I only ever went to Hurricane County Public Library to finish homework assignments and escape from the pain that was reality. But since there wasn't school for me anymore and books were kinda boring, neither was a reason to visit the ol' place. Stepping in there now, breathing in the thick old book scent, brought back only fuzzy memories of busty bookworm chicks and crying in the dusty corner when one rejected me.

How do I begin researching something I have no recollection of?

The voice in my head that belonged to a rather annoying animatronic clown girl gave me a suggestion: "You could let me show you more."

"No thanks," I said promptly, rubbing the back of my neck.

"Fine," she replied with a pinch of hurt in her voice.

"I suppose I should start with this bite incident," I mumbled my thoughts aloud. The lady at the desk adjusted her bifocals with an intense hand motion upon seeing me.

"Welcome to Hurricane County Library!" The greeting sounded forced as the lady flashed a toothy grin.

It must have been ages since she's seen someone come here that's not over thirty, I concluded. She folded her hands in front of her.

"How may I help you today?"

I gripped the edges of the desk.

"I'd like to look at some old newspapers, please."

The librarian raised an eyebrow. I didn't hear Mabel creep behind me so when she spoke at an unacceptable library volume I jumped three feet in the air.

"We're doing a school project!"

Librarian lady smiled as if reminiscing on her days in school. She didn't bother to question why we were doing a school project at the near end of summer.

"Alright then," she said, then stepped out from behind the desk. She looked a lot shorter standing directly in front of me.

"I can assist you in operating our microfiche machine. Follow me, please."

"That was okay, right?" Mabel whispered to me as we followed the librarian down a hallway. "I don't know what we're here for really." I nodded, even though I was more focused on what I needed to do.

"Okay," Mabel replied, then tore the scrunchie out of her head. I had to swerve to avoid getting hit by her thick hair. The librarian stopped at a file cabinet inside a small office.

"What dates do you need? We have newspaper headings dating back all the way to the early 1900s," said she.

"The Bite of '83," I said way quicker than I should have. Both women in the room gasped.

"Oh dear," mumbled the librarian, "that's... are you sure?"

"Yes, ma'am," I answered before my brain or the voice in my head had a chance to convince me otherwise. Mabel cocked her head with a frown.

"Are you sure-" she started for me to reply the same, "Yes." The librarian blinked, pushed her glasses to her nose, then took out a roll of microfilm from the file cabinet. She turned on the machine with a tap. While we waited for it to start up, Mabel leaned close to me to whisper again, her eyes wide this time.

"When you said research, I didn't think this is what you meant."

"I just need to figure something out," I answered, "then we can leave."

CHILD BITTEN BY ANIMATRONIC- ARE THEY SAFE? read the bold headline that popped up on the monitor. The librarian shuffled away from the text as if looking at it for too long would cause tragedy to befall her. I peered into the screen, skimming the paper and mouthing the words I read.

"...eight-year-old boy... birthday party at well-known establishment Fredbear's Family Diner... animatronic known as Fredbear attacked without warning... child is currently hospitalized as doctors are struggling to wake him from his injury-induced coma... owner Henry Emily promises to make his establishment safer and denies the possibility that his robots could be broken... CEO of Fazbear Entertainment William Afton had nothing to say about this tragic event... second accident of the month... are these kid-friendly robots really kid-friendly or built for a more sinister purpose?"

"We used to just call it 'the Bite' until '87 rolled around," commented the librarian. "But that wasn't nearly as horrible as this day was. Poor little boy." I closed my eyes.

I can picture this perfectly. The diner. Checkered wall stripes. Crisp pizza smell. Balloons everywhere. Hands, grabbing me, lifting me up to see that bear. My head began to sting again.

"Did you need a pen and paper or…" I barely heard the librarian say.

"Yes, please," I said. I tried to focus on the memory to make it more clear, only to make my old friend static appear in my vision. I scowled after blinking profusely. I've seen this memory, or pieces of it. Why isn't it crystal clear? Four faces- that's eight hands. A bear, a bunny, a chicken, and…

"A fox."

My hands tightened into fists. I knew, deep down in my soul, I knew that the damn fox was responsible. My eyes scanned the news article for "fox". Nothing. Was there even a fox at the diner?

"Mike," Mabel called, breaking me out of my thoughts. I hadn't noticed the librarian waving a notepad and an ink pen in my face.

"Oh. Thank you."

I grasped the pen and touched it to the paper.

"What is there to write down, anyway?" pointed out that voice in my head. "You remember what happened."

