Hello all, firstly my immense apologies for not uploading in the last two months, I didn't intend for it to take this long to release another chapter, life has many demands. Anyway to make up for the long wait, this chapter is bigger than recent ones, so do enjoy.
Also huge thank you to May07 for your review, glad that you are loving the story. May07 has also started their own FNAF story, (One Step At A Time.) It is very good and I recommend you all to give it a read.
Many thanks to Black Dasher and Romeo Jaramillo for favouriting and following this story, glad to know that you are enjoying it.
Finally, after a long wait, there is a sing along song in this one, Mechanical Instinct by Aviators, whose lyrics I feel fit with this chapter's content.
Chapter 36.
Mechanical Monsters In The Dark.
"THIS IS A NIGHTMARE THAT YOU WON'T AWAKE FROM!"
Nightmarionnie from Ultimate Custom Night.
"It'll only hurt for a moment. . ."
And with those words, the hand holding the knife moved so swiftly that it was a blur of movement.
When the inevitable blow came, it did hurt with unimaginable pain that left its mark on her soul after death. It was a pain that she could never forget, a constant reminder of what was lost that day. Don't follow strangers, it was so simple to understand, and she had cursed herself for her own foolishness. Although in the chaos that occurred that day, wouldn't you accept an offer for safety?
The image of SpringBonnie looming over her like a tower, with his cold green eyes morphed into pitch blackness, bringing her swiftly back to reality.
'Richard' was still holding her by the throat, with her back pressed into the wall, choking the life out of her.
"M…o…n…s…t…e…r…s a…r…e m…a…d…e, n…o…t b…o…r…n R…a…c…h…e…l!" {Monsters are made, not born Rachel!} he hissed with a strong tone of satisfaction.
"Y…o…u a…n…d y…o…u…r f…r…i…e…n…d…s h…a…v…e s…h…o…w…n m…e t…h…a…t." {You and your friends have shown me that.}
Rachel was still gripping his hands trying to loosen them or at least break free.
However, she was still holding onto the flashlight with her free hand.
She had one last idea to gamble on and if it failed, well that outcome didn't require much imagination. There was a sizeable metallic clang, followed by an intense ringing sound as the flashlight struck the side of Richard's head with significant force.
Instantly, there was a loud painful snap as his neck joints were bent to one side, with his head becoming lopsided. It was such a shock to him that his grip on Rachel's throat vanished with his hands falling away.
Rachel could sense BB's approval from the depths of her subconsciousness, cheering her on. She dropped down to the floor, with her opponent staggering about as he struggled to balance himself.
His rage was understandable.
"Y…O…U L…I…T…T…L…E-" {YOU LITTLE-}
Suddenly two arms wrapped themselves around his waist, cutting him off midsentence as Rachel pushed herself up against him.
Two warm hands encountering a cold, jagged and hard surface.
Rachel buried her face into his chest, it was both rough and smooth in certain areas, although it had a plastic feel to it. Her whole body was pressing against his, she was warm whereas he was cold. The suddenness of her action has caught 'Richard' off guard. It made no sense given his agenda, let alone his hatred of those who he deemed responsible for his demise.
And yet here she was hugging him, holding him in a protective embrace amidst the darkness that surrounded them. It was strange, odd if anything, as Richard's hands remained motionless at his side.
Slowly, he came out of his shocked state, raising both his hands to tightly grip his head. There was a loud snapping sound as he righted it, forcing his neck joints back into place. Rachel tighten her hold, she was shaking all over, her hands despite being locked around him were trembling.
This was very dangerous.
"Please. . ." she muttered, finally breaking the tense silence.
"I want to help you, to save you, it's all my fault, I made you into a monster."
Her white dots for eyes widen with horror and realisation of what she had truly done.
"I was so scared, we were all terrified, trapped in the dark."
She buried herself even further into his chest. "When we saw you in the purple staff uniform, we thought that you were Vincent, but we never questioned on how he could keep on reappearing every night."
"However, it wasn't him, but you are not really a monster, none of you are, not really, just lost souls."
There were several clicking sounds as 'Richard' leaned down to look at her, returning his hands to be by his side. "I did bad things, very bad and I want to fix my mistakes," Rachel whispered, her breathing was shallow and sharp, evident of her fear.
"Please. . .forgive me, the Fazbears are as innocent as you are, I want to end this hell; this isn't living as you say, but I cannot do it if you try to kill me."
"Then you can see your family again, without feeling any regret or shame."
Her white dots for eyes slowly looked up, seeing nothing but pitch blackness, accompanied by a deadly silence, broken only the internal sounds of her heart racing.
"Please don't give into the urge, I am not a threat to you," she mentally begged.
The silence continued, seconds turned into minutes.
"Say something!" Rachel mentally implored, she could feel BB's anxiety rising like a tide from within the depths of her subconsciousness.
It did nothing to alleviate her worries as 'Richard' remained motionless, still not saying anything.
"Speak!"
Creak!
Groan!
Suddenly, from the direction of the main hallway came several noises that were instantly recognisable.
"H...e...y R...i...c...h...a...r...d, a...n...y b...o...d...y h...o...m...e?" {Hey Richard, anybody home?}
It was 'Laura', sounding casual, almost in a friendly manner.
"T...h...e l...i...t...t...l...e b...a...s...t...a...r...d i...s h...i...d…i...n...g, a...n...y s...i...g...n?" {The little bastard is hiding, any sign?} another one asked, it was 'David', sounding rather irritated.
"H...e's t...r...y...i...n...g t...o e...s...c...a...p...e!" {He's trying to escape!} a third stressed, that was 'Jessica', sounding very vicious and edger for some violence to happen.
The sound of joints shifting, and creaking filled the air as the trio stepped into the room. Rachel's heart was in her mouth, she was shaking all over, trying not to scream or cry.
Her hands were trembling, unable to maintain their grip as her knees buckled back and forth.
"Oh God!" she mentally screamed.
"R...i...c...h...a...r...d, a...r...e...y...o...u i...n h...e...r...e?" {Richard, are you in here?} 'Laura' called out.
"I'm h...e...r...e g...u...y...s," {I'm here guys,} 'Richard' replied calmly, although he didn't turn around to face them.
"I h...a...v...e n…o...t s...e...e...n h...i...m, n...o...r c...a...n I f...i...n...d h...i...m i...n h...e...r...e," {I have not seen him, nor can I find him in here,} he added, his voice was calm and steady, giving away no sense of uneasiness, unlike Rachel who was trembling from head to toe.
"H...e h...a...s c...e...r...t...a...i...n...l...y b...e...e...n i...n h...e...r...e t...h...o...u...g...h," {He has certainly been in here though,} he muttered, he could feel Rachel shaking against him, her fear was undeniable.
"H...a...v...e y...o...u g...u...y...s t...i...r...e...d t...h...e o...t...h...e...r r...o...o...m...s?" {Have you guys tired the other rooms?} he asked suggestively.
"W...e a...r...e d...o...i...n...g, b...u...t h...e i...s s...n...e...a...k...i...n...g a...b...o...u...t," {We are doing, but he is sneaking about,} 'Laura' remarked, sounding frustrated.
