When the next day came around, Saphira did decide to go out for some shopping. She allowed herself to sleep enough so she wouldn't be incredibly, as she had spent the previous night partying with the animatronics to celebrate her graduation. She didn't want to be confined to the bedroom though, and she needed to get some more things for herself anyway. Even though her wage wasn't that great, she hasn't spent much of it, so she could buy something nice for herself. Especially since she didn't have bills to pay due to living at the pizzeria. It was actually nice. The only thing she has to pay for was her car, even if it wasn't that great of a vehicle. But as Saphira was unlikely to buy a new car any time soon, the vehicle worked fine. And she did teach herself how to look after the engine to a point, so it would be fine.
When Saphira left the pizzeria after midday, she was lucky that no other employee saw her. She didn't know if they would say something to her or not, but she knew that they couldn't really do anything to stop her since she is the night guard, so they couldn't stop an employee from being there even during her off time. She was still happy that no one was there, as it would be rather awkward to try and explain where she came from. Especially if they see her going into the supply closet door, and not coming back out.
Saphira smiled to herself as she walked into the large mall, feeling happy that she was going to get some new clothes. The clothes she has now were nice, but she needed new clothes. The ones she has have been well worn, and she's had them for over a year, so it was time to get some new clothes. She also intended on getting more food, even if that wasn't necessarily needed, as there was plenty of food for her to use at the pizzeria.
While she began to check out the different stores, Saphira was thinking a little on the type of outfits she wanted to wear. She knew it was somewhat silly, but she wanted to dress nice at the moment. And she knew that Springtrap enjoyed seeing her in a different outfit to the security uniform he has grown accustomed to. And while she has only just started living at the pizzeria itself, Saphira wanted to have a new wardrobe.
As Saphira was checking the racks with different styles of shirts, she did not notice that someone had seen her. Not that she was being careful, of course, as Saphira was just clothes shopping. And even if Saphira had noticed, she wouldn't think much of it. Saphira grabbed a pink blouse and walked over to a mirror to hold it up. Pink suited her well, and she enjoyed wearing it from time to time. Though she was still thinking of what to match the blouse with. She knew a black skirt would look nice.
She held onto the blouse to try on as she walked back to the rack to continue looking through the different shirts and blouses before moving onto another to find something that might catch her eye. She had a smile on her face as she picked out a few other shirts, singlets and blouses to try on. She did know she could not go overboard, as she needed to have some money in case she needed it. But she was excited for new clothes nonetheless.
"Well, this is a surprise." Saphira jumped and turned in surprise to see Hayley looking at her with a smug expression that Saphira knew all too well. The girl's blonde hair was braided and she wore a dark purple dress. "Fancy seeing you here buying some clothes. Especially since you are working at that dump of a pizzeria. Isn't quite funny that your favorite place in the world became your job, Saphira?"
Saphira stared at the blonde girl in surprise as she noticed there seemed to be a group of girls behind her, but they acted like they weren't paying attention. "Hayley…I see you haven't changed. I am surprised you even bothered to go out of your way to speak to me." Saphira turned away from Hayley as she continued to check the clothes. "I suspect you are pretty much confirming you were that blonde girl who ran out of the lockers in the pizzeria. You are lucky I didn't bother chasing it up with the police."
Hayley let out a high-pitched laugh, making Saphira grimace as that hurt her ears a little. "Oh, please. As if the police can do anything, Saphira." Saphira rolled her eyes as she tried to ignore the girl. "That place doesn't exactly have the best security system." Saphira raised an eyebrow at that comment, though she did not respond. "Still, I was not expecting you to be the security guard. Especially since every security guard I had seen were male."
Saphira turned her head slightly to look at her curiously. "Why are you saying that like you've actually been inside the attraction more than once, Hayley? In fact…" Saphira turned her full body to face the girl. "You are being weirder than normal. Is this some other attempt to mock me or something? We're not kids anymore, Hayley. I've graduated, so I am no longer in high school. And I hope that is the same for you."
Hayley chuckled softly as she shrugged casually. "Well…I have. Unlike you, who has been doing God knows what, I have been sneaking into that pizzeria for a while. It is kind of my job to keep a close eye on things, and those dumb animatronics have absolutely no idea that I am there. So when they are done with their…job, I make sure to see the clean up before I slip away. They never check the lockers, so it's totally fine."
Uh oh, this means Hayley knows that the animatronics aren't robotic.
Saphira didn't really know what to say back to Hayley, even if she was curious. "I guess that means I outed you when I heard you rattling in one of those lockers. Don't tell me you are annoyed by it. I didn't know it was you. It is my job to keep people out."
