Hano Akira was the name Cody gave to Charles when he shared contacts, as well as a relatively remote restaurant of Thai cuisine, which he would often visit. Judging by the photograph, Hano was a Japanese man. Charles couldn't say with certainty whether he was old, but there was something pale about his look. Something fainting and weak displayed in his tired eyes and the shades of grey that emerged among his black hair. Charles wasn't sure why a third party would get so interested in a number of missing persons cases. It was a very rare occurrence. The fact that Hano would be so careful and reluctant to share this information with the heads of the police department made it all the more intriguing. Perhaps there was something he knew…
Those mysterious cases were a pressing matter that overshadowed most other cases; this made the fact that so many detectives avoided them seem even more peculiar. Whatever the reason for that was, solving this case would make Charles one of the most prestigious members of the department, just what he needed when Alison apparently sought to reopen his business.
Cody helped to arrange their meeting as a shared contact. By the time Charles walked into the loud dining room of the restaurant, his contact was already waiting. Charles looked around, noticing the decorations and smelling the warm scent of a green curry, all while listening to the busy and joyous talk going on around him. It was a busy place, yet good enough to get lost in. Perhaps when Charlie wouldn't be so busy with his work, he would pay it a visit without any worry on his mind. As for the man himself, he was alone, sitting at a small table with only two chairs and drinking a glass of water. There was very little energy in him; he avoided eye contact with anyone else, sticking out like a sore thumb in the atmosphere of seeming content.
"Hano Akira?" Charles said calmly as he looked at the man in front, making him immediately look up.
"Excuse me, do I know you?"
"Charles Carson Takaliken, detective. Cody must have told you about me."
"Ahh, Charles!" Hano's voice changed and became far more welcoming and warm. "Sorry for being slightly guarded; it's necessary in those times."
"I understand, yes." Charles nodded and took a seat in front of him. "Cody said that you wanted to have a word about recent missing persons cases with a trustworthy detective…"
"You're not here on behalf of your chiefs, I hope."
"No, I'm not; only Cody and I know about this meeting." Despite the fact that Charles respected his superiors, he never shied away from working behind their backs if necessary. "I'd like to know why you've taken an interest, however. Indulging third parties is not one of our specialties."
"Oh, think of me as nothing more than a concerned citizen." Hano smiled. "I usually don't concern myself with this town's affairs outside of my lab, but…"
"Lab? Are you a scientist?"
"Of sorts."
"This explains your interest," Charlie said with confidence, although he would hear more from this Hano before making a conclusion.
"So your people established a connection, as well…" The man said with interest.
"That all people missing in those two weeks belonged to fields of science and engineering? Yes, that was evident."
"The disappearance of Jacob Mann was the last straw…You'd agree that there is a chance that those cases are connected, right?" Hano inquired.
"It's likely." Charles nodded decisively. "It's something that caught my eye, as well…I assume you're afraid that you might be the next to 'disappear.'" Charles got to the point, making Hano let out an involuntary chuckle.
"You're not wasting any words, are you?"
"A necessary skill if you want to avoid stalling the investigation."
"Good, good…I think someone with your confidence will do well in untangling this mystery."
"I promise to do my best, but I'd like any help you could offer," Charles said as he poured some water from the bottle into the other glass on the table.
"I wish I could, but there isn't much I know other than the pattern we both noticed."
"Did you know any of the missing ones personally?"
"No, I'm afraid not."
"Do you know why anyone would need scientific and engineering resources at this time specifically? Perhaps someone suspicious tried to contact you recently?"
"I can only assume that wherever they're taken, it's because of their talents," Hano explained. "I read about some of their projects and research, very respectable work; if someone were to put them all in a single place, the output would be incredible."
"I wonder if there is some black market resurgence that the police are oblivious to for now." Charles wondered, making Hano shake his head.
"That or they are willfully turning a blind eye to it," Hano said.
"You have any reason to doubt our police department?" Charles raised an eyebrow.
"Oh, no, not at all…" Hano was quick to deny it. "I am simply trying to keep an open mind and examine all the options."
"I'm not accusing you of anything," Charles reassured him. "But if you think this way, I want to understand where you're coming from."
"It's nothing but suspicions…Honestly, I'd advise you not to pay them too much mind. I have a hard time trusting anyone, establishment or not."
"And do you trust me?" Charles crossed his arms as he became more intrigued.
"I am not sure yet…But it doesn't really matter. I am not in power to do anything on substance; all I can do, really, is to just ask you for help…I don't know the truth behind all of this, but I have a very bad feeling about those disappearances." Hano said in a grim tone. "And the timing of them is far too perfect…Considering what kind of news about the new animatronic restaurants they're printing." Now, he had Charles's undivided attention.
"You know of Fazbear Inc?" He said sternly. "If there is any lead you can give me…"
"I only know about the rumors that circulated about them in later eighties…Just too many to ignore. Lighting doesn't strike the same place twice, don't you agree?"
"I do…" Charles took a deep breath. Hano certainly knew more than he would tell him, but those suspicions about Alison's return immediately bringing further tragedy into the Hurricane were enough for Charlie to realize that this was a matter worth looking into.
