Chapter 7:
(Lucky Number 7! This time, we're heading into the atrium! For those who like this story, I don't mind hearing some constructive criticism. Plus, I'm still having a hard time finding the direction. Feel free to give criticism in the comments, if u want to. Also, for Asher's voice. Nothing concrete yet, but for now, just imagine he sounds like Ethan Winters from RE: 7 & Village. Anyways, enjoy the chapter!)
Freddy had concluded that there were two possible escape routes—they of course, being the fire escape on the third floor Prize Corner, and the main loading dock under the food court. "Gregory, check your Fazwatch to see if you have a Faz-Map." Freddy said, Gregory looked over, "No, I don't. How do I add it to my watch?" Gregory asked. "We should be able to gain one from the greeter on the center balcony." Freddy said. "Okay, everyone stay prepared. There are tons of Security Bots looking for us, too." Bonnie warned the others.
The elevator had made it to the next floor, and the door opened. "Okay, everyone stay close." Freddy said, walking ahead, keeping an eye out for any of the other Glamrocks.
Freddy jumped when what he thought a security bot grabbed him. "Freddy!" Gregory and the others said! "Hi. Please take this map. Take a map." It was no security bot, but rather the aforementioned greeter Freddy had mentioned. Bonnie's ears dropped mechanically. "I see they never bothered to fix the Map Bot." The robo-rabbit said. "Take a map." The bot requested once again. Gregory walked over and grabbed the map from the Map Bot.
"Thank you. Please come again." Map Bot said, before rolling off elsewhere. Gregory scanned a QR code on the back of the map for it to be digitally printed onto his Fazwatch. "Okay, uh…let's head for the fire escape. They're more likely to look for us in the places customers can't get to." Gregory hoped this was a viable escape route. "Good idea. If we need to hide, you both should be able to hide in the booths and stands." Freddy explained.
"Okay, but what about Bonnie? No one's seen him in years, right?" Gregory asked, "We should be fine, so long as you boys hide. And if they get suspicious, I can just turn on my undeniable charm." Bonnie winked, putting his fingers up to his chin.
Sammy and Freddy sighed in mild annoyance. "Please tell me that is a joke, Bonnie." Freddy said. "Yeah, he's joking. Papa doesn't have whatever charm he needs." Sammy said. "Aww, rascal, you're hurting your Papa's feelings." Bonnie said, ears drooping mechanically.
Gregory just rolled his eyes, "Okay, let's hurry. We need to get to the Prize Corner on the third floor, right?" He asked, "Correct. Let us away, then. I have marked the location on the Faz-Map." Freddy said, making it past the entrance to the atrium.
Sammy looked out from the balcony. The lights were nearly out, the crowds of people cheering for the band now gone. This place was more scary when no one was here.
Then, they all heard some grumbling. "Wh-What was that?" Sammy asked, hiding himself in Bonnie's arms. "It's okay, kiddo. Sounds like someone's tummy is rumbling." Bonnie said, seeing it was from Gregory.
"No way! We can't stop now!" Gregory said, "It's no problem, Gregory. Maybe we can get some nachos or something." Bonnie said, "It would be advisable." Freddy said. "Freddy!" Gregory said, annoyed that he's being voted out.
"Gregory, it would not be desirable for you to lose your energy due to starvation." Freddy said, "We must keep up your strength if we want to get you boys out of here." Another reason Freddy's suggesting this is because if they would need to stay in until 6AM, they need to keep the boys healthy. All this running around will drain them too quickly.
"Okay, let's head to El Chip's, then. It'll be on the way to the Prize Corner." Bonnie said, walking up the shut down escalator. "…At least it'll be convenient if we get out of here." Gregory said, not really wanting to go through this whole ordeal.
"Boys, please keep an eye out if you see this suspicious "rabbit lady" you two had mentioned." Freddy advised, "Got it, Freddy." Gregory said, Sammy looking around already. The boy was still taking in how big the Pizzaplex is. Granted, it was empty with no customers, so maybe it looked WAY bigger than it should've to him.
Bonnie did his best to keep Sammy out of the view of Security Bots that could cause an alarm. Part of him still felt the shame from staying here past midnight. "It doesn't matter right now, what matters is keeping the boys safe." Bonnie said, trying to maintain the level head. They made it up to the second floor and then headed up the next escalator. Gregory kept watch of the cameras while hiding in Freddy's stomach hatch, even taking a few notes of places on the map.
