One tends to not notice small, minor details in a larger picture. So it was no surprise that no-one noticed the steps that were now present on the side of the main stage and on Pirate's Cove. Everyone was much more occupied with the return of the famous animatronics then they were about their stage set up.

Well, needless to say, everyone was caught completely off guard when the main cast started to walk across the stage and down the side stairs. In fact, multiple children that were in front of Pirate's Cove screamed in absolute terror when Foxy the Pirate fox began to walk down from his stage. Ethan himself found that he had gone for his knife he kept hidden in his boot. Emma, luckily, stopped him from drawing it.

This led to a rather interesting situation between the restaurant staff, the patrons of Freddy's, and the animatronics. For about 10 seconds, no one dared move, speak, or even breath.

Foxy laughed, breaking the silence that had befallen the restaurant. 'Now, what are ye landlubbers doing standing around and acting all meek? Come now, we have an adventure to go on!' Foxy raised his hook to try and motivate the restaurant goers.

The children who were in front of Pirate's Cove, after their initial shock and recovery, suddenly cheered in excitement. The adults in the restaurant exhaled a collective breath, finally able to relax. The staff chuckled at the patrons reaction, but collectively came to the same conclusion that everyone else had made; This was definitely going to take some getting used too.

Ethan, however, found himself shaking violently. 'REALLY, SINCLAIR? YOU THOUGHT THIS WAS A GOOD IDEA?' He screamed mentally, trying to fathom why in the hell the restaurant had invested in such upgrades.

Emma and the other boys, however, laughed. 'Jesus, gave me a heart attack.' Brandon chuckled. Jerome nodded. 'I was confused as shit, man. I saw them move and I was like "What the hell?"' The two boys laughed.

Ethan swore. 'I would like to meet the guy who thought this was a good idea so I can smack him. Really hard. In the face.'

Emma looked at Ethan, shocked. 'This was my grandpa's idea, thank you very much. I for one think this is a great idea.'

Ethan scoffed. 'Well, your grandfather is a maniac, for one. Secondly, I could really care less what you think about this because you aren't the one dealing with these damn one-ton monstrosities.'

Chris and Brandon looked at Ethan, confused and concerned. 'Dude, you never talk to Emma like that.' Jerome commented. Emma silently agreed. Brandon continued the conversation. 'And what the hell do you mean "you aren't the one dealing with these things?"'

Ethan sighed heavily and looked over at Emma. 'I'm sorry, lovely. I got a bit heated.'

Emma scoffed. 'Really? I didn't notice.'

Ethan grimaced at the words. 'Fair enough.' He looked at the other two males. 'What I meant is that I applied for the night shift. Here. As a security guard.' Ethan paused a few times to drive his point home.

Jerome chuckled. 'Jesus, dude, you're really trying to find a way to burn the hell out, aren't you?'

Ethan shrugged. 'Blame Uncle Terry. This was his idea.' Ethan thought for a second. 'Or, more like, he planted the idea in my head and I talked myself into it.'

Emma laughed. 'You have a real bad habit of doing that, don't you?'

'Apparently. I mean, come on, this guy really thinks he can work a job, go to school, game for hours on end, and still function?' Brandon pointed out. Ethan shrugged. 'I don't sleep half the time as it is. Maybe two hours at most.'

Emma sighed. 'You really need to get a full night of it.'

Ethan let out a single laugh. 'Please, I can still operate at optimal condition on two hours.'

'And a shit load of caffeine.' Jerome chided.

'True that.' The group chuckled.

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

The rest of the day went as well as one might expect. After the initial shock of the new upgrades, the restaurant customers quickly grew fond of the animatronics and their new… freedoms. The kids especially loved Foxy and the "treasure quest" the pirate fox led them on. Freddy was found roaming around the dining area, making small talk with some of the adults and older teenagers present. Bonnie hung around in the arcade, challenging gamers to duels on certain games. Chica (to almost no-one's surprise) was delivering pizzas to tables, and often going on about people's choices on toppings. Evidently, Chica disagreed with the notion of pineapple being anywhere near pizza.

Ethan and his friends spent the rest of the day at Freddy's, though Ethan stayed clear of the animatronics. He had no intention of doing anything to possibly piss them off. Which, he considered, wasn't possible. Or was it? Ethan mentally screamed, for he did not know.

Freddy's closed around seven o'clock, meaning that the place was cleared out by six-thirty. The animatronic band had returned to their positions on the stage, seemingly having shut down for the night. The clean-up crew moved with surprising swiftness, having the entire restaurant cleaned in half an hour, with a fifteen man crew.

Ethan silently stood before the stage, staring at the three animatronics standing there. 'What do you think about, I wonder. Can you think? I wonder, I wonder, yet no answers come. Can you kill? Or can you not? Unable, or unwilling? Or able and willing? I wonder, I wonder, yet I have no answer.' Ethan hummed the words to himself, amusing himself with his poetry. Something he did to pass time, he supposed.

Sinclair came up behind him, chuckling. 'Making poetry again, son?'

Ethan smiled. 'Guess so. Don't know why I do it, but I always managed to make myself laugh doing it.' He smiled wider. 'But that's neither here nor there. Why are you still, Mr. Sinclair? Thought you went home when Emma and Elizabeth left.'

Sinclair shrugged. 'Nope, I had some paperwork to file before I left. I should be asking you why you haven't left yet.'

Ethan scoffed. 'Please, I never leave this before seven sharp.' He turned toward the dining room. 'I like the feeling the place has when it's all quiet like this.'

Sinclair hummed. 'What feeling is that, son?'

Ethan laughed. 'Like there's something lurking.'

Sinclair chuckled. 'You are an odd one, boy. I don't know why Emma has eyes on you, but that's just me.'

Ethan laughed again. 'Trust me, I wonder the same thing.'

'Oh, so you do like my granddaughter?'

'I never said I didn't, Mr. Sinclair. Only that we were only friends.'

Sinclair thought for a second. 'Huh. Son of a bitch, you're right.' Sinclair gestured toward the door. 'Well, come on then, son, I'll give you a ride home.'

Ethan shook his head as he walked toward the door alongside Mr. Sinclair. 'I got my truck. Thank you for the offer though.' Ethan walked over to his truck, waving his goodbye to Sinclair as he turned the truck over.

The ride back to the apartment complex was short. Ethan passed a tired looking Uncle Terry, who seemed relieved that Ethan had come back. 'Sylvia's been worried sick,' he joked. Indeed, the German Shepherd had practically tackled Ethan when he opened the door.

'Apparently.' Ethan chuckled. After getting back to his apartment, he fed his dog and himself, settling down for about an hour before drifting off to sleep, Sylvia in his lap and Emma on his mind.

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

If someone does end up reading this, please leave a review with constructive criticism or a compliment. I also take suggestions if you feel like leaving one.

Thank you all.