Saphira sat in her office, staring at the monitors in front of her while she tried to keep as relaxed as possible. She felt very dizzy right now, she had nearly fainted upon hearing what Darren had told her when she arrived. Cliff was gone. No one has been able to figure out how or why. Saphira didn't even want to think about what could have happened, all she knew the result of whatever had happened. Darren did tell her that Cliff had arrived like he did normally at four and he had carried out his duties as normal. So it was not like Cliff died in a car accident. But, after seven, no one could find him. He was had been last seen in Parts and Service, but they were unable to figure out what happened to him. The cameras seemed to have played up, coincidentally when the event had occurred. Saphira did not expect to come back to the pizzaplex to find out the technician manager was now gone. It caused the pizzaplex to be closed down early for that reason while the police and Darren tried to figure out what had happened. She was so tempted to go to Dave and demand to tell her what happened, but it was best she did not. She did not know what to do right now. That bad feeling she had, turned out to be this, because she did not feel it now.
But why? Why Cliffton? Did he…say something he should not have, or discover something?
She did not understand at all. She knew she would have to do routine maintenance without Cliff tonight, that is, if that was possible. The other technicians were being questioned right now, she was silently hoping that they would catch Dave in a lie and make him a suspect. She had no idea how the animatronics felt about this. They were all in their rooms currently, and she could see they were very upset and worried. Saphira took a sip of her coke, since the place was closed before midnight, she technically could get it for free. And she needed it. She wished she could have something way stronger though, but she was not yet twenty-one. And as Cliff had promised, the construction for the new karaoke lounge did indeed begin today. Seeing the barriers marking off where it was and the walls covering what was being built, it actually hurt a little to see when she saw it. It was the last attraction he approved, so it would be special in that way.
She looked up when she heard a gentle knock and saw Darren as he opened the door with a grim expression. "How are you holding up Saphira?"
"Well as I can be expected. But…I wasn't here during the day…I saw Cliff on my last shift…" She looked away from him sadly, looking back at the monitors. "You have not found anything have you."
"Unfortunately, no. However…" Darren leaned against the desk, folding his arms and gazing down at the floor. "It is no secret, the name of Fazbear's has always had some controversy around it. Disappearances in particular…I am not sure if you know…but there has been some here."
She grimaced and nodded as she listened to him. "Yes…I found the file…"
"Yeah…it seems we are still in that shadow. Despite all the efforts to try be different. After all…we are supposed to not have a lunatic killing kids anymore. Now it has extended to adults." Darren rubbed his forehead and sighed deeply, looking at her kindly, she was glancing at him curiously about what he meant by lunatic. "You might not know this, but it was discovered who had caused deaths to the kids at the old locations. Turned out to be a man who had bloodlust, enjoyed the thrill of killing and before he died…I think he died…he had begun to swindle people into delusions."
"Delusions? How?"
"No idea. I only know that much I am afraid. And Mr Miller has not even made a comment other than that we are not responsible for deaths and disappearances here anymore when there is no evidence to suggest otherwise. The name has reliquished a lot of liability over the years to try and not have anything heavy over its head…but it hasn't changed." Darren looked away from Saphira and noticed the large Freddy plush in the corner, making him smile slightly upon seeing it. "I see you kept Freddy's gift. I do not know why he gave that to you."
"Oh…I think it's a cute gift. Besides, he and I are close friends now. I am not sure of you know."
"I do know. I guess I just didn't think he would do that. Oh well…there's bound to be more merchandise in the future." Darren stood up from leaning on the desk and straightened his suit. "Look, I know this is probably a lot to ask…but I have a feeling there are clues we are missing about the disappearances. Since you're the night guard, maybe you can find something."
She was surprised Darren even suggested that to her and frowned. "I am not sure Darren…after knowng that Cliff is gone…I fear I could find myself in danger if I play with fire. If Cliff was killed somewhere here, it would probably be somewhere cameras are not present. Like the second basement. I don't even dare to go down there."
