The night was dark and the final hour was ticking closer. The air had a bizarre quality to it, as if the whole world was holding its breath, apprehensive of what was to come. The restaurant, all its neon turned off, took on a particularly surreal quality in the moonlight. Michael wondered what the town would think come morning.

Here he was at a liminal point in his life, standing at the end of his life and staring over the edge.

He wasn't scared though. There was going to be relief in taking that step.

Henry, having emerged from his truck, told him, "Last chance, Michael."

"There's no turning back, Uncle Henry."

Henry nodded, "If that's the case, and all goes well, I suppose I'll see you on the other side."

They spoke in riddles, skirting the truth of tonight. There was no need anymore to blatantly say what was going to happen. That time was passed.

Henry swallowed thickly, "As bad as the circumstances were, I am very happy to have had you and Cass in my life these past few years. I wish it could have been different."

Charlie, who lingered beside him, added, "I'm glad everything was smoothed over between us."

Michael smiled at her and him then addressed Henry, "I'm happy for everything you've done for me. I'd never be able to repay you."

Henry waved him off, "Son, you've done more for me than you could have ever imagined. Your company has been enough."

Michael then turned his attention to Charlie, "I wish we could have spent more time together."

"If things were better," she promised, "I love you Mikey."

"I love you too Charlie. And you too Uncle Henry."

Henry turned, jabbing his finger in the direction of another car pulling into the parking lot, "There's your Jeremy."

Michael nodded and reached inside his car, retrieving Helpy. The little plastic bear cocked its head at him inquisitively.

Cassidy remained behind, to have his own words with the pair. Michael crossed the parking lot where Jeremy had parked and was leaving his car. His face was red and blotchy and it was evident he had been crying on his way here. Michael's chest constricted and he met him in an embrace.

They held the embrace as Jeremy sobbed into his chest, "Mikey, I'mma miss you so much."

"I know, I know," he murmured, rubbing circles into his back with his knuckles, "Remember what I said. That you're the strongest person I know."

Jeremy nodded, even though he still didn't really believe him. Michael pulled away then held Helpy out to him. It took a few moments for him to realize what he was doing and he almost cried all over again, "But you were so proud of him! And you're just giving him to me?!"

"And he doesn't deserve to burn up too. I think having him will help you," Mike insisted, pressing the squirming bear into his grip.

Jeremy accepted him like he was liable to break him by even touching his smooth, plastic cover. Helpy looked from one to the other. Compared to Michael's father's and Henry's creations, Helpy seemed laughably simple. But he held the illusion of being a real, feeling creation, just like those before him. Jeremy sniffled and patted his head. When Helpy giggled, he smiled softly. He switched him to his other arm to cradle him so he could embrace his partner with the other. "I'll miss you so much, I don't know if I'll be able to love again."

"Oh, don't do that. I'll feel terrible way up there in the clouds about it," Michael teased gently, "And you know you're not supposed to feel sad up in Heaven."

"Oh well, you might just have to be sad then," Jeremy poked back.

He looked away then added, "...I'll try my best."

Michael cupped his cheek, "I'm serious. I love you. I hope, after all this, there will be peace for you—for everyone."

"I hope so," Jeremy leaned into his touch, "Especially if you gotta die for it…"

"There better be if I've got anything to say about it," Michael's tone turned dangerously low.

"That'd be just like you," Jeremy laughed through his tears, "You'd be dead and if things still didn't go right, you'd crawl right back outta the grave to make sure they did."

"Let's hope it doesn't come to that. Saying this once hurts enough," Michael smiled, his lips twitching with suppressed emotion.

He moved his hand to the back of his head then pulled him in for a kiss, gentle and full of the things he couldn't say. They held the kiss for a few moments too long, and if Jeremy had any say, it would be many more longer. But eventually, they had to pull away. Michael took his hands and squeezed them, looking into his eyes. He smiled weakly and, despite no words, their intent was clear.

Goodbye. I love you. I'll miss you.

Finally, he let go and turned away. He gave a final look back over his shoulder, still smiling. And then he left Jeremy, heading inside.

Jeremy knew in his chest this was the last time he'd ever see him.

