Lean On Me
The cannons boomed like rolling thunder when they fired. Mike ducked as a cannon ball from the Backstabber zoomed right over his head. He felt the Sea Fox shake from the impact of other balls that slammed through the hull.
"Stop blowin' holes in my ship!" roared Foxy. "Bonnie! Hard to port!"
"How about we just stick with freaking left and right?!" Bonnie retorted but still span the wheel as fast as she could.
Mike held onto the rigging as the ship swung to the left, managing to avoid the next volley that came from the Backstabber. The cannon balls splashed harmlessly into the water. Mike looked back to see the fearsome ship was already changing course to pursue them across the open water.
"Mike! Damage report!" ordered Foxy.
"He got us, captain!" he shouted back. "But we managed to give him a little in kind!"
Foxy grinned. "I should hope so! Freddy! Tactical advice!"
"We were probably wise to avoid a direct confrontation stern to stern. The Backstabber is built to withstand heavy punishment and I think we were lucky to escape that with the damage we sustained. Perhaps a different form of attack might be necessary," he suggested.
"Perhaps, bu' at the moment, we're jus' runnin' away!" Foxy glared back off their stern. "That's somethin' the likes-a Sid do, bu' no' ol' Foxy and his crew!"
"Your bravery is admirable, captain, but a ship to ship battle might not be wise. Sid can very easily blow us out of the water and he knows it. What we need to do is get close enough to board. On top of that, we can't do too much damage to the Backstabber. Remember, there's someone we need to get off that ship before we sink it," reminded Freddy.
"Aye, ye have a point," Foxy nodded grimly. "We don' know where he's holdin' Chica. One wrong shot and she's in the locker wi' tha' piece-a scum."
"Orders then, sir?" asked Mike, while he oversaw the crew reloading the guns.
"Now hold on lad, I'm thinkin'!" Foxy frowned. "Wha' can we do?"
"Hey, here's a thought," called Bonnie. "It's Mikey's dream, so just wish for like a bazooka or something and use that! Or even better, just wish for Chica to be over here and safe? Or hey, how about a better dream? Like maybe one where we're in a rock band or something? I call lead singer and guitarist!"
"Belay tha', Bonnie!" ordered Foxy. "This is no time for yer nonsense!"
"Yeah, because I'm the one not making any sense," she remarked.
Mike desperately racked his brain. Chica was counting on them to rescue her and they needed a way to get over onto that ship.
"Captain!" a voice shouted. "I have an idea!"
Mike was surprised to see his dad emerging from below decks. Only he looked a lot younger, in his early twenties at least. His face was clean shaven, his belly was much smaller, his arms lean and long with a rich head of black hair. A look of daring was set on his face. Yet he still had an air of experience about him, despite his apparent youth.
"Master gunner David?" Foxy leaned forward eagerly. "What are ye thoughts?"
"My thoughts, captain, are that we drop the anchor on the starboard side of the ship, swing ourselves around to bring us astern. Then, we fire off the guns just to show we mean business and we board to find Chica," he suggested boldly.
"That's utter lunacy," said Freddy at once. "Dropping the anchor like that will damage the ship further. Not to mention we won't be able to recover the anchor afterward."
"We can always get ourselves another anchor, Fred," said Foxy. "An' a lil' damage ta the ship'll be a small price ta pay fer Chica's safe return!"
"I'm down with this!" added Bonnie. "If it gets us to some kind of sword fighting action sooner, I say we do it!"
"And I'm sure Mike agrees with me too," said his dad, slapping him on the back. "Now, are we doing this or are we going to wait for Sid to catch up and tell us his ideas?"
Mike thought about saying something, but even Freddy looked like he was about to concede. It seemed like they'd have to go through with his dad's plan. In the end, he just shrugged.
"Buck up, lad!" encouraged Foxy. "We'll have Chica rescued in no time. Lower the starboard anchor, ya blitherin' bilge rats! Make ready the guns an' be ready ta fire on my command! Break out the grapples, ready the muskets an' blades! Prepare ta board!"
There was a flurry of activity as the crew hurried to carry out Foxy's orders. Powder and shot was loaded into muskets and flintlocks. Men had their hands rested on their cutlass hilts. Grapple hooks were brought from below decks, as well as long walking boards. The cannons were loaded once more and a man was letting down the anchor.
Mike nearly fell as the ship jolted when the anchor hit the ocean floor. There was a sound of breaking wood when the force tore through a part of the stern. He again grabbed the rigging and saw Bonnie let go of the wheel as it span rapidly. The ship swivelled in a one-eighty degree turn, coming to a head on course with the Backstabber.
