-"This time, I won't be afraid.. I won't fail.. I.. Won't.. Fail.."
Those words were so true, this promise she made to herself was so real, Genesis immediately got up from the ground and headed to the main area, the bear head still firmly squeezed between her arms. She wasn't willing to waste any time, she was going to talk to both the animatronics and the blond guy, tonight..
She made her way through the long hallway, the moonlight illuminating her path, and was soon accepted by profound darkness engulfing the dining area. As she went deeper into the dimness, she recognised the silhouettes of Freddy, Bonnie, and Chica standing on stage, stone-still. Their eyes that once were shining bright, were now totally black, empty..
Her chest started aching from the ferocious beats, fright and anger boiling inside her, as she approached the now a bit visible stage, her eyes adjusting to the dark, but her heart not accepting the situation, fearing the worst..
-"N..No.. This.. can't be.. Th..They can't die.. Right?.. What did they do.. the workers.. did they do something?.."
Hastening heartbeats were more and more audible throughout the room, and Genesis was standing in front of the animatronics, stunned for very long moments, her brain drained of everything, until her body could no longer bear the aches of her burning chest, and all of a sudden, she jumped on stage, yelling at the numb robots in a deafening yet lamentable voice.
-"No! No! You can't.. Die! Not yet! There are children who need you! I NEED YOU!"
She tried shaking the nearest one, still crying out with all her might.
-"Wake up! P..Please wak.." and her voice cracked, a hurting dry throat not allowing her to continue pleading the animatronics to listen to her and help her with finding the missing children..
-"All that I wanted was to rescue these poor kids, but I couldn't do anything..", she thought so as she leant on the back of the unshakeable animatronic, arms dangling in exhaustion, being able to only mutter low sobs and pained moans.
Her right fist moved on her own and hit the metallic surface, and soon followed the left one, weak slow hits echoed repeatedly in the room, mixed with heavy short breaths and low mumbles.. And with no warning, a mechanical growl burst out from the animatronic, whose belly lit up brightly, and a soft calming lullaby ensued shortly after..
It alarmed the young Genesis and she stepped away, fixing the large robot with wide watery hazel eyes. He didn't move at all, but the lullaby went on playing, bringing back sweet memories to the mind of the child; this was the same song she used to listen to before going to sleep. She remembered the music box she used to have and cherish the most within the few belongings of hers that her parents luckily didn't throw away.. A lonely tear escaped her eye, heated with the memory of her past life, that soon was wiped away by cold shaking fingers..
Genesis moved to the side and peeked at the face of the animatronic; it was Freddy. She stepped near and burried her face in his forearm, as she drifted away with the musical waves. His fur was as soft as Chica's, but it still felt warmer and better in some way.. Few seconds passed and the bear was moving his arm around the child's shoulder, encircling her closer. The movement surprised Genesis and she looked up at Freddy; he was.. looking back at her, but it was diffrent from before, he wasn't glaring, he was just.. staring.. with a soft expression, the hints of a smile threatening to stretch the corners of his mouth.. like he was lost in his own thoughts and sweet memories..
The child kept her gaze locked on his, as if it would allow her to enter his own small world, the one he was living in inside of his mind, if he had one.. Anyone with a face wearing such a deep expression as his would definitely have a mind.. A beautiful one..
-"Aren't you afraid?", Freddy spoke up in a deep low voice.
-"N-No.. Not at all.. Why would I be?", the girl replied nervously.
Freddy looked to the area in front of him, to the well arranged tables and empty chairs..
-"You're all alone in here, and it's dark..", he said.
-"I-I'm quite used to the darkness now.. B-But I'm not alone.. You are all here with me..", she explained, trying to sound cheerful despite the sadness gripping at her chest..
There was a faint smile that crossed the bear's face, but faded as soon as it appeared, and he sighed.
-"I heard the workers talking earlier.. Is this place really going to be shut down?", Genesis asked.
-"Yes, it's true..", the bear affirmed, "they already deactivated us..".
-"Then how come you are still.. Awake?".
-"We can switch ourselves on or off whenever we want to.. That's what the staff don't know about us..".
Genesis worringly turned to Bonnie and Chica.
-"So why aren't they awake yet?".
-"They chose not to..", Freddy sighed again.
-"They don't feel well, so they wanna keep sleepin' for a littl' while, young lady..", came in another voice.
The girl looked over at the source of the voice; it was Foxy, stepping out of Pirate Cove.
-"I'mma go and turn the lights on. Be right back, 'kay?", he announced. Freddy nodded to the fox, who went out of the room waving to Genesis. She waved back and looked up again to the bear, and he looked down at her. She felt his gaze penetrating her soul and seeing right through her mind, as if they've known each other for a long time..
-"The song will stop once the lights are on again", the brown robot said.
-"But why?", the girl protested.
-"The song was added to my system only to ensure the guests' safety and entertain them in case of a an electrical problem..", the animatronic explained briefly.
The place soon lit up again, and the lullaby stopped, much to the girl's disappointment.
Freddy took his hand off the kid's shoulder, stepped away and tilted his head down, closing his eyes and sighing, deeply and painfully..
-"A-Are you going to.. Go to sleep.. Like Bonnie and Chica?", the girl asked worryingly. The bear kept silent, not opening his eyes.
-"P-Please stay with me!", she shouted as she clung to his furry arm and hid her face with it, being on the verge of breaking into tears.
Freddy didn't say a word. Instead, he opened his eyes and turned his head slightly, his gaze falling on this intriguing sight beside him; a little kid clinging to him, glued to his arm, like her life depends on him.. It's true that he was an entertainer and children often hug him or cling to him when they refuse to leave, but this felt diffrent, this felt like a desperate call for help..
-"Odd enough.. Being with kids was always an obligation as my job.. This is the first time I.. FEEL.. Empathy.. Towards this kid.. I FEEL like I want to help her.. I NEED to.. Oddlly enough.." , the bear thought to himself as he eyed the petite figure sticking to him..
Freddy slowly moved his palm on the child's head patting it gently and spoke as softely as he could for not to scare her:
-"Fine then.. I'll stay with you..".
-"Really?! Thank you~!" , Genesis shouted happily and hugged the brown animal, squeezing him tight, then quickly let go and asked enthusiastically:
-"So what are we going to do now? Are you going to show me around? Are we going to play funny games? Ahh let me hear you singing! I never heard someone sing to me before..".
-"Take it easy, kid. You'll get the chance to do all of it. First things first, you mustn't make too much noise and disturb the others..", the bear warned.
-"Oww.. Sorry..", she said sheepishly.
-"Now then.. I'll be your guid and take you on a tour through the pizzeria..", Freddy said offering his hand and smiling feebly.
-"Squee! Can't wait!", the girl shouted joyfully, as she grabbed the animatronic's hand and pulled him out of the dining area.
I am so sorry for updating this late.. I know it's been more than three months since the last chapter but I really had no free time and I had to rewrite this chapter many times.. Anyways still no valid excuses but I assure you that I am finishing this story no matter what, and I have a pretty good plot for it.. Thanks for not unfollowing or un-favouriting hhhhhh I hope you are still enjoying this story :D