Jeremy lifted Helpy up, running his fingers along his plastic exterior. When his fingers snagged on one of his ears, pulling it down, the bear played a sound clip. Michael's voice emanated from his speaker, "Love you Jeremy!" his tone full of cheer.

Jeremy couldn't help but cry all over again.

The silence inside the pizzeria was intense and thick. Michael padded though, giving it one last berth. It as a really nice establishment. The kids liked it, which was a shame what they'd find in the morning.

Things were left as they had when the workday ended. A few tables still had dirty plates and platters, confetti and various litter was still scattered about and even the animatronics were never put away. They were slumped and dead, staring out into the near darkness. Michael had proposed saving them but Henry bitterly said no. Fazbear Entertainment could dig them out of the wreckage if they wanted them so damn badly.

Henry and Charlie had left to their own post, a secret office much like his own. Whatever words and actions they had were each other was not his business, as whatever was going to happen with Michael and Cass wasn't. His brother appeared beside him and together, they walked to their own post.

His station was simple; nothing more than a desk and chair. Behind him, the door latched shut, locking automatically. There was no escape—not for Michael and not for anything else. He sat down with a sigh. The space was cramped and to his sides were two yawning, empty vents. He didn't mind being put in the repurposed room, even if he was vulnerable.

Didn't really matter, he reasoned.

Cassidy hovered beside him and together, they waited.

And waited.

And waited.

The intercom crackled and it wasn't Henry's voice.

"You and Michael must think yourself very clever."

Michael jumped to his feet and Cassidy shot up like a rocket, "Father!" Michael hissed, "But how?"

"Setting this up was rather clever. But you've never been more clever than me, Henry. Me and my family are getting out of this."

"We are!" Elizabeth chirped, "Daddy said you messed up giving us this place! That it's a gift! That now...now we can do what we need to do!"

"So you better start running," William purred, "I'm going to find you and make you wish you just stayed out of this. And Michael, my son…" his tone turned to that of simmering fury, "...I know you've been misguided. Surely, you will listen to your father once I find you—"

"No more of that," Henry cut in with a sharp beep.

Michael's heart soared.

"William...Elizabeth, if you still know that name. Both of you have been misinformed and mistaken. There is no gift here for either of you and you haven't been called here for all the reasons you presume. But...you have been indeed called.

You have all been called here, into a labyrinth of sounds and smells, of misdirection and misfortune. A labyrinth with no exit. A maze with no prize. You have been trapped but you don't even realize there is no way out, your lust for blood forcing you forward. The cries of children, so close yet so far. Always seeming so near yet out of reach…

...but you will never find them. None of you will.

This is where your story ends. This is where all our stories end.

I regret I never saw the writing on the wall before any of this happened. This place will not be remembered and the memory of all of this can finally start to fade away. As the agony of every tragedy should. It's the most I can do.

Michael, I am so grateful for your help...even just your presence. I offered you my home because I knew you needed it. In truth, I needed you too. Not only to start me down the path to this end but..because I needed someone. I wish I could have saved you from the fate that belied you. So let me do this for you and bring you peace.

I hope I can find it for myself.

There is a certain someone who I hope will find it too. Son, I know you're angry and you've been angry for a long time. I beg of you, leave the demon to his demons and rest your own soul.

To my daughter, Charlotte. I have already said all I wished to to you. All I will say is I'm glad to bring you peace, to lift you into my arms and save you. Just as you saved so many yourself.

To the monster in the corridors, be still and give up your soul. It doesn't belong to you, it never did.

I believe for most of us, there will be peace and warmth, after the smoke clears.

But for you, old friend? The darkest pit of Hell has opened to swallow you whole. So don't leave the Devil waiting, my friend.

This ends. For all of us.

End communication."

A smile played on Michael's lips. Big damn speech, huh? He was touched.

As Henry had been speaking, the temperature in the room had been steadily climbing. The air was stuffy and thick, even to his lessened sense. He hadn't dared move during the speech and he knew everyone else in the building had stopped to listen. While he felt a sense of gratefulness and relief, it wasn't universal. Others felt skepticism, terror, fury, peace, denial.

But that was not on Michael's mind. He leaned back, the chair protesting under him. In the corridors, the building creaked and complained as it began to die too. He closed his eyes, "Cass. I love you, lil man."

"I love you too, Mikey. It's going to be alright soon," his brother assured softly, his presence clinging close to him.

