Sitting on the bed in the office, Saphira cried and cried so many tears. She not only was she physically hurt, but her heart ached painfully. The horrid memories of her childhood and early teen years filled her mind, and it felt as though some of them replayed right in front of her. She remembered very clearly how it began…
Flashback Twelve Years Earlier…
Saphira sat in the tiny, cold room fixing up her hair after having a cold shower. Her room was a small space underneath the staircase with a window that was barely large enough for even a toddler to crawl through. The bed she had was old and creaks whenever there is movement, the mattress was stiff and her back often ached when she woke up from her sleep.
It was four, and Saphira had to start dinner soon. She had finished most of her other chores at this time, and her parents were not yet home. However, her siblings were. She could hear them upstairs, but they ignored her and she ignored them, unless they wanted something. She left her small room to the kitchen to cook dinner. She already prepared some of it earlier, and now she simply had to cook it. Potato and leek soup, marinated beef with black beans, rice and vegetables, and a simple rhubarb, cheesecake desert, that was the requested menu for tonight. Saphira, of course, would not get to taste any of it. She would only get a slice of bread, with luck she might get butter on it.
As she made her way into the kitchen, she heard the terrible sound of something shattering upstairs. Saphira was startled, but she heard her sisters arguing with each other and she realized they broke her mother's favorite vase. Well, a family heirloom vase. Saphira did not bother going upstairs, she had to start dinner. She started by cooking garlic and onions in the fry pan to get started on the soup, she already had the potatoes diced and leeks thinly sliced, so she only had to cook and blend them to cook in the slow cooker.
When the soup was cooking, she cleaned up when she didn't need and put on the rice, and began cooking the beef and vegetables. At this time, her parents had arrived home, they do not acknowledge her at all as they head straight upstairs. She heard her mother screaming about the vase, Saphira did not know what was being said as she focused on the cooking. She had turned down the heat on the stove and was checking the soup when she was grabbed by the shoulders and shoved into the counter.
"You little brat! How dare you break the family vase!" Her mother shrieked at her with a fierce expression.
Saphira shuddered in fear, looking back at her mother. "W-W-What? I-I-I w-w-was st-s-starting d-d-dinner w-w-when I heard it s-s-sh-shatter."
Her mother scoffed at her with a roll of her eyes. "Oh really? Well, Lisa saw you nudge the stand it was on and didn't even try to catch it when it fell. Jessie said the same thing. And you expect me to believe you over two people?"
Saphira whimpered at her mother's words. "But…I-I-I a-a-a-am n-n-not a-a-allowed upstairs…a-a-after th-th-three…"
"I am not interested in your excuses!" Her mother snapped at her and glanced at the food that was being cooked. "And for that, you do not get your bread tonight! Make sure the food is cooked well!"
Her mother grabbed her hand and placed it directly on the hot stove. Saphira yelped and struggled as her mother held her hand for several seconds and lets her go, the damage to her hand had already been done. She held her hand as tears stream down her face and watched her mother walk away without even looking back. Saphira never understood why her mother hated her…and why she didn't believe her. But she got onto the task without any argument and managed to tend to her injury before cleaning up and going to bed without food…
Present…
Saphira continued to cry. Part of her still longed for Freddy, another hated the idea. It felt like they picked Vanessa over her and that shattered her heart. It might be childish, but Saphira has been through so much. Perhaps the therapy she has been through has come undone, and the damage will take a long time to repair. She did not know, of course.
She heard the elevator doors open and moved the blanket down from her face, her eyes were blurry from tears and she saw the shape of Darren approaching. She covered her face again and continued to cry. She feels him sit down and she jumped away when he tried to hug her. But he managed to hug her anyway, rubbing her back gently and rocking her to try and comfort her. It felt nice…but Saphira didn't know if she should be mad at him too or not.
