I peeked out through the curtains that filled Pirate's Cove. I could see the security camera the Puppet had told me about. Occasionally, the red light would flicker on. I made sure that at least most of me remained out of sight. I closed the curtains again. I tried as best as I could to be quiet as I dropped into my little crawl space under the stage. Chica had waved goodbye and left as soon as the coast was clear. We had heard the guard around the corner, fumbling around with the electronics in the security booth at the end of the hallway. I gently closed the trapdoor behind me. Now, I had time to inspect my little secret.

The shelves all around the room were covered in dust. The place must've been emptied a long time ago. Still, it couldn't hurt to look. I made several trips around the room, inspecting the dark creases. Nothing. I sighed, already bored. I closed my eyes and sat myself down on the hard ground; eyes closed and back leaned up against the shelves.

"It's not too fun, I know." I didn't jump this time as the Puppet materialized from a shadowy corner. He trudged over and sat opposite me.

"I'm sorry, for earlier." I hung my head.

"You don't need to be. I know what it's like. I wasn't too happy about the lack of answers at the beginning either."

"But you did you figure it out?"

"Eventually. It took a long time to learn all the ins and outs of this place. All the little details of life here."

"So why won't you tell me?"

He hesitated. The silence between us had evolved from angered, and now felt more tired. Time had worn him down, but his revolve was strong. I could see that now. "I meant what I said earlier. The truth is dangerous. If you know too much, it could hurt you. I don't want to lose anymore."

I opened my eyes. The Puppet's head hung low. For the first time, I could feel a sense of emotion from him. I could feel sadness.

"I'm sorry."

"Don't be. You don't even know what I'm talking about."

"Doesn't change the fact that I'm still sorry. I don't know much about you . . ." I pulled on the shelves and rose to my feet. "But I do know you're still one of us." I offered a hand to the sad figure. He looked up at me. Even without eyes, I could feel his gaze on me. He wrapped a black hand around mine and let me pull him to his feet.

"I don't really know what I am, to be honest."

"Welcome to the club." I chuckled. "We'll have to work together to figure it out, then." A grief silence followed. For a split second, I thought I could hear scratching in the walls.

"Thank you, Foxy."

"Before you go, can I ask you one thing?"

"I'll answer if I can."

"I was human before, wasn't I?" The silence was all the answer I needed. "Why can't I recognize humans? Can you tell me that?"

"That's not a part of your history. That belongs to Foxy. You already know what you are, so I see no harm in revealing that to you. Foxy attacked a man. I believe you met him. The old night guard? Jeremy?"

"I thought I recognized him." I remembered.

"Foxy attacked him. Nearly tore his head off."

I stepped back. "Why?"

"Can't really say." He shrugged. "I didn't see the whole thing. You didn't do it. This was long before you came around here."

"Exactly how long?" I asked.

"I don't know. They tried to pry you off. I think one of them damaged your CPU. Screwed with your optics."

"That's why they shut me down?" The Puppet nodded. "Who is the Night Guard? What happened to the old one?"

"I don't know his name. The old one . . . He took the day shift." The Puppet stepped into the shadows. The darkness began to swirl, but he didn't disappear yet. "Foxy. It's incredibly important that you aren't seen by the guard. You understand that?"

"I think so." I rubbed the back of my neck.

"Check the shelves. I left you a gift." The darkness closed around him, and he vanished.

I looked back to the shelves where the Puppet had been sitting. Crouching as low as my metal limbs would allow, I searched the bottom shelves. I'd already checked here in my first search, but I had apparently misses the small glimmer of light at the back. I stretched my arm as far as I could. My fingers scraped at the edge of the metallic object. I relaxed for a moment, and then gave one final lunge.

The object slid closer, and I wrapped my fingers around it. Straightening up, I inspected the small brass pocket watch. Hesitantly, my finger twitched against the top button, flipping open the case. A small ivory clock face worked as a backdrop for two ticking black hands. Five thirty. I chuckled and clipped the brass chain to the back of my belt. A pocket watch would certainly come in handy.

I climbed up and out of the hold. Slowly, I pulled the curtains open. The light on the camera was off. Taking a deep breath, I stepped off the stage and through the doorway out into the hall. I stumbled back in surprise. Bonnie stood in the doorway opposite me, his eyes locked on mine.

"Sonuva . . . Don't do that to me." I whispered angrily. Bonnie stepped backward into a door marked "Backstage". I watched him vanish into the room before shaking my head.

My attention turned to the end of the hallway, where a light flooded out of the security booth and into the dark hallway. I could see a shadow against the back wall of the booth. Whatever was in there, it had an odd shape. Human, but much more massive. The shadow's limbs moved jittery and irregularly. I considered moving closer for a better look. Suddenly, the camera at the end of the hallway activated, its little red light contrasting perfectly against the darkness. With a start, I moved as quickly as I could, back into the Cove, and back up onto the stage. I spared one last look at the camera. The light was still off, but I don't want to risk it anymore.

I leaned back against the ocean landscape painted on the back of the cove. I closed my eyes. I checked my pocket watch. Six. From the front room, I could hear the clock's dull ring, signaling the new hour. Shortly after, I heard footsteps sprinting down the hallway. I didn't really care about them, though. Only one thought raced around my mind:

I'd survived night one.