You Can't Fix What Not Broken
By
End Of Grace
A/N: THIS CHAPTER IS THE WORST! I have re-written it three or four times. Cut scenes and out new ones in and I'm still not happy with it. This chapter is also not been beta read because I've only just put the finishing touches on this pain in the arse chapter! It's not fully what I want but I seriously can't think of another way to write this chapter. Mike is going to be a little OOC but with what he is going though I think you can understand why. Have a tissues ready cause you're going to need them.
Chapter 21: You Can't Fix What Not Broken
"What do you mean it wasn't enough! We made a mint! We took almost double the takings!" Mike snapped angrily as he glared at this middle age man in a suit who sat uncomfortably at the pizzeria table surrounded by animatronics and glaring stuff. The man shifted in his seat, feeling every inch the scapegoat that he was. He got up this morning and went to the office as usual, only to find a message from the board of directors asking him to go down to the pizzeria and deliver the news and tell them what to expect for the next couple of months.
"And we are grateful for all the hard work and the idea of a more adult pizzeria in certainly going though but it's not enough. These things cost money! A LOT of money, money that the company simply doesn't have, we're just barely in the black as it is. Plus the deal that Critter County has offered us is the best we've been given and in all honesty, we would be foolish to refuse...their giving us a lot more for what they are getting. You'll all be on better pay as well, discounts and such...so I don't understand why…."
"Because Dahl is a creepy dictator who doesn't care about anything other than making money" Mike snapped, he knew he was being unreasonable but he was pissed, after all that hard work they were still going with Dahl's offer, what did that mean for nightmare animatronics? Where they going to a different store? What about Mangy? He wouldn't want to be separated from his new parents.
"Nevertheless, Dahl will be coming with his lawyers and such to start making the final arrangements, so get ready for any changes coming your way, all your contracts will be looked at and obviously there will be a few changes as well…."
Mike bit his lip to stop himself from swearing. He hated feeling so helpless, but there was really nothing he could do, he would just have to keep his eyes and ears open. He looked over at Freddy and Goldie, who were leaning close together and whispering, no doubt thinking the same thing he was.
"Sorry to bother you Mike, but aren't we meant to be over at the cove today?" Jack asked as he leaned against the wall.
"Huh? Yeah….ok. Shadow, come on, we better get going" said Mike as he held out his bag.
"Daddy! Can I stay here? I want to play with Sooty and Plush" Shadow asked him, holding a dvd "We're going to watch Aladdin"
Mike sighed and then looked at Bonnie "Will you be ok looking after him while your working?"
"He will be fine Mike" said Bonnie as he nuzzled into Mike's neck. "We're still on for tonight though right?"
Mike panicked and quickly placed his hands on Bonnie's muzzle, his face going bright red. Why? Why on earth had he agreed to a date with Bonnie? Well it wasn't really a date really, just some food for him and maybe a movie later but still did the bloody rabbit have to say it out loud?!
"Yes Bonnie! We're still on for tonight! But if Freddy or god forbid Goldie finds out what do you think they'll do?" Bonnie nodded sadly as Mike let him go and patted him on the head. "Look, I'll be back for the late shift, keep an eye on Shadow for me while I'll deal with Jack for the day at the cove and I'll see you later ok?"
Mike gave Bonnie a quick peck on the cheek and quickly hugged him before leaving with Jack to go to the cove. The drive was mainly quiet until Jack turned to him.
"You really think the world of those animatronics don't you? And that Pizzera?" said Jack, his tone curious instead of judging as Mike had expected.
"It was my favorite place in the world when I was a kid. My nan use to take me there every week, while my parents were at work or going to their fancy dinner parties, it was where I learnt my love of robotics and such…."
"Yeah….but a guy with your skill….I mean...those things...I mean animatronics….you could make them do almost anything right? I saw that little bear one helping out your mum with her paperwork….and the duck can cook right?"
"Chicken! Chica is a chicken and yeah...she can cook….but only what she is programed too"
"My point is...what if you programed her to learn every reserpe going and placed several of her in a big restaurant, there wouldn't be a need for humans would there? Also I know they come with first aid and stuff, so why not have them in a hospital too?" Jack asked.
"Because humans wouldn't like that" said Mike sadly "Older humans see them as freaks and no not just the nightmare ones. It's ok if there is a few of them and their there to entertain you or there only in certain places like the cove and the pizzeria but everywhere? Most adults would freak out"
"I guess...I mean even with the little interaction I've had with them, their amazing….it's almost like they're alive, you know. And I've been to Critter Country and I know their animatronics are no where near as good as these ones"
Mike sighed "Well...that might change since the bastards are buying us, though I would rather lose my job then build them animatronics, they treat them like shit. The cove has a few of the nightmare animatronics including the one that gave you the really big wet kiss too...so you might want to be on your guard"
Jack shivered "Did you have to remind me? So in this one, we have what? More bears?"
"No. The Cove is fun by Captain Foxy's, First Mate Mangle and the rest of the crew Net, Fred, Chi, Balloon Boy and Bubble Betty. Bonnie Blu is staying there for a bit to help out because of the nightmare animatronics which are Mangy the Fox, Bon-Bon the rabbit and Chloe the chicken. Foxy and Mangle have taken Mangy in as their son, Chi and Chica have taken Chloe as a sister and Bon-Bon…..is a flirt….a really nice bunny….but a flirt"
"Yeah...I know…" said Jack shiver as he remembered his kiss. "What do I do?"