"Saphira…" Darren began with a sigh. "I believe you." He did?! Saphira looked up at him in surprise and sniffled, letting out another loud sob and whined, she didn't know if she would be able to speak. "You met him, didn't you? The real Mr Miller." She nodded, wiping away more tears, trying to calm herself down. Darren glanced away for a moment and continued rubbing her side gently. "I am sorry…I really am…I guess now it just means you'll have to figure out what to do now." What did he mean by that? Saphira frowned slightly without saying anything. "Look, I know you are hurt. But…Vanessa did make up a very convincing story…" She rolled her eyes at him and looked away from him. "The animatronics were not convinced at first, but…she is a good actor. Vanessa's panic seemed pretty to them. I hope you know they are not at fault. They heard one story, and now they heard yours, it is hard for them to believe."
Saphira took in breaths that sounded a bit like gasping before speaking, stuttering her words as she spoke. "B-B-But…hic…I-I-I w-w-w…w-would n-n-never m-m-make s-s-s-something l-l-l-like tha-a-at up."
"I know. I think…your reaction when they told you they are not sure what to believe might have convinced them," Darren said gently, wiping away tears from her cheeks. "Vanessa seemed quite smug when you left. Monty actually took notice and spoke to her, she was quick to defend herself quite convincingly."
Saphira sniffled, taking deep breaths and licking her lips. "B-But…th…hic…ch-ch-chose t-t-to b-b-believe h-h-her o-o-over me…"
"They didn't, Saphira. Trust me, they did not. They wanted to hear your side, they didn't know who to believe." She frowned and grumbled a little, pulling herself roughly from his hug as she didn't like what she had heard. "I don't know if this has something to do with what happened in the second basement, with Mr Miller…I mean, Springtrap…" She turned her head slightly to side eye him in surprise when he mentioned that being's name. "Or…I do know you have mentioned about having a hard childhood…I suppose that might have something to do with your distrust. But, it is somewhat of a childish response…"
"You don't know anything!" Saphira snapped at him as her bottom lip trembled as she felt like she was going to cry hard again.
"You're right, I don't. I don't know your story, Saphira." Darren observed her quietly, she was such a mess. Her hair was messy, her shirt was stained and tattered, there was a horrid scent coming from her, and she still had that horrid lump on her forehead. "I am sorry your life has not been easy…it might get harder from now on…"
"The snake bot…hic…it b-b-bit m-m-my st…hic…damn…stomach." She lifted her shirt, looking at it. "I-I-I d-d-don't…hic…see any wound…"
He looked at her stomach with scrutining eyes and leaned closer. He couldn't see anything either. But, there was new scars on her stomach, they looked like deep scratches. "What about these scars?"
"They…they're new." Saphira placed a hand on them, touching them curiously and grimaced as they stung upon contact. "They feel…hic…sore."
"Interesting…you were bit by something and it somehow has healed, sort of." He grimaced slightly and looked at her as she hiccuped again. "At least you might feel like yourself again." She shrugged at that, she didn't know if she would. He glanced at her hands, they were still bandaged, she wouldn't be able to use them very well right now. "I suppose you might want help in the shower?" She looked at him in surprise and alarm, making him smile at her. "It's okay, Saphira. I want to help you. Plus, I am gay, so I have zero attraction to women bodies. You are not in any danger. You're vulnerable enough without a pervert assaulting you."
Saphira thought about mentioning Cliffton…but she decided not to. Hearing that Cliffton was still aware even as a bot right now probably would not sound very good. Saphira knew Cliffton sought peace now. She wanted to give it to him…but…she hated the idea of actually doing the deed. She thought about his offer to help her and nodded, she did need a shower. She stunk so bad, and she wanted to scrub all the filth from her body. She knew she should not fear Darren doing anything to her, it was just instinctual. Darren helped Saphira to her feet, he could feel her trembling as he helped her and allowed her to lean on him as she limped. He felt awful on what she had gone through. He knew it was not pleasant. He brought the crutches so she could use to steady herself.
