Hello my lovely readers!

PLEASE READ:

This fanfic does NOT follow any of the canon. I've been working on this story since the very first game and while I've tried incorporating all the other games in somehow, I've stayed with my original characters and OCs (Well... William Afton is still himself because he makes for a great villain). But I hope that this doesn't deter you from enjoying this fic.

I have a great many plans for this story, mostly to wreck the hearts of my family and friends, but I hope you like it!

Chapter 8

Inconclusive.

As it seems like all my tests are if they aren't "normal" or "within healthy parameters".

I press the back of my head into the flat hospital pillow and throw my arms over my eyes in frustration. It feels like I'm going in circles by this point with these stupid tests that are doing nothing to help me and are just costing us more money.

"Why couldn't I have been born with a normal body instead of this dysfunctional one?"

Groaning, I roll over to face the door leading into the hallway to watch for Mike. Knowing him, he was double checking payment plans and talking to insurance with the medical staff. It's a good thing he's always been the most frugal out of the both of us or else we couldn't afford me living. We haven't relied on anyone else since his mom died when I was fifteen, and he worked hard to make sure that I would be provided for and not have to go into the system. He worked the food industry to be able to bring home leftovers so that we would always have food on the table. He scavenged all his parts for his pet projects at the junk yard. He sold off his video game collection he had since he was eight and put it all into savings in case we hit a tough spot-of course my medical bills ate through that pretty fast, but it lasted long enough for me to turn seventeen and eventually be able to get my own job.

I just wish I didn't make life so hard for him. He probably could've sold several patents now if he could just buy the parts he needs for his prints. Maybe he would have a partner that wasn't scared off by the fact his little sister lives with him. He might've even been able to afford a better apartment.

I know for a fact he would've been able to finish college if not for me.

"No! You can take your so called 'concerns' and shove them right up your pretentious a-"

What?

I slip out of bed easily since I'd been freed of my wire and tube prison a few hours ago and make my way over the door, pressing my ear against it.

I can't remember the last time Mike has ever sounded that angry. What's going on?

"I don't care to hear about your proposal, what I want to know is how you even found out we were- Don't you dare try and change the subject! You don't have the right to be involved here! You lost that privilege YEARS ago! So go throw your blood money at someone else you only think is good enough to be a charity case!"

Oh, that must've been-ow!

The door I had been pressed against swung open to clock me in the cheek.

Should've guessed that was going to happen.

"Oh shoot! Chris, are you okay?" Mike warm hands grab at my face to turn my head to look for any obvious wounds, but I swat him away as I stand up.

"I'm fine, just bad timing with the door I guess."

"What were you even doing up?" He lets me go and I walk back to bed and sit down on the edge. "The doc said you're not suppose to move around much. You said your head felt all 'swimy,' remember?"

"Yeah, well, curiosity got the better of me, I guess."

Mike's eyes widen and he sheepishly rubs at his neck. "You heard that?"

"Bro, all of China heard you."

He mumbles under his breath, words which I assume are several swears, as he moves over the chair by the bed. I let him take a second and use the time to straighten myself, crossing my legs and covering myself back up with the thin blanket. I notice with a wince that the hospital lighting is doing nothing for his bags under his eyes. They're so big by this point they could crawl off of his face and go demand their own brand.

"It was Waylen," Mike finally says with heavy sigh.

"I figured. Not many people can get you that riled up besides him. What did he want this time?"

"He offered to pay for your medical bills and in exchange he wanted to take you out for lunch, coffee, something and catch up. Or so he says."

I narrow my eyes. "And then he would exploit me for some meager public reputation. Because of course he would. How did he even find out about-"

"One of his reps is here. She saw us come in and reported to him."

I can't help my own swear that comes out of my mouth.

I already have to deal with my health, the freaking state of the economy that makes it almost impossible to live decently, and now killer animatronics at my new job. I don't have time for this. I know Mike has my back at least. He's been keeping Waylen off of my back for years now.

I need to get my mind off of the this before I lose my temper. Time for a change in subject.

"When do I get to go home?"

Mike looks at me and gives me a smile. "I already talked to a nurse, they'll bring the papers in for you to sign when they can."

"Oh thank God," I sigh in relief, sagging into the inclined bed. "I'm so tired of being here. I can't wait to get home and cuddle with Captain Fo-

-xy tries to take another step towards me, his hook stretching out near my leg.

I kick out. "Don't! Please!"

That had been so close. He got into the office with me. He had been

right

there.

I should be a suit right now.

But why aren't I?

"Chris? You okay?"

I look over to meet my big brother's concerned grey eyes. I guess I was thinking too hard again.

"Sorry, I was just thinking."

"About what?"

Something that you don't need to know about. "If they're gonna make me go into work tonight."

Mike shakes his head and sits back, reclining the back of his seat. "No, I already talked with management when you were asleep earlier. You don't have to come in tonight and you aren't required to come in the next night either. They've got someone covering your shift until you can come back."

Now if that wasn't just the dumbest thing I'd ever heard. "So I can't break the contract at all, but they'll at least give me some time off for my crappy health as long as I complete what I signed up for? And they also bring in another 'victim'?"

"What can I say? The company is insane."

He's got that right.

All of this has my head hurting, but at least I'll be headed home soon.

"Oh, and by the way, Christy. Tomorrow I'm bringing you with me to work. So I can better keep an eye on you. Because knowing you, you'll overdo it and give yourself another episode."

Wait...

What?!

Don't sell yourself short!

You are not a burden, and if anyone tells you otherwise leave them behind because you don't need that negativity in your life.

This life has its ups and downs and we can only survive.

But you're doing great. Keep it up, lovely.

~With all my love and support, Alpha 3