"Yes, I know. And he was excited to attach the new scent receptors to the animatronics this week too…hopefully you can manage it without him. Anyway, don't expect the technicians for the rest of the night. They're all being sent home early." She understood that, they probably needed to go home. "You will have to do the maintenance on the animatronics on your own. Monty and Chica are the ones to do tonight, I know Freddy had his done last night. I hope you can manage that."
And Monty will be so thrilled…he'll have to suck it up I guess…
"I am really sorry that I dropped bad news onto you tonight Saphira…I really am." He glanced at the cup of soda and smirked slightly. "Make sure you find time to enjoy food and drink tonight. Take it slow. You won't need to do your usual security rounds tonight."
"I will. I think…tonight's going to be pretty long…in terms of that feeling you know…" Darren nodded, understanding where Saphira was coming from. "Alright…well…is there anything else you need to tell me?"
"No. I just wanted to make sure you were okay. If you need time off, let me know. I'll get someone to take over for you with one of the day security." She quickly shakes her head, she definitely did not want to not be here now. "Very well. I will see you tomorrow…at least we will be open again tomorrow."
Saphira made no comment about that, she didn't care if guests could return to the pizzaplex or not. Someone was missing, probably dead, along with many others. If what Darren said was true about the previous establishments, wouldn't that mean someone else has taken their place? Or…somehow, this lunatic had managed to create a small cult. She glanced at the computer monitor with a frown, wondering if this virus had a connection to the past. The figure she saw in the rabbit costume on the monitors…was that a representation of the lunatic now, or the previous lunatic? To her, it was offensive to Bonnie to be using a rabbit image like that. However…clowns seemed to be the current choice of representation. A mixture of madness and sick happiness seemed to be at play here. She changed the monitor to look at the animatronic rooms again, she did not want to be alone right now.
She got up from her chair and walked into the atrium, although she stopped and looked around, nervous that something was going to jump out and attack her. She knew she was paranoid, but she could not help it. She glanced to her left to see the cornered off area where the karaoke lounge would be, she hoped it could be built without Cliffton here. She walked away from it across the atrium, still looking around carefully for anything unusual and dangerous, and still she saw nothing. She wanted to be weary of her surroundings, nonetheless. Once she reached Rockstar Row, she walked down the hallway, glancing at the windows as she passes by them. All the curtains were drawn closed currently, this was probably done to keep guests from wanting to stay or the animatronics closed the curtains themselves. Even Freddy's curtain was closed when she reached his room. She felt a little nervous about going in, but she needed to be in his arms right now.
She stepped up to the door and it opens for her, Freddy looked up in surprise when he heard the door open from where he was sitting on the couch. "Super star!" He exclaimed, giving her a small smile as she stepped inside. "It is so good to see you…if only it were on better circumstances." She nodded silently in agreement, walking right up to him and sitting down next to him, Freddy looked at her as she pulled up her knees while she leaned against him, wrapping her arms around him. "I am so sorry super star…I have no doubt that tonight is not going to be a pleasant night."
"No…not with all this hanging over our heads." She looked up at him with her cheek resting against his chest. "I don't suppose any of you saw anything strange today?"
"Sadly, no, none of us noticed anything unusual. It was business as usual until several hours ago. I wish we knew too…however…you know as well as I do that we are not aware of what happened to the past disappearances. This is no different." Freddy wrapped his arm around her protectively. "I worry that I will never know if something was to happen to you. This is too…" He paused for a moment as he processed his thoughts. "Too upsetting…I can't think of any other word I am afraid."
"I know…I promise to be careful. So far…everything's clear…" Saphira smiled at him, enjoying the warmth around her body from Freddy's arm. It was so comforting to her and she didn't want to move right now. "Being too quiet is worse than a little noise."
"This is true. However…we should try not to worry."
"I wish that was easy Freddy…I really do…Cliff…I think he is gone because he spoke about the virus in the system…I don't know. That seems way too coicidental." She wondered if she should access the system to the staff bots, maybe the main source of the virus was there. But it also was risky, the main system had no cameras and it was a very dark room because the only light and heating came from the system itself. Creating a rather perfect environment for something to happen. "I will find a way to get rid of it."