Once in the bathroom, Saphira insisted being the one to remove her clothes. Darren did not argue, he did turn the shower on though and retrieve a few lotions to apply to her injuries after the shower. He didn't want to make it awkward at all, though he knew it would feel odd to her. He removed his shirt and folded it, placing it on top of the toilet. Saphira gasped loudly as she saw his back and chest, there were very visible scars of injures he been inflicted by Springtrap. They had healed, but they were very visible. She was also very shocked to see his flesh ripped around his shoulders and chest, and she could see endo metal within.
"You weren't…hic…kidding about being part metal," Saphira said as she stared at him and fresh tears filled her eyes. "I am so sorry."
Darren gazed down at himself and shrugged. "It is what it is. I suffer, you suffer…pfft, I need to get these rips fixed too. Not all of me is metal. I still have most of my organs, my legs are normal…I can still be sexually active if I want to be. But…I guess this is what stopped me from approaching Cliff. I don't know how he would have reacted if he knew…"
"I guess you will never know now." Saphira turned to the shower and stepped in, gasping as the warm water washed over her. She grimaced it stung her back wound and the scar on her stomach. She began wishing Freddy was there…maybe she was stupid for what she did. But…she felt like she had been betrayed. That was something that was hard to mend. "If you can held wash my hair and scrub my skin, I would appreciate it. You might not be Freddy, but…I guess it is okay." She grimaced at her choice of words, though it made him chuckle.
"I definitely would prefer not being imagined as Freddy. I am not him, not by a long shot." Darren stepped into the shower slightly to begin helping Saphira. She was still trembling, she was still scared and he would do what he could to avoid scaring her even more. "So…what do you plan on doing after?"
"I need to put a cold back on my head, take something strong and go to sleep," Saphira responded and hiccuped again. "Damn these hiccups!"
Darren chuckled a little. "I don't suppose you want food?"
She nearly gagged at the thought of food, after what she experienced, food was the last thing on her mind right now. "No thanks."
Darren did not argue as he grabbed the shampoo to wash her hair. Saphira grimaced as she felt his hands in her hair, massaging the shampoo in her strands. She almost wanted to cry again, she felt helpless to do anything for herself right now. She wanted to find somewhere to hide, it was the only way to cover up her shame right now. She was glad that Darren was still being thoughtful of her, he said nothing and rinsed her hair and conditioned it afterwards. Once her hair was clean, he focused on scrubbing her, being mindful of her injuries and areas Saphira flinched at. He knew her dignity would be gone, or at least, very damaged at this point, but he was as quick and gentle as possible. With the filth gone, Darren stepped back with a smile.
"I hope that feels much better Saphira," He said to her gently. "Um, I suppose you want to stand under the water for a little while, right?" He suspected she needed the shower to wash away her tears.
She shrugged slightly. "I'd rather just…go to bed I think."
"As you wish." Darren reached over to turn the shower off and grabbed a towel. "I suppose you want to do this part."
She nodded, grabbing the towel and drying herself, he left to get her some pyjamas and gave them to her to put on. She took her time doing it, she glanced at herself in the mirror and she almost wanted to break it. She didn't know if she was liking what she was becoming. She was a monster of emotions right now, and she wondered what more she could even do in life. Getting a job at the pizzaplex…it was the best thing that ever happened to her. It brought her to the animatronics, she knew that. But…it still seemed like her past would repeat itself. That is what she felt.
Once she was dressed, Saphira walked out of the bathroom feeling extremely down. Darren brought her a cold pack and a cup of water. She smiled at him gratefully, gulping down the water quickly to soothe her hiccups and placed the pack onto her forehead, groaning softly from the pain. He brought her some aspirin and she took them, and decided to wait for them to kick in.
"So…are you planning to remain here?" Darren asked her in a slow, cautious tone.