"H...e c...a...n o...n...l...y h...i...d...e f...o...r s...o l...o...n...g t...h...o...u...g...h," {He can only hide for so long though,} 'Jessica' added.
"S...p...l...i...t u...p, w...e w...i...l...l e...n...t...r...a...p h...i...m," {Split up, we will entrap him,} 'Richard' stated, appearing to give them orders.
"H...e w...i...l...l s...u...f...f...e...r t...h...e s...a...m...e f...a...t...e a...s u...s," {He will suffer the same fate as us,} 'David' growled, giving off the indication that he was tightening his fists.
All the while Rachel stood there, completely hidden by Richard's body and the darkness, listening to her tormenters who stood only a few meters away. She held her breath, listening to her ragging heartbeat as it pounded against her ribcage.
This body obviously wasn't hers, but when she was in control, it became hers with all the normal functions of a living human. Even though she was a girl and BB was a boy, it made little difference in the context of things.
Balloon Boy's panic was at the same height as hers, unsure of what could happen and desperately hoping for the best.
It was a conscious presence in the back of her mind.
"F…i...n...e, b...u...t k...e...e...p s...e...a...r...c...h...i…n...g, h…e c...a…n…n...o...t h...a...v...e g...o...n...e f...a...r," {Fine, but keep searching, he cannot have gone far,} 'Jessica' mumbled, determined to keep up the hunt.
She now turned away and headed off down the corridor with 'David' in tow, grumbling to himself, as his gears groaned when in motion.
"T...h...o...s...e N...i...g...h...t...m...a...r...e…s p...r...o...m...i...s...e...d u...s v…e...n...g...e…a...n...c...e, I d…o n…o...t w...a...n...t t…o b...l...o...w m…y c…h...a...n...c…e...s b...y f…a...i…l…l…i...n…g t…o c…a...t…c…h a c…h…i…l...d," {Those Nightmares promised us vengeance, I do not want to blow my chances by failing to catch a child,} 'Laura' stated sternly, seeming to turn about on the spot, as she surveyed both hallways.
"O...h y...e...s," {Oh yes,} 'Richard' remarked in a smooth excited tone, the sound of his voice indicated that he was staring down at Rachel. He could just so easily trap her with his hands and reveal her location to the others and then indulge in his revenge against his murderer.
"A v...e...r...y s...m...a...r...t c...h…i…l…d," {A very smart child,} he muttered in a smug tone that made Rachel tremble even more.
"W...e w...i...l...l f...i...n...d h...i...m," {We will find him,} 'Laura' replied sinisterly, now heading off towards Parts and Services, as evident by the sounds of her heavy footsteps.
"A…n...d w...h...e...n w...e d...o, h...e w...i...l…l w…i...s...h t…h...a...t t...h...e d...e...e... p...e...s...t d...a...r...k...e...s...t p...i…t o...f h...e…l...l o…p…e...n...s u…p t...o s...w...a...l...l…o...w h...i...m w...h...o...l...e," {And when we do, he will wish that the deepest darkest pit of hell opens up to swallow him whole,} she hissed, her voice growing ever distant, but her intentions were very clear.
Soon she was gone, the mechanical clicks and groans of her worn out suit faded away into the darkness, leaving both 'Richard' and Rachel alone.
'Richard' had returned to being motionless, while Rachel was still shaking all over. A starling realisation was blowing through her mind, even BB within the depths of her subconsciousness had come to the same conclusion.
'Richard' despite his desire for revenge and having the perfect opportunity to hand her over. . . had instead spared her.
It was such a surprise to Rachel that she needed to breathe deeply as the new reality slowly sank in. She was still holding onto him, with both arms wrapped around his cold metallic waist. As all other sounds died down into nothing, leaving only silence, Rachel slowly lifted her head up to face him.
Her white dots for eyes shone with surprise, shock and a creeping sensation of relief.
"Why?" she asked, her tone was one of complete disbelief at his actions. Silence reigned for a good long while, until 'Richard' finally spoke, his voice was mostly robotic, but his humanity still shone through.
"Y…o…u s…a…i…d t…h…a…t y…o…u w…a…n…t…e…d t…o f…r…e…e u…s, t…o p…u…t u...s b…a…c…k t…o…g…e…t…h…e…r, I a…m n…o…w g…i…v…i…n…g y…o…u t…h…a…t c…h…a…n…c…e. . . a…n…d o…n…l…y o…n…e c…h…a…n…c…e," {You said that you wanted to free us, to put us back together, I am now giving you that chance. . . and only one chance,} he whispered, sounding calm, but also quite serious.
He steadily raised his right hand, reached round and lightly patted Rachel on the head. Before Rachel could mount a reply, he spoke again, preemptively cutting her off.
"G…o, n…o…w." {Go now.}
His voice was both firm and directive, as his right hand fell back to be at his side. Slowly, Rachel bypassed 'Richard' and headed towards the doorway that led out into the main hallway. She stopped to turn back, staring into the darkness, knowing that Richard would hear her.
"Thank you, I knew that you weren't a monster," she said, sounding very grateful.
Richard's reply was rather simple and direct.
"Y…o…u k…n…o…w w…h…a…t w…i…l…l h…a…p…p…e…n i…f t…h…e…y c…a…t…c…h y…o…u." {You know what will happen if they catch you.}
It was a warning that both Rachel and Balloon Boy were aware of, although the real torment would be far worse than anything that their minds could conjure up. Rachel turned away and stealthily made her way out into the desolate hallway. There was silence, but she knew that it was all an illusion.
"We must free them all," she muttered softly to which only BB could hear.
"We will set them free."
She could feel a strong rush of approval from BB, which made her smile. Given Richard's recent actions, there was some hope at least for fixing the past. Although there was no knowing what would happen if she got caught and he was present.
It was a question that Rachel wanted answering and yet dreaded to ask.
"Now come on," she mentally said confidently, returning to the matter in hand, as the darkness surrounded them like a predator in the wild.
It was like it was daring them to make a move.
Exhaling a little, to remove some tension, Rachel mentally spoke to Balloon Boy. "I told you that you won't die, not with me by your side and that's a promise BB."
She sounded determined, as she stepped into the dark, unafraid.
A warm sensation passed through her, it was BB encouraging her onwards.
"I like what you are saying, but what if the Nightmares don't play fair and refuse to let us leave?" he asked, cautiously, his voice echoing throughout her mind.
Rachel smiled to herself as she replied in an assured tone.
"We will find a way out, there's always an exit."
"Always. . ."
Using Balloon Boy's body and ignoring the pain that pulsed from various bruised areas, Rachel made her way to Party Room Two. She stopped outside the door that of course was still barred, but it was better to be sure that no one else was around.
After listening patiently for a minute or two, she switched on the flashlight, the light blinded her briefly before her vision adjusted.
"Be careful," BB whispered from within the depths of her subconscious. "I always am. . .mostly," Rachel replied calmly, thinking back to the day she died, when she followed SpringBonnie to her grave.
She shone the light through the metal bars, revealing a series of tables covered in a white cloth with a party hat at every seat. Then there was the party banner with 'Let's Party' in big green letters hanging overhead.
