Sorry it's so short... School started today and it's all I could get in. Anyway, I'm working on the next chapter as of now and I'll be sure to make it at LEAST 1000 words this time. Love you all 3

~xXLoveThatAccentXx

Mike started up the engine of his truck. The truck sputtered and complained, but tonight, Mike didn't flinch. He was too lost within his own world to pay much attention to reality.

Mike's 'Amy Withdrawals', as Freddy called them, were pretty strong yesternight, and Chica had advised him to pay a visit to Jeremy at the other location; help him ward off robots so that it'd get his mind off of the girl. Of course, she'd also advised him to tell Jeremy about Amy, but the subject was just far too personal to share yet. He just hoped Jeremy wouldn't ask.

The drive seemed longer than it really was. The moon glared down at him through the windshield, less a kind lantern and more the intimidating ball of rock it really was. For some reason, it made Mike apprehensive. Something seemed... off, tonight.

He pulled into the parking lot. People were still locking up, despite it being nearly twelve o'clock. He peered through the windows, but couldn't spot his friend.

Inside was even weirder. People avoided his gaze. Some held cleaning supplies. But it was only when Mike saw the clerk quickly tearing down a 'now hiring' sign that it clicked.

The dread came as a cold trickle down his back. Slowly he backed away, then veered into the hallway, picking up pace.

The hallway was a little full, with employees bustling left and right, but Mike managed to find Mr. Smalls among the crowd. The manager, upon seeing him, stilled, his eyes going dead.

"Where's Jeremy?" Mike asked hesitantly.

The manager seemed at a loss for words.

"Where is he?!" Mike demanded this time, the tone of his voice starting that he wouldn't leave without an answer.

Mr. Smalls sighed. He hid his hands behind his back; a clear gesture of submission. What he was about to tell Mike wasn't going to be good.

"How do I word this..."

Mike was late five days. The restaurant had already removed most of the evidence of the struggle, although there really wasn't much.

The public hadn't been informed. Neither had the police or even any private detectives; the janitor had arrived that morning, saw the bloodstains, and had cleaned them up without a word.

Jeremy himself hadn't been found, but with so much blood and so many scratches littering the floor, it was pretty clear he was dead.

"What's more," Mr. Smalls informed, leading a shocked Mike to the Prize Corner. "Our Puppet has gone missing. We believe it's been stolen."

Mike couldn't believe it. He literally couldn't process what he was being told. His friend was dead. He would never see him again. He was dead.

Why? Why did this always happen to Mike? People got close to him, and then they left. First, his parents. Then his guardians. Then Amy. Now Jeremy. Who was next? Chica? Freddy?

Mr. Smalls placed a hand on Mike's shoulder. "I'm so sorry, Mike. If you like, I can put a word in to your boss; give you a few days off. I understand how it must feel - he was like a little brother to my staff and I..."

"...no... no, I'll - I'll be okay." Mike was not going to be okay. He was suddenly overcome with grief as he realized for the first time that Jeremy wasn't ever coming back. It even slipped past him t hat Mr. Smalls had actually gotten his name right. "Who will be doing to night watch, though?"

"We've already hired. He's in the office now if you would like to meet him. Maybe you can help him tonight."

That was the last thing Mike wanted to do - accept so quickly the death of his friend - but he decided to be polite. He agreed.

Mr. Smalls lead him to the office, despite Mike already knowing his way around. Behind the desk was some guy of high school age messing with the maintenance of a computer, using a screwdriver to fix a few tweaks. He had black hair and a few piercings and looked very familiar.

"We hired him just today. Really, he's more of a technician. Very helpful." Mr. Smalls was saying, but Mike wasn't paying attention anymore. He crept toward the guy, trying to get a better look at him.

That's when he realized. "...Fritz?"

The guy jerked, bumping the table and causing the computer to rock dangerously. He quickly caught it before tilting his head up to attention. He narrowed his eyes when he saw Mike.

"Do I know you?" He had the voice of a snake charmer; clever and somewhat deceitful.

"Um. I saw you punch a guy at the library."

"Oh." Fritz rubbed the back of his head. "Right. Oh! You're that dude!"

"You two know each other?" Mr. Smalls sounded disbelieving. "Again?"

"Small world." Fritz had the slight expression of a deer in the headlights as he said this.

"Why'd you get the job? Aren't you in a gang?"

"Um. We're trying to save up for something. Someone... recommended it to me?"

They're trying to get you killed. Mike thought grimly, remembering Jeremy. The memory came with a two-ton weight of grief. Mike swallowed and tried to keep his cool.

"So. You'll need a few pointers, won't you?"