"Cut the anchor line!" ordered Foxy.
Freddy did so and looked ahead. "He's turnin' to come astern with us, captain. I hope you know what you're doing."
"Just ye watch me. Ready!" The ship was getting closer. Mike stood ready at his gun. "Stand to!" Mike crouched, holding the match over the fuse. "FIRE!"
He touched the lit match to the fuse. Once again, the cannons fired. Splintered wood blew away from the Backstabber from the impacts. Mike ducked when the ship returned fire. More holes were torn in their ship and he heard the screams of a few crewmen who weren't lucky enough to avoid them.
"We got 'im now!" declared Foxy. "Now let's give 'im a taste of our steel!"
"Yes sir!" His dad had already grabbed a grapple and tossed it across. "Come on, you lot! She won't wait forever!"
With a wild cry, he swung across and landed on the deck with a few others who followed. With a flash, he drew his sword and engaged his enemy. He had considerable skill, able to hold his own against three men at once without breaking a sweat.
"Now, there's a fine crewman if I ever saw one!" chortled Foxy. "Let's see if ye father is like son, eh Mike?"
With a swift leap, Foxy was on the other side. With a speed known only to him, he began his grim work.
"Finally, we're getting to the good stuff!" cheered Bonnie with a pair of blunderbuss strapped to her back and numerous guns on her waist. "At least your dad knows how to make things fun!"
"His ideas are unconventional, but effective," conceded Freddy, holding his heavy two handed sword. "See you on the other side, Mike."
Following the captain, the two of them leaped ships. Bonnie was soon blowing away contenders with her arsenal while Freddy heaved his heavy weight behind his sword and took on whole swathes of pirates at once.
Mike gulped and went to grab a rope. His heart stopped when he saw how big the divide was between the two ships. The raging waters of the ocean, littered with bodies and splintered wood swirled beneath him, waiting to swallow him up too. How had his dad and the others managed to clear it so easily?
He held onto the rope for dear life and tried his hardest not to look down. He jumped from the ship and felt his stomach rush into his throat as he screamed loudly. He mentally begged for the feeling of solid wood beneath his feet again.
A feeling of horror gripped him. The rope was coming loose. He dared to open his eyes. He was only half way across. Not only that, but the ship seemed to be getting further and further away. He willed himself to reach it in time. He suddenly dipped lower and he felt the rush of falling. The rope was completely undone.
Mike flailed his arms desperately, tumbling towards the ocean depths. He cried for someone, anyone to help him. But he kept falling. The world around him became darker-
Mike woke with a start. He wondered for a moment why his mattress felt so hard before he realised he'd fallen from his bed and onto the floor. He checked his clock. Twelve in the afternoon. Still feeling groggy, he pulled himself off the floor and decided it wasn't worth going back to sleep.
He staggered into the dim living room in his boxers and T-shirt, slumping down on the sofa. If he needed any further proof that last night's sleep wasn't great, that pretty much sealed it. He'd felt bad ever since he left Freddy's early the night before. If the Fazgang had even noticed he left, that is. He sighed and pressed a hand to his forehead.
He didn't know if he was right in his thinking or not. All he knew for certain was that he felt like a fifth wheel last night and it was all due to his dad being there. They were having a great time and Mike was just getting in the way. Now that his dad was back with them, all that was left for him to do was step aside.
Well, maybe not step aside. For obvious reasons, he couldn't exactly take his old job back. But Mike was still left wondering on what exactly his relationship with the synthetics was. Did they really consider him to be their friend or was he just the lesser alternative until his dad came back?
He remembered what Chica had said to him a few nights ago, but even she seemed to enjoy herself more with his dad than she did with him. No awkward pauses, no nervous stammering, no… well, none of that. Just open friendliness, even playfulness. More than with him.
Mike shook his head, trying to ignore how annoyed the thought of that made him. It wasn't just her. Bonnie obviously thought he was much cooler. Foxy could have more fun with him. Even Freddy he noticed was more jovial and cheerful with him. He was charismatic with them, active, talented in their interests and he had so much history.
What did Mike have? A few sketches? A crippling lack of self-esteem? Next to no self-confidence? If that was the case, he was amazed they'd gone along for this long…
He was snapped out of his reverie when his phone rang. Wiping away the tears he didn't realise he'd been crying, he went and answered it. It was Mr Johnson.