An innocent impression that didn't belong here, given the dark history that had taken place within the pizzeria's walls. Moving the light around revealed the other side vent that lead into the office, Toy Bonnie had often made use of it when they were hunting Jeremy back in the day.
She would often pose before the vent in sight of the camera, making it look as if she was about to go in, which kept Jeremy on edge as he tired to hold off eleven Fazbears at once.
It was fun. . .
It didn't take long to find the posters, situated at the far back of the room like the others.
Each one had their own set of golden stars, 7 3 1.
She quickly typed the code in, upon doing so the door opened, sliding away to one side. Strangely enough, there were no possessed prop suits in the room, the emptiness of it produced an eerie calm that was unsettling.
Rachel slowly made her way inside, shining the light back and forth across the room's interior, finding very little worth of her attention.
No one was here. . .
Quickly she made her way up to the posters, knowing that gifts were hidden behind them. Analysing the posters individually, Rachel deduced that the Toy Chica poster was the one hiding the object.
She grabbed it by one of the corners and slowly peeled it off the wall, revealing a small hole that looked as if someone had deliberately dug into the wall. Reaching inside her hand came into contact with a small object which she grasped tightly.
Pulling it out of the hole revealed a miniature version of Bonnie's guitar. Rachel could feel a wave of approval from BB, mentally patting her on the back.
"Thanks, three down, one to go," she mentally remarked confidently, shining the flashlight around the room.
"We're nearly there, head to Party Room –"
CREAK!
GROAN!
A loud series of noises drifted up the hallway outside, Rachel froze, with the hairs on the back of her neck stood up straight.
Someone was coming!
Luckily, she knew where the vent was, although BB was ahead of her on that.
"Hurry get inside and head to the office!" he urged, sounding very nervous.
If it wasn't 'Richard' then they would be in a tight spot.
Not wanting to find who it was, Rachel raced forward and climbed inside the vent, its cold metal and unforgiving interior pressed against her skin. Well. . . in reality it was Balloon Boy's skin, since she was possessing his body, but he could deal with any pain later on if they survived this ordeal.
She crawled forward, her knees ached as they were pushed against the vent's floor.
Why anyone would want to climb inside this thing, even if the prize at the other end was killing an unfortunate night guard. The sounds from the hallway continued as she pulled herself out of the vent upon reaching the office.
However, there was another sound that accompanied the creaking and groaning.
Music. . .
A faint sound of dancing music could be heard floating in the air, moving steadily towards the office.
Another possessed prop suit was making its entry onto the scene.
So far, none of the possessed prop suits that Rachel and BB had encountered played music and given the dire condition of the suits that housed their broken bodies, it would be impossible for them to have any functional inbuilt music boxes.
Yet this one did.
Seeing how it was clearly intending on entering the security office, Rachel could just turn round and head back the way she'd came via the vent again. She turned around and leaned down to crawl inside, when her knee came into sharp contact with vent's metal panelling.
Searing pain engulfed her entire left leg, flowing upwards. She gritted her teeth, repressing her instinctual desire to scream out in agony. Unfortunately, it made a noticeable noise; a metallic clang rang out.
And it had been received.
"I…s s…o...m...e...o…n…e t…h…e…r…e?" {Is someone there?} a smooth, yet curious voice called out, amidst its stuttering as its aged voice box struggle to process its words.
Rachel froze, keeping her mouth shut.
"I c…a…n h…e…a…r s…o…m…e…o…n…e i…n…s…i…d…e t…h…i…s r…o…o…m," {I can hear someone inside this room,} the voice remarked, along with several mechanical clicks as it moved its head from left to right.
The dancing music continued to play uninterrupted, a soft tune drifting through the tension.
"I a…m c…e…r…t…a…i…n t…h…a…t I h…e…a…r…d s…o…m…e…t…h…i…n…g," {I am certain that I heard something,} the voice said, sounding rather determined to find what had caused the noise.
Rachel knew that the one possessing the prop suit was another one of her victims, but she couldn't recall its name, although it was obviously a female.
"Amy," Balloon Boy muttered from within the depths of the subconsciousness.
"She was such a nice person, always ready to help anyone."
Then Amy's voice erupted out of the darkness somewhere ahead of them, now sounding devious as if she knew something that they didn't.
"I t…h…i…n…k I k…n…o…w w…h…o c…a…u…s…e…d t…h…a…t n…o…i…s…e," {I think I know who caused that noise,} she amused, sending alarm bells off in Rachel's head.
Suddenly there came a scrapping sound, but it was rather fast for someone to be walking as they would normally be dragging their feet along the floor. However, the music that 'Amy' was playing had a particular theme to it, growing louder and faster she approached.
The playful sound, the sweet rhythm, it was beautiful and yet it was distinctly called. Rachel's eyes widen as the music's origin exploded into being inside her head.
"Ballerina music!"
And 'Amy' wasn't walking, but gliding, enabling her to move fast unlike the others.
Rachel now willed herself to move, repressing the aching pain from her knee as she burst into action, clambering inside the vent. She crawled forward over the bubby unforgiving metal, aiming to put enough distance between her and 'Amy' as she pulled her legs inside.
Unfortunately, a roughed hand grabbed hold of one of her legs, a cold sensation ran up her spine as its grip tighten.
Instantly, her other leg was also grabbed, and she was pulled right out, the motion resulted in her sliding across the floor of the office.
"I F…O…U…N…D Y…O…U!" {I FOUND YOU!} 'Amy' yelled joyfully, striding over to Rachel, despite the protests from her aged joints.
Rachel scrambled up to her feet, but a foot kicked her in the back from behind, sending to the floor again face first. A pain erupted on the entire left side of her body, spreading like a wildfire.
She gripped her chest as it throbbed, feeling her rib bones ache.
"H…E'S H…E…R…E G…U…Y…S!" (HE'S HERE GUYS!} 'Amy' shouted, her triumphant voice echoed down the hallway, ensuring that the wolves would hear their brethren's call and response accordingly.
Rachel slowly lifted her head, blood flowed from her nose which had already been bloodied. The flashlight had fallen out of her grip and had rolled away in the chaos, but the impact had caused it to turn on.
And it just so happened to be shining in the direction of the hallway, exposing the office to anyone who wanted to find it. Despite her hazy vision, she could see the Security Office for the first time in countless years. Memories came rushing back to her, running around the place with her friends in the summer of 1987.
Those were good days. . .
The harsh impact of a foot into her back ensured Rachel's swift return to reality, pain surged throughout her body, her muscles clenched.
A cold hand grasped her by the back of the neck, before tightening like an iron bond and lifted her upwards.
'Amy' spoke in a victorious tone which dripped with immense excitement.
"H…e…l…l…o B…a…l…l…o…o…n B…o…y, w…e…l…c…o…m…e b…a…c…k t…o t…h…e N…e…w a…n…d I…m…p…r…o…v…e…d F…r…e…d…d…y F…a…z…b…e…a…r's P…i…z…z…e…r…i…a, w...h...e...r...e f...u...n a...n...d f...a...n...t...a...s...y c...o...m...e t...o l...I...f...e," {Hello Balloon Boy, welcome back to the New and Improved Freddy Fazbear's Pizzeria, where fun and fantasy come to life,} she sneered in her moment of triumph.