Then, they had finally reach the top floor. "Okie-doke! We should be able to get the machines running to make get some water and food." Bonnie explained. "I must warn you, boys. When you enter a room where you do not have a locator map signal, I will be unable to reach you." Freddy explained, "Is there any way to update it?" Gregory asked.
"You should be able to update it at a security office. Bonnie, watch them." Freddy said, "Got it! Come on, guys!" Bonnie lifted up the garage-like door and walked into El Chip's with the boys. "Okay then, who's up for nachos?" Bonnie asked, putting Sammy down. "Why don't we just grab some chips?" Gregory asked, "I guess so. Nachos are nacho thing then, Gregory?" Bonnie asked, making a dad joke. Sammy giggled a little, Gregory rolled his eyes, "I can see jokes aren't yours." Gregory smirked, clearly being snarky. "Hahah! Good one!" Bonnie said, taking the insult to his comedic genius in stride.
"Okay, I'll take some nachos." Gregory said. "Papa, can I have a soda?" Sammy asked. "Sure thing, kiddo! But you two need to drink water, first." Bonnie said, walking into the kitchen. The robo-rabbit looked on, grabbing little trays, and he saw a present? "Ooh, what's this?" Bonnie gently opened it, hearing the simple—but in this case—unsettling music box. "Bonnie, what are you—?!"
The present opened up, "Huh. Monty's Fizzy-Faz! …Kinda weird to put that in a present." Bonnie said, "Kiddo, want Limeade Fizzy-Faz?" Sammy nodded, his father handing it to him. "Thanks, Papa." Sammy said, quietly. Bonnie noticed Sammy being quiet as a bit of a bad thing. "No problem, rascal. Give me one sec, and I'll make the cheese." Bonnie said, deciding he won't push Sammy to talk if he doesn't want to.
"Okay then, Gregory. I'll get one for you, too. What flavor?" Bonnie asked. "Uh…What's Freddy's?"Bonnie put his hand up to his chin, "It's Orange." Gregory nodded, grabbing the can from the animatronic. "What would yours have been if they still made it?" Gregory asked.
"Blue Raspberry." Bonnie said, "I dunno. I can't really drink soda, y'know?"Gregory rolled his eyes, this bunny was INSUFFERABLE. Gregory was going to endure a bunch of annoying jokes until his nachos were finished.
"Alright, here're your nachos, boys. Enjoy my Class-A Microwaving!" Bonnie said, Sammy smiled a little. Bonnie was relieved a little, trying to ease the boy's fears with a few good ol' jokes. "Thanks." Gregory said. "Thanks, Papa." Sammy and Gregory had their nachos and spent the time talking a little.
"All right, Gregory. I wanted to ask you some questions?" Bonnie asked. "O-Okay, shoot." Gregory said, sorta nervous. "First of all, need a refill?" Bonnie asked. Gregory just groaned in frustration. "Kidding! My real first question. Why were you in Rockstar Row when it was closing hours?" Bonnie asked. Gregory looked to his side, "I was hiding in Freddy's stomach hatch…But the reason is…I was almost grabbed by someone when Freddy glitched on stage." Gregory explained. If Bonnie had a drink, he would spit it out in shock. "What?! What do you mean "grabbed"?" Bonnie asked, now worried. "…" Gregory said nothing, but looked to his side. "I'm…not sure who it was, but while the band was playing, I felt someone pull me from my shirt. But…I remember I saw pink nails." Gregory continued his explanation, "But next thing I knew was that security guard Vanessa started hunting me down. Well…you mostly know the rest." Gregory took a drink from his soda.
"Gregory…I'm so sorry." Bonnie said, "No reason to apologize, I guess. I mean, they had to've left by now, right?" Gregory hoped that whoever grabbed him didn't stay behind to find him. Gregory looked like he was trying to figure some things out, "Okay, any other questions?" Gregory asked. "Hmm…Well, where are your mom and dad?" Bonnie asked. Gregory's parents should be here since their son didn't get out of here. "I…I don't know." Gregory said that TOO automatically. Bonnie was confused, but didn't push for the details too much. "Okay, Sammy, I got a question to ask you?" Bonnie decided to get son's spirits up a little.
"Okay, what's the question?" Sammy asked, "Do my whiskers look like a funny mustache?" Bonnie played with his metallic whiskers, pretending to twist them like a funny mustache. Sammy just giggled a little, "Papa, you don't have a funny mustache!" Sammy said, Bonnie chuckled a bit. "There's my happy little rascal." Bonnie thought to himself, glad he's making a bit of progress to make Sammy happy again. Gregory smiled a bit, sorta glad Sammy wasn't crying or feeling too scared now. "Ok, question for you?" Gregory asked. "Ooh, the tables have turned? Okay, what's the question?" Bonnie asked. Gregory rolled his eyes at that response.
