Author Note

So holiday arrives and I get sick... Anyway, finally got the next chapter done.

Also, the first chapter of the Asks will go up in the next half hour probably.

Chapter 54

Ghosts

Hedy honestly couldn't care less about Ruby's pirate night at the moment. She needed something...distracting.

Inventory. She had put off doing it for so long simply because she had mixed feelings about being in that room. Parts and Services. Granted, it wasn't the exact same room as the one she was really avoiding. That one was long gone, sitting behind a wall in an old building somewhere that used to be her Freddy's.

But still, people had died here. Her uncle had died here...

Hedy groaned and rested her head on the table.

Ghosts have been here the whole time? Just...watching them? Watching her? That was...ridiculous...right? What was this? The Twilight Zone? She was already dealing with sentient robots. This was too much craziness for one job, especially with Jeremy there.

...She shouldn't have stormed out of the room like that. She tried so hard to keep everyone believing she had coped with what happened. That she had recovered. Now what was Jeremy going to think? He worried enough.

As for the bots, well, if they didn't recognize her when she first met them, they probably did now. Maybe Goldy would tell them.

The Toys. Puppet. Ghosts?

It explained so much but she just couldn't believe that those kids were to blame for the pain the night guards went through, Jeremy and Scott included.

They were just kids! How could Ruby say those things about them? They were just little kids...they couldn't hurt anyone. They were killed and nobody cared anymore. And now Ruby was using them to justify the Originals.

...Not even Hedy could buy what she was telling herself. She couldn't say that it was the originals' fault, not after working with them for this long. They were...sweet...and a little broken but not killers, not by ...choice...

A few tears streaked down her face as she continued to let her head rest on the table. She remembered that time when Ruby had run her over and Toby had to carry her to the main room where the originals were. Freddy had mentioned something about the Toys having a choice to kill.

"Stop it." she scolded herself. "T-there's n-no reason to cry." She sniffed. "Breathe slowly and count to ten."

She did just that until the hiccups went away. Then she continued to talk herself through the issue.

"Ask questions. Look at the evidence." she muttered. "Okay. First question. Do ghosts exist? Possibly. If robots can have souls then humans have souls and I suppose they could get trapped and not move on."

"Second question. Could they be the killers..."

She paused and swallowed. "Y-Yes they could. Trauma like that can make people go insane. Grown adults. And these are kids, so how might they react to being murdered?"

"Third question. Are there really ghosts here? Ruby has yet to give me any reason not believe her." She took a breath. "However, I haven't seen any 'ghosts' since I've been here."

"And what about ...Springtrap?" she whispered.

Strange name. Of all the things in the world that could terrify her...the idea of that man still being out there was at the top of the list, even above the idea of homicidal five-to-seven year olds. For years, she feared he would come hunt her down to finish what he started.

She just learned he was dead. She should be relieved. What kind of sick world does she live in that a person still has to fear someone after death?

He's possessing an animatronic. Apparently. A bot who was Goldy's friend. And that monster was coming here. There were so many things wrong with this! What was she going t to do? She couldn't avoid him, if he was real (shut up Hedy. You're in denial). She couldn't use the police, for obvious reasons.

She couldn't leave the Toys, the Originals, and Ruby by themselves to deal with him. He might hurt someone...no...he will hurt someone. Ruby's most definitely going to do something stupid and make a deal with him. It's like her signature now. Everything is cause and effect with that girl.

Hedy looked over to the graffiti on the wall she found the first week she was there.

It was in Ruby's handwriting. Hedy recognized it from seeing Ruby's time card in the staff room.

The graffiti itself was simple. "Steve was Here" in messy loopy slightly dripped lettering with a red cartoon phone in the corner.

"Steve was Here." she mumbled.

Did Scott know about the kids? Is that why he insisted on staying here for so many years? Why he was willing to risk his life every night? Probably.

Did he know what happened to the murderer?

Hedy shook her head. No. He couldn't know. There wasn't any reason to keep something like that to himself.

But he's gone now. His house was emptied and already the home of someone else. His car gone. No one knows he's gone. No one close to him but she, and Jeremy, knew he was dead. And they couldn't tell. Everything that could remind others that he was once a living, breathing human who cared for his family and loved his job, no matter how horrible it was, was gone. Just gone. There was nothing left but a few pictures, a few recordings, and a few videos Jeremy shot ages ago.

Had he been in pain? Did he...suffer?

Hedy squeezed her eyes shut and moaned. She shouldn't think about things like that! She knew the bots' suit systems better than anyone...and it...

No person deserved to die like that...

"You wanted answers." she snapped at herself morosely. "You got some. Why are you being so stupid about it." Her voice was harsh and bitter. "That's what I came here for. Ruby and the bots wouldn't lie about something like that. It's nuts. Crazy. But maybe...just maybe the truth is crazy. If I don't believe her, o-or at least listen...then I'm in the wrong either way. Even if...even if it isn't true." Was she really believing anything coming out of her own mouth?

