So this is a re-upload of this fic, I had put it up previously but didn't like how I started it. But here it is now. This is very short due to it being an opening prologue.

To make things clear.

This fic is separate from my DIFFERENCE fic, this will follow the canon lore a bit closer (as much as I feasibly can lol). Leo (my oc) is in this fic, however things are a bit…different, and how or why that is. Well you'll have to see.

Also, swears will be censored, I'm sorry if that bothers you.Afton family lineup:
William - Father
Clara - Mother
Michael - Eldest son
Elizabeth - Middle daughter
Evan - Youngest son.

I own nothing but my ocs.

Credit to Selkiesong22 for all her help.

Thanks for checking it out, I hope you like it. :)

Prologue
Reassignment

Michael didn't like to go shopping.

Going out at all had become something to dread. It had gotten better over the years, but there were still many people in town who still considered he and his father just a little too suspicious.

And given the very public tragedies that his family was at the dead center of, well it brought upon a lot of unwanted stares and whispers anytime he or his father came out of their house.

What was most infuriating was that it was all unwarranted.

It had been five years since those kids went missing, Henry and his dad had been working hard at repairing the damage that the incident caused. It resulted in a lot of stress for the two of them. Stress that Michael wished he could do something to resolve.

But really, with the stain on him because of his past…well, not many people were receptive toward him.

With a deep sigh he gripped the handle of the grocery card. Twisting the plastic on it as far as it could go. All he needed was to get the essentials and head back home.

A puff of breath escaped him as he headed down the isle, eyes on the list in hand, "alright…all that's left is cereal…eggs…butter…and spaghetti." He paused gazing at the last item on the list. If he went for the cheap boxes…maybe he'd have enough for a pack of gum.

He wondered if his dad would be upset if he didn't come back with change, last time he seemed rather cross about it. But the pizzeria had been busy this week…so maybe he wouldn't care…?

Michael had been so absorbed in his thoughts he failed to notice someone crossing before him just as he exited the isle.

So as a result, his basket when barreling into their's causing him to jump and jerk his backward.

Michael froze and before he even looked up an apology was already falling out of his mouth, when his gaze did lift, he found he didn't have to lift it very high.

The short man before him frowned brow turned slightly downward as he looked at Michael.

"S…sorry…" the Afton muttered, swallowing back the anxious bubble in him at the intense stare he was met with.

Eye contact between them was finally broken when the man looked down at his basket and gave a grunt.

And when he wasn't focused on his stare, Michael briefly took in the rest of his appearance, out of his mouth hung what looked like some kind of lollipop stick. He was nearly a foot shorter then Michael, and was dressed in a grey t shirt with a black long sleeve under it.

He looked…familiar?

He hadn't realized he'd been staring till he was met with those dark eyes again, "problem?" The man asked, snapping Michael from his stupor.

Stepping back, the Afton cleared his throat, "no…uh…sorry…have we met before?"

The short man gave Michael a once over before squinting slightly and then shrugging, "dunno, maybe?" his words were muffled by the candy in his mouth, and he seemed to realize that as he pulled it out eyeing the purple hard candy a moment. "I used to come to this town a lot when I was a kid." His eyes flickered up to Michael's, "I recently moved here." He then paused before using his candy like a stick and pointing it at Michael. "Ya know, now that I'm lookin' at you, you do seem kinda familiar."

At the very least Michael was glad he wasn't crazy, "huh…so I guess we must've met before." He paused a beat and opened his mouth to continue, only for the man to speak first.

"Weird." He put the sucker back in his mouth before giving a grunt, "see you around I guess." And with that…he pushed his cart off.

Michael stepped forward slightly and watched him go, his brow pinching slightly.

He…did look awfully familiar…

Michael just…couldn't place it.

With a sigh, Michael resumed his grocery shopping. Unfortunately, as the bill was tallied up at the counter…he quickly found he didn't have enough to get any gum.

But…pushing that disappointment aside, Michael put all the groceries in his bag before climbing onto his bike.

He wasn't sure if his father would be home tonight for dinner, but he supposed he should get on it anyways.

And as Michael headed home, he couldn't help but frown as he thought of his encounter with the stranger.

He just…seemed so familiar…

Despite the car not being in the driveway, Michael wasn't surprised to find the door unlocked, as of late William had gotten more and more forgetful when it came to small things like that.

Though, given his father had been out all day, this one was on Michael.

He muttered a curse under his breath and made sure to lock the door behind him as he headed further into the two story house that had become far too large for the two of them.

Kicking off his shoes he glanced around for any sign that William had come home at some point, but everything was untouched from when Michael left. This was probably going to be a long day. Which meant his father might be in a mood.

Wincing, Michael took in the state of the house around him, he should probably clean before he came home.

