Up Close and Personal

by Strahberri

Christopher hates the pizzeria. His birthday party is in five days, and each day his dread gets worse and his lack of sleep takes a worse toll on him. His brother doesn't make matters any better, either, putting on a Foxy mask and scaring him at any opportunity. It seems like he never stops crying. But they're just animatronics... what's the worst thing that could happen?

4. Three

2 days until the party.

'he hates you.'

he hates me.

'you can get out this time, but you have to hurry.'

I have to hurry.

I stand, still crying. I walk toward the party rooms but an invisible force holds me back.

'NO! don't you remember what you saw? The exit is the other way! hurry and leave!'

I obey, and turn around.

There is a boy in the parking lot holding a plushtrap.

"My daddy says to be careful with him or I will pinch my finger," the boy says, holding his toy out. "He's a finger trap, he says."

I continue and leave the parking lot to go back home.

There is a girl on the lawn.

"You'd better watch out! I hear they come to life at night. And if you die, they hide your body and never tell anyone," she told me, her red braids bouncing. "Why do you look so worried? See you at the party! Ha ha ha!"

I nod and continue walking past a patch of flowers, one of which has Fredbear's head on it.

There is a man sitting on the sidewalk by the road and laughing. I walk up to him.

"Aren't you the kid who always hides under the table and cries?" he asks, still laughing. "Hahaha! No one else is scared! Why are you? Stop being such a baby!"

I turn and keep walking down the sidewalk without a word.

I finally come up on a boy holding a pink balloon, standing next to a blue car. I approach him, wondering if he'll laugh at me too.

"Are you going to the party? Everyone is going to the party." He blinks and thinks to himself for a moment. "Oh wait, you have to go! it's YOUR birthday! Haha!"

That's right. it's my party. My birthday.

I make the rest of the trek back to my house.

...

my brother isn't here.

where is he?

I look behind the television, my hands shaking.

...

he's not there.

where did he go?

I know he's here.

'Be careful...'

I hear laughing in the distance

my knees start to shake

I peek into my brother's bedroom

there is a torn up fox on the floor

...why?

...

I head toward my own bedroom

as I walk inside, I see my friends.

"RAHHH!" my brother screeches, jumping out from under the bed.

I scream too, and collapse onto the floor in a small ball, crying once again.

my brother laughs.

Tomorrow is another day.