Hedy suddenly jumped when she felt a slight breeze blow across the back of her neck. That was weird. The air conditioner was broken in here and in any case, on the other side of the room.

"You're imagining things." a voice in the back of her head whispered while Hedy shook her head. "And talking to yourself a lot. That's a lot of stuff to think about aloud. You need to get some proper sleep before you keel over. Don't worry about inventory right now. It can wait. And the others will get worried you were attacked by the ghosts if you stay too long."

Hedy frowned. Ghosts? Where did that come from? If she still didn't completely believe they were there, why would she believe they would attack her?

"And you're hearing things too apparently." the voice said again though it seemed a little different.

"Probably should get that checked out Wiggy." the voice whispered in her mind again with a stifled giggle.

"I hear sleep deprivation makes even grown-ups cranky." the voice took on a slightly haughty tone.

"Still can't believe she is one. Did ya miss us? We really missed you! At least you're here now. And alone."

Hedy looked around in confusion while sighing and rubbing her temples. Maybe she should learn to meditate. Maybe that would calm her down. Those voices...

Wait...

Hedy had literally only one second to realize that those voices weren't coming from inside her head before a shelf fell down by itself, blocking the door. Uncontrolled giggles and snickers filled the room.

"Don't you want to play with us?"

Suddenly, there was a loud crash from the direction of Parts and Services followed by a shrill scream.

Toy Bonnie will never admit that he tripped over his own feet in his haste to stand up. Nor will he admit that two of the three other present Toys actually ran over him, stepping over a hand and his back.

Jeremy sprinted ahead of them with little regard for any possible danger.

Everyone went to investigate, concerned about what could make the mechanic shout like that.

Goldy got there first by teleporting. Ruby and Jeremy got there next at the same time, being the fastest, followed closely Mangle and Foxy. Puppet went too but all he got was a few warning glances while being ignored by the rest.

"Hedy?! You okay?" Ruby shouted, hitting the door with her hand in attempts to shove it open when using the doorknob didn't work. She winced as the action pulled her arm but ignored it.

"Get me out of here!" Hedy voice was weirdly muffled. More so than just from being behind the door.

"Hold on Hedy!" Jeremy said, a little panicky upon seeing the words Parts and Services on the door. "Are you okay?"

"Goldy maybe you could..." Ruby trailed off at the way the originals, Goldy included, were glaring at the door. The Toys were staring too but there was a different look on their faces. "Goldy?"

Ruby could feel the ghosts nearby, watching her. It wasn't really a surprise though. They were all just talking about them. They definitely had something to do with whatever was happening to Hedy.

Actually, the night guard was a little curious as to why they had left Hedy alone for this long.

Goldy blinked then nodded. "I got her."

She disappeared for a moment before popping back into hall with one hand on a dizzy and nauseous mechanic's chair. Goldy was staring at the mechanic in confusion.

Ruby blinked in surprise.

"What the heck did you do?" she asked incredulously, a snicker bubbling up from the back of her throat.

"I don't know," Hedy sounded annoyed while she reached up to feel her head, "All I know is that one second I'm doing inventory, the next I black out and my head is stuck in something. What the heck is on my head?!"

There was a slight quiver in her voice but Ruby didn't press. Hedy seemed to have other problems at the moment.

"Uh...one of my masks." Freddy explained while Foxy snickered and Bonnie smirked.

Chica looked more than a little concerned.

Jeremy looked...very concerned as he checked over his sister.

The Toys looked confused, squinting at Hedy with blank frowns.

"Well..." Ruby was properly snickering now. "I'd love to hear how you explain this but how about we get it off first?" The night guard reached forward to-

"NO!" The panicked shout came from everyone except Ruby.

Plus Mangle's screech was deafening and caused her to jerk her hands away from Hedy's head in shock.

"What?!" Ruby shouted angrily, also slightly panicked.

"I'd appreciate it if you didn't cause a crossbeam to skewer my brain!" Hedy snapped a bit hysterically as she pushed Ruby away blindly.

She couldn't see anything outside the mask and it was completely dark inside. She was trying her very hardest not to move because she knew what kind of devices were just centimeters from her eyes. On the inside of the head there were wire couplings and dozens of little clasps that are supposed to lock into the endoskeleton's skull, with a fair amount of force. They mostly were at the top of the head where the ears were, the area right behind the eyes, and the area around the mouth. It was the reason why the bots were all so expressive. Just a push and they could snap into place and well...It might not kill her if the ear clasps weren't too close to the top of her skull, but she'd absolutely be blinded. Dying wouldn't come from blood loss either, if she avoided brain injury, although both were still a problem. She'd suffocate on her own blood from a gouge in her neck from the locks that connect the head to the rest of the body.

She knew all this and the animatronics likely all knew this. She was just hoping they wouldn't tell Ruby or Jeremy how much danger she was really in. Neither of them freaking out would be a good thing.

"What?" Ruby repeated and crossed her arms.

"There's devices in it!" Jeremy snapped. "There are facial parts and whatnot."