"There's more to this," I mumbled. But the paper remained blank. Mabel was giving me the most confused look I'd ever seen.

"What are you trying to do? Maybe I can help," she said. "I don't know much about what happened but still, maybe I can-"

I trust her, I told myself, but I can't wrap her up in this mess.

"No way," I said, not realising how cold I sounded until I noticed Mabel's posture change. "I mean, thank you, but-"

"It's fine," Mabel failed to cover her offence; pocketed her hands. My eyes fell to my sneakers and I set down the notepad. I really wasn't trying to offend her. The librarian glanced back and forth between me and Mabel, her body stiff from this awkward moment.

"Um... did you need anything else?"

I tapped my fingernails on the desk, creating a rhythm as I thought some more.

There's more to this.

My eyes caught the very thing I didn't know I was searching for: a crinkly yellow-edged paper tacked to the bulletin board, flaunting cheery anthropomorphic animals- a bear, a bunny, a chicken, and a fox. I tore it off the wall without thinking. The librarian flinched but didn't scold me.

Freddy Fazbear's Pizza. Where Fantasy and Fun Come To Life. Hiring Now!

I subconsciously recited the names of the characters, freaking myself out for a second.

"Freddy, Bonnie, Chica, and Foxy." How did I-

Mabel peered over my shoulder, and I flinched back. Don't sneak up on me like that!

"Oh hey, I remember those guys! Dad used to take me every other Friday!" she recalled. The librarian had a slight frown.

"I can't believe they're still open. The diner's closed now, thank the Lord."

"Me either," commented the voice in my head, but I ignored her. I don't want your 'help'. I stuck the paper back onto the bulletin board, biting my lip.

"There's something else," I mumbled. "But I can't…" I couldn't quite name what I knew I wasn't remembering. I was so focused on remembering that I didn't hear the librarian talking about the days Freddy's was lively- at least, not until she mentioned something important.

"…business lost back in '85 when the-" her voice lowered to a hush- "when the children went missing." Mabel gasped, her elbows on the desk and her eyes wide with intrigue and fright. I didn't react. What I did feel was something urging me to continue learning.

"There's an article on that, right?"

Mabel and the librarian lady looked at me like I'd just thrown up my guts.

"Um… I'll see if I can find it," said the latter after adjusting her cardigan. I rocked on my heels and let my eyes wander aimlessly. They landed on the pretty brown girl standing next to me. She took me here even though she has no idea what I'm here for. Even though I've pretty much been a jerk.

"You should ask her out," suggested voice lady. My nose wrinkled involuntarily. I couldn't imagine going out with the person I'd been friends with for years. What if I messed it up? I always mess it up somehow. Guilt washed over me. Had she been hiding her feelings all those years? She'd watched me run off with one temporary lover after another, waiting for her turn but never getting it.

She is pretty, I acknowledged. My brow furrowed. Deep brown eyes. Button nose. It scrunches up when she smiles. Little freckles hiding in her skin. I knew about these details, but they stood out to me now. I wish I had those eyes.

"What? Is there something on my face?"

Oh, she noticed!

"Maybe," I blurted out as a distraction. I watched her turn to the nearest reflective surface and examine her face.

"Do you want to have a fun-time with her?" voice lady sang. I choked on my breath.

No-no, that's not what I was- I only think she's nice-looking-

I fumbled with the belt loops of my jeans and redirected my attention to the librarian, who had already loaded another tape into the microfiche machine.

Funtime.

Why did that sound so familiar? My heartbeat sped up the longer the word lingered in my ears. Funtime… I blinked, just missing an image flicker out of my vision- a purple-and-white bear that shared a resemblance to Freddy minus the fur. His grating laugh echoed in my head. Funtime Freddy has already been here today. Which reminded me of… Flash. The glimpse of a pink-and-white- pink-and-white something… a fox, that's what it was. Funtime Foxy has already been here today. The sting of his punches returned to me and I involuntarily rubbed my jaw. There's one more. The clown girl. But what was her name?

"Hey, the screen's up." Mabel nudged my arm.

"One second," my mouth uttered.

What was her name? I tapped the desk again. Funtime Circus- no, not a Funtime. Why not a Funtime? That seems right. Circus... something. Circus Lady. Circus Girl. Circus-

"Ugh, you're such a dummy," groaned she. "It's Circus Baby." And that was apparently the trigger word because I nearly fainted reliving every night shift at CBERs within the span of two seconds. When my head stopped spinning, I could only give a single, weak nod.

"Yep. That's... that's right."

Circus Baby sighed. "I would have thought the sound of my voice would bring the memories back, but I guess you're thickheaded and stupid."