With her other hand, she turned Rachel around, whilst still maintaining a strong grip, so not to let her escape.
"A…h…h…h!" {Ahhh!} she exclaimed, sounding surpised and her tone suddenly dropped.
"I r…e…c…o…g…n…i…s…e t…h…o…s…e e…y…e…s," {I recognise those eyes} she muttered curiously.
"T…h…o…s…e c…o…l…d m…u…r…d…e…r…o…u…s e…y…e…s o…f a f…r…i…g…h…t…e…n…e…d c…h…i…l…d." {Those cold murderous eyes of a frightened child.}
Due to the position of the flashlight, Rachel couldn't actually see 'Amy', although there was a faint outline of a humanoid in front of her. The sounds of gears grinding and joints shifting echoed from down the hallway.
The wolves had found the scent and were following the trail.
"Y…o…u r…e…c…o…g…n…i…s…e m…e d…o…n't y…o…u c…h…i…l…d, a…l…t…h…o…u…g…h I h…a…v…e c…h…a…n…g…e…d a…n…d n…o…t f…o…r t…h…e b…e…t…t…e…r c…l…e…a…r…l…y," {You recognise me don't you child, although I have changed and not for the better clearly,} 'Amy' remarked, still sounding triumphant.
However, Rachel had no intention of looking at her, turning her head away. She didn't want to see what decades of neglect had done to a mangled corpse trapped inside a rusty mechanical suit.
With her feet, 'Amy' kicked the flashlight in her direction with the light now shining directly at her.
"L…o…o…k a…t m…e?" {Look at me?} she asked, in a bittersweet tone.
Rachel didn't, keeping her gaze on anything else but her.
"L…o…o…k a…t m…e!" {Look at me!} she asked again, now in a demanding tone to which Rachel refused to compel.
'Amy' slowly brought Rachel close to her, her arm joints groaned slightly as they moved.
"P…l…e…a…s…e l…o…o…k a…t m…e, d…o…n't y…o…u w…a…n…t t…o s…e…e w…h…a…t y…o…u h…a…v…e c…r…e…a…t…e…d?" {Please look at me, don't you want to see what you have created?}
Her voice was smug and insisting, not wanting to be denied her chance to bask in her moment of victory. Yet Rachel refused to, keeping her line of sight on the surrounding darkness.
Anything was better than looking at 'Amy'.
Footsteps could be heard from the hallway, getting steadily louder as each one marked her approaching doom.
"I w…a…s f…o…r…g…e…d i…n a…g…o…n…y a…n…d t…h…e…n c…a…s…t…e…d i…n…t…o t…h…e d…a…r…k…n…e…s…s l…i…k…e a n…e…w b…o…r…n," {I was forged in agony and then casted into the darkness like a new born,} 'Amy' stated, slowly increasing her grip on Rachel's neck, intending to squeeze the life out of her.
"T…h…e…n t…h…e…y f…o…u…n…d u…s, a…t f…i…r…s…t w…e t…h…o…u…g…h…t t…h…a…t t…h…e…y w…e…r…e t…h…e…m, t…h…a…n…k…f…u…l…l…y w…e r…e…a…l…i…s…e…d o…u…r m…i…s…t…a…k…e b…e…f…o…r…e w…e c…o…u…l…d b…l…u…d…g…e…o…n t…h…e…m t…o d…e…a…t…h." {Then they found us, at first, we thought that they were them, thankfully we realised our mistake before we could bludgeon them to death.}
'They' were of the course Nightmares, given that they had similar appearances to the Fazbears.
"T…h…e d…e…a…t…h o…f y…o…u…r f…a…m…i…l…y w…i…l…l s…e…t u…s f…r…e…e, w…e'll b…e c…o…m…p…l…e…t…e, a…b…l…e t…o f…i…n…a…l…l…y s…o…a…r a…n…d a…w…a…y f…r…o…m t…h…e…s…e c…h…a…i…n…s," {The death of your family will set us free, we'll be complete, able to finally soar and away from these chains,} 'Amy' announced, joyfully, her end goal was in sight.
The sounds of grinding gears grew progressively louder as the shadows of five other people emerged from the darkness, spreading across the hallway floor that lit up by the flashlight.
'Amy' further tighten her hold on Rachel's neck, bringing her in even closer.
"Y…o…u k…n…o…w w…h…e…r...e b…a…d p…e…o…p…l…e g…o w…h…e…n t…h…e…y d…i…e, b…e…c…a…u…s…e t…h…i…s i…s w…h…e…r…e y…o…u…r s…t…o…r…y e…n…d…s." {You know where bad people go when they die, because this is where your story ends.}
Rachel could see the outline of Amy's face as the light hit it, making the decayed plastic and metal shine. Yet, she refused to give her any satisfaction as the other possessed prop suits finally entered the room.
Rachel's heartbeat raced like it was on a marathon, hearing the creaking sounds of multiple joints behind her.
"T…O…G…E…T…H…E…R A…G…A…I…N!" {TOGETHER AGAIN!} one screamed in sadistic joy, clearly being 'David', serving to put Rachel into panic mode, if she wasn't already in it.
As all hope vanished from her eyes, Balloon Boy jumped in, offering Rachel a lifeline. "Rachel, let me take back control, I can get us out of here," he whispered urgently from the depths of her subconsciousness.
"How?" she mentally asked back, as danger crept ever closer.
"It's risky, but what isn't these days, however, I think I know where the key is," BB hastily answered.
"Where?" Rachel asked.
"Parts and Services," he replied confidently.
Rachel paused momentarily before replying.
"Ok, but how are we going to get out of this?"
BB merely answered back with the phrase.
"Just watch me."
Consciously letting go, Rachel allowed herself to drift away into the depths of the subconscious. The arms dropped to the side, the head slumped forward and the white dots for pupils faded away, being replaced with baby blue.
"I…r…o…n…i…c i…s…n't i…t, h…o…w t…h…e h…u...n…t…e…d b…e…c…o…m…e t…h…e h…u…n…t…e…r, w…e a…r…e a…l…l t…r…a…p…p…e…d, c…r…e…a…t…i…n…g a n…e…v…e…r-e…n…d…i…n…g c…i…r…c…l…e," {Ironic isn't it, how the hunted become the hunter, we are all trapped, creating a never-ending circle,} 'Amy' muttered, sounding bittersweet. She didn't seem to have noticed the change in eye colour, continuing to speak.
"Y…o…u're t…r…a…p…p…e…d, w…e a…r…e t…r…a…p…p…e…d, t…h…e N…i…g…h…t…m…a…r…e…s a…r…e t…r…a…p…p…e…d, e…v…e…r…y…o…n…e w…a…n…t…s t…o b…r…e…a…k f…r…e…e, b…u…t i…t a…l…w…a…y…s s…e…e…m…s t…o c…o…m…e a…t a p…r…i…c…e f…o…r s…o…m…e…o…n…e e…l…s…e." {You're trapped, we are trapped, the Nightmares are trapped, everyone wants to break free, but it always seems to come at a price for someone else.}
Upon regaining full control of his body, BB's eyes darted about, trying to quickly spot the nearest escape route. He knew what he needed to do, no more hunting, no more playing hide and seek with monsters in the dark.
