It hurt, always being pushed away.

First, it was Charlie's father who suffered in silence, hiding secrets from him and his mother. Both of them could see his pain, see that he knew something that tore him inside. His illness grew and festered, making everything worse and more painful…Until he disappeared without a trace.

Over the next two years, Charlie had to watch the same thing happen to his mother. She became so consumed by her research and attempt to find something that it eroded her. Charlie wanted to help, yet she pushed him away every time, never agreeing to tell the truth. It would be safer, she said every time. Said that he should be elsewhere…Uncle Terry and Diana did everything to ensure that living with them felt like home for Charlie, but they could never replace his own parents.

He tried to spend his time focusing on something else; sometimes, it was school, and sometimes, it was playing with the toy soldiers his uncle gifted him. He played with them now, though all of his attempts to focus came back at him. Whatever he imagined, the soldiers on the opposing side always turned into vile representations of how he imagined those who made his parents suffer. Charlie didn't want to stand aside and simply wait. He wanted to help his parents…He hoped he still could.

His fantasies were interrupted by a door knock, which made the boy turn around.

"Can I come in?" A kind, soft voice echoed from behind the door. Charlie didn't respond straight away. Usually, he was always welcoming to company, but his mood grew all the more sour with each day.

"Sure, Uncle Terry." Charlie sighed, and the moment after, a slim man with dark hair and fair skin made his way in. He must have come back from work fairly recently.

"Are you doing alright?" He wondered.

"I did all my homework." The boy responded.

"That's…That is not what I meant. Are you holding up alright? Anything you want from us?"

"I'm fine, really."

"Okay…Diana made some tea. Want to come along and have some?"

"Later, maybe."

"She's worrying; you've barely talked to anybody in the last few days." Terry shook his head. "We don't want you to feel lonely, but we can't help if you don't allow us."

"Did you hear anything about mom?" Charlie spoke up, deciding to get to the point. He knew his mother was missing, and he had no doubt that it was her research that brought her to this. Something terrible has happened, something that has gone too far to stop.

"I…I asked the police about it again, but they say there hasn't been anything to go by." Terry sighed with disappointment.

"They'll never find anything," Charlie responded.

"Why do you think so?"

"They never did before…Mom was looking for Dad all this time; she thought he was alive, and police never found him."

"But your father disappeared almost three years ago…"

"It doesn't mean he's dead!" Charlie looked up and spoke loudly. "He was hiding, planning something. I didn't know what it was, but mom knew something…She was close, and I wanted to help, but she never wanted it and…" Charlie took a deep breath and tried to hold back his anger. He saw sympathy in Terry's eyes as he came closer.

"Sorry, I shouldn't have said that…" He extended his hand. "Honestly, I admire your determination. Few children would be so eager to do something so dangerous." A warm smile emerged on Terry's face. "Though I suppose if anyone would do that, it would be my sister's kid. I see a lot of Lynda in you."

"Really?" Charlie said with a glimmer of hope and pride.

"Of course…She was always determined and proactive, never content with staying on the side. She always wanted to get involved and bring her ideas in. I admired that about her, and that's why I didn't try to stop that research of hers; it would be pointless…But I wanted to help in any way I could. I pray that they find her every single day, and I pray for Gron, too." Terry sighed. "I know it's not enough, but…It is still worth doing to keep them in our memory and allow them to continue their fight, wherever they are." He approached Charlie and hugged the distraught boy.

"I want to be with them again…" Charlie sniffed, trying to hold back his tears.

"I know, I know…I want to see them, too."

It was never too foolish to hope.

…

As life has gone on, it was time for Charlie to step into the greater world and set onto his path of life. He wasn't sure if he was ready, yet Terry and Diana did everything to stay by his side and help Charlie to become the man he wanted to be, to live up to his parents's legacy…Of course, it wasn't enough, but Charlie tried to let go, at least at first. Yet, no matter how hard he tried, his life began to be defined by the disappearance of his parents and the mystery that surrounded it. It began with others telling Charlie that he sometimes took too much responsibility on his shoulders, so much so that it would drain him. Somewhere deep down, Charlie knew that the reason for this was the utter rejection from his mother when he tried to help her. She never allowed him to take some of her responsibility away…And now he never had enough.