"Saphira…don't trouble yourself…"
"No, don't tell me that!" She snapped, surprising the animatronic at the cracking in her voice. "Someone has to stop this! Or it will just keep happening. And someday, you animatronics might find yourself face-to-face with this person, and you will be destroyed. I don't want to see that happen."
Freddy moved his head slightly as he thought about her words, he was thrilled to know she cared deeply for them, even if something dangerous was upon them. "Maybe that is what happened to Foxette…"
"Cliff did mention Foxette getting this virus somehow…I wish I knew what happened that day…" Saphira rubbed her forehead and sighed deeply, clenching her eyes shut briefly. "Sorry for snapping…I am just so anxious right now. I am paranoid that the next corner I turn someone will be there! Although…they will regret it anyway, their noses will probably be broken."
"I do not like the sound of that, but…that is better than you being broken. And do not apologize Saphira, I completely understand." He lowered his head slightly, his chin nuzzled against her head and she didn't even move away from the touch. "I know you won't want to be alone tonight, I don't intend on letting you be alone. I understand you still need to do the routine maintenance on Chica and Monty correct?" Saphira nodded. "Monty's a little grumpy…however, I am sure he will accept that you are the only one who can do the maintenance while the technicians are recharging at their homes."
"I hope so…I don't need him adding to the troubles tonight. I promise not to take long, so long as he doesn't prolong it and tells me exactly what might be troubling him so we both can get through it. I am sure he will agree to that."
"He should. Bonnie and I will be there to help if need be. We don't intend on letting him skip tonight simply because you will be doing the maintenance on him. He will need to get used to it anyway." He leaned away from her, feeling a little happier he got to nuzzle her head with his chin without her flinching away from him.
"Yeah…not really the best situation to start getting used to it…" Saphira glanced down at the arm around her and moved her hands to rub it gently while she thought over everything. "Freddy…you don't need maintenance tonight do you?"
"No."
"I suppose you were lucky I did it last night huh?"
Freddy nodded, he was enjoying the gentle circles he felt being rubbed on his arm. She was so gentle, despite how big and strong he was compared to her. "Yes, and I have nothing to report on either. I am at peak performance today."
That was good to hear. Saphira didn't know how busy it was today before the incident, but it did not matter at all. What mattered was what was happening now, and she knew it. She did hope he might need some maintenance, but it was okay. She was fine working on Monty and Chica. She knew she would have no problem with Chica, that was the least of her concern.
"And now I wonder if I should go to my office after I am finished." The bot frowns slightly, confused by what she was saying and Saphira looked up at him with her green eyes. "I feel safer in here than in there…especially after what Moon did."
"He can still get into my room Saphira. There is a vent in the back of my room, and he can get through the door because it slides open rather than a push or pull door like your office door. Even if you stay, he could try to get in. I would rather not cause damage to him if I can avoid it."
Yeah, he would find himself in bigger trouble for protecting Saphira simply because attacking another animatronic would be very bad. It could be taken the wrong way and that the guests could be in danger. She definitely understood Freddy's concern, though she knew he probably would if he had to. She didn't know how strong Moon was compared to Freddy, but she hoped he was weaker than Freddy.
"I suppose you are right…it is just a bit more comfortable here too. I can still look at the cameras through my Fazwatch, so I am not missing my duties. But…it does have a desk to sit at for when I eat some food…although I don't know if I will eat tonight." Freddy opened his mouth to say something and she held up her hand to stop him. "Don't Freddy. I am too anxious, I actually would probably vomit it back up if I ate something tonight. I will be okay. I can survive without food tonight."
He still did not like it. Even if it was something small, he would want her to eat something. "You wouldn't even eat a cake or a sandwich slice? Something small would make me happy Saphira. After all, you did tell me you didn't have much food before."
"And now I have more food than I ever had before Freddy. I am not going to starve now. I may have something later…but just not right now…I don't think I can handle it." She did appreciate his concern, she really did, but she just didn't feel like eating right now. She glanced at her Fazwatch and sighed deeply. "Hmm…ten-thirty…I would have found troublemakers by now…oh well…" She glanced at the arm around her, she did not want to move at all. But…she did think more about her feelings for Freddy. She knew they have grown a lot recently, especially since she kissed his cheek at the end of her previous cheek. If this goes bad…she would never have a chance to tell him how she feels. "I suppose we should get to it…sitting around isn't going to resolve itself…"
"If you feel we should move, then yes." Freddy rubbed his hand on her waist gently before she moved to stand up and he moved his arm away to let her stand. "At least, you don't need to use the atrium elevator tonight."