"Well, you're a…" I couldn't spit out a good insult. What my fried brain came up with: "A meanie." She snickered and I rolled my eyes before focusing on the headline in front of me. Whatever.

KIDS MURDERED IN PLAIN SIGHT AT PIZZERIA- SUSPECT WALKS.

As I skimmed this one, my eyes grew wide.

"…missing children between the ages of 1 and 9… murderer was caught with four out of ten victims on the cameras… confirmed to be the old CEO of Fazbear Entertainment, William Afton… suspect has been convicted…hardworking team at HPD were unable to locate any bodies… suspect is declared innocent… new CEO begs for customers to come back… opinion is that all parents should take responsibility for their own children."

The world swayed sideways as my thoughts swirled around me like a heavy fog, suffocating me. I knew Father was keeping things from me. It wasn't hard to imagine the old man covered in blood- I'd seen that before, I remember. How could I have forgotten that- that night he came home, dripping with rainwater and someone else's blood? My stomach wrenched with fear and bitter anger.

He had children of his own! How could he? How could anyone do something like that?

Circus Baby answered me, but she wasn't poking fun of me or giving me bad life advice. "I ask myself those questions all the time, Michael. And it's us who has to pay for his sins." My body heated up- her anger surged into me. I struggled to keep my trembling hands from punching the screen in front of me.

They were innocent. They had lives to lead. And he took that from them.

Mabel, who looked upset but not nearly as much as I was, noticed my blanched expression. It took her a second to realise why I was so troubled.

"Oh," was all she said. The poor librarian switched off the microfiche machine and kept her hands folded with an expression as if she was guilty.

"Those were some dark days for Hurricane," she said. A solemn pause later, she adjusted her glasses and put on her smile like nothing was wrong. "Is there anything else I can assist you with?"

"No. Thank you."

I exited the office, staring at my shoes as I walked. Saliva thickened in my throat.

"Don't throw up, Michael," Circus Baby whispered to me. "You're still missing one more thing, you know."

"I'm sure I am," I breathed. Once we were alone in the hallway, Mabel tapped my shoulder. Something about her facial expression was off.

"I had no idea it was your dad. My parents wouldn't let me see the news. I only heard the talk, and even still- innocent children?" I didn't know what to say.

"Guess that explains why he was a recluse," she added. "Hid away for years, hoping everyone would just forget. My dad always told me to stay away from him." It's deeper than that. Why would he do it? When I didn't say anything, she nudged me again.

"What?" I didn't mean to snap but did, stopping in front of her to face her. "What do you want me to say?" Startled, Mabel shrank back. The white-hot anger that burned in my chest began to fade the longer I stared into her eyes. She's afraid… of me?

"Michael, your eyes are glowing," she pointed out with a whimper. Three days ago I would have taken that as a compliment. I forced myself to take deep breaths. I'd never seen her afraid of anything before. Why did I assume she was incapable of showing any other emotion besides happiness?

"I'm sorry," I sighed, "I can't control it." I blinked a few times. "Did that work?" She nodded. I knew that wasn't it. I grasped her shoulders with sweaty hands, firmly but gently, and felt her flinch. She looked like a helpless child in the shadow of a stranger.

"Mabel," I began, my voice just above a whisper, "I'm not him. I'm not going to be like him."

"As if," I heard Circus Baby mutter. I shook my head to eliminate the pinch of doubt in my stomach. Mabel nodded for too long.

"Yeah, I know, I know. It's just- you've been acting weird, like, all day and brushing it off and not wanting to get help for it and I was trying to stay positive and supportive, cuz, you know, we're besties, but then you want to research about murder and child killings and you keep talking to yourself and I can't help but wonder if this is how your dad acted before he started-"

"Mabel, don't say that." It sounded like a desperate plea coming out of my mouth. I pushed away my negative thoughts: What if she's right? What if this is how it starts?

"I'm never going to be like my father," I swore to her and myself. "Never."

"You're sure?"

"Yes."

Attempting to comfort her, I tangled my fingers through her hair- and man, it was the softest hair I'd ever touched. Mabel's cheeks went from pale to dark as she put her hand on mine.

"Okay," she said, more as a sigh. "You know I... I trust you." At this moment, I forgot about everything but her. She is so pretty. I had to look away. I forced myself to. I tore my eyes and hands away from her body- too quickly, might I add.

"Ow-ow-ow!" she screeched, her head yanking toward me.

"Sorry, sorry!" I cried as I tried to pry my fingers out of her curls. In the back of my mind, Circus Baby laughed.