Mike shrugged "Flirt back?"
Jack gave him an odd look and then both of them burst out with laughter.
Jack couldn't help but smile as the twins showed him their work station, the ice cream machine, and told him very sternly that if he wanted an ice-cream he must have a token.
"You can get a token from Mrs Jenny because your staff but DON'T be like Jeremy! He likes to try and sneak extra when he knows we're busy!" said BB firmly. "You want extra, you have to pay, that's the rules!"
"Ok BB I get it, but what if an adult wants ice cream, can they get some?" he asked.
"Only if they have a token it's ok. Some try and get some for free but we tell them off, sometimes that works and other times we have to call Matt" said Betty as she shook her head "Some adults can be really bad"
"Oh...so what does Matt do about the bad adults?" Jack asked leaning in close "Does he beat them up?"
BB and Betty looked at each other and then burst out laughing "Matt doesn't beat people up silly! Matt tells them to calm down and leave or he calls the police. Matt wouldn't hurt a fly!"
"Are you sure?" Jack asked feel low that they were laughing at him.
"Well he did get a bit angry that one time a lady tapped her son's hand…." said Betty thoughtfully "But Mike was there to explain that we're not allowed to stop parents disciplining their children, beatings we can stop, but not things like a tap on the hand"
"I see…." said Jack as he tapped his chin and thought to himself "So Matt listens to Mike a great deal...that can come in handy later…."
Jack walked around the room and watched as people got ready for opening when something slithered around his waist, making him jump, as he looked around at a strange animatronic.
"Hello" it whispered as more tentacle like limbs wrapped around him, holding him tightly "I understand...your undercover…."
Jack jumped and quickly tried to school his face back to its smiling one "I have no idea…."
"Please don't lie to me…." it spoke softly "I'm the second oldest animatronic in the group and very little happens without my knowledge. If you really must know, Mike told Goldie and Freddy, who then told me and Foxy, we're very protective of our homes you see…"
"I wouldn't have guessed" Jack laughed nervously "I'm not here to cause trouble…."
"I know….but I think you need to speak to Foxy...he...has information you might want to hear"
The strange animatronic then slowly slid off of him and Jack watched as it climbed into a large box with a handle on the side and lowered itself in, its dark eyes watching him until the last moment until the lid shut down with a click. Jack shivered as he walked over to the large stage to where the three foxes, two rabbits and chickens were standing and talking. He had already met Foxy from his night shifts at Freddy's and he had to say the fox was still intimidating during the day. How could kids possible like these things?
"Today we be traveling to the island of the lost treasure of the great kings and then later we be on the run from the evil baron Blu for stealing his treasure" said Foxy to Mangle and Mangy, then to Chi and Chloe "We also be having three birthday parties, two for lads and one for a lass, thirty children in each party. Be making sure all party bags are ready to hand out before the party starts and the games are set up, we can not be caught unprepared, it's not the way The Cove does business. Blu and Bon, ya be in charge of the floor and watching the children. Be sure to also keep an optic out for any villains that may dare to cross into our borders. We have a busy day me crew, so all hands on deck and we'll weather this storm till the closing hour"
"Aye Aye Captain" said the group, all smiling and saluting before going off to their posts, leaving Jack standing there.
"Ah...Jack, Welcome to The Cove mate, you'll be working on the floor today with young Mike while Matt be in the guard room"
"Er...yes...ok" said Jack when he noticed that Foxy's eyebrow cocked upwards "I mean Aye Aye Captain Foxy sir"
Foxy gave a deep laugh and patted Jack on the shoulder and then held his hook up to Jack's face "Tis fine lad, but you must always call me Captain here, can't be breaking the image for the little ones, or be showing disrespect"
"Yeah...um...Foxy...I mean Captain Foxy...the um...the crew member in the box, he said you wanted to talk to me about...something…"
"That be right. Come with me" said Foxy as he turned around and climbed on to the stage and walked behind the curtain and Jack quickly followed. He walked with Foxy to the backstage area until they couldn't go any further and Foxy turned and leaned against the wall.
"This be the only place that doesn't have a security camera, we can speak plainly here with no fear of being overheard, and I will be blunt...ya not really be welcome here...officer" said Foxy with sneer.
"Damn...if I seriously didn't know that this thing was a robot...I'd swear it was alive...its reactions are amazing" Jack thought before quickly shaking off his amazement "I understand that you and your crew have had trouble from the police in the past and such. But this time I'm on your side! Cause you seriously don't want a serial killer anyway near the children do you?"
"Certainly not!" Foxy snapped as he waved his hook violently before calming back down and leaning back against the wall. "Let me be asking you...how sure are ye about Matt being the blacken ya looking for?"
"My gut is screaming at me that he's the guy...he matches the profile, has a history with this place...and there is the way he's around other adults….but I don't have any evidence…"
Foxy hummed and tapped his chin with his hook before sighing "I may have some for ye. I took a look at my memory bank last night, mostly trying to see if that lad has shown any odd behaviour before, when I recalled his actions the day of the manager's murder"
The hairs on Jack's arms stood on end "What is it Captain?"