His chances were slim, but he had to be optimistic.
"T…h…i…s t…i…m…e h…o…w…e…v…e…r, y…o…u'll k…n…o…w h…o…w i…t f…e…e…l…s t…o g…e…t 's…t…u…f…f…e…d'!" {This time however, you'll know how it feels to get 'stuffed'!} 'Amy' hissed, her voice suddenly followed by the sounds of something snapping.
Something mechanical. . .
Then it dawned on BB what she was going to do, his eyes went wide with horror.
"T…h…e…r…e i…s b…a...r…e…l…y e…n…o…u…g…h s…p…a…c…e l…e…f…t f…o…r y…o…u i…n h…e…r…e." {There is barely enough space left for you in here.}
Instantly, not desiring to wait for the inevitable to happen, BB leaned his head back and then with full force, headbutted 'Amy' in the face. A horrifying sound echoed throughout the room, the other possessed prop suits actually shuddered at the sound.
The impact shocked 'Amy', she never expected BB to attempt such an aggressive move without the flashlight.
She staggered backwards, letting go of BB's neck, he dropped to the floor as she struggled to regain control of her balance, falling sideways into the office desk, making a heavy thud. The impact with her face, a rough combination of metal and hard plastic had clearly stunned BB, nor had it done any good to his facial injuries.
However, he forced himself to move, just as the other possessed prop suits came out of their collective shock and pounced.
"N…O, T…H…I…S. E…N…D…S. H…E…R…E!" {NO, THIS. ENDS. HERE!} 'Laura' yelled in anger, seeing her companion's dilemma.
She quickly moved to strike BB, but he dogged her and went straight for the flashlight that had been lying on the floor the entire time. Gripping in his hand, BB ran forward, straight towards the other possessed prop suits.
Yet, before any of them could act, he shone the flashlight right at them, its brightness going straight into their eyes, blinding them with its intensity. Some covered their eyes, others screamed immense pain as BB raced through them, keeping his eyes forward, dazing away into the darkness.
They would have attempted to grab him if they could, but the bright light had frozen them in agony. However, when the light mercifully died down, they were quick to recover from being blinded.
Turning round in the direction that BB had just gone, only one emotion existed amongst them. Rage, unbridled, hell raising rage based from a justified feeling of victimhood.
Rasped heavy breathing echoed from their rusted and decayed mouth holes. Bone scrapped against metal and plastic, as they willed the joints to move as their spirits were strong. Anger, despair and fear bubbled away inside them, a swirling cauldron of negative emotions amassing together to form a collective mood that was liked to a storm that was as aggressive as it was mighty.
Their facial plates twitched in and out of place ever so briefly, never revealing what lay behind them. Yet, it did reveal their irritation, an eagerness to finish what they came here to do in this tomb of the past.
Letting go of the mental bonds that was barely keeping their emotions in check, they let out a collective scream of aggressive fury that echoed throughout the whole building, making their feelings very clear. . .well, all but one of them did.
And then they charged on mass, running into the darkness that embraced them openly as the monsters that they were forced to become.
For salvation was worth any price, even committing the vilest acts of humanity, because how far would you go for revenge?
The hunt was on. . .
(Begin the song here if you wish.)
We are pulled inside the darkness of the main hallway, echos of the past line the walls. Childlike laughter drifts through the air, memories of fun appear like ghosts, briefly taking the pizzeria back to its glory days.
Suddenly the focus cuts straight to Balloon Boy running for his life, flashlight in hand.
He breaths in fast as his heart races.
His footsteps hit the smooth floor hard as the shadows chase him.
"One step at a time, I'm going outta my mind."
Mechanical groans echo off the walls.
"I'm being hunted by something primal."
Cuts to the possessed prop suits twitching uncontrollably.
"They're just simple machines, yet tainted souls they seem."
Hours feel like days.
"For five nights I'll fear for my survival"
A decayed metallic fist tightens in rage.
"Are they mechanical?"
Shows them stalking the hallways.
"They hunt like animals."
Bodies jerk unnaturally.
"Freezing for seconds while I see their corpses."
BB's eyes go wide with fear.
"I'm getting panicked now."
Nearby doors suddenly slam shut.
"I'm locking this place down."
The presence of Nightmare trickery feels very real.
"I'm feeling watched by unnatural forces."
A mechanical scream compels him to run faster.
"Looks like I'd better run for my life, I'll never be in one piece to see night five!"
His enemies hunt him like wolves.
"I've got eleven on my tail, with no time to think of a way to survive, mechanical instinct."
Shows David's decayed body twitching about at all angels as he stalks the hallway.
"Kk, kk, kk, mechanical instinct."
BB meanwhile unlocks Party Room 4, dashing inside to grab the hidden item.
He takes the miniature version of Freddy's top hat and stuffs it inside his trouser pocket.
Upon hearing a tortured scream, he turns around in fear with his heart in his mouth.
"Just an hour more, I'm closer than before, to making it out of this ghastly madhouse."
His mind is awash with tension.
"I'm feeling desperate, I'm starting to regret, taking my chances with no way out."
Loud creaks and groans resonate throughout the dark.
"Who's walking down the hall?"
"I can't keep track of them all."
Amy's ballerina music drifts through the air.
"A music box plays my dying song."
BB puts on a brave face.
"This is my one escape, the mask still on my face."
Yet they know where he is.
"But they have known I've been here all along."
He runs out of the room and legs it to Parts and Service.
"Looks like I'd better run for my life."
His pursuers follow.
"I'll never be in one piece to see night five!"
They are relentless.
"I've got eleven on my tail, with no time to think of a way to survive, mechanical instinct."
Jessica twitches uncontrollably as she forces her body to move.
"Kk, kk, kk, mechanical instinct."
Rushing into Parts and Service, BB notices a glowing panel in the back wall.
He seizes the moment and pulls its aside to reveal a small golden key.
However, as he grabs it, the possessed prop suits pile into the room, blocking off the only exit.
"Here, all alone in the darkness."
They close in.
"Why, can't I escape their soulless eyes?"
BB's back hits the wall.
"It's a lost cause now."
The creaks of their mechanical bodies draw ever near.
"They've got my scent, and I can't get out."
He can see the rough outline of one now bearing over him.
"Now, I'm afraid to look because they, are just the beasts who hunt me down."
A decayed plastic/metal hand reaches out for him.
"With no way fight back, the night is already over."
With one last shot, he turns on the flashlight, blasting it right in the eyes.
It staggers backwards into the others.
Taking the chance, BB with the key in hand, bursts through the crowd, avoiding all attempts to seize him.
Screaming in a blood culling rage, they chase him as he legs it to the door to the stage, seeking escape from the nightmare.
"Looks like I'd better run for my life."
BB's instincts scream at him to keep running.
"I'll never be in one piece to see night five!"
They reach out to grab him.
"I've got eleven on my tail, with no time to think."
The tension is rising.
"Of a way to survive, mechanical instinct."
BB reaches the door.