"Mike! Where the devil have you been, lad?" he asked, sounding relieved. "I came in this morning and it was your dad opening up the place!"
"Uh yeah." He felt even worse now it looked his job was also at risk. "S-Sorry, sir. I um… left early."
"I gathered that much, but why? Your dad and the others were worried about you."
"They… they were?"
"Of course, my boy! Right, whatever it is that's wrong, come to my office and we'll talk about it," he told him. "Just come in about half an hour and we'll see what the trouble is."
"R-Right. See you then, sir," conceded Mike. He hung up the phone.
He checked his clock and realised he'd have to get going. He quickly dressed himself, grabbed his keys, phone and wallet and left the apartment feeling a little hopeful. If they were all worried, then maybe there was a chance…
As he walked to Freddy's, Mike couldn't help but glance over his shoulder. A few times, he thought someone might be following him or were watching him. His encounter last night had him on edge. Would those old guards come after him again if they thought they could get what they needed from him? That guy Daniel looked like he meant business…
Mike walked at a brisk pace the whole way, almost running at some points. He felt a sense of relief when he saw the restaurant and hurried inside. The sounds of the Fazgang entertaining children helped to put him at ease.
"Oh, hey Mike," Susie greeted brightly. "Mr Johnson wanted to see you in his office. He rang your number but there was no answer."
"Uh yeah, I was out," said Mike. "Thanks, Susie."
"You're welcome. Hey, Mike? Something wrong?" she asked. "You look like you've got a lot on your mind."
"Uh, no. I'm fine, thanks. I-" He thought for a moment. Susie was always nice to him. Maybe she could help. "Hey, actually Susie. C-Can I ask you something?"
"Sure you can, Mike," she chirped. "What's up?"
"Well uh…" He thought of how best to explain it. "I uh, have these friends. Great friends. Some o-of the best I've had. R-Recently, another guy that they know well but I don't has showed up after a long time of being gone. They have a lot of history, i-if you know what I mean?"
"I get the picture, yeah," she assured. "So what's wrong with that?"
"Nothing, I guess," he shrugged. "Just… I feel like they have a better time with him th-than with me. You know, they have j-jokes they know, memories they've shared a-and they're a lot closer. And I just feel like… you know, what exactly am I doing there?"
"Hmm. Have you talked to them about this? Your friends and this other guy?" she clarified.
"No. I um, don't want to feel like a jerk or something by asking them. I don't want to seem like some jealous little upstart. Especially if…" He stopped himself but Susie didn't fail to miss it.
"If what?" she asked.
"If… if they didn't consider me their real friend to begin with," he muttered. "It's dumb, I know…"
"You're right. It is dumb." He looked up to see Susie still had her smile. "You just assume that these friends of yours aren't really your friends, just because an old one shows up? And you do that without even asking what they think first?"
"Um… yeah…" He felt a little stupid now.
"Hey, no need to feel down about it," she said encouragingly. "Just next time you see them, ask them yourself. Sure, you might come across as jealous of their relationship with this other guy but you'll also show how much they mean to you. Clearly, these guys must be some pretty good friends if you're worried this much about them."
"They are," said Mike at once. "Yeah, they really are."
"There you go then. If they're as good as you say they are, I'm sure they'll feel sorry for making you feel left out and they'll try to include you more with them and the other guy. I'm sure you don't wanna lose these guys as friends, so do something about it," she said simply.
"Yeah. Yeah, you're right," Mike nodded. "Thanks, Susie."
"No problem. Glad I could help," she said happily. "Oh, back to work for me." She nodded towards an approaching family. "You better go see Mr Johnson while I take care of these."
"I'll leave you to it. Thanks again, I really appreciate it," he said, making his way to the stairs up to the manager's office.
"My pleasure!" she called. "See you around, Mike!"
Already feeling a little better in the wake of Susie's advice, Mike didn't even notice the scathing look that Mel always gave him when he came up here. Like he was doing something to deliberately ruin her day. He knocked on the door and moments later, he was sat down in his boss's office.
"Well, you managed to make it here on time and you're talking properly which rules out being sick," Mr Johnson began. "I don't take you as the type to enjoy a night out drinking and you're certainly not a slacker. So, Mike, mind explaining to me why you left early?"
Mike took a moment and, feeling even more stupid about this than after he talked with Susie, told Mr Johnson about the night before and how his feelings had led to him leaving early.
"I see," said Mr Johnson. He regarded Mike for a moment. "And why didn't you talk to them about this, Mike? Any of them?"