"The manager was not a good one and I did not shed a tear for his passing" said Foxy "The scandal was a waste of space and had his hand in harming one of me crew….which is what I am guessing caused his early demise"
"Not sure I'm following…"
"The day before his death, that fool of a manger hurt one of our crew in front of young Matt. Up till that day, the lad had been a delight and a hard worker, no longer needing to wear his gloves….but the day after he was wearing them, his lips sore and bloody from biting and he was shall we say, a bit on the aggressive side. Something had greatly upset him"
Jack tried to picture it in his mind. Matt had found a job, friends and stability, which was enough to give up his life as the biter, then along come this manager who had harmed this new found life and he felt he had to punish him for doing it and then of course he was upset because he had fallen back into his bad habits.
"Is there anyone else how can collaborate on your story Captain?" Jack asked.
"The boy Jeremy tended to his hands and no doubt has kept a record of it in the first aid book. Would that be aiding ya any?"
"More than you know Captain, thank you, we'll keep this quiet for now and I'll speak to my chief tonight about it...see if we can't get a warrant to search Matt's house or something..."
"Watch your step Jack. Do not forget that Matt is watching the cameras and if he is as dangerous as ya say….it be best you don't get caught"
-Line Break-
The afternoon lunch rush was more than a little bit noisy. Children ranging from babies, toddlers and small children. Parents were either turning a blind eye or yelling for their children to behave. Jack felt like running out the back and hiding for a while but knew that would only make him look suspicious in Matt's eyes, so he stayed put, though honestly he had to give Mike and the others credit, how they were able to do this day after day was beyond him. Give him drug dealers anyday. He spotted a small boy bouncing up and down, crossing his legs as he looked around frantically for someone. Feeling sorry for the poor kid, Jack rushed over and knelt beside him.
"Hey buddy, you ok, need the toilet?"
The small boy nodded, his eyes tearing up "But I can't find my mummy! He said if I need to go I have to go with him...but I really need to go"
"Well, I'm a security guard here so I can take you, then on the way back we can find your mummy ok?"
"Got to be really quick…" the small boy cried as he held his arms out for Jack to pick him up. Jack scooped the small boy up and was near the boy's loos when a scream went though the restaurant, making him stop to see a woman came running towards him with a face like thunder.
"YOU! What the hell do you think your doing with my kid?" she demanded, snatching the boy out of his arms and glaring at him.
"Sorry madam but your son really needs the toilet and he couldn't find you…" Jack tried to explain but the woman continued to shout over him.
"You sick bastard! You should be arrested! Where is the security in this place? Somebody get me a manager!"
"Mummy I need the toilet" the boy cried loudly as he tried to get out of his mother's arms.
"In a minute! Let me deal with this first!"
"Madam, deal with your son first and I'll get the manager for you" said Jack, noticing the boy was straining to hold it in.
"What? So you can tell her a pack of lies?" the woman hissed viciously.
"Is everything alright here Jack?" Matt asked as he appeared from the back corridor.
"Finally!" the woman snapped at Matt "Where have you been? This man has just tried to….AHHH SHIT! ALEX!"
The poor boy couldn't hold it anymore as he peed himself, the pee trickling down his leg from his shorts, all over his mother, Jack and Matt both pulling faces at the smell.
"Jenny, we got a code yellow, by the boys restroom" said Matt into his walkie talkie "we might also have a code black as well"
"THIS IS ALL HIS FAULT!" screamed the mother pointing her finger at Jack and placing her son down hard on the floor and slapping him on the back of the leg. "And what have I told you about….AAAAAAAAAAAHH!"
The woman suddenly found herself pinned against a wall, her arm twisted behind her back, Matt's angrily holding her in place.
"The boy did nothing wrong! He was trying to go to the bathroom before you stopped him and started acting like an idiot! Apologize! NOW!" Matt snapped before biting down hard on his lip.
"Matt...you're not helping!" said Jack his hand slowly reaching for his hidden gun.
"Oh dear, what's going on here then? Matt, please let the lady up, I'm sure she meant no harm" said Mike calmly as he came over with Shadow and knelt down in front of the small boy. "Hello Alex. Its nice to see you. Had a little accident huh? It's ok. I have some dry clothes in my office, we can quickly wash and dry your clothes as give mum a nice big coffee as well" Matt then stood up and smiled brightly at the woman "Hello Mrs Wilkins, I'm sorry if our new guard frightened you, he doesn't know all our policies yet, I do apologies on his behalf"
"Guard?" the woman looked confused and looked Jack over before noticing his badge and Freddy Fazbear logo, as Matt backed off and let go of her arm "Oh….I thought..."
"Yeah...let's go and have that cup of coffee and sort out Alex, then you and I can talk and fill out a form or two…." said Mike still all smiles as he put Shadow down and picked Alex up, being careful of the wet patches in the boy's shorts and started to lead the mother across the floor towards his office as Jenny came up to them with Chloe who was holding a mop and bucket.
"Matt! In my office now! Jack, can you take over the cameras for me please?" said Jenny, her voice shaking with anger. "And let's hope for both your sakes, that Mike can calm her down, otherwise we'll all be in trouble"
Jack quickly went to the camera room as Jenny had asked, though his mind wasn't really focusing on them, he was to wound up for that. He kept thinking about how Matt was biting his lip after that stupid woman had slapped her son. The way his eyes washed over with a deep seated hated and the way his body trembled. He pulled out his mobile and quickly texted his chief about getting a warrant to look inside Matt's house and arrest him. He had to tread carefully now but more importantly speak to Mike and get him on side, since it appeared Matt listen to him, he might be the only one able to speak to Matt about handing himself in otherwise like with most killers when they get caught, it could get very bloody.