"Looks like I'd better run for my life."
He jams the key in and turns it.
"I'll never be in one piece to see night five!"
The door won't open.
"I've got eleven on my tail, with no time to think."
BB frantically tugs at the door handle.
"Of a way to survive, mechanical instinct."
He suddenly feels a shadow fall over him, making him hesitantly turn to look up.
A terrible sight meets his eyes.
"Mechanical instinct!"
In the glow of the flashlight, he sees a mixed row of decayed metal and human teeth appearing out of the darkness.
The metallic joints twitch, pulling the row of teeth into a crooked murderous smile.
"Mechanical instinct!"
(The song fades out as it ends.)
Balloon Boy felt a sudden painful punch to his stomach, making him fall onto his knees, just as a mechanical arm elbowed him hard in the throat, having the air taken right out of his lungs.
The flashlight was torn right out of his hand, its brightness now lighting up its new owner, who was very clear for BB to see. They had crowded around him, trapping him against the door, there was nowhere left for him to run.
The golden key was still in the lock and the door itself remained closed, much to his despair.
Why hadn't it opened?
He had clearly won the game that the Nightmares had set out for him, but of course they wouldn't let him go. They would never play fair, it was in their nature to be deceptive and yet he had played into the idea that they would honour their own rules.
Now look where that had got him. . .
Before he could pick himself up and recover from the initial assault, a cold metallic hand grabbed him by the throat and hauled him upwards, without much care to his wellbeing.
In the glow of the flashlight his attacker was now as clear as day, as were their companions who stood behind them in a solidary manner. BB stared at his foes, taking in every detail, the tension made the surrounding air thick as uncertainty crept in.
They held similar characteristics but looked different enough to be separated from one another.
The one holding him, and the flashlight was a prime example.
Its body was roughly human in shape and its brownish/greyish skin was a mixture of rusted metal and hard plastic. Yet it had heavily decayed, suffering many holes, hanging wires and exposed internal gears.
However, the most shocking thing visible was the dried blood that covered the edges of the various holes that peppered its body. Within the holes themselves, BB could just make out what looked like dented and cracked bones.
When the spring locks had been activated, they had impaled and then ripped the body to shreds.
Some of its fingers were missing as were its toes and yet it was miracle that it could stand, let alone walk or run. However, the soul inside willed the body to move despite its poor condition. Their determination for revenge pushed them onwards as their bodies rotted away, weakening its ability to hold itself together.
Yet it was the head that held BB's attention the most, again it could be described as visibly human in appearance despite its battered state.
A thin line ran down its centre from top to bottom, splitting the face into two halves. In fact, its chest held the same design upon a closer look, looking as if it could split wide open and revealed the dreaded contents within.
Contents that Balloon Boy did not want to see.
Going back to the face, it only had one ear, that being its left, the other was nothing but a mixture of stretched out broken wire ends.
The mouth which held a murderous smile, housed a visible collection of rusted metallic teeth that belonged its internal endoskeleton and the remnants of its unwilling human inhabitant.
And finally, there were the eyes. . .those vacant black holes for eyes that gazed back at him with an unreadable expression. The eyebrows were not in any downward slant to suggest aggression, although BB was in no doubt as to how it perceived him.
Then it cocked its head slightly to one side, as if it was properly examining him for the first time.
And then it laughed, being full of humour and joy, revealing the identity of the soul that possessed it.
Henry . . .
"Y…o…u l…o…s…t!" {You lost!} he hissed, before brutally smacking him in the side with the flashlight.
A flare of immense aching pain erupted into being as BB fell to the floor, with the back of his head hitting the door. He felt dizzy, his head was spinning as exhaustion spread through him like a disease.
His neck hurt as did his back and his nose threated to bleed again. Every fibre of his being was tired, even though he still felt tense, given the circumstances as his enemies towered over him.
A sharp kick to his stomach brought him back to focus, as 'Henry' gloated.
"G…i…v…i…n…g u…p s…o e…a…s…i…l…y a…f…t…e…r s…u…c…h a c…h…a…s…e, p…i…t…y, w…e w…a…n…t…e…d t…o s…e…e y…o…u b…e…g f…i…r…s…t, l…i…k…e w…e d…i…d." {Giving up so easily after such a chase, pity, we wanted to see you beg first, like we did.}
A pair of hands suddenly reached down grabbed him by the shoulders and lifted him up off the floor for a second time.
The touch was cold and held no love to it.
BB was then shoved hard against the door with a thud, which resulted in pain racing up his back. It blurred his vision for a moment, but Henry's face came into view as he leaned in close, still gripping him by the shoulders as he had handed the flashlight over to one of his comrades.
'Henry' had leaned in so close that BB could see right into his vacant holes for eyes, yet his eyebrows had now shifted into a downwards slant, giving off the expression of annoyance.
"Y…o...u s…m…i…l…e…d a…s I d…i…e…d, I r…e…m…e…m…b…e…r m…y d…e…a…t…h w…i…t…h i…m…m...e…n…s…e d…e…t…a…i…l, e…v…e…n t…h…e p…a…i…n n…e…v…e…r t…r…u…l…y l…e…f…t m…e. B…u…t t…h…e…r…e w…a…s a l…o…o…k o…f s…w…e…e…t s…a…t…i…s…f…a…c…t…i…o…n o…n y…o…u…r f…a…c…e a…s T…o…y C…h…i…c…a p…u…s…h…e…d t…h…e s…u…i…t c…l…o…s…e…d, c…r…u…s…h…i…n…g m…e," {You smiled as I died, I remember my death with immense detail, even the pain never truly left me. But there was a look of sweet satisfaction on your face as Toy Chica pushed the suit closed, crushing me,} he spoke with a firm conviction and an undertone of both hatred and satisfaction.
"Y…o…u w…e…r…e a…l…l l…a…u…g…h…i…n…g, f…i…n…d…i…n…g i…t t…o b…e s…o f…u…n…n…y, c…a…l…l…i…n…g m…e n…a…m…e…s t…h…a…t I d…i…d…n't u…n…d…e…r…s…t…a…n…d t…h…e…n, b…u…t n…o…w I k…n…o…w t…h…a…t y…o…u w…e…r…e a…f…t…e…r V…i…n…c…e…n…t A…f…t…o…n." {You were all laughing, finding it to be so funny, calling me names that I didn't understand then, but now I know that you were after Vincent Afton.}
"Y…o…u w…e…r…e a…l…l e…n…j…o…y…i…n…g i…t, k…i…l…l…i…n…g, w…a…t…c…h…i…n…g u…s g…e…t…t…i…n…g r…i…p…p…e…d a…p…a…r…t b…y t…h…e s…p…r…i…n…g…l…o…c…k…s, s…a…y…i…n…g h…o…w w…e d…e…s…e…r…v…e…d i…t," {You were all enjoying it, killing, watching us getting ripped apart by the springlocks, saying how we deserved it,} 'David' growled, standing on the side-lines.