It was silent between them. Off in the corridors, mechanisms finally came to life, gushing fire like a dragon and hastening the process. There was pops and groans as things simply got too hot and exploded. Despite it all, Michael felt no fear.

Then, there was a clattering racket and he sat up straight to see his sister emerging into his space, "Lizzie!" he cried as she kicked the chair up against the wall.

"Good job, sweetie," his father praised, climbing from the vent and making the already small space all the more cramped.

"Father, Lizzie?! What are you doing here?"

"Asking a question like that at a time like this!?" his father snapped, "Michael. Where is the exit."

Cassidy has disappeared like mist in the morning but he still bled waves of white hot rage. Surely, it was taking all his will to stubbornly hide himself.

"There is no exit," Michael hissed to his father.

"Son, don't lie to me. You're still here."

Michael stared back, "You think I'm leaving?"

Michael didn't answer right away, instead struggling to not snap at him. He growled, "Why would I want to live."

William stared, as if he was floundering with his reply, then growled back, "You're being ridiculous, Mike. Now stop lying and tell me and Lizzie where the exit is. We want to live."

"Yeah, Mikey! Give it up!" Lizzie chipped in.

Michael looked from one to other. How was he going to deal with this?! There was no time for this!

"Lizzie, this needs to end, you know it!" Michael instead tried to appeal to his sister. His father was steadfast, he wouldn't change his mind but maybe…

"No!" she cried, "I don't want to die! Not again!"

Something awoke in Michael's chest and he couldn't help the venom in his tone, though not directed at her, "Me and Henry are trying to put us all to rest but it's all Father's fault me and you are like this! Cass was all me but us? No, it was Dad. It's his fault you couldn't have been a little girl, not really."

"Michael!" he heard his father snap.

"It was my fault! I should have listened!" Elizabeth cried.

"Whose fault is it you ended up in Baby in the first place?" Michael countered.

Elizabeth didn't have an answer so he added, "Elizabeth. Why was it you never tried to talk to Father all that time?"

"That doesn't matter!" William cut in.

"YES, IT DOES!"

With a snap, Cassidy manifested above Michael. All went silent. Then William broke it, "C-Cassidy!"

"Let Lizzie speak," he snapped at him, rendering him mute with shock.

His son was still lingering as a spirit? Why had he never told him? And this coldness, this fury...it was so unexpected.

"I was scared," Elizabeth started and everyone listened, "I was scared because Baby hurt me. I didn't understand why she did. She was made just for me…"

"Lizzie…" William began.

"Why did she hurt me!?" Elizabeth whirled upon him with a shriek, her claw now pointed at him and her brothers behind her.

William, for the first time in a long time, didn't know how to answer. Here was his daughter, once so obedient and loyal, turned against him and demanding an answer he didn't have. He worked his jaw as he tried to think of one. He couldn't wait, there was no more time.

Finally, he told the truth, "She...wasn't supposed to. I made her for you but it was never to hurt you. It was for research, for your baby brother."

"You never asked me if I even wanted you to save me," Cassidy said coldly.

"Why wouldn't you?" he asked back.

"I would have loved to been saved," he said, "But not at the expense of all those kids. Not at the expense of my friends."

This time he really didn't have an answer. He protested, "I didn't want you to stay dead. It wasn't fair."

"You can't say any of this was fair," Michael said, his tone the quietest of his siblings, "I had to come to terms with what I did. But you never came to terms with it."

"He would have still lingered," his father argued.

"I would have come to terms eventually too," Cassidy descended back beside his siblings, "That way Charlie or Elizabeth or anyone else wouldn't have had to die. Uncle Henry's life wouldn't have fallen apart...our family wouldn't have fallen apart," there was still some anger in his tone but it had turned more disdainful.

William looked from each of them; Elizabeth still standing guard over them, Cassidy glowering at him and Michael...just looked tired. Behind him, fire roared like a beast.

His son...was right.

He had lost control over himself, over his darker desires and his pain. Perhaps, if he hadn't, him and Henry could have had a good, prosperous business and life. Their creations would have taken on a life of their own, not been dragged along by faceless stockholders. His family would have been happy. Maybe he would have been happy, if it wasn't for his selfishness.