(Later)
Freddy had let them know that they were in the East Arcade. They were closer to the Faz-Corner. All they had to do was get into the nearby security office. The East Arcade was hardly lit, neon lights off all different colors for arcade machines, trampolines and photo booths. The three were kept company by the security bots roaming about the area, "Freddy, when's the time these guys call in?" Bonnie said, "Bonnie, you know they do not "call in."" Freddy said over the Fazwatch. "Now then, the door you are going to be looking for has a security badge symbol on it."
Gregory looked around, amidst the machines and colorful lights. "Sammy, follow behind me." Gregory said, Sammy following suit. The two hid behind a couple machines to stay out of sight of the security bots. "Bonnie, can't you distract them or something?" Gregory said, "U-Uh…sure! But please be careful!" Bonnie said, not wanting a repeat of what happened in the Daycare. The robo-rabbit got up and then walked towards the opposite direction of the security door.
Bonnie pretended to clear his throat, "Security Alert! Security Alert! WEE-WOO! WEE-WOO!" Bonnie shouted from across the room, Gregory immediately thought the Bonnie's obnoxiousness payed off, Gregory and Sammy tried to open the door. "Freddy, the door's not opening." Gregory said, "How unfortunate…Head past the Superstar-cade wall to the back of the arcade. There is a roll up door at the very back that leads to the Prize Corner." Freddy explained, "Ok, we gotta tell my Papa it didn't work." Sammy said, walking behind the arcade machines.
The boys made their way back to the middle area of the arcade. They could see Bonnie looking a little confused, "It didn't work." Sammy mouthed, Gregory pointed to the gate. Bonnie knew what to do next. "Hold on, I found something! Follow me!" Bonnie said, running towards the other end of the arcade. The security bots followed behind the robo-rabbit.
"Okay, we're clear. Come on, Sammy!" Gregory said, Sammy shined the light ahead, the boys making a break for it. Thankfully, because of Bonnie, there weren't that many security bots to get past. "We're almost there." Gregory said.
When they made it to roll up door, they tried to open it. "Rgh…Locked again?" Gregory checked and saw that he needed Level 4 security clearance. "Why does a pizza place need so much security?" Gregory said.
"They are…required safety measures due to past issues. There must be another way in." Sammy looked around, and found something behind the arcade machines, "Over here! This little tunnel thing!" Sammy said. Gregory looked a little weirded out, "You're sure? Well, there's not that many other options." Gregory said.
"So, what's this supposed to be for?" Sammy asked, unsure. "Oh, it's to create some cold air for buildings and houses." Gregory explained, "Ohh…ok." Sammy said, "I thought it was just a cool looking tunnel." Gregory sighed, but he wasn't annoyed with Sammy, he was just a child. "Okay, we'll see where this—" Gregory stopped speaking when he heard a weird rattling noise coming from behind them. "U-Uh, what is that?" Sammy asked. What approached the boys was a miniature toy, it had characteristics of a spider, while hold two cymbals in its little hands.
"I don't know, and I don't I wanna—Just shut up and keep crawling!" Gregory shouted, the two rushing the air vents. Sammy and Gregory crawled to get away from whatever the creepy spider toy was, "Left! Left!" Sammy warned, turning left, "Hurry!" Gregory yelled.
"Right! Right!" Sammy shouted, now crawling upward. Sammy crawled toward the new light and fell out of the vent! "Watch out!" Gregory shouted, barely falling out of it themselves. "Sammy, you okay?" Gregory asked, "M-Mm-hm." Sammy said, holding his head. Gregory looked back at the vent and around the floor. "Okay, I don't think that Music Man's gonna follow us anymore." Gregory said, helping Sammy up. "Thanks." Sammy said, looking at the room. "Wait! I was right! We're in the right room!" Sammy said, running into the office.
(Meanwhile)
Freddy was unsure of this whole situation. He can't just stand by and do nothing. Freddy walked around the main atrium to maintain the illusion that he was looking for the boys, instead of co-conspiring with them. An alert notified Freddy about an emergency lockdown at the security office! "No, no, no! Freddy! I don't know what I did! All I did was take the badge!" Gregory said from the Fazwatch. Freddy made sure to calm down the boys. "Do not panic, Gregory. Are the others nearby?" Freddy asked. "Monty and Roxy found us! What do we do?" Sammy asked, the younger boy had clear fear in his voice."