"Hey Jack! You ok? Had you've had quite a bad day"
Jack leapt out of his seat and spun around to see Jeremy coming in and dumping his bag to the side. "Jeremy? What are you doing here?"
"Jenny called. She sent Matt home to cool his head. She told me what happened and luckily Mike was able to talk the woman out of suing or reporting Matt. Don't know how he does it, but it's kinda creepy how all those single moms all seem to fawn over him"
"Yeah but you didn't answer my question…?"
"Oh, it's mainly because she wants to talk to you as well so needs me to cover the cameras while Mike takes the floor. Besides I've got the late shift here and…."
"JEREMY!"
Jack watched as Chi the chicken partially flung herself at the younger man almost knocking him off of his feet.
"You said you weren't going to be here until late! I've been so lonely without you!" she cried hugging him tightly.
"Chi, you only saw me the other night I haven't been gone that long, and could we not do this in front of the new guy?"
Chi violently twitched and for the briefest second Jack could have sworn her optics had gone red.
"What? Are you ashamed of me? Is that it?"
"Chi, you know it's not that, it's just that Jack is new and…."
"Well maybe Jack can stay here and keep you company tonight" Chi sniffed and stomped out of the room but not before sending a hateful glare at Jack and then slamming the door shut. There was an awkward silence, as Jeremy rubbed the back of his neck and started moving things about to avoid looking Jack in the face.
"Sorry about that…" he muttered, still red in the face.
"Don't worry about it. Actually Jeremy, I had an accident where I cut myself on my hand, I was told to get it in something called an accident book?"
"Oh...yeah, I can do it for you, it's in the office me and Mike use for the kids…"
"Oh no, I can do it, beside I need to learn these things right?"
"Yeah I guess, it's in the top draw of the filing cabinet, in the second file along, it's a green notebook not the red one. Put it under today's date, and a rough description on what happened and where and then sign"
"What's the red one?"
"Oh that's the absence book. You know for when people call in or leave early because there to sick or they can't make it for whatever reason"
"Great...would you mind covering me while I'll go and do it?"
"Yeah sure man. It should be empty in there since Mike's back on the floor, I saw him helping Betty and BB with the ice cream machine"
Jack quickly walked down the corridor and though the main floor, making sure Mike was where Jeremy had said, cleaning the twins up who had gotten ice cream in their joints. He glanced over at the stage and saw the other animatronics where there acting out for the children. He quickly walked into the office and locked the door behind him.
-Line Break-
Matt slammed into his house and let out a small scream of rage. Why! WHY! Why did parents like that bitch get away with it! She slapped her kid! He hadn't done anything wrong! He was only trying to find her and go to the bathroom! And he had done the right thing by going to Jack! A security guard! BUT NO! That stupid fucking ugly hag had to stick her stupid nose in and humiliate not only her son but also Jack as well who was only trying to help the boy! Yes, he had been told before about manhandling the customers but she was in the wrong, even Jenny had said so but she had to follow the rules. He knew by alrights he should have been fired but Mike had spoken to the customer and had gotten her to apologise for her actions if he apologized as well. It had been galling and it made him want to rip the woman's throat out but he did it for Mike and Jenny as well who were both sticking their necks out by supporting him. Jenny, bless her truly, had told him to go home to cool off and she'll make it out that he had been sick and had to go home early. Which was a good thing, since he wouldn't want the Captain and the gang to see him like this nor any of the children either, he was livid. He need to hurt something, he needed to bite something, he wanted blood. He stalk though his home and slammed the door to his basement open and ran down the stairs. What happened next was a blank in his memory, he honestly couldn't remember, just the screams that rang in his ears did eventually stop and when he looked in the mirror in his bathroom, his face was caked heavily in blood and so was his shirt. How did that happen? And when did he get to the bathroom? Ah who cared, he felt better and was in need of a bath. Once he got washed and dressed, he thought about eating and maybe checking up on Mike's dad. His days of listening to Freddy's songs seemed to be doing the trick, the man could only mumble the lyrics when he ever he tried to speak, which was good, great even, soon he would be a Freddy fan just like him and his son. Oh dear there was blood all over his floor, when did that happen? Did he cut himself? He quickly grabbed his mop and washed away the blood, humming a tune under his breath, as he reached into his freezer and placed a microwave meal in to cook. Now he was all comfortable, he could go down and check in on Mr Schmidt, he would be in need of some water right about now. He continued to hum as he walked down the stairs and then stopped as he looked at the mangled corpse on his workbench. Most of his facial skin had been ripped off and so had some of the flesh, showing the bone beneath. One eye was opened wide, the isis as wide as it could get, reflecting on the victim's terror before he died. The other eye had been galgude out, leaving a small red tunnel of muscle and a long tear of blood down what remained of the facial skin. There had been a neck at one point but most of it now was lying on either side of the body, looking like small piles of mush. Large chunks of skin and flesh splattered over on to the floor, mostly coming from the once man's arms, legs and chest. Matt could also see that the corpse was missing a few fingers, he wondered were they had gotten to, when he noticed them on the other side of the room on the other work bench, lying amongst his tools. The genitalia had also been bitten off as well, but he couldn't see it, even as he got a bit closer, must be among the piles somewhere on the floor. Matt tilted his head to the side and blinked before sighing. He remembered now, he came in in such a bad mood and had killed Mr Schmidt, what a shame. Well, that was how the cookie crumbled he shrugged, it was a shame really he had been making such good progress with him. Mike was better off without him anyway and plus with him gone so was the threat to the pizzeria, Mike might be a little upset but still. Oh well he thought when he heard the small ding of the microwave upstairs. He simply smiled and gave the corpse a small wave before going back upstairs to eat his dinner, for some reason he felt he had worked up an appetite.