"I-I didn't want to seem like I was being s-selfish, especially since my dad was there. It was his p-party and it would have been u-unfair," replied Mike.
"So you just decided to leave without telling anyone?" Mr Johnson arched an eyebrow. "Your dad really was worried about you. The others were concerned too, worried if they'd hurt your feelings somehow. Had me a little worried too."
"I… I'm sorry, sir," Mike murmured.
"Accepted, but it's not just me you need to apologise to. Mike, do you know why I hired your dad in the first place?" he asked.
"To give them a friend they could talk to without having to hide," recalled Mike.
"Bang on. You see, they'd lost someone very close to them on the week they replaced the animatronics. I knew they had to heal and move on, so I did what I thought was the best thing for them in that regard. Almost thirty years after your dad left, they wanted me to find someone else. They didn't ask me to get your dad back. They wanted a new friend. And they got a grand one in you, lad," he said proudly. "You may not have been here as long your dad and you may not be as close, but are you really going to pass up the chance for either of those things?"
"No, sir," said Mike firmly. "I want to stay."
"I should hope so. You're part of the reason we're doing better," reminded Mr Johnson. "I can think of a few people who'd be sad to see you go. I know you don't want to put them through that again."
"Not in a million years, sir. I'm sorry about all of this. I'll talk to them about it," he promised. "My dad too."
"Do it tonight then," instructed Mr Johnson. "You need to think about this practically too. Your dad's got his own job now in a different town, your mother wouldn't want him taking his job here again and I'm not going to make you give up yours just so he can have it back. I know this was about them catching up, but your dad's time here is over, Mike. You're the one they have to be able to count on now and I can tell you they already do."
"Right. I won't forget that, sir," he vowed.
"Good lad," he said. "So sort this out, Mike. I think we'll all feel better when you do."
"I'll do that. Thank you, sir." Mike got up and walked out of the office, already thinking about how best to do this.
Maybe he should go and see them while they were working, just in case they were still worrying. But those thoughts and the high hopes he'd left with immediately ended when he saw someone waiting for him in the reception. His mother. She didn't look happy.
"I thought I might find you here. Mike. We need to talk," she said firmly.
"S-Sorry, I can't right now," he muttered.
He bowed his head and hurried past her out the door. Mike walked out of Freddy's and past the bus stop, where a girl with mousy brown hair was the only one waiting. He knew his mom was still following him and soon had that confirmed.
"Mike! Mike, don't you walk away from me!" He turned to see her approaching. "Where do you think you're going?"
"My apartment, mom. I've got some stuff I need to think about and sort out," he said. "Can we talk later?"
"No, not later. Now," she said firmly. "What are you keeping from me?"
"Huh?" Mike was confused, but a little worried at her question. "What do you mean?"
"You tell me," she said. "I try to ask your father what you and he do on your nights at that place, but he won't give me a straight answer. Now, you're going to tell me right now what he won't and you're going to be completely honest with me."
"I uh…" Mike couldn't look her in the eye. "Th-There's nothing to tell, m-mom. We just pass the time until six. I-It's nothing."
"I don't believe that. You really mean to tell me that the both of you are completely satisfied with a job that has you working six hours a night, in an empty children's restaurant, with those horrible robots lurking around in the dark with nothing to do?" she challenged.
"It's uh, it's a little more than that," he muttered. "L-Look, it's hard to explain but I-I really like my job. You see-"
"No, Mike, I don't see. You either tell me what you're hiding or you can quit your job and come home."
Mike had been subjected to this before. When his mom would give him no choice in something to make him do what she thought was right. Normally, he'd go along with it. But something new inside him stopped him. And it was what gave him the courage to finally say:
"N-No."
"What?" Her expression faltered. "What did you just say to me?"
"I-I said n-no," he stammered. "I… I'm not quitting my job at Freddy's, m-mom."
The tension hung thick in the air. His mom appeared to have been struck dumb by his refusal. Mike took his chance and pressed his advantage.
"I-I like my job there," he went on. "I know y-you're sc-scared for m-me. But… this is m-my choice. A-And I w-want to stay. I'm sorry but… that's how I feel."
He turned to hurry away, but he was stopped again.
"Why?" She didn't sound angry anymore. Her expression was almost pained. "You know what that place did to your father. To me. To our family, Mike. Not to mention that poor man and every child who had to witness it! I don't understand just… why?"
"I… I can't tell you," he murmured. "But it's really not as bad as you think. It really isn't. Please just… let me do this."