If anything just to prevent more irritation from William.

So, with a breath, he put away all the groceries and started cleaning the house.

It wasn't particularly messy, but neither of them were very fond of cleaning, which resulted in things being left about. Though most of it was concentrated in the kitchen and living room. From jackets strewn about, to shirts, and socks. There was a three-day old pizza box that made Michael wince when he caught a whiff of the remaining slices inside.

With a sigh he tossed the box and it's contents into the garbage, mumbling about how he'd have to take it out later.

With the living room straightened up a bit, Michael made his way to the kitchen, he started sorting through the dishes, putting them into the washer.

It was after he put a plate in that he stood back up and noticed what looked to be some kind of blueprint. His brow pinched slightly, it was probably an animatronic print but usually his dad kept those in the basement…so why would it be up here?

Going over, he removed the magazines atop it and was about to pick it up when the sound of the door unlocking snapped his attention to it.

Not a few moments later, his father came through the door, still in uniform, he shut and locked the door behind him before turning to face Michael.

For a moment the pair locked eyes, "hey." Michael greeted, and William gazed at him before removing his coat and hanging it on the coat hanger.

"Did you go to the shop?" He asked before turning back around, and Michael glanced down at the blueprint before back up at him.

"Yeah, just got back a few minutes ago." He stepped out of the kitchen and went to the living room, picking up the laundry basket that he'd left with the intention of sorting. "I was just straightening up."

William only gave a slight grunt in response before making his way to the kitchen, the keys to his car clattered on the laminate countertop. He went straight to the fridge, only to pause, staring at the interior.

Michael knew exactly what he was looking for and pursed his lips a moment, "I would've gotten you some…but uh, not yet legal." He answered the unasked question.

William sighed his shoulders slumping a bit, he shut the door and went to the cabinet pulling out a glass and filling it at the tap.

"I'll just go to the bar later." He mumbled before downing the glass and turning to Michael, "but first, I need to talk to you about something."

Michael paused and stepped closer, setting the basket down on the counter, "okay…what is it?"

William filled up another glass of water and took a sip before turning to Michael again, "I know you've been working at the pizzeria to earn some extra cash." He then motioned to Michael with his glass, "but I think I'm going to assign you to one of our other locations."

That gave Michael pause, "other location? I thought this was the only one open…" he trailed, brow furrowing low. William put the glass into the sink and started loosening his tie.

"Of sorts, the one I will be sending you to isn't really a pizzeria." He removed the tie and draped it over his shoulder. "It's a rental service, you will be working in the storage facility, maintaining the animatronics within." With that he walked past Michael and headed toward his room.

Michael stood there blinking a moment before quickly following, "dad!" William paused but didn't turn around, "I don't understand, why am I being transferred?"

At that his father turned around and gazed at him a moment, his flinty icy blue eyes made Michael squirm a bit where he stood, "Michael, do you remember what happened to Elizabeth?"

The question made Michael blink as his brow pinched, "Elizabeth went missing eight years ago…" he trailed, not sure where this was going.

"Yes. She did, under very strange circumstances, no?" His father prompted, and Michael gazed at him trying to follow.

The circumstances had been suspicious, Elizabeth vanished on the opening day of Circus Baby's Pizzeria. The very location that had also closed due to a gas leak on the same opening day.
"Yeah…it was a bit strange." He muttered his brow furrowing low, William gazed at him with a look that told Michael he was supposed to be understanding something he did not get.

"Yes. Strange enough to warrant a further looking into yes?" The way his father was talking bothered Michael. Like he knew more then what he was saying.

"Dad…I don't understand what you're wanting." He claimed, and William hummed before reaching a hand into his pocket and pulling out what looked to be a note. He gazed at it before handing it over to Michael. Gingerly the Afton took it and gazed at the contents.

1224 Wallberry Rd.
Find her. Before it's too late.

The note was as vague as his father's earlier statements. However, just as he looked up from the note, William brushed past him and headed for the door.

Michael blinked and turned on his heel to face the man's back. "What does this-"

"You start tonight at 10." William said instead, before grabbing his keys from the counter and turning to face Michael. "Don't —-k it up." And with that, he left.

Michael stood in the hallway, staring at the door even as he heard his father's car pull from the driveway.

His eyes fell to the note after a few moments and he puffed out a breath, running his hand through his hair.

"I don't understand." He mumbled, "it's been eight years…" he lifted his gaze to the door brow pinching, "dad…couldn't have…known where she was this whole time…could he?"

The question sprouted both feelings of unease and guilt.

Certainly, if his father knew where Elizabeth was…she would've been back a long time ago.

This was really just an establishing chapter, more will happen in chapter one. Hope y'all like it!