"Actually, it's your job to just keep an eye on everything." Hayley chuckled as she was amused by Saphira's confused expression. "Honestly, I had been hoping to chat outside of the pizzeria. We have so much to talk about, Saphira. After all, I have a friend who I am helping, and it is my job to ensure things stay on track." Saphira didn't understand, and she didn't want to understand. "By the way, you and Springtrap seem to be quite comfortable together. At least, that's what I understand from my brief moment in the pizzeria."
"Is that so surprising?" Saphira glanced around for a moment, wondering if they should be speaking about this in the store. "You already know how much I loved the place as a kid. I don't think it should be a surprise that I still like the animatronics, Hayley. And besides, I am not sure why you are even here. You saw me, fine, but why are you bothering me? I am busy, and I don't need some bratty girl bothering me."
Hayley just smirked. The blonde girl stared at her with her sharp, icy blue eyes with a smirk that was different to what Saphira has seen before. "Oh, I am not bothering. Just lightly talking." She chuckled a little as she winked at her. "Oh, a little bit of advice, you should totally wear short skirts and short shorts, I bet they will look totally cute on you. After all, in this game, you got to do what you have to move the next piece."
Saphira felt a sense of fear suddenly as the way Hayley was talking was almost like Afton. Saphira glanced around for a moment before stepping closer to her in a hushed voice. "You speak as though you know something, Hayley. What are…" Saphira gasped in surprised as Hayley suddenly struck her across the face, something she used to do to her when they were younger. Saphira stumbled back in shock, though the staff of the store she was in saw the incident. "What the hell, Hayley?!"
Hayley just shrugged with a light chuckle, and signalled with her hand, and the girls that had been standing by Hayley simply turn to follow her. "That would be telling, wouldn't it?" Saphira narrowed her eyes at Hayley as the girl turned and walked out of the store, ignoring the staff shouting at her to stop.
Saphira did not know what to say or think at the moment as Hayley said some really confusing things. Things that Hayley never said to her before. Saphira rubbed her cheek for a moment before she frowned and put the shirts and ran out of the store. She wanted to get some clear answers from her, because the nightmare Saphira had began to replay in her mind. And she didn't know why Hayley was in her nightmare, but she hoped that the dream she had wasn't some kind of foresight.
She walked quickly through the mall, spotting the group of girls ahead of her and she clenched her fists as she stomped towards them. "Hayley!" The girl stopped and looked at her and grinned at her. "Come outside. You have explaining to do, and I need to know what you are trying to say to me."
Hayley chuckled softly at Saphira. Her serious tone amused her greatly, and she wasn't bothered by her frown. "Oh no, you want to know secrets. I am afraid I can't tell you, Saphira. That would not be fair." Saphira put her hands on her hips in irritation. "But I will tell you one thing. I hope you like pumpkins." Pumpkins? "You should, since Halloween is very soon." Hayley chuckled as she turned away. "And you might want to cover up that bruise on your face. Somebody might get angry and hurt someone because of it."
Saphira placed her hand on her cheek, not knowing that there was indeed a bruise forming, but she simply glared at Hayley. "Come on, Hayley. I don't know why you are being like this, but you know something. Why?"
Hayley shrugged and turned away from her. "Oh, I don't know. But my friend has been a kind friend since I was a girl. I've done such a good job, that I have a special job to do for him. And you are not going to stop me from getting it done."
"I don't care what job you got, Hayley, and good that you have a job…"
"Zip it!" Hayley snapped suddenly, making Saphira flinch in surprise of her sudden snap. The girl walked closer to her, her smug expression still plastered across her face. "It is hilarious that you think you will get any answer from me. But you get them soon. Trust me, I am looking forward to it. After all…" Hayley's expression turned to a glare. "I have always hated you and stupid love for that place. At now I can finally destroy it. So I hope you can sleep well knowing that."
Saphira frowned at the girl. "Is that why you bullied me?"
The girl rolled her eyes at her. "No, you are just a pathetic human. That is why I bullied you. And now, uh oh, you have lost your brother and your parents." Saphira had no idea how Hayley knew that she was kicked out, though as Hayley did not specific, it was hard to tell if she did know. "Your life is pathetic. Now the only ones who are willing to like you are those stupid animatronics. It is a shame that they can't see that I am prettier, and have a way better personality."
If only she knew…they would just look at her like she is a piece of steak…her appearance has nothing to do anything.
"At least I know you are warning, no, informing me of your plan, Hayley. I don't think it will work, but I guess you just had to be persistent." Saphira shook her head in irritation. "I guess if it is a game you think you are playing, fine. Do whatever. But you will lose. And you will lose a lot more than just some game, that I can promise you."
"Oh, I see I am not the only one dishing out the threats. Well, sweetie, I am afraid I am not scared of you." She turned suddenly, whipping her hair in Saphira's face. "But you should absolutely get a new wardrobe. That outfit you are wearing is so boring, that I can't blame anyone for not wanting you. Plain and boring never does anything for anyone."