He looked at his children again, really looked at them. Michael looked back, as if pleading for rest. Elizabeth was coiled like a spring, her claw moved to shield her brothers from him. Like she expected his next victims to be his own children. And his youngest, watching him with guarded venom, such a far cry from the timid boy he once was.

"There is no way out, is there," William asked, even though he already knew the answer.

"We never even put one in," Michael confirmed, "Not even for Henry."

This was it then. "Even Henry is here?"

"Said he didn't have anything to live for. Not anymore."

Even here, at the end of all things, their fates were tangled together. As a youth, he might have chuckled at the idea but here, it felt cold and hollow. Both their lives and their lines had grown together like gnarled, thorned vines and now they'd burn together.

Every victory he had won over him meant nothing.

Time was stretching long as his fate ticked closer. He couldn't really feel temperature but he could see how the air was distorted from the heat and how angry, orange light emitted from the vents. Even if he wanted to, he couldn't run from his children. Elizabeth had apparently decided he wasn't going to harm them and had sank into an awkward sitting position beside Michael's chair. Cassidy sank behind his brother, his gaze now fixed on him and softened. And Michael himself had relaxed. He murmured, "I love you Lizzie, I love you Cass," he looked over at his father, words stuck in his throat.

"It's fine," he said though it really wasn't, "I understand."

"Dad," Michael said slowly, deliberately, "I can't understand why you did what you did. I don't know if I can say I love you now but before, I did love you."

That...was enough, William decided. "Perhaps I loved you three too much," he murmured, "I will always love you, no matter what may come."

He sank to the floor, as far from his children as he could manage. They were together, he could say at least. He supposed this was the last selfish thing he was able to do. There was a few moments of silence before Michael whispered, "Father."

"...Michael."

The light coming through the vents cast bizarre shadows over his son's gaunt face as he asked, "When does remnant stop working?"

William's heart constricted. This was it; the end of the line. Like Henry had declared, this was the end of their story. There was nowhere left to go. Death was advancing, scythe raised high, eager to reap what had been kept from it.

His children had accepted this. Elizabeth had set her head on her brother's leg, eye craned up to look at him. Cassidy had retreated back into his Fredbear plushie, no words left to be said.

There was no choice.

He explained, "Well, remnant goes inert at high temperatures. It becomes...neutralized."

"That makes sense," Michael chuckled, despite himself, "That's what we thought—fire purifies," the lights in his eyes were going fuzzy and dim.

Michael couldn't describe the feeling but in metaphor. It felt like there was a cord from his soul to body and one was drifting away from the other. His soul was tugging away from his body and it was making his mind go fuzzy, like a TV tuned to a dead channel.

It felt like dying. But this time it didn't hurt. It was almost pleasant, in a way. The room should have felt blisteringly hot but it felt like sitting in front of the fireplace in the dead of winter. So nice and warm he might just doze off.

That sounded nice.

Just going to sleep.

"Mikey?" Elizabeth asked quietly, trying to rouse her older brother.

He didn't respond.

William choked. His eldest had gone still, head bowed and eyes closed.

Oh god, this really was all his fault.

He couldn't stop the reality of the situation from collapsing in on him all at once. He had destroyed everything in a single action, one nightmarish domino effect. No, that implied he had only done one terrible thing instead of a dozen terrible, awful things. There had been something dark and twisted inside of him but inside of taming it, he let it consume him. And now, there was no time left to repent. Only to accept the hellfire coming for him.

Henry had been right about that. He had been right about a lot of things all along. The darkest pit of Hell was coming to swallow William whole.

"Daddy, I'm scared," somehow Elizabeth had come back towards him.

Cassidy had no words left for either of them. There would be none good for him if he did, William suspected, and he was only restraining himself for his siblings. He couldn't possibly comfort his sister.

But maybe, William could be what he should have been, just once.

He reached out, gently touching her shoulder with his good hand. "It's going to be alright, darling," he soothed, not daring look at the flames licking the inside of the office, "You, Mike and Cassidy are going to a better place."

"What about you?" she asked.

"...I don't know," he lied.

Author's Note: That's (mostly) a wrap! There's an epilogue where I'll give my full thoughts but I will say this chapter is LARGELY what kept me from finishing this because it's full of gut punch after gut punch (though I think it's some of my best work).