"It a miracle she even got in that thing alive." Foxy said tilting his head. "I don't see how she got that on without killing herself."

"That 'thing' is my face by the way." Freddy sounded miffed.

Hedy ignored him and snapped, "Do I look like I am idiotic enough to attempt to do this? I didn't do this! It just kind of..." Hedy trailed off, realizing how crazy what she needed to say was going to be. "...Appeared around my head?...Okay...that sounded stupid out loud."

Ruby shared a glance with the originals while the Toys nervously looked at each other and Puppet.

"Like..uh..." Goldy mumbled. "Someone teleported it onto your head?"

There was silence as Hedy processed what she said. They couldn't see her face but they could imagine her pursing her lips.

"Maybe..." she said.

There was giggling down the hall which caused everyone to turned their heads to see five, no six, ghost children completely in stitches at their little joke. The sixth kid was hiding around the corner peeking out nervously and looking rather uncomfortable. His presence threw the animatronics for a loop.

"Okay you brats!" Ruby hissed while the originals flinched at the sight and the Toys waved at them hesitantly. "Joke's over. Take it off."

She seemed five seconds away from actually trying to attack the ghosts, as illogical as that was.

Jeremy was staring at them silently, his face pale. He was shaking and grabbed Hedy's wrist, a look of horrified recognition on his face.

"Who are you talking to?" Hedy snapped a little worriedly.

She trailed off as she thought about it for a moment. Oh no.

"Those brats I told you about!" Ruby snapped. "The one's you said I was lying about."

She still sounded miffed about that little detail.

"...Is that right?" Hedy's voice had lost all emotion.

"...yeah..." Toby, Toy Chica, and Toy Freddy mumbled awkwardly.

Mangle shifted from foot to foot.

The Originals all threw stern glares at their younger counterparts.

The ghosts were still there although they had quieted and were watching in interest, staring at Hedy the whole time except for the occasional giggle.

"..." Hedy was silent for three seconds while she tensed up and clenched her fist.

"Ruby. Take this damn suit head off so that I can see you when I punch your teeth in." She hissed.

The cold tone in her voice left no room for any doubt that she wouldn't do it if she wanted to.

"As if we'd let you." Bonnie ground out, stepping forward a little.

The Originals tensed and glared at her, their protective side coming out.

"What did I do?" Ruby took the threat with grace but still looked a little shocked.

"Those murders made that the worst day of many peoples' lives. So excuse me if I'm slow to believe the spirits of those kids hung around to kill people. And if they did, which I'm starting to get, then you don't have to shove it in my face like an insensitive jerk!" Hedy was livid.

"You can't be serious! You still don't believe me." Ruby growled. "Great to hear that you think I can be that insensitive."

"I can't see anything to believe right now, Ruby! I'm not having a good day, if you can't tell, so give me a break and let me cling to my skepticism until this stupid head comes off!" Hedy snapped back. "And where's my brother?"

"Holding your hand." Jeremy said with a shocked expression.

His gaze was still locked on the ghosts.

"...Is it.." Hedy murmured, almost inaudible under the foam.

Jeremy swallowed. "Yeah. I-it's them..."

One of the ghost tilted its head and smiled at Jeremy which made the former night guard cringe.

Ruby glared at the siblings, squashing down her curiosity in favour of anger.

"Do you know them?" she hissed.

Yeah. This was a little funny, until she learned it was dangerous. She wasn't surprised those brats would think something lethal was hilarious.

The kids grinned wider while the 'bots started staring at Hedy. If she knew them, they should have recognized her right?

"I can get it off." Goldy broke the silence, looking for permission from Jeremy. "Uh...safely."

"Please." Hedy said shortly.

Ruby sighed, still angry, and shrugged but stepped back to put some distance between her and Hedy. Maybe even get a little more reaction time if Hedy decided to throw something.

"How come you know about them? I never was able to find anything online. It's like this place doesn't exist on the Internet. It's like the murders never happened." she asked, voice clipped.

Goldy held the Freddy head by the ears before teleporting it and herself a couple feet away leaving Hedy frazzled and blinking a squint away.

Hedy coughed and shook her head, raking her fingers through her hair. "Money can hide a lot of things."

She froze upon seeing the ghosts.

"No..." she whispered.

"Hi Wiggy!" one of the girls greeted. "Did you like our joke?

"You're...dead." Hedy said.

"Bleh. So? Use your imagination. Say hi at least."

"Hi?" Hedy said blankly.

She was sitting ramrod straight, fear, confusion and horror flashing behind her eyes.

Jeremy shifted closer to his sister protectively.

Ruby was watching them, a scowl sitting on her face.

"Now do you believe me? Or are you going to accuse me of using some hologram technology to create this?" she snapped. "You know what? Forget it. I'm leaving. Have a happy reunion."
The night guard stalked away, the Originals following after her. The action was so… odd for Ruby to take that they were abruptly worried.

Soon it was just the siblings, the ghosts and the Toys. The sixth ghost kid had run away as well.

Author Note

Hopefully I'll get the next one up soon. Sorry that this one was late.