"I am afraid that dark times are upon us," Hano said. "I simply wanted to bring the attention of someone who cares and who could fight against it. You seem like a fine lad…If you investigate those cases, I will be very grateful. It feels like no one else would."
"I will; you have my word," Charles said firmly. "I have my own reasons for joining the police force…And I am not missing out on my goal."
It seemed that the two of them came to an agreement.
…
Coming home has become a lifeless bore for Elizabeth many months ago. At least in the chapel, she felt that someone was watching, be it the spirits of her family watching from the other side. Perhaps God himself was willing to share his blessings with her. And now she found someone to talk to, as strange of a reunion as that was…And here she was alone. Elizabeth lay on her small, colorless bed, silently bemoaning how much she despised being alone. Despite all of this, however, she was alone most of the time, and there was nothing she did about it.
She tried at some point, of course, but it never lasted. There were times when she formed friendships, even romantic relationships, but all of them ended in separation. Elizabeth understood that she was at fault for this and no one else; friendships and love required one to be willing to open up and allow unconditional trust. She thought it would be different after leaving the orphanage's cursed walls and finally getting an opportunity to chart the course of her life herself. But nothing changed, no matter which job she tried, what social circle she tried to enter…All wound up with the image of the people she cared for simply leaving her one day. Disappearing into the night and not giving a damn while she falls on her knees with another grievous wound forced onto her.
It was a lonely existence.
Elizabeth looked towards what little she kept in her house, which reminded her about the gifts her former friends brought her. A few stickers, albums, two dresses…The most notable was a full-fledged white costume of Vanny the Bunny, a character from "Freddy and Friends," one of her favorites from back in the old days. It was a gift from her friend in the orphanage, who did it out of her kindest and most genuine intentions, but Elizabeth despised seeing any reminder of that show in her life. Any memories she had of it inevitably led to her thinking about losing one family member after another, all because they knew something that most people did not. Something that they tried to stop, perhaps even succeeded, even if this claimed their lives. Still, Elizabeth was never able to force herself to throw away her friend's gift. It remained in her wardrobe, a never-worn party outfit and a constant reminder of her past.
She reflected on the words Jim said to her. About finding her own purpose…He had a dark past, too, but he did not attempt to run from it. He embraced it and acknowledged his failings, doing everything in his power to repent for his sins. Elizabeth couldn't say she shared the same confidence in her own future. For now, she was wasting away her life by eluding others and brooding at home, allowing her fears and anxieties to take over. The thought of her dying alone in the distant future would re-emerge from time to time. It made Elizabeth shiver in the purest of horrors. If she doesn't change her approach soon, this will be the end of her.
Sometimes, when Elizabeth wanted to distract herself from those thoughts, she would turn the television on and bury herself in it, ignoring her inner turmoil. Not the healthiest way to deal with her fears, but that was the best she had. Elizabeth did the same this time. However, the news she saw now was something she could not have prepared herself for whatsoever.
"And in other news, we would like to bring our attention to a new ambitious establishment opening in Hurricane, Utah. 'Frankburt's Fantasy Land' is a name that caught the townspeople's eye as the project finally saw the light in recent days! Just with that, we have the ambitious owner of the restaurant chain with us today. Introducing to you: Alison Bairren."
She saw him on screen, making Elizabeth's memories flood her mind like a chapstick tsunami. Just like she remembered him, a slim man with a cane, a pale face, and a somewhat playful smile on his face, yet it had been a while since she saw him this energetic. It was just like the day of her birthday at Fredbear's. He seemed so rejuvenated, so alive…The only element that changed was a black eye patch that covered one of Alison's eyes, yet it did not take away from his overall jolly look.
"Hello, Brian, and thank you for having me!"
"Would you answer a few questions for us?"
"Of course, bring them on."
"Can you tell us more about this 'Frankburt's Fantasy Land'? I am no expert, but people pointed out that the new animatronics don't look like characters from the show at all."
"It's simple: I decided my franchise needed a clean start. The character from my cartoon have forever found their place in the hearts of children, but it's time for another generation to have their own mascots to remember. Kolly, Sally, Ty, and of course, Frankburt will become something for all of them to remember."
"Yes, the designs are very innovative, aren't they? Yet you have decided to renew an abandoned building instead of creating a new one. Is there a specific reason for that?"
"Well, why would I choose to throw out something that worked? Fredbear's had a good location, and considering that it still didn't find any other use, I think it's only right for our company to bring life back to it."
"There were some safety concerns from potential customers…How do you respond to that?"
"Our restaurant will maintain the highest possible standards of safety, and I would never have it any other way," Alison said confidently.
"Any comments about the rumors that surrounded your company and the accidents that occurred in your restaurant?"
"Both the Bite of 87 and the Missing Children Incident are horrific tragedies that all of us would've loved to see prevented; I sent my thoughts and prayers to the children who suffered and their families. But we also have to continue moving forward and not allow those tragedies to hold us back…Rest assured, I will not allow them to repeat."
"It's wonderful to hear…And one more thing, though, it's fine if you don't want to respond. Some people were wondering about the eye patch…That is not just for the style, is it?"
"It's a result of an…An unfortunate accident that left my eye blind, and that's all I will say about that."
Elizabeth could not believe her eyes, yet she couldn't deny what was right before her.