-Line Break-
Bonnie stood nervously over the table and started to move the napkins again. He wanted this to be perfect. All though he couldn't eat, he still set the table for two and even had one of the fake light up candles in the middle of the table for atmosphere. He went over to the sound system and check the cassette player was working. Emily had leant them a couple of her mum's old ones when Chica told her they only had a cassette player in store. It was supposedly full of love songs which to Bonnie was just perfect for tonight. He next went over to the kitchen and politely knocked on the door and waited for Chica to answer it. The yellow chicken popped her head out of the door and groaned when she saw Bonnie.
"Bonnie! I've told you a dozen times already, I'll put his pizza in when he here, otherwise it will either get burnt or will be cold if I do it now."
"Yes...but have you made it? So it is ready to go in the oven? And are those cans of drinks in the fridge? So their cold?"
"Bonnie, you're making my hard drive burn, yes! EVERYTHING is ready! Now get back to the main floor otherwise you'll miss Mike coming in"
Chica then slammed the door shut and Bonnie nervously thought about going to the main floor but decided to stop at the bathroom first. He looked into the large mirror and started patting down his fur. He rubbed his ears and checked his teeth, making sure they were clean, and the fiddled with his bow tie. It was his best and lucky one. It didn't smell of mothballs or had any stains on it. He checked himself again before nodding at his reflection and left to the main floor again, internally looking up the time, Mike would be there soon. He went to the main floor and quickly went over the table to check it again. His optics narrowed. Someone had moved the glass over by 0.2mm from where he had put it and the knife was the wrong way round as well. His ears shot up when something or somethings stifled their giggling from underneath the table. He bent down and poked his head under the table cloth and sighed.
"Shadow! Sooty! You know you're meant to be sitting with Freddy right about now" said Bonnie as he pulled the two small animatronics out with his arms.
"But I want to go on the date with you and Daddy too…" Shadow sulked "Sooty was going to be my date!"
Sooty tilted his hat politely and smiled as Bonnie growled lowly "You're not old enough to date yet!"
"When am I going to be old enough? I'm not old enough for a winky and I'm not old enough to date! It's not fair!" Shadow started to cry and throw his arms and legs everywhere, almost making Bonnie drop him and Sooty. Bonnie quickly scanned the smaller bunny, noticing that the small bunny's warning systems were kicking in due to the lack of rest but Shadow was still fighting it.
"My apologies Bonnie" said Freddy as he came into the room "I was dealing with the security cameras with Goldie and those two snuck out of the TV room"
"It's fine Freddy" said Bonnie as he handed the two animatronic children over "But Shadow is in need of some much needed rest! Urgently" said Bonnie looking down at the small bunny who was still struggling though weakly.
"I understand...oh gotta go, Mike is walking across the car park, good luck Bonnie!" smirked Freddy as he saw the smaller human coming towards the pizzeria and quickly made his exit.
Bonnie only had seconds to panic and then calm down before Mike walked through the door.
Mike looked around the room and ran his hand through his long hair and laughed softly.
"Wow….wow...Bonnie….when you said you wanted a date….I didn't expect you to go all out like this" he said as he slid of his coat and bag onto an empty table. "Feel kinda bad for not dressing up a little"
"You look wonderful Mike" said Bonnie as he kiss Mike softly on his lips before ushering him into the booth. "Chica has made you your favorite pizza and we got your favourite drink in by the bottle so it won't be watered down"
"Really? Jeez you really didn't have to go all out like this" said Mike his cheeks going red "Don't get me wrong or anything, it's really nice….just…."
"I wanted it to be special" said Bonnie as he too slid into the booth opposite Mike "Special romantic not special Goldie style"
Mike snorted and smiled as he watched Bonnie fidget "Dare I ask?"
"It went along the lines of changing your office into a love dangon, he said he could hire the stuff out or something, he was on his way to do just that when Freddy grabbed him by the ear and told him off"
Mike laughed out loud as Chica came out of the kitchen carrying a tray with Mike's pizza and drink in a glass and professionally placed them down in front of him with a smug look on her face.
"Thanks Chica, it looks fantastic" said Mike as he picked up a slice.
"Your welcome Mike, the rest of your drink is in the fridge if you want anymore and Bonnie can get you dessert, now if you excuses me, I actually have work to do" Chica said this in a friendly tone but sent a glare in Bonnie's direction at the end as she made her way back to the kitchen, Bonnie cringing slightly.
"What did you do?" Mike asked with a slight smile.