"I l…a…s…t s…a…w B…o…n…n…i…e g…l…a…r…i…n…g a…t m…e w…i…t…h s…u…c…h h…a…t…r…e…d a…n…d I d…i…d…n't u…n…d…e…r…s…t…a…n…d w…h…y b…a…c…k t…h…e…n, i…t s…e…e…m…e…d s…p…o…k…e s…e…n…s…e…l…e…s…s," {I last saw Bonnie glaring at me with such hatred and I didn't understand why back then, it seemed spoke senseless,} 'Laura' muttered with immense venom in her voice.
Yet 'Amy' spoke up with eager hatred.
"W…H…E…R…E A…R…E O…U…R B…O…D…I…E…S?" {WHERE ARE OUR BODIES?} she yelled, leaning forward to make her point clear and direct.
"W…H…E…R…E D…I…D Y…O…U B…U…R…R…Y T…H…E…M?" {WHERE DID YOU BURRY THEM?}
She was the only one in a ballerina pose, standing on her ankles with her arms above her head in an elegant position. Technically, she couldn't walk or run, lacking the ability to do so. Shakily BB answered her question, his voice was low as he forced himself to speak, scared at their reaction.
He wanted to look at the floor, but he somehow forced himself to keep eye contact.
"We. . .buried. . . them. . . outback."
Their reaction was swift.
'Amy' acted first, attempting to throttle him.
"H…I…D…I…N…G Y…O…U…R C…R…I…M…E, I S…H…O…U…L…D E…X…P…E…C…T N…O…T…H…I…N…G L…E…S…S F…R…O…M Y…O…U, Y…O…U F…A…Z…B…E…A…R…S W…I…L…L B…U…R…N I…N H…E…L…L!" {HIDING YOUR CRIME, I SHOULD EXPECT NOTHING LESS FROM YOU, YOU FAZBEARS WILL BURN IN HELL!} she screamed, in a tone that was entirely composed of anger.
Then 'Jessica' jumped into the action, trying to score a blow.
"W…E W…I…L…L C…R…A…W…L O…U…R W…A…Y O…U…T A…N…D D…R…A…G O…U…R…S…E…L…V…E…S A…C…R…O…S…S T…H…E E…A…R…T…H T…O F…I…N…D Y…O…U A…N…D W…E K…N…O…W W…H…E…R…E Y…O…U A…L…L A…R…E!" {WE WILL CRAWL OUR WAY OUT AND DRAG OURSELVES ACROSS THE EARTH TO FIND YOU AND WE KNOW WHERE YOU ALL ARE!}
Yet both were held back by 'Henry', given that he occupied the space before Balloon Boy.
"Y…o…u a…n…d I a…r…e v…e…r…y a…l…i…k…e B…B, t…o…r…m…e…n…t…e…d, I u…n…d…e…r…s…t…a…n…d n…o…w, t…h…e d…e…s…i…r…e t…o e…s…c…a…p…e a n…e…v…e…r e…n…d…i…n…g h…e…l…l, b…u…t y…o…u a…n…d y…o…u…r f…a…m…i…l…y a…r…e o…u…r t…i…c…k…e…t t…o f…r…e…e…d…o…m." {You and I are very alike BB, tormented, I understand now, the desire to escape a never ending hell, but you and your family are our ticket to freedom.}
Then he gave a cold smile with his mouth joints creaking in motion as they pulled the corners upwards.
"A…n…d w…e w…i…l…l t…a…k…e i…t w…i…t…h…o…u…t q…u…e…s…t…i…o…n." {And we will take it without question.}
The others joined him in smiling, sensing their vengeance was close at hand and each expression carried a deep foreboding for BB.
"P…e…r…s…o…n…a…l…l…y, w…e d…o…n't c…a…r…e a…b…o…u…t y…o…u…r f…e…u…d w…i…t…h V…i…n…c…e…n…t, h…e's g…o…i…n…g t…o h…e…l…l a…n…y…w…a…y w…h…e…n h…e d…i…e…s, s…o y…o…u'll a…l…l h…a…v…e s…o…m…e c…o…m…p…a…n…y a…t l…e…a…s…t." {Personally, we don't care about your feud with Vincent, he's going to hell anyway when he dies, so you'll all have some company at least.}
"A…l…t…h…o…u…g…h, I d…o w…o…n…d…e…r w…h…y V…i…n…c…e…n…t d…i…d w…h…a…t h…e d…i…d, k…i…l…l…i…n…g k…i…d…s, i…t's e…a…s…y t…o c…o…n…c…l…u…d…e t…h…a…t h…e h…a…s a s…i…c…k o…b…s…e…s…s…i…o…n, b…u…t h…i…s p…e…r…s…i…s…t…e…n…t n…a…t…u…r…e a…n…d a…p…p…a…r…e…n…t f…o…c…u…s o…n y…o…u l…o…t s…u…g…g…e…s…t…s o…t…h…e…r…w…i…s…e." {Although, I do wonder why Vincent did what he did, killing kids, it's easy to conclude that he has a sick obsession, but his persistent nature and apparent focus on you lot suggests otherwise.}
Then 'David' jumped in.
"I w…o…u…l…d s…a…y t…h…e s…a…m…e t…h…i…n…g a…b…o…u…t t…h…e N…i…g…h…t…m…a…r…e…s, t…r…y…i…n…g t…o f…o…r…c…e a…n o…u…t…c…o…m…e, w…a…n…t…i…n…g t…o b…r…e…a…k t…h…e…i…r o…w…n c…h…a…i…n…s." {I would say the same thing about the Nightmares, trying to force an outcome, wanting to break their own chains.}
BB's eyes went wide with curiosity, but the thought to ask further was shoved into the depths of his mind by the overwhelming sense of fear that he was currently feeling. No doubt that his feeling of panic had reached Rachel, who he could sense was trying to make herself as small as possible. She was just as scared as he was, whispering back in a sobbing tone.
"I'm sorry, I'm so sorry!"
'Henry' then leaned in close, so close that BB's nose made contact with the rough metal/plastic shell.
All he could see now was 'Henry' staring back at him, his cold hateful expression being very apparent.
"I w…a…n…t t…o b…e t…h…e l…a…s…t t…h…i…n…g y…o…u s…e…e, j…u…s…t l…i…k…e m…e, a…n…d t…h…e…n t…h…e c…y…c…l…e w…i…l…l b…e c…o…m…p…l…e…t…e, a…n…d h…e…a…v…e…n w…i…l…l o…p…e…n i…t…s g…a…t…e…s f…o…r u…s," {I want to be the last thing you see, just like me, then the cycle will be complete, and heaven will open its gates for us,} his tone was both stern and bitter.
"O…r p…e…r…h…a…p…s, w…e h…a…v…e t…o k…i…l…l a…l…l o…f y…o…u…r f…a…m…i…l…y t…o t…r…u…l…y b…e…c…o…m…e f…r…e…e, b…u…t w…i…t…h t…h…e N…i…g…h…t…m…a…r…e…s' h…e…l…p t…h…a…t w…o…n't b…e m…u…c…h o…f a p…r…o…b…l…e…m." {Or perhaps, we have to kill all of your family to truly become free, but with the Nightmares' help that won't be much of a problem.} He had said the last part in a smug tone, sensing that the long wait was finally over.