Saphira wanted to run after Hayley to ask further questions, but she decided against it. After all, Hayley seemed to be strange. Stranger than she has ever been. Saphira doesn't remember a single time where things seemed strange, but maybe she didn't think that at the time. Saphira could not help but think she had some connection to Afton. He might be the friend she is talking about, but she didn't know. But there was no way of knowing.
Her shopping trip had really been dampened because of this, as her mind had more questions. She hated it. She would like to believe that Hayley was playing, but it was no coincidence she had a nightmare directly involving Hayley. And if it was somehow like a vision, Saphira feared what will happen. Though the jab she had made at Saphira about her brother and parents did hurt. And Saphira hated that girl for always poking fun at her for it.
But despite that, Saphira did manage to get new clothes and she was rather happy with what she had picked. As she had decided to not wear her uniform anymore, Saphira was more than happy to dress up a bit more. She knew that it will make everyone happy she was comfortable. Though Saphira knew that being dressing up, she was showing the side where she wanted to feel attractive for Springtrap. In her heart, she was still scared of going through with a potential relationship. But her mind was happy to also show off her appearance. It was a painful, confusing time for her.
I honestly wish these emotions would stop. I just wish that things were better…maybe Springtrap and I…I don't know. What he has done in the past still plays on my mind. Sometimes I get thoughts…what if he will do that to me? I don't think he will, but that is still on my mind.
It did feel like that each new day just presented something else for her to worry about. It was all leading to something, and Saphira could not feel much but anxiety. When she tried on the clothes she had bought, a bruise had indeed formed, and she now had a black eye. That was going to need some kind of excuse when the animatronics ask about it. Though Saphira did not know if they would even believe an excuse. The animatronics weren't stupid. They knew when an injury was done by another person. She just hoped that they wouldn't pressure her into telling them.
When she did finally drive back to the pizzeria, it was dusk at the time, and she was glad to be back. She smiled to herself as she was able to park by the back door, so no one would give her weird looks when she walked into the pizzeria with bags of clothes. She understood how weird that would look anyway, so she didn't want to do that. And she was lucky when she walked into the pizzeria, there were no other employees, so she could sneak down into her room without being bothered.
Once she was there, Saphira put her new clothes away and grabbed out some snacks she had also purchased. A packet of goldfish cracker was her choice of snack, and she grabbed her laptop to listen to some music to pass the time. While she did this, she also decided to check Hayley's socials to see what was on there. At first, she didn't see anything specific. She doubted Hayley would post anything about the horror attraction on her social media, so Saphira didn't think much of it.
It wasn't until she accidentally came across a second account that seemed to be owned by Hayley. This was something she had not expected, and as the account was public, but what she found on there was actually quite frightening. Instead of the usual selfies of Hayley with herself wearing bikinis, staying in resorts and such, these were posts about darker things. Such as fascination with knives, and the fascination about creating life, and potentially taking over the world this way. Things that Afton likes.
But the recent posts were all about pumpkins. More specifically, jack-o-lanterns pumpkins. There were many posts of these, including a few with comments about how something so seemingly bland could be sinister and dangerous. Those serrated teeth aren't for show, they sure will bite and bleed you, and so on and so forth. Saphira did wonder if these were meant to be aimed her, but she wasn't sure, given this page had a large following.
There were some images of the pizzeria though, and pictures of the animatronics. Though the pictures were taken way back before she became a night guard, so that was good. But considering she had pictures of the building, with comments such as Sometimes Secrets Stare at you Right in the Eye and Beneath the Surface, you might Find a Different Truth. They were oddly specific words Hayley chose to write on these posts, but they certainly were true. And Saphira did wonder how much she knew.
Saphira scrolled through the account to see what more she could find. She stopped as she came across a picture of Afton's property. A picture of her standing on the property, taking a selfie of herself, with the caption My Friend Creates wonderful things Here, and it is all so much fun. Hayley has been at Afton's property. This confirmed she did have connections with him. And now she wondered if she has been connected with Afton since they were kids. Saphira shivered at the very idea of that being the case.
Saphira stared at the picture, wondering what Afton has made Hayley do all of these years to ensure things go his way. It was clear he has manipulated so many people, aside from Mike, to go ahead with his plans. She wondered how many of the employees who work here are actually working for Afton. She wondered if the person who tried to attack her with a knife the previous night was also working with Afton.
She groaned as she ran her fingers through her hair and tugged at the strands lightly due to the fact she was frustrated with all of these thoughts and questions. If only the animatronics could leave the pizzeria, things might be different. But they could not. The animatronics would be attacked almost instantly, and it wouldn't be pretty. Regardless, Saphira knew that while the animatronics were here, she was still very vulnerable and so many things can happen during the day and when she was not at the attraction.
