suits, and the strain of daily use. I'm concerned because the endo you have, was patented seven years after you were created."
"From what I know, that would be impossible to do without time travel, and that wasn't around at that time. Or in general. So how?"
"Every once in awhile, someone will update an endo model without the consent of the manufacturers. Which is illegal. I've met people who are serving up to thirty years in prison for it."
"Wow," Freddy marveled. "So what do you think happened to me?"
"I think someone made you illegally, the manufacturers found out, arrested the person, took the endo design and patented it as their own," I explained.
"Would I have been scrapped?" Freddy asked, his ears lowering.
"As much as I hate to say it, most likely. That's the usual procedure for illegally made animatronics. The manufacturers don't know anything about them, so they take what they consider to be the safest route."
"What about the original suit?" Freddy folded his hands together.
"That is the part that scares me the most," I picked up his blueprint, and placed it in front of him. I then pointed at the number in the bottom left corner.
"Model 2/2. Another blueprint was made before this one. Mr. Fazbear didn't hand it to me with the other prints when I arrived."
"You don't know where it is or who has it?" Freddy asked while looking over the blueprint.
"No. I don't know. If Mr. Fazbear has it, it's hidden somewhere. I might ask him about it when he comes to open up."
"I wish you luck," Freddy rolled up the blueprint and handed it to me. "Angel?"
"Hmm?"
"What did you mean by 'change the way the others feel about me'?"
"There is this stigma surrounding horror attraction animatronics; that they are dangerous, unpredictable, and not safe to have around kids, or even adults for that matter. I've met many persons who do believe it, and many who don't, humans and animatronics alike. I'm just hoping the rest of the crew here don't believe it. Or if they do, they will accept you for who you are," I gave Freddy a small smile.
"Don' we already accept 'im lass?" The smile fell from my face as Foxy strolled over to the table we were sitting at.
"Why wouldn' we accept 'im?" Foxy asked, holding his arms out in question.
"It is a more personal matter, Foxy. I will tell you all when I'm ready," Freddy explained to Foxy.
"Tell us what?" Chica and Bonnie were coming from the Kitchen. Freddy took off his hat and scratched his head.
"He be sayin' it's a personal matter, Chica lass. We shouldn' be botherin' 'im."
"Okay, I won't ask-"
"No. You guys should know," Freddy replaced his hat on his head. "It's been forty-two years since we first met, and forty-two years is a little too long."
"Are you sure Freddy?" I asked the bear. "You don't have to tell them."
"Out of the four of us, the only past we don't know much about is mine. Even I didn't know. And it's about time they knew the truth," The other 'tronics looked at Freddy expectantly. Freddy stood up.
"From what Angel has observed, I was, originally designed, to be," he took a deep breath. "a horror attraction animatronic," The only response was Bonnie's ear lifted in small surprise.
"And I'm hoping that you all will transcend the stigma and accept me for who I am, as difficult as it may be," As Freddy finished speaking, Chica walked to him and gave him a hug. Bonnie and Foxy soon followed suit.
As the 'tronics shared a group hug, I smiled. This had gone better than I had hoped.
When the door unlocked, I stood to welcome Mr. Fazbear and to give a basic report of the night, because why not?
"Angel. You're not in the office," He looked at me, surprise flickering in his eyes.
"I'm not overly fond of offices sir. I've had some, frightening situations with them," I tapped my fingers on the blueprints in my hands. "Here are the blueprints, sir."
Taking them from me, he counted them to make sure all four were there.
"Well, Angel. I hope you have a wonderful day," He tipped his hat to me, and started for his office.
"You as well, sir. Oh, Mr. Fazbear?" He turned to look at me.
"Where is Freddy's original blueprint sir?"
"What do you mean by original blueprint?"
"In the bottom left corner of this blueprint you can see the word 'model' followed by '2/2'," Mr. Fazbear's eyebrows knit together, and he practically dropped his briefcase and opened the blueprints until he found Freddy's. He studied the bottom left corner for a moment or two.
"You're right Angel. What does this mean? That Freddy had a different suit or something?" he asked.
"Most likely, sir."
"When I acquired him, he was wearing the suit he has now. You do know what he was made for right?"
"Yes, sir. Horror attraction," He studied me.
"That doesn't bother you?"
"Not at all, sir." He chuckled.
"I'm supposing when you say you've worked with many different makes of animatronics that includes the horror attraction type as well?"
"Yes, sir. I'm actually working with some at the moment," Mr. Fazbear glanced around the Dining Area, and looked at me, as if I was suggesting the Fazbear crew.
"Name one," he challenged. I gave a half-hearted smile.
"A-1."
Yeah, the 'laughing' was supposed to be Freddy's laugh, but I couldn't think of any onomatopoeia that would fit. Oh well. I can at least say that I tried. I am only an animatronic. That works in a Pizzeria.