Perhaps this was why he was at the end of his school years, standing at the podium, preparing to read his speech before all who stood by his and his classmate's side as they went through education. Parents, caretakers, siblings, teachers, friends…All except them.

"Welcome, everyone, and thank you for coming," Charles announced with a firm voice, trying to focus on his words. It was nothing too notable, yet another inspirational talk of which Charlie heard many, but quite a few people enjoying listening to similar mantras again and again. "I want to begin by saying that studying in our great school has been the greatest honor for me and all my friends. No doubt all of you gathered here to celebrate our successes and achievements over the last few years, as well as the wonderful opportunities our school has provided us with." He looked over the crowd, noticing Uncle Terry and Diana in one of the middle rows with smiles of pride and joy on their faces. They did their best to become his parents, and this was a feat for which Charlie had endless respect, yet in the end, they were still not enough. "But it's one thing to look at a past that can be changed and peer into the uncertain future…And that is what I wanted to acknowledge today. We live in a historical time of discovery, progress, and evolution, and as the twenty-first century approaches, I want us all to remember to learn from what we have experienced during our youth as we move on. Our lives were not without challenges, not without pitfalls and mistakes which we should do our best not to repeat." Charlie tried to speak with genuine conviction, yet there was a nudging feeling that remained in his heart, telling him that he could not practice what he preached.

The main lesson he learned during his time was to learn to finally let go, but he couldn't.

"But we overcame those pitfalls by opening up to our friends and family, allowing them to help us while still doing our best. Connections, both old and new, are something that will carry us through and allow all of us to thrive…" Charlie closed his eyes, thinking of his mother working tirelessly to uncover the dark truth while he, a young, powerless boy, tried to help, tried to talk to her, only to be pushed away. Even his speech was still influenced by his past experience. He looked into the crowd, and for a moment, Charlie felt as if he saw them…Saw his mother, finally smiling at his success and looking as healthy and joyous as she was before their family fell apart. He also saw his father in his favored green jacket and a jester hat on him, his smile as silly as it was addictive and endearing. They should've been here, should've been the ones to share this moment of pride with him; his mind knew this, and that is why Charlie still saw them. But in truth, those were Terry and Diana, people who cared for him yet not the ones he wanted to see here the most.

"I had to learn it the hard way, and so I urge all of you…Do not push those who want to help you aside, and do not suffer in silence. Even if you don't feel like it is the right thing to do at that moment, one day, you will regret it. Remember mistakes of your past and don't repeat them, looking into the future…It would be for the benefit of us all."

If only Charlie could follow his own advice.

…

There was only direction Charles cared about after graduating. Terry and Diana were impressed by how stalwart and determined he was when it came to his life choices. The police academy. During his last years, Charles almost believed he could let go, but his dreams, hallucinations, and endless yearning to see his parents again told him otherwise. He wasn't expecting or hoping for them to be still alive, but there was a reason for their disappearance, and Charlie wanted to uncover what it was they knew that others didn't. The skills and resources he needed to accomplish it were with the police.

The irony wasn't lost on Charles as he walked through the doors for the first time. He hated that the police were never of any real help when it came to helping his parents, even though they were useless at some point. Now, he was on his way to join them.

It was time to become the change he wanted to see.

Oh, that day, Charlie set himself on a long path of training, both of body and will. Every day was a challenge, but he was prepared. He learned about the law, common techniques, and the processes of investigating crime. All in a fierce process of competition between other recruits, each wanted to prove themselves to be the best.

Respect was earned, not given, and Charles knew that respect led to trust. If he was about to become the protector of the people, he should command respect and trust. He wanted to be better than all those policemen he knew of who stood aside while horrendous crime persisted in his hometown. He wanted to be what the people needed.

It took trial and error as well as endless training and determination, but eventually, it paid off. When Charles graduated, he felt as if this was the first of his great accomplishments that would define his future. He was even swelling with pride. Now, there were far more doors of life open to him, yet Charles had only one he wanted to pursue.

The only door that led not to his future but to his past.

…

"Finally, you're here…Have to say, with all your wants and terms, you've been the most bloody complicated client we've had to deal with in a long while, boy."