"Mike…" She shook her head. "How can you ask me that?"
"B-Because it's what I want," he replied. "For once… just let me have that. I'm… I've gotta get back. There's things I need to think about. Bye, mom…"
He turned and hurried away. He heard her call out to him, but he didn't turn back around this time. She needed to know this was his choice and that she wasn't going to change his mind. It was hard… but he knew it was what he had to do.
Elizabeth started after her son as he ran away down the street. But he didn't stop, didn't turn back. He just kept on running until he was out of sight and she was left alone.
She almost wasn't willing to accept what had just happened. She felt like she might cry, but she refused to succumb to that. How could her son, always such a good boy, just run from her like that? Deny her like that? Why didn't he see that she only wanted what was best for him? What had happened to him?
But she knew the answer. The same thing that had happened to his father. It was that place. It was poison. It had corrupted David… Andrew… It had ruined him. She'd suffered as well. She could still remember all the jeers and catcalls from the people…
"What a winning choice you made there!"
"How can he look after your kid when he can't even look after someone else's?"
"It's his fault my little girl had to see that! You should be ashamed!"
It wasn't just that. Threatening messages through their letterbox and left on their answering machine. So much that they had to run away and start a new life because their old one was left in tatters. All thanks to Freddy Fazbear's Pizza. It was poison.
And now, it had their son in its thrall and it had wrapped her husband back into its sinister coils. She was the only one left who had any clear sense of purpose, of the truth. She had to do something. But what?
"Excuse me, miss?" Elizabeth looked up to see a young woman with brown hair looking concerned. "Is everything alright?"
Elizabeth sighed. "No. No, it isn't. I'm sorry, but who are you?"
"Oh sorry, I didn't mean to be nosey," she said. "My name's Jenny. You just look like you need someone to talk to. I couldn't help but overhear what happened with you and your son."
"Do you often like to listen in on other people's conversations?" she asked sharply.
"I'm sorry, ma'am really. But it was kind of hard not to," she said, smiling sheepishly. "Your son, he works at Freddy's?"
Elizabeth regarded the woman carefully. While she could be seen as intruding on her business, she also looked like she wanted to help. The way she mentioned Freddy's as well… it was like she understood what her son seemed to fail to.
"Yes," she finally said. "He does. He's the night guard. But I'm sure you heard that yourself."
"That did come across a little. I was just curious because I used to work at Freddy's in the same position," she said.
That got her attention. "You did? For how long?"
"Only one night," answered Jenny. "Not even the full night. When I learned about the secret they were keeping, I got out of there as soon as I could. And I wasn't the only one."
"Secret? What secret?" she asked urgently.
"Believe me, ma'am, you wouldn't even begin to take me seriously if I told you," she laughed sadly. "I and all the others who've tried to expose the secret, but failed. Because we never had hard proof. But I think we can help each other."
"Really?" Elizabeth asked sceptically. "How?"
"It would be nothing big, really. Just something that we could use to get the proof we need. Once we've done that and exposed what they're hiding, they won't be around for long. Then your son can leave the job and find a better one." She smiled sympathetically. "I'm sure you just want what's best for him."
Elizabeth considered. Provided that Jenny here was telling the truth, perhaps this would help. Whatever Freddy's was apparently hiding, it was big. Mike and Andrew knew it too and they either refused to tell her or were deliberately vague. If Jenny was testifying to the same thing, then that only confirmed it. Considering this was the same restaurant that let something as bad as the Bite happen…
She didn't want secrets to be kept. Not anymore. Not with her family or by Freddy's.
"What would I have to do?" she asked.
"Just open a door," replied Jenny. "The only time we'll be able to get full proof is during closing hours, when the night shift starts. Just let us in through the back way and we'll get what we need."
Elizabeth nodded slowly. "Right. I'll help you then."
"Really?" Jenny beamed. "Thnak you so much, ma'am. You're really helping us a lot here."
"It's no trouble," assured Elizabeth. "Because I want to find out what they're hiding as well."
Just like a piece of land on an allotment, the plot thickens. But what fruits will be shown?
Kliff: Well that's a relief XD
Hush: Surprisingly, I do have a plan for these stories that may or may not involve a guy whose favourite colour is purple. Just not in this one.
Alexis: Thank you, Lex. Glad you're enjoying them.
AllergyRelief: There will be romance but not much in this story. Stick with me and maybe you'll see more.
Balloon: Poor Chica indeed.
Be strong, be swift, be just.