That was true, Saphira has not taken the route the animatronics take to get to Parts and Service. "Yeah…I'll let Monty and Chica know when I have set things up…I assume there is a procedure to get the place ready for your maintenance."
"Hmm…I believe so…but I am not so familiar with that. It is always ready when we arrive." Freddy stood up from the chair as Saphira walked to the door to the back part of his room. When it opened, she stopped, gazing into the dark area with worry and grasps both arms with her hands. He walked over to her and placed his hand on her shoulder gently. "There is nothing to be scared of while I am here Saphira."
She looked up at him with a smile. "I know…" She swallowed and lifts her hand to take his for comfort. "Let's go."
He nodded and walked with her into the room. She jumped when the door behind them closed loudly, but he assured her that it was normal and they were not locked in the room. When they reach the elevator and the doors open for them to get in, Saphira relaxed a little and stood beside Freddy as they head to the hallway from his room. Saphira turns her head slightly to sideeye him, pondering on whether her feelings for him were real or not. She didn't really understand them completely, but she knew she cared deeply for Freddy. It has only been just over a week since they knew each other. She didn't think she would want to take the next step so quickly. But…if she joins the disappeared and never tell Freddy…he will question for the rest of his existence about her feelings for him. That was a sad thought. She was simply too scared to move forward, she was happy they were just friends. And yet…a closer companionship…that might be something she was longing for now.
She shakes herself from her thoughts when the elevator dings and opens into a brightly lit hallway, she stepped into it with Freddy to walk through it to Parts and Service. "It feels a bit colder down here than I remember."
"It does?" Freddy was surprised by her comment, he couldn't feel it because the change was too subtle, but no one has ever commented on it before. "I suppose when no one has been down here for a while, it gets cold."
"Yeah…I suppose it does…" Saphira was lucky her long sleeves was enough to keep her warm enough as they walk through the hallway. She could see the protective cylinder as they round a bend and smiled. "At least you don't have far to walk. A lot less noisy too."
"Indeed. However, we have often used the main lift down to Parts and Service before for a few reasons. One of them being that Chica lost her beak once in front of kids. That scared them and she had to get down here. It was a little concerning, but the beak was replaced thankfully."
"I had suspected you would use it for certain reasons. But I have to admit, that does sound creepy." They step out onto the raised level and turn to go down the stairs to the main floor of Parts and Service. "Alright…time to figure this out…if only Darren gave me another manual."
Freddy chuckled softly as Saphira walked over to the computer monitor. She slipped her hand from his hand to press button. She smiled as the computer wakes up and it came upon with a simple option to begin. She clicked it and carefully followed the prompts to get the cylinder ready. She hears hissing and moving parts from it, meaning she was doing something correct. At least she hoped so. As she prepared to speak with Monty and Chica, she paused as she hears the sound of laughter behind her. She froze and turned, gazing around for any sign of someone, she saw no one. Freddy was the same as he too looked around.
"This might be a bad idea…" Saphira breathed out nervously. "We shouldn't be here…"
"But…" Freddy paused as he knew he was following the rules right now, but he saw how frightened Saphira was. She was right, this was a bad idea. "Yes…you are right…I do not know how you will explain this to Monty and Chica."
"I am sure they will be fine…I can probably do something with them in their rooms anyway…" Saphira breathed in deeply and looked at the cylinder for a moment. "Yeah…that sounds like a better idea."
The laughter returned, and while it still sounded a lot like a clown laughter, it has changed. It reminded Saphira of the Green Goblin laugh, and that sinister laughter really made her shudder. She thought about shutting the cylinder down when the doors of Parts and Service open. She turned with wide eyes, gasping at what she saw. Wearing a very dark, grey clown suit with black strikes, black shoes with bells on them and gloves with claws on them, on his head was not quite a clown costume. It still had the twisted smile with sharp teeth and narrow eyes with red eye shadow and lipstick, but this suit was different. It was a blend of a bunny and clown at the same time, she barely saw the tail and the ears…they were flopped backwards and the eyes were glowing red, dancing in the spot and laughing loudly.