"I might have bothered Chica….a little bit….a bit….a lot" said Bonnie as he rubbed his ear, making Mike laugh even more. Time dragged on and the large Bunny and his human sat and simply talked about their day, their son and about general things, just as couples do. Once Mike finished his pizza, Bonnie pulled Mike to his feet and turned on the tape player, and started to spin Mike around. It will be a memory Bonnie would save and password and encrypted so no one could ever delete it.
Meanwhile across town, Jack and his superiors were going over the evidence that Jack had accumulated and started to devise a plan and only prayed that it wouldn't end in a massacre.
-Line Break-
Mike sleepy made his way back home on his own, Shadow was still fast asleep, it was better for the small bunny to sleep and rest his system, no doubt he was going to have a busy day today with everyone. He yawned loudly as he went to open the door to his apartment building when a police car skidded to a halt just a few feet away from him and Jack came running out.
"Mike….I need you to come with me now!"
"Jack...what's….?"
"We're about to raid Matt's home, so we need you to come to the station, your mother has already been picked up as well"
Mike quickly got into the car, suddenly wide awake as his stomach twisted and rested heavily against his intestines, his mind spinning on whether or not he should text or message the pizzeria about what was going on, just so the animatronics knew what was going on and could act...just in case.
"Why am I thinking like this? It's Matt for christ sake! Matt! He wouldn't hurt a fly. Their going to break in to Matt's house and find nothing! Then I can go back to just worrying about my mum and my job" thought Mike as he was led through the station to the waiting room where his mom was waiting for him. They were left sat in there for hours, they barely spoke as his mother chain drank the police's really bad coffee. Mike kept looking at his mobile and wondering if he should call but the police had told him not to incase anyone informed Matt. It was almost eleven when the door to the room opened and Jack and a large important looking man stepped in. Their faces white and somber.
"Mrs Schmidt, Mike, I'm Chief Hudson, I'm the head of this department. I have some bad news. This morning we raided the house of a suspect we believed to be the killer we know to be the biter, sadly he wasn't there but we found your husband….I'm sorry, but he's dead"
His mother gasped and clenched her hands tightly together as if this action would stop her from crying. He didn't know what to feel. It was happening too fast. Matt? Matt killed his dad? It didn't make sense.
"The odd thing is from what we can tell, he was alive up until last night, he also was surrounded by Freddy Fazbear pictures and was being forced to listen to their songs as well. It was like the killer was trying to force him to like the place" The chief continued as his eyes flicked over to Mike. "You know the gentleman in question Mr Schmidt, any idea why he would do something like that?"
"Huh? Oh..um..no….well..I don't know...Matt thinks the world of that place...it's like a sanctuary to him...maybe he thought he could make my dad a better person….I don't know. Are you sure it was Matt's house? Could someone had planted my dad there?"
"Mike!" his mother snapped tears streaming down her face. "Why are you defending him? He murdered your father!"
"Because Matt wouldn't do it! He's a good guy! He's been through some really bad shit with his family and health and he's finally gotten better and now you guys are trying to pin it all on him!"
The chief sighed as he opened a file he had been carrying and pulled out a couple of pictures, one of them being his father's remains, and placed them down in front of Mike.
"I understand this is hard for you to believe Mike. But you got to! Because we need your help in arresting him" said the chief as he watched Mike look over the pictures and picked one up. Mike shakily picked up the photo and stared at it. It was of a tatty looking Foxy mask, but that wasn't' what he was looking at, it was the photo behind it that he could just make out. He knew it well, he had his own copy of it in his apartment, it was a picture of him, Mark and Matt outside of the hospital all dressed up as pirates with the animatronics. His heart sank, a cold feeling crept through his body, making him feel numb.
"Mike" Jack spoke softly as he sat next to him "I know this is hard, but I need to know why Matt wasn't at home this morning and where would he be now?"
Huh? Mike thought as he tried to arrange his thoughts, but the photos were making it hard for him to focus. "What's today? Friday? Right...um...Friday is when the Cove has it's early morning delivery but it comes after Jeremy leaves so Matt would have had to have gone in early to sort it out"
"Shit!" Jack hissed under his breath as he looked at the chief, the older man looking very worried and concerned. "So he's at work right now?"
"Yeah….he would be in the security room" said Mike softly.
"Mr Schmidt, we need you to cooperate with us, if we go there all lights flashing, Matt could escape or worse take hostages, we need you to go in there and distract him while we evacuate the place and maybe have him surrender without having to hurt him" said the chief. "We will of course provide you with a vest and a gun for your protection but only for you to use for protection understand? You use it to extract some sort of revenge I'll make sure you go down for twenty years or more!"
It was during the chief's little speech that something in Mike clicked and made his eyes widened with horror. Matt….was the biter….the serial killer….a killer that was in a building full of kids and their parents. Kids. Kids he had sworn to protect. He pulled out his mobile and quickly punched in a number.
"Jenny? Its Mike! NO! Look listen, go and grab Foxy and take him to the back of the stage, there are no cameras there! Just do it now!" Mike glanced at the chief and nodded his head. "Foxy? Yeah...it's about Matt...I need you guys to act normally until I get there...then Jenny I want you to make up some excuse to get Matt out of the security room for a few minutes, allowing me to get in there unseen, once that's done….I need you to quietly evacuate the building…."