She got off social media to just enjoy listening to music as much as possible, and yet, she still couldn't help but think. Her mind was full of questions and she began to think that some of them might be answered if she opened the door beneath the stage in the Haunted Classroom. But she also knew it could present more questions. If she had not met Hayley today, she would have done something else. But now she wanted to see what was down there.
And if Hayley was going to come here to try and hurt her, which it seemed to be most likely, Saphira had to think of how to deal with her. She did know she should warn the animatronics about her, but she still did not know what will happen. It was clear that there was a plan, from what she would understand from the short conversation earlier, but Saphira only knew it had some connection with pumpkins. And to her, that meant Halloween. So there was something planned for Halloween. She just had to figure out what that might be.
Ugh…it is almost like keeping me in danger is part of this game…I really hate it.
She knew that all the animatronics were going to hate it. But she just had to wait a few more hours. She pushed the thoughts aside as best as possible to just enjoy the music. She began to sing along to some, and that made her happy and forget about the plot hanging over her head. Even though there seemed to be multiple plots, from what she was understanding, or simply, multiple ways to pressure her and the animatronics into what Afton wanted them to do.
When it was near time for her to get to the office, she braided her hair into a waterfall braid and wore a sleeveless, dark blue top and denim jeans with a light, grey jacket. She left the jacket unbuttoned in case it was too warm, though she knew it wouldn't be. She applied some lip gloss and she smiled to herself in the mirror before she made her way out of the room to the stairs. She walked up them and pulled the door open and carefully walked out of the closet door.
At least I have been lucky with the employees so far. I am sure that luck is going to run out soon.
Saphira walked into the office with a hum, glancing at the fax machine for a moment in case Afton left her a note, before she sat on the office chair and began to flip through the cameras casually. Though almost immediately, she noticed that the dining room, Toy Plaza, Fredbear's dining room, the Haunted Classroom and Bedroom of Nightmares were all dressed in Halloween décor. It seems the employees have finally put it up. But she noticed the décor was different from the usual.
This decoration was orange and black, and there was a lot of jack-o-lanterns around the place. Along with banners of what looked like to be animatronics she has not seen before. That was all odd, as Saphira was not aware of any new animatronics coming. Unless that was deliberate. She bit her fingernails nervously as she thought more of the possibilities, wondering what was going to happen this weekend. If new animatronics were coming, she at least would be here this time. But she didn't know where they would be going.
Saphira knew she was going to have to ask the animatronics about it. They would have been watching the employees all day, and she had absolutely no idea this was happening. She knew that the décor was going to get put up, and that there was new décor, but she was not told about this, and Saphira had to find out more about it. After all, it was clear that it was deliberate that she had not been told.
She jumped as the fax machine began to ring and she grumbled a little, knowing that Afton was sending her another note. She guessed it was either about Hayley, or the potential new animatronics that were coming soon. She didn't bother looking at the machine as she knew that the letter would print and she would see what it says shortly. So she just looked through the cameras curiously, finding each animatronics while she waited. When the fax machine stopped, she didn't turn to look straight away. She didn't really want to, but she was curious.
When she finally could not ignore her curiosity anymore, Saphira sighed as she pushed the chair back and swivelled it around to face the fax machine. She was glad it was a single print instead of two, and she could see the letters on it, but she couldn't see what it said. She tapped her fingers on the armrests before she stood up and walked over to snatch the paper from the fax machine before walking back to sit down before she would begin to read it.
'Trick or Treat. That saying is so much fun. So much fun that either can be the same as the other. Have you thought of it that way? But of course, it must be the one giving out the trick and treat who can deliver both at the same time. I love delivering tricks and treats on Halloween. Yours is coming.
I hope you jack-o-lanterns. For they glow in the dark, almost making the darkness around them darker as they stare back into your soul. With teeth serrated and ready, I hope your feet are faster than your head. When they come, they come in search of blood. The sweetest of them all, and your trick will be delivered, just a treat will be brought to them. Brew your friendship spell, and see if you can beat the night.
Happy Halloween.'
Saphira stared at the note curiously. Afton had a strange way of writing, and it didn't necessarily rhyme. But Afton did write riddles, that was for sure. This note certainly screamed that new animatronics were coming. But Saphira did not know what they would be called, or what they would look like. The only clue she had was about the jack-o-lanterns, which would be odd. But Saphira did see the unfinished bodies of several animatronics at Afton's home, so it was possible.
But if what Afton said was true, he might have designed these animatronics to be aggressive. She did not know if that was true, as the nightmare animatronics were meant to be aggressive as well. And they turned out to be extremely nice. But considering Afton was mocking her about how she bonds with the animatronics could be a sign that things were going to be bad. She shivered as she knew that was not good. She had to speak to the animatronics about this. Especially with Halloween just being days away.