Ties To The Past

"Here you are ma'am." My lips stretched into a fake smile as I set down the large cheese pizza trying not to shake my head in front of them. One adult, seven kids. A typical sight at Freddy Fazbears. What type of crazy parent they must be to think they can keep track of that many children at once, Most places had rules set up so that the adult to kid ratio was more balanced. A sigh escaped while glancing at the time, I had only just hit my three hour mark. Pulling napkins from my apron pocket and putting them on the table I took a step back to excuse myself from their table when my back smacked into someone.

"Oh, I'm so sorry I didn't see-" Stuttering when my vision was met with a yellow wall. I found myself staring right into the droopy empty eyes of an animatronic, Chica to be exact. Taking a step back, stunned into silence. Why the hell is this thing on the floor walking around? As far as I knew they were only allowed on stage. To my left children cheered and reaching out their cheesy fingers towards it, from behind the stage another employee popped out quickly making his way toward us. My eyes flickered back to Chica. I wanted to simply move on but its stare held me in place. It's mouth opened suddenly as if it was going to speak, the chalk colored teeth hovered at eye level. It just stood there with its head cocked to one side gaping at me. A shiver ran up my spine. It felt almost as if...no don't be stupid. Turning away my heart hammered as I smeared a wash cloth across a messy table. The other employee got there and guided Chica away. Although I never looked, I still felt its eyes burning into me. Making a mental note to steer clear of the performance stage. I couldn't say why but they unnerved me. I would glance at them from time to time as they played their songs for the children. Even though they looked and acted normal I never stopped feeling watched.

The day crept on, every time I checked the time it seemed to stop moving. But finally, watching with an exhausted satisfaction as the last customer left and I was able to finish up my duties. Darting back and forth getting them done as fast as possible all I could hope was that Vincent would get here soon and let me leave early again. 11:15 and I was already punching in the combination to reset security.

"Oh finished already?"

I had to hold back my jump of surprise. Damn he was quiet on his feet, not even the sound from the obnoxiously squeaky door.

"Yeah, now that I know how to do everything it's getting easier...and there wasn't any vomit today in the playhouse so that helped," I said turning to look at him. He wore his usual grin.

"Well I'll get in trouble if I send you home any earlier than 11:40 so I guess you'll have to hang around for a bit. You can come with me to lock all the doors if you like." My shoulders shrugged in response. Might as well, besides it would help me get to know the back of the building better. He slipped out the doorway with me following close behind. It was dark back here compared to the main room. I grunted unhappily whenever my foot would knock into the random assortment of junk they kept on the floor. And yet Vincent flowed down the hallway as if he had it memorized, which I guess he probably did.

"So, if you don't mind me asking, Penelope. Why'd you chose here?" he asked when we got to the first door. "I'm sure there are better places, not that you should quit, I'm not implying that." I paused to consider the question.

"Well I needed a job, and from what I heard this place was basically hiring on the spot...and well...I have some family ties to this restaurant-kinda." My voice softening at the end, my fingers pushing through my bangs nervously.

"Are you related to the owner or something?" He asked making me wonder if I should have mentioned it at all.

"Uh...no nothing like that." Pausing to swallow, should have kept my big mouth shut. Vincent didn't need to know. "You heard of the old restaurant right?" We had reached the third door, it's lock sliding into place with a pitiful click.

"Yes, I worked there for a bit before this one opened."

"Oh," geez, he's worked here a lot longer than I originally thought, he must get paid more than me or something. "Well I used to go there when I was younger, not that I was really into it but my younger brother really liked it and my parents couldn't always watch us when they were working so it was sort of like a daycare for us." Thinking back to the returning customers I had seen today in the restaurant. They were probably just like my family was.

"Mmhmm," he said urging me on.

"Well...one day we went there and he was just gone. He and four other kids went missing. I'm sure you remember the investigation if you worked there. It was horrible." My voice quieted to a whisper since a lump had formed in my throat. It had been a few years and I was coping but bringing it up still hurt. Vincent stopped and faced me when we reached the back office again. I blinked a few times just to make sure no tears had formed.

"I'm...sorry for your loss. I don't mean to pry but, why would that make you want to work here? I would think it would be the exact opposite." Forcing a smile I replied,

"That's what my parents said when they found out. It might be hard to understand seeing as I don't fully know why. But something about being here makes me feel close to him." I didn't add in the part where working here might give me some answers as to where he was, that would always be kept to myself.

"No, no I understand that feeling all too well." He turned away slightly, obviously not interested in sharing his story. Not really needing him to know all that yet at the same time, it felt good to talk about it even just a little bit. Especially because he seemed to sympathize in a way that didn't feel preachy or fake.

"Well, I should get going," I said after a short pause, it was almost midnight.

"Probably best, and Penelope." I paused in the doorway. "I'm sorry to hear about your brother, but I'm grateful you told me. It must be hard working here with those memories. If I can ever help just let me know." he said, that sad looking smile plastered on his face again. My cheeks warmed slightly.

"Thanks, Vincent."