-Line Break-
Matt clicked from one screen to another, humming along with one of Foxy's songs being played over the loudspeakers, a small smile on his face. Jenny had expected his apologies this morning and told him, he was on a warning for his behaviour, so he had to be good for at least a year before the warning was off of his record. He could do that. Then he and the animatronics quickly got the delivery in while the rest of the staff turned up. It was odd that Mike had rang in to say he was going to be late but then it was dealing with Shadow, so Matt could understand why, Mike did care a lot about his bunny after all. It was odd seeing Jenny flittering around the floor like she was but then again from what he could tell some of the staff hadn't come in today, so poor Jenny must be picking up the slack, he would have to get her a treat later. Mangle and Mangy were on stage but strangely Foxy wasn't...for some reason Foxy was working the floor, talking to children and parents alike, must be making sure everyone is alright after yesterday. He jumped out of his seat when there was a sudden knock on the office door.
"Jenny? What are you doing back here?"
"Matt…" she panted holding a large box "I know you're watching the cameras but I'm so far behind….I need you to take these decorations to party room three and put them out for me?"
"But who will be watching the children?"
"Foxy is on the floor and so is Net, but I've got to get back into the office as the company is going to ring me about what is going to happen to the nightmare animatronics and us, so I really need your help!"
Matt was torn. He really should stay and watch the cameras but he did owe Jenny a favor and the poor lady was rushed off her feet. Party room three wasn't all that big...he could be done within five to ten minutes, Foxy could handle anything on the floor as well.
"Ok Jenny" said Matt as he got up and took the large box from her.
"Thanks Matt! You're a lifesaver" said Jenny as she quickly ran back to the floor.
-Line Break-
Mike quickly ran up to the cove after getting Jenny's text and pushed through the doors. The police were just out of sight of the cameras and had quickly placed the vast under his shirt and quick instructions on the gun should he need it, yet right now, his main concern was getting people out before Matt finished in the party room. Jenny was rushing with the staff to lock up all the tills and safe while the animatronics were getting the children and their parents ready to leave. Foxy spotted Mike and quickly cut him off before he went running back stage.
"Out of the way Foxy!" Mike snapped.
"Belay that lad! You're not thinking with a clear head, which ye be needing against such a foe" said Foxy sternly as he waved his hook over at Net, who quickly came over, an odd frown on his usually cheerful face. "Meself and Net will be backing you up when you go to face him"
"No, I need you outside and looking after the kids Foxy, you too Net. If Matt gets away from me and get outside, I need you guys to stop him then before he gets to anyone else" said Mike taking deep breaths as he tried to keep his nerves and his temper, the gun burning against his back, constantly reminding him what was at stake.
"But Mike….Matt could…." said Net softly placing his hand on Mike's shoulder.
"I know….I guess I'm still having trouble believing he's….a monster…" said Mike and shook his head and pointed to the camera on the ceiling. "When you see that light go out, it will be your signal to get everyone out of here and get yourselves to safety as well. Your all to wait at the end of the street for the minibus that Thomas will be driving to collect you all in. You got that? No coming back for me! That is an order from your engineer!"
Foxy smirked "I be not one for taking orders lad, but ya spoke with a man's voice, and I will respect your wishes. Do us proud!"
Net said nothing as he wrapped himself around Mike tightly. Mike smiled weakly as he hugged back and patted Net on the back before stepping away and continuing on to the back rooms. Foxy placed his paw on Net shoulder, both still looking at the back door, with a look of anger.
"Far be it for me to order a senior animatronic, but I be sure ya be knowing what to do, should the betrayer come across your path?"
Net nodded as his dark eyes became slits as he turned and slowly walked out of the pizzeria and out of sight.
-Line Break-
Matt walked into the party room and set out the plates and hats, then the party bags, followed by the large happy birthday banner. He liked it back here, it was so quiet thanks to the thick fire doors and even when the parties started, the door would shut and would drown out the noise. Once done, he quickly folded up the box and tucked it under his arm and walked back to the security room. When he walked in, he was shocked to see Mike standing in front of the monitors.
"Oh...hello Mike...I didn't think you would make it in today. Is Shadow ok? Jenny said he was acting funny"
There were dark circles under Mike's eyes and he smiled tiredly "The little troublemaker hasn't been taking his naps or his oil, so his systems went into reserve mode and well….lets say its really not a good thing but he's ok now. And you? Get the delivery done ok?"
"Yep! No prob…..say Mike...you ok? You look really….I don't know...out of it. Maybe you should go home and rest up? I can give Jack or Jeremy a ring and get one of them to cover for you…"
Mike gave a rough chuckle and ran a hand through his hair "Yeah you could, but its best it was just Jeremy….Jack isn't coming back"
"Oh? Why not?" Matt asked as he placed the empty box in the bin.
"He was just under cover for a while, he's actually a cop of all things, can you believe that?" said Mike shrugging his shoulders. Matt felt his heart momentarily stop before it started to hammer heavily against his rib cage. He looked down at the floor and quickly knelt started to fiddle with his shoe lace, his mind racing.
"I thought they were leaving this place alone after stupidly accusing you" he said slowly, trying not to choke up on his words, as he tried to recall everything he had said to Jack, but coming up blank.
"Yeah….so did I. But they believed that one of us is...well...so they asked me to show him around and help out if need be. I did it because I wanted my dad found plus to prove that the pizzeria had nothing to do with it either. I didn't think he'd find anything, I justed wanted him to push off and actually go and look for my dad you know"
Matt swallowed as he continued to fiddle with his lace, no daring to look up at Mike's face.