"I don't really have a choice, do I?" She responded bluntly. She glanced down at her stomach and looked back at him sadly. "I have a feeling…that Springtrap has gotten what he wants. At least for now."
"What makes you say that?" He asked her curiously, trying to keep her from figuring out the possibility.
She was silent for a moment. "Springtrap had a snake bot that he made with Dave's soul in it. He told him to not let me leave until it was done. I think…he got impatient. He no longer waited for me and Freddy to be intimate. So…I think I…I'm…"
"You don't know that, Saphira," Darren said to her gently to try and comfort her. "You may not even be pregnant."
She frowned and looked at him, narrowing her eyes at him. "What makes you confident that I am not, huh? I think it's pretty obvious given where that snake bit me. I did not feel anything because he fed me something that numbed my stomach. I was subdued by them. Springtrap was the one who bandaged my ankle, Darren. He only did that so I could come back here to get good food and sleep. Maybe the stress will kill it. I hope for that."
He looked at her sadly and did not argue. She wasn't stupid. "I am sorry…I guess…I just didn't want you anymore scared than you are right now."
"If I wasn't partially aware of what happened, then it probably would have worked. I am not stupid. Of course, I may not know if I am pregnant until symptoms appear, if they do. But…my body is so tense, so stressed, a normal baby probably wouldn't survive. I don't expect this one to." Saphira knew it was bad with what she was saying, but in her mind, it was better she didn't have a child that would become a host to the soul of William Afton. "Oh, did you know his real name is William Afton?"
Darren widened his eyes in surprise at that name. "Wait, really?" She looked at him in surprise, he seemed to genuinely not know. "No…I didn't. I know of him, he's infamous. The original Freddy diner was where he worked…he was a partner with someone named…Henry, I think, I don't know his last name. He was caught as the one causing disappearances back in the eighties."
"Yeah, well, he told me that is his name. He prefers Springtrap now, but I guess he's taken on that personna only because of the springlock suit that his body is trapped in." Darren did not seem surprised by that, he already knew there was corpse inside that suit. "Still, he picked me because I am pretty. It's just stupid…"
"Actually, I think he picked you because I believe he had black hair and green eyes. I think…" He wasn't so sure on that one though. "So…maybe, he was waiting for someone with the right genes…that sounds wrong to say. But…um…"
"He stated he wouldn't even use Vanessa because she's infertile…if that is even true, of course." Saphira shakes her head as this was just so much to think about. "Look…I am not sure what will happen from now on. I'll still do my job…I made a commitment…I intend on sticking to it."
"I am sure you will." Darren thought about the animatronics as Saphira was responsible for their maintenance. "Even…your technician duties."
"Yep. It is part of my job." Saphira frowned as she thought about the animatronics. "I'll have to skip maintenance tonight. I hope they can survive without a night's work."
"They can. It might just mean a couple will have to stay in their rooms all day tomorrow for safety reasons." Darren did not want to say which animatronic needed maintenance, he felt Saphira should find out on her own. "Let me know, though, if you want sometime off."
"I can't. No one else can do the maintenance. It is fine if…that woman does all the security stuff, but I will still do the technical stuff for the animatronics." Saphira placed a hand on her hip as she spoke. "You are not going to convince me not to do it simply because I have lost my trust with them." Saphira didn't know how long it would even take to rebuild.
Darren wanted to argue she was being irrational about it, but she was not in the right state to talk about that right now. "Well…it didn't take long when you first met them, so I expect the same."
She rolled her eyes slightly at him for that. Though, she tensed when the door to Rockstar Row opened, Freddy walked inside. He seemed very sad right now, and tired even as he gazed at Saphira. She glared at him and tensed her whole body as he gazed at her with his sad, blue eyes.
"Saphira…" He began gently. "I…I want to apologize…"
"Save it!" She snapped, interrupted Freddy with her abrupt tone.
Darren glanced between the two uncomfortably. "If you would just listen…" Freddy began again, taking a step forward.