"Does it matter as long as I pay you your due?"

"Eh…Well, you better make it worth my time."

"Certainly. Right after, I can see the 'cargo.'"

Charles searched for a key to the door of his past, and sometimes, this search took him to unexpected places, somewhere he never thought he'd end up. Working with Detective Owens, his supervisor and mentor, led to Charlie having to find his place in the field of fighting crime. He was lucky enough to find a teacher who never underestimated his talents and gave the young apprentice ample opportunity to prove himself, an opportunity that Charles grappled with every single time. The tasks became harder every time and every time, the policeman delighted in the challenge.

His last mission was to infiltrate a drug gang that operated in Hurricane over the last few years.

Young men were the demographic most interested in using the 'services' of this organization; hence, it would be a natural fit for Charles to go undercover. He played his part as a determined yet addicted youngster overtaken by paranoia, unable to trust anyone before seeing the portion of what he was promised himself. He became both a client and a useful asset for the gang leader, a short and bald man who was most simply called "The Hawk." Now was Charles's opportunity to meet the criminal in his lair so he could get some of his drugs directly. Of course, all of this was a ruse, an operation to uncover their hideout and receive proof that the Hawk owns and sells illegal substances. And here he was, bringing out the 'spice' before him, falling into the trap of believing that Charles was ever on his side.

"Here, see, all here." The Hawk said in a disgruntled voice. This was perfect; Charles could barely contain his smile. The squad was in their way already, and the moment he's done here, taking down the Hawk will become one of his greatest achievements. "Gonna have your taste or need a special invite?"

"Yes, sorry, I just…I need to smell it to be sure." Charles walked towards the Hawk slowly.

"Take your time, not like I have a fucking business to run…"

Suddenly, a loud bang at the door echoed in Charles's and Hawk's ears, immediately interrupting them. The two armed guards took out their pistols in reaction to the bang, but Charlie realized that it was already over for them.

"What in the…" Hawk began, but before he could finish, Charles grabbed his hand with extreme precision and not a single moment of holding back. "AAARGH!" The Hawk screamed as Charles twisted his hand and pushed him to the floor. The guards were too shocked to respond for a few more moments, and Charles had to use them flawlessly. He reached out for the gun in the Hawk's pocket and pulled it away into his own harm before making the man stand up with one quick drag and putting the gun to his head. By the time the guards were ready, Charlie already had the situation under control.

"Don't shoot, you retards!" The Hawk shouted while still under immense pain.

"I'd listen to what he says," Charles added. "If you want to shoot your own boss, then…Well, I can't say I blame you for this one. But he has yet to give his testimony in court."

"In court?" The Hawk spoke with shock. "What are you blabbering on about?!"

"Your future."

"You maggot, you ratted us out!"

"From your point of view, maybe…But it's on you for not being able to distinguish a genuine druggie from an undercover cop."

"NO!"

Moments after, the squad finally broke in.

"Hands up, you're under arrest!"

It was time to shut this place down.

…

From his early years, Charlie was taught that hard work always paid off. He kept this mantra in mind and rarely questioned it, but it took time before he could finally witness it in his life. But that moment came, and it was for Charlie to make the best of it.

As he stood in his uniform, preparing for the chief to give him a badge that he earned, Charlie thought of the highs he achieved while working with senior detectives and the police. He saw the worst sides of humanity, the scum that was not afraid to break the law for their own needs and desires. Drug traders, murderers, thieves…Police departments never suffered a shortage of work. Through this, Charles learned, remembered all tricks and techniques, perfected his skills and tactics, everything to be the best version of himself, the most fitting for this job.

Of this, he needed to get a promotion and leave the shadow of other detectives so he could begin his own research. To set onto a trail left by his parents and the mystery of Fazbear Inc., Terry, and Diana thought he should let go by this point…But Charles knew that he would never be able to forget. Even if it meant spending his life in pursuit of the truth he would never discover, this was the only way.

"Congratulations, Charles, I knew you would go far."

"Thank you, Detective Owens; I was following the example you've set."

"Don't undersell yourself. The honor is well earned. The badge is yours…Detective Takaliken."