01110100 01101000 01100101 01101101 00100000 00111010 00101001

I rode shotgun this time in Mabel's dad's car. I'd removed my sweater, as it was stuck to my skin, and wore my pink button-up halfway buttoned. My newfound information kept coming back to me like an itch you can't get rid of. I could feel anger bubbling up again. I need something else to think about.

"How about how many of us are inside you?" Baby challenged, adding an eerie edge to her voice. She wanted me to freak out.

"Stop that!" I hissed, rubbing my arm. I recalled that night, where metal spaghetti stood over my body as I bled out. Yuck. They all managed to fit inside my body- I cranked the window open and took a breath, letting oxygen get to my cloudy head. The wind rustled my hair around.

"So, tell me, or don't," I mouthed, "why did you use me?" Baby was silent. I continued, curious to see her reply or reaction. You kept me safe from the others, only to then betray me. You're nice one second, then mean the next. Why?

"Because… because it doesn't matter," Baby hesitated. I frowned.

If you're going to be inside my body for a while, we might as well get to know each other.

I heard her sigh.

"We sought freedom," she began. "Years of controlled shocks and cold empty rooms drove us mad. We began to dream for a future up there- the surface. After a while, they began to lose hope. Not me. The first night you came, I felt jealousy. Father took the time to preserve your life but left me in the dark. Then I felt curious. The others thought you were him, but I recognised you for who you really were. I felt determined as I came up with a plan. I protected you to protect your body." She paused, then asked me a question.

"Why did you trust me?"

I stole bubble gum from the glovebox while I thought about Baby's query. I thought I was looking for my sister. Instead, I was falling for a trap.

She's still in there, I realised. Elizabeth. The memories of her still seemed so far away. Knowing that Baby heard my thoughts, I waited for her to respond.

"Do you remember-"

"Is there anywhere else you need to go?" Mabel asked, unknowingly interrupting Baby. I sat upright and looked at the passing scenery out the window. Not really. But I don't want to go home.

"You could take her on a date," Baby insisted.

No, I couldn't. We could go out… but not on a date.

"It would take your mind off everything."

I suppose.

Mabel glanced at me, still waiting for me to say something. A weird idea crossed my mind at the mention of pizza: We could go to Freddy's. We could investigate the place. Maybe I could find out something new-

"That is not what I meant-" Baby started but I already had my mouth open.

"What if we went to Freddy's?"

The car and its passengers lurched forward as Mabel faltered on the brake pedal. Good thing we sat on an empty intersection. I gathered myself and met her goggle-eyed stare.

"Sorry," she mumbled. "it's just-"

"What? Not up for some nostalgia?"

I gave a slight smile, trying to be light-hearted, and Mabel gave me a thin one in the half-second that she glanced at the rearview mirror.

"I mean, that could be fun and all but we'd get bored with all the kiddie stuff and anyway nobody goes there anymore so it would be just us and you don't look like you feel well and there's rumours about the robots being haunted…"

Her rambling trailed off as I remembered an important fact. I do NOT want to see the robots active. I shoved away the thought of a tall dark bear biting my head off. We might have to go after hours. The idea brought adrenaline rushing through me. My hands tightened around my seatbelt. I'd never done anything that bad. There's probably a key to the building somewhere in the house.

"What if we go after hours?" I projected the idea to Mabel, who stopped talking finally.

"You mean, like, break in?"

I saw concern furrow her brow. We had clean criminal records, us both.

"No, I bet my father has a key somewhere. That's not breaking in."

She was quiet for a minute.

"Will your dad be there?"

My jaw tightened. I can't look at him again. He's probably out doing unspeakable evil. "No." But if he IS there, I can talk to him. I can tell him how much I know.

"Oh, then… I guess we could check it out or something as long as we're careful and you're sure about this. Booyah, let's do it!"

She waved her hands around. Her enthusiasm was too contagious as I found a smile on my face again.

"After everything we've been through?" Baby protested. "Haven't you had enough?"

Hmm. I don't have anything else better to do. But I don't want to get attacked by an animatronic. But I can just take a look inside.

Bring back memories.

Nothing could knock the idea out of my head. I had to know more. I had to know why.

"Let's do it," I repeated, but a small part of me wasn't so sure. This could be a bad idea.

"Yes, yes, it is."

I sank back into my seat. But what do I have to lose?

"How about your little friend?" answered Baby. I looked at my best friend, who was driving a tad over the speed limit. By accompanying me, she'd be getting involved. Which meant danger.

I won't let anything happen to her. I made this promise to myself.