Using his body to keep Balloon Boy pin up against the door, he grasped his neck with both hands. Their cold touch against his soft warm skin made BB winch slightly in response.
"D…i…e. . . " {Die. . .}
'Henry' let out an electrical mechanical scream that his aged voice box struggled to transmit, but it had the desired effect as it visibly terrified BB.
And then. . . his face and chest plates swung wide open, fully revealing the conquences of being stuffed inside the suit.
A dried, decayed human skull, covered in blood and impanelled at all angles greeted Balloon Boy's horror filled eyes.
The metal crossbeams and wires had forced their way in and the frozen expression of the skull was one of sheer unimageable pain, despite its lack of eyes which had long rotted away. The voice box and endo jaw had been thrusted into what would have his throat, crushing his own voice box and jaw, making him reliant on it in order to speak.
His chest area had faired no different, broken rib bones entwined with the metal endoskeleton, having severed and ripped apart the veins and arteries that connected his heart to the rest of his body and having seriously punctured his liver, stomach and lungs. Yet it didn't kill him outright, instead giving him a long agonising death in which every minute felt like an hour as he bled out.
"T…h…e…r…e w…a…s f…u…n a…n…d f…a…n…t…a…s…y f…r…o…m w…h…e…r…e I c…a…m…e f…r…o…m a…n…d I w…i…l…l g…e…t i…t s…o…o…n a…g…a…i…n," {There was fun and fantasy from where I came from and I will get it soon again,} 'Henry' remarked, referring upon Fazbear Entertainment's famous slogan.
Then his hands began to squeeze BB's throat, cutting into his windpipe.
"B…u…t t…h…e…r…e'll b…e n…o…n…e f…o…r y…o…u, o…r y…o…u…r w…r…e…t…c…h…e…d f…a…m…i…l…y!" {But there'll be none for you, or your wretched family!}
He sneered, triumphantly, tightening his hold.
Balloon Boy gasped for air and grabbed Henry's hands, but his attempts to pull them loose were to no avail. His legs kicked at the combined frame of human bone and endoskeleton metal, but it did nothing to deter Henry's efforts.
The pressure increase, as his lungs screamed for fresh air and his vision started to go black around the edges. He could feel immense panic from Rachel within the depths of his subconsciousness, like a caged animal desperately rattling away at the bars, trying to escape its impending fate.
She was crying out in fear and probably had not done so since her first years as a trapped soul at the pizzeria, after Puppet had found her an 'unwilling and unknowing' vessel in the form of BB himself. Balloon Boy's gasps become more restricted as his mind started to stagnant due to a lack of oxygen. Images flashed before his eyes, each one for a moment in his short life, as a sense of slumber settled over his mind, even though it was consumed by terror.
He knew it was death calling him to its sweet embrace, but he didn't want to take it.
'Henry' in no doubt was enjoying every second of it, yet he maintained his cold hateful expression as his skull stared back at BB. The other possessed prop suits had peeked over from behind and had also opened their faceplates, revealing their frozen expressions of pain to BB.
Each one carried a sorry tale of despair, agony and hate, which provided them with the ability to keep going, like blood does to the human heart. However, in his state of panic, something registered in his brain was quickly drowning in terror.
There were only five possessed prop suits, the sixth was missing.
Had 'Richard' refused to take part?
He hadn't seen Richard's form, so he couldn't recognise him, but had he gone back on his word so quickly?
Yet Balloon Boy's vision was already fading, everything was now becoming burled, steadily mixing together to form unreadable shapes and colours. Sound began to drift away, his gasps for air which were now becoming increasingly irregular sounded muffled.
His mind seemed to sink into a relaxed mood, drowning in its depths, as his fear and panic were washed away by a tide of inner content.
Even Rachel's mental waves of terror had grown less noticeable, maybe she was struggling to reach him as the embrace of death was cutting her off, or perhaps she was also sinking like him. His increasingly inactive mind barely picked up an audible whisper from 'Henry', made worse by his degraded voice box.
"W…e a…r…e a c…r…u…e…l r…e…f…l…e…c…t…i…o…n o…f w…h…a…t y…o…u h…a…v…e c…r…e…a…t…e…d." {We are a cruel reflection of what you have created.}
BB couldn't care less as sleep seemed to finally overcome him, dragging him ever downwards. His final thoughts that flickered in and out of his mind's eye were questions centred on the other Fazbears.
Did they know what was happening to him?
Where was Goldie?
Where was Mari?
Where were Foxy and Freddy?
What of the other Ghost Children?
Why hadn't anyone come to save him?
In his fading vision, he could just make out 'Henry', still glaring at him as he seemed to slump down to the floor. He would be the last thing he saw, he would get his revenge and BB wouldn't.
Who says that life is fair?
'Henry' then appeared to look upwards, looking slightly above BB.
The others followed his gaze, having either noticed or heard something worthy of their attention. Instantly something behind Balloon Boy gave away and he suddenly fell backwards. 'Henry' followed him as he was still holding tightly onto his throat, falling forward. Their combined impact with the floor, jolted Henry's grip, weakening it as his body collided with BB's.
Fresh air filtered its way down into BB's lungs as he instinctively inhaled. His vision improved slightly, enough to see 'Henry' lift his head up to look forward and –
SMACK!
CRUNCH!
Suddenly something sharply impacted 'Henry' in the face, something narrow and straight in a blackish colour. There was a high pitched electrical scream of immense pain, followed by a heavy thud as 'Henry' fell backwards onto the floor.
The other possessed prop suits, although still seen as blurs of colour charged forward in the defence of their injured comrade. Balloon Boy felt the sensation of someone stepping over him, although he couldn't quite make out the figure.
Yet a single colour stood out.
Red, the figure was red.
Foxy?
Had they come after all?
There was a quick blur of movement from the figure in the form of a slashing and stabbing motion, as they confronted the possessed prop suits. Aggressive screams and metallic thuds filled the air, although they still sounded muffled to Balloon Boy as his hearing was just beginning to return.
Suddenly, he felt three pair of hands grab hold of him by the shoulders, lifting him up.
They held him steady, as he lacked the strength to stand.
Freddy, Bonnie and Chica, they had come at last.
With their arms wrapped around his shoulders and chest, they pulled him away from the fight and into the darkness that lay beyond the open door.
Everything faded away into the distance as BB fell asleep from fatigue, both his body and mind felt exhausted after what he had just been through. He couldn't even mentally reach out to Rachel, but he didn't have strength to care at this point as he was carried away.
Yet one sound followed him into the dark, a resounding cry of both determination and defiance at what fate had just delivered them, when salvation was so close.
"W…E W…I…L…L F…I…N…D Y…O…U!" {WE WILL FIND YOU!}
"W…E W…I…L…L C…O…M…E A…N…D F…I…N…D Y…O…U!" {WE WILL COME AND FIND YOU!}
Again, sorry for the long wait, but hopefully the next wait won't be as long.
This chapter effectively wraps up the introduction of the Possessed Prop Suits, as evident by their last lines this won't be their only appearance.
I hope that you found them interesting.
Finally I can start with the next chapter, and I have an ideal song for it, that I've been wanting to use for a long time! ;-)
Please review, I appreciate your feedback.