Chapter 55

Breakdown

Author's note

I'm really sorry for disappearing like that suddenly without any updates or notes. I ended up getting a job last year and I was stressed out the entire year. I wasn't in a good place emotionally and work sort of took over my life. Then when I sorted myself out and had time again, I hit a brick wall called writer's block. And I didn't really know how to write this apology either. Finally given myself the kick in the butt the last couple weeks to write and post again. I'm doing better, not working this year and doing some courses on writing to hopefully turn it into a career. I'll be posting this story once a week for a while until I get back into it and then hopefully I'll be able to return to the twice a week schedule.

I'm going to be going through the PMs I missed so sorry if you sent one and I never answered. Not planning on disappearing like I did again, not writing regularly certainly didn't help me since it's a way I relax.

One good thing I can tell you all is that I'm planning to take Expect the Unexpected through FNAF 3 still, FNAF 4 as well, Sister Location and there is something planned for Ultimate Custom Night as well. So the story isn't going to suddenly end because of my unexpected break.

I'll be getting back on track with the Ask series for this story too soon. Just need to read through the reviews I missed.

So, sorry again for my disappearing act. And hope you enjoy the chapter.

It was supposed to be Pirate night.

It was supposed to be a great night filled with fun.

It was supposed to be distracting.

Instead, there was sibling drama, a murderer still possessing a friend reveal and talk of those stupid ghost children. She didn't WANT to talk about them, not tonight of all nights.

She just wanted a crazy Pirate night. That's all.

She hated tonight.

Ruby sat in the chair in the office with her legs pulled up to her chest, staring ahead with a scowl. The Originals were watching her with concern, having pushed the whole 'Hedy knew the ghosts' reveal aside for the moment.

Something was seriously wrong here. After learning something like that, Ruby would never just leave like that. She'd also never leave the ghosts alone until they'd vanished again. Normally, Ruby would be demanding an explanation while threatening the ghosts with some kind of harm.

She wouldn't just… leave.

But she did. Why?

"Lass?" Foxy was the first to enter.

She didn't respond beyond the barest glance at him. He moved over to lean against the desk, studying her while the others slowly walked in as well.

"Ruby?" he tried again.

"I just wanted a fun night." She said softly, gaze shifting down but the scowl remaining in place. "I didn't want any of this drama. Not tonight."

The bots glanced at each other. When she had this much control over her emotions then it usually meant that she was either incredibly angry, or upset.

It was going to take a while to get the truth.

Meanwhile Hedy was not dealing with the ghost kid revelation well. She'd mostly shut down mentally while trying to process this. So much information had been thrown at her.

The ghost kids, her old friends. They were killing people. Had killed people.

Ruby was acting weird, or weirder than usual. She'd deal with that later. Right now she had something else to deal with.

Her expression abruptly darkened as she came out of her shock.

"Did you try and kill my brother?" she asked, pushing the difficult feelings aside for the moment.

Felix waved his hand dismissively. "His fault he became a night guard."
Her anger was suddenly doused like she'd been dumped in ice cold water.

"Uncle Scott?" she choked out, making Jeremy look at her in concern.

"Night guard." Another answered just as dismissively.

Like it was nothing. Like they were justified because they were the night guards.

"I think I'm going to be sick." She whispered, looking green already.

The Toys didn't know what to do to help. They'd known about the ghost kids, of course. They'd been involved in the hunt the short time the Toys had been operational. They never considered that Hedy could have known them though… Or… or known their victims…

Mangle rested her head on the mechanic's shoulder and crackled in concern.

"I don't understand… how… why?" she was mostly talking to herself now and the ghosts were getting bored.

The Toys glanced at the Puppet who was in the shadows but didn't answer that.

"Hedy?" Chi asked softly.

"I… I need to go." She shook her head and pushed back from the ghosts suddenly, making Mangle stand up again.

"Come and visit us again." The ghosts called out brightly. "We can have lots of fun."

"You should stay away from the night guard though."

"Don't get attached to her."

"She's not going to be alive for too long."

Hedy shivered as they vanished. How could they say that in such cheery voices? What happened to her old friends?

"I'll take you home." Jeremy offered shakily.

Learning that kids he'd known had tried to kill him in their afterlife was… disturbing.

Hedy accepted the offer silently and gave a weak goodbye to the Toys before leaving. The bots left behind didn't really know what to do after that.

Meanwhile the Originals had spent their time filling the silence in the office with random chatter, waiting for Ruby to tell them what was bothering her. She hadn't pushed or chased them away. She'd just sat in the chair and listened.

They'd do this for the rest of the night if they had to.

Eventually by the time they reached Bonnie's fifth hide and seek story she spoke.

"I don't usually go out on this date." She murmured so softly they almost missed it.

The others immediately stopped speaking to listen.

"It's the anniversary so I just wanted to distract myself. I just wanted some fun…" her voice didn't hold anger anymore. She just sounded tired.

And sad.

"Anniversary?" Chica asked softly.

She was quiet for so long that they thought she might not answer again.

"It's been seven years since my parents died." She whispered and this time they heard the pain.

Goldy literally pushed Foxy off the table to pull Ruby into a crushing hug. "Oh I'm so sorry Ruby, we didn't know!"

The others sat in stunned horror before her voice snapped them out of it again.

"I never told you. I just… I don't like thinking about…"

"We understand." Chica joined the hug.

"And then all that had to happen…" Freddy sighed.

They got it now. She didn't like it when showed any emotion other than anger and happiness really. She wasn't the type to spend the day grieving, preferring to rather do things she enjoyed.

Then there was the fight with Hedy… who she genuinely liked no matter what she said. And a massive reminder of death in the form of homicidal ghosts.

All in all, an awful night.

They'd deal with the revelations later. Right now, they could help Ruby for once. It wasn't often that she let them. They stayed with her until it was time for her to head home but the small, genuine smile she shot their way when she left made them feel like it had worked.