She whimpered slightly at his movement, shifting towards the wall slightly. "Stay where you are, Freddy! Please…"
He was shocked to see her reaction, something she had not done for months. His ears were droopy and he looked at her with extreme sadness. "I am so, so sorry, super star. I never wanted to hurt you. I never meant for it. I just…you both are very convincing…"
"You're supposed to be on my side, Freddy!" Saphira responded with a break in her voice and tears filling her eyes again. "You said you loved me!"
"I do love you," He responded, she grimaced in disgust when he said that. "I need to hear the whole story from you, okay? I will listen and…"
She shakes her head at him and let out a small sob. "You won't even believe me! You promised to be on my side! You lied!"
"No, I didn't!" Freddy responded desperately. "You must believe me. I love you!"
She grits her teeth as she glared at Freddy, blinking the tears from her eyes for a moment. "Get out." Freddy lowered his head slightly when she told him to leave. She moved to stand from her bed with her crutches. "I said, GET OUT!" She launched the cold pack at him, Freddy dodged it in surprise. "You chose HER over me! I don't want you here! GET OUT!"
She grabbed a glass pen holder and threw it at him, it smashed on the wall and Freddy backed away in shock she would even attack him. She grabbed a book to throw, only to nearly slip and fall forward. Darren rushed to catch her and steady her.
He glanced at Freddy apologetically. "Sorry Freddy, you are not helping. Not now," He said to him as calmly as possible. "She needs to rest. She…she might be okay after some sleep."
Freddy nodded sadly and turned to leave with his head down and ears drooping. He paused and glanced back at Darren. "I don't think I will be…functional for the guests right now…"
"Understood, you can stay in your room," Darren said to him with an affirmative nod. He looked at Saphira as she attempted launching the book again and gently grabbed her wrist to stop her. "You're wasting energy. Stop."
Saphira looked at him and broke down in tears again, she heard the door close and Darren helped her back to her bed. She gripped the pillow and held it against her face to cry into. Darren rubbed his forehead gently, Saphira was in a self defence mode right now. He could see it by how she reacted to Freddy's presence. With some sleep, and perhaps space from the animatronics for a short time, she will regain some of herself again. But, it was a battle they could not win right now.
"Let it all out, Saphira. You will feel much better." Darren rubbed her back gently as she sobbed into the pillow. "I will inform the animatronics to leave you alone. Only for technical reasons." She just nodded into the pillow as she cried. "I will keep Vanessa on a tighter leash, as well. I won't make it obvious though. I have no doubt, what happened was planned between her and Springtrap. But…I hope you can also look past what happened and see she is a victim." Saphira did not know if she could do that anymore. "I know it might take time for that…but…or never…I hope you don't do anything to her either. You would be risking the wrath of someone who I don't want to anger. Springtrap scares me too Saphira. He's capable of breaking human bodies like twigs."
Saphira believed that. He not only was undead, but the strength of the suit was still there. She had seen some of it firsthand. She did not respond though. She continued to cry until she fell asleep. She didn't even realize she fell asleep. When she did, Darren placed a cold pack back on her forehead to reduce the swelling. He hoped she felt much better upon waking. Though he would wait and see on that. He felt very sad for the animatronics though, they had been manipulated, and it costed them the trust and love Saphira had for them. Especially Freddy. He knew they still cared for and loved Saphira, but it was important now they gave her the space she needed. He informed them what they needed to do, they reluctantly agreed. Especially Mr Hippo and Freddy. But, for now, this was the way it had to be. No matter how long it would take. All the animatronics also agreed to be weary of Vanessa. They did not know if Vanessa was honest or not, Monty himself believed she was lying after he saw the smug look on her face. He hoped Saphira would let him in if she knew, though, after all they both had been through traumatic experiences. He could relate to her in a way the other animatronics could not. Even Freddy. But, he would give her the space she needed from them and wait for her to take the first step to them.