"Oh no…" Saphira whispered, stepping closer to Freddy as he eyed off this person. "He's changed outfits…"
Freddy nodded slowly before speaking. "Who are you?"
"You already know who I am," Came the response in a hitch manner. "You have to guess correct to win the game. You lose points if you fail!" He twirls on the spot and continued to dance. "You should have left when you were told little girl! This is not your place!"
She glared at him, clutching Freddy's arm tightly. "And let you destroy other lives? No, I am staying!"
"Bad choooiiice!" The clown mocked loudly, laughing and backflipping suddenly, landing near perfectly in front of them. "I will get you!"
"You will have to go through me!" Freddy warned, making Saphira widen her eyes in worry at his words. "You will fail trying to get to her!
"And us!" She glanced back and saw both Bonnie and Chica approaching them quickly. "You are just a human! We can hurt you!"
"Oh! Oh! The bunny cup!" The clown mocked, twisting his hips to shake his backside to show off his stupid tail. "You're right! I have to get through all of you!"
"Do it clown!" Chica snapped, Saphira was surprised by the sheer anger coming from Chica's beak. "Do it right now! I dare you!" All three animatronics stood in front of her defensively, they did not want to make the first move, but they definitely want this person to do something first before responding.
The clown simply laughed loudly and bends his body backwards, placing both hands on the ground and lifting one leg. This man…he was really a psychopath! "As you wiiiish…" He brought up something to the open mouth, and to their surprise, there was a hole that had been cut in secretly.
He blew something suddenly, and Saphira realized it was a tube he had. She didn't think anything would happen, but she felt something sharp hit the side of her left calf. She yelped, the sting of the pain was so bad that she fell down hard, grunting and holding her pain as shooting pain suddenly erupted in her nerves.
"Super star!" Freddy dropped down on one knee with a worried expression. He watched as Saphira's leg shook horribly and uncontrollably, he could see a dart sticking through her pants and whatever it had on it, was causing more than just pain. "You're broken…"
He turned his head with a glare at the clown as he laughed uncontrollably and clapped clumsily like a clown would. "Great job guarding her! Oh yeah, you did a great job!" The doors close suddenly and they all could hear his laughter. "Your guardians will not always be with you Saphira! Your time is drawing short! But I love the game! Thanks for playing sweetheart!"
She grimaced when he called her sweetheart and she grabbed her pants, ripping it suddenly to see the damage. She widened her eyes as there was already a massive bruise on the side of her calf, worse than what remained of the injury on her shin. Her flesh was stinging, it was worse than a Bee sting and she needed to get something on it.
"Do you need first aid Saphira?" Bonnie asked, his eyes were wide with concern. "It is a good thing Chica and I decided come and see how you were doing preparing the chamber." He turned his head, looking at the doors with a frown. "Grrrrr…I hate seeing this clown! He's gotten worse and worse each night!"
Saphira could not agree more. "Yeah…Freddy…where's the nearest first aid?" She looked at him as sweat covered her skin. "I need you to carry me, I can't walk. My leg…it…it feels weird…"
Freddy nodded and gently moved his arms under her leg and behind her back, lifting her from the floor slowly. "You will feel good again."
"I hope so…as long as I don't need a doctor…" Saphira couldn't afford a doctor after all, so she hoped she could take care of what was happening to her leg.
This weapon definitely was meant to hurt a lot. She didn't feel sick, just like her leg suddenly convulsed and felt the worst nerve pain she could possibly have. She didn't see any discolour in her veins, only that this bruise was purple and big. She figured there was some kind of poison in the leg, but only to cause extreme pain. She doubted anything in first aid could help, but she would try. She did hope that if this person shows up again, the animatronics wouldn't just stick to protecting her. She knew it was in their system they shouldn't attack a human, but she hoped they could push past that to do it. Because it was looking like they had to.