His palms were sweating and he was starting to feel sick and dizzy, like he was having panic attack and was it him or did Mike's voice sound really off.
"Then this morning after leaving the pizzeria, Jack came and picked me and my mom up and took us to the station and made us wait for hours. Turns out they were raiding someone's house…"
Matt let out a sigh and slowly got back up and looked at Mike. His face was blotchy, his eyes dark and wet as if he was about to break down into tears, but he stood calmly with his hands in his lap as he leant against the table, his back covering most of the monitors.
"They found my dad….well...what was left of him anyway. They told us that they think he was tortured into liking Freddy before he was killed and you know what Matt….even though they pointed everything out to me, I still denied it, still stood up for the guy, said they were trying to pin it on him"
Mike choked back a sob and bit his lip as he looked directly in Matt's eyes. Matt's heart slowed down and actually skipped a beat at hearing Mike say that, it made him so happy that Mike believed in him.
"It wasn't until they showed this picture of a foxy mask. The mask itself wasn't important but what was behind was. It was a photograph of you,me and mark outside the hospital? Jeremy only made two printed copies of that picture. I have a copy…..and the other one…." Mike was shaking now, clenching his fists. "Tell me I'm wrong. Tell me the cops are setting you up…."
Matt leaned against the wall and rubbed his neck. Sure he could lie to Mike but Mike deserved better than that. Mike, who even now want to believe in him despite all the evidence, he really was a great friend.
"Would you believe me if I told you that I had planned to give you your dad back?" Mike glaring at him, still clenching his fists against his legs "I thought I could get him to change his mind about the pizzeria and make him realize about how he was abusing you"
"Abuse…? My dad abused me?" Mike sounded confused "What are you on about?"
"He did abuse you Mike. Neglect, forcing you into a life you didn't want, hitting you, it's abuse. I know it well. Since you were able to help me with my illness I thought I could return the favor and help you with your dad"
"Then why did you….?" Mike hissed.
"Kill him? It really wasn't what I wanted to do? But I was so angry….I needed to bite..release my frustrations...I hadn't even released I'd done it until some time later…" said Matt softly as a sharp pain burst against his cheek, sending him crashing down to the floor. He held his cheek as he looked up at Mike who was holding his fist, tears streaming down his face, his teeth clenched.
"YOU FUCKING IDIOT!" Mike snapped "I could have handled my dad! If you left him alone, you most likely wouldn't have gotten caught and we could have continued being friends with Jeremy and Mark, going to the pub, bowling, having a laugh. But now thanks to you it's all over! The media is going to crush Freddy's when it get out that it was involved in the serial killing. The animatronics! Our Jobs! Our friends! You've fucked us all over Matt...and you know what makes it worse…."
Mike shivered and sobbed and said in a broken whisper "Is that I still think you're a good guy…"
Matt felt his own eyes stinging, Mike's words crushing him, he hadn't thought about any of that. He never thought he would be caught. Let alone that his actions could have consequences for his friends and his heroes, the animatronics. He looked up at the monitors, his eyes widening as he noticed the there wasn't anyone on the screens, which meant that it was just him and Mike here and most likely the police surrounding the building.
"I'm really sorry Mike" said Matt as he sat up and looked up at him with a smile "For the longest time, I felt I was on a lone crusade, punishing those who were unworthy of having kids and believe me those people exist. Then I saw the job advert for a security guard and applied on a whim. I never thought it would change my life so much. I REALLY DID become a BETTER man and that was mainly thanks to you. Your amazing! When I was around you and the others, I didn't need to bite and I still was doing my part in protecting kids. It was perfect!"
Matt got to his feet and brushed off his clothes "I'm guessing you told Foxy and got him and the others to evacuate right? Making sure the kids are safe first right? So like you Mike. I guess you came here to talk me into giving myself in right?"
"Yeah...something like that" said Mike feeling suddenly tired and heavy. He wanted his bed and a few quiet hours to process all of this bull shit. He wanted to go to the pizzeria and just have Bonnie hold him for a while. Matt could see how much this was hurting Mike as he smiled brightly and held out his hand.
"I know what you're thinking Mike! Your thinking how can I fix this! You can't! You can't fix what's not broken Mike. This is the way things have got to go. It's Fate! It was my fate to come here and meet you. I know I don't deserve this but….I still think your amazing Mike. You made me a better guy"
Mike gave a shaky smiled and took Matt's hand. He would later blame his mistake on his lack of sleep but suddenly Matt slammed his body against the wall and sucked punched him in the gut, causing him to fall to his knees.
"Sorry Mike" said Matt as he ran out the room heading towards the back exit. Mike gasped for breath and struggled to get to his feet and quickly ran after Matt. He ran as fast as he could to the exit and saw Matt was about to open the door when he reached for the gun.
"MATT!" He shouted as loud as he could as he held the gun up in his shaking hands. Matt stopped and looked back at Mike, his eyes watering over as a small smile appeared on his lips. The two best friend stood there looking at each other with only the sound of the gun rattling in Mike's shaking hands between them.
"You really are my best friend Mike"
BANG!
To be concluded…
(you want the next chapter? I better get ten reviews or over otherwise there will be no ending!)