"You will need to hold out until then, boys. I can deactivate the alarm, but it will take some time. You shall be fine as long as the security doors have power." Freddy explained, keeping watch for anyone besides Monty and Roxy.
"Oh! Freddy, you're ok!" He heard someone's voice. It was Chica, "Oh, hello Chica! Yes, I am fine." Freddy looked at his friend, she was hunched over, she didn't look right. Freddy was worried for her.
"That's great. Hey, I'm sorry to ask you, but have you seen two boys sneaking around?" She asked, "I…I am not sure. I was alerted by Officer Vanessa about it, however." Freddy explained. "I see. Well…focus on your recovery, Freddy. I'll let you know if I need help." Chica said, walking off. She seemed…TOO robotic, and that was weird for Freddy to think, but Chica's completely off.
(Back with the others)
"Come on! Hidin's only gonna make the punishment worse, little guys!" Monty said, banging on the door. "We can help, you know?" Roxy said. Sammy and Gregory looked on, Sammy put on his mask, "I-It's gonna be okay, Sammy. We've got enough power for the doors!" Gregory said, recharging the flashlight and looking for something in the desk. "Here we go!" Gregory said, grabbing another flashlight. "What do we do? Once the doors open, they're coming for us from both doors!" Sammy said, anxiously. Gregory checked his cameras. "I-I'm not sure." Gregory said, looking through the Fazwatch for anything that could scare them off. "SECURITY ALERT! SECURITY ALERT! WEE-WOO! WEE-WOO!" They heard someone shout, it was Bonnie. "Wait, is that…Sunny, you better not be trapped behind the arcade machines again!" Monty ran ahead, annoyed. The boys had one less obstacle to deal with. "All done! See? That was not so bad." Freddy advised that if the path looked clear, they need to go to the Prize Counter.
"L-Let's go!" Gregory said, opening the door. The boys ran out of the security office. "Hey, get back here!" Roxy lunged through the office. She had accidentally hit the door button. This gave the boys more time to check the Prize Corner.
Gregory and Sammy were told by Freddy to head to the back of the Prize Corner to find the fire escape. "W-Wait, we can't leave without Papa!" Sammy said. "What—Seriously?" Gregory said. "Yeah, we can't go yet!" Sammy said, wanting to wait for his dad. Gregory did not have the patience with this. "Well, we can at least wait on the fire escape if you're worried that much…" Gregory said. Sammy was looking back at the door. "Look, we only have a few minutes before Roxy shows up at the door, let's hurry before she sees us." Gregory said, Sammy nodded, hoping that his papa was right behind them. The boys went to the back of the room, to look for the fire escape. There were tons of stuffed toys of the band members and the Daycare Attendant.
The next room over was a sky-dome looking over the front lobby. "—Then, that's how me and Cassie became friends." Gregory said. "Huh…Weird, I thought Cassie had tons of friends at school." Sammy was confused. "I woulda shown up if I could." Sammy said, feeling sad for his cousin. "Yeah, me and my friends were going to her party at the time. But yeah, me, Ellis and Tony were all supposed to go, but I was the only one who made it to the party." Gregory explained, deciding to keep Sammy focused by talking to him a little. The boys now stood in front of the huge red door. "Freddy, we found the fire escape. Can we open it?" Gregory asked.
"Superstar…About…About that?" Freddy said. "What's wrong?" Gregory asked, "Unfortunately, I do not think there is a way to access the fire escape without becoming a VIP." Sammy looked confused, he didn't what a VIP was. "What—You need to BE a VIP just to use the fire escape?!" Gregory asked, infuriated.
"It…is not a good emergency system. I am sorry, boys. We are lucky there is not a fire, and I have lodged a formal complaint." Freddy said, agreeing that this was a HORRIBLE emergency system.
"Where are we supposed to go, now, Uncle Freddy?!" Sammy asked. "Get to the elevator in the Prize Corner. Find a safe path on your Fazwatch." Freddy said, "O-Okay." Gregory said.
The boys then heard someone speaking, "You're the best. You WILL find them first…" it was Roxy. She had not given up on searching this area, "We need to h-hide!" Sammy stuttered, Gregory looked around, "In here!" Gregory whispered, hopping into the bin.
"Anyone here? You know, I bet I'M your favorite here, right?" Roxy asked. She was trying to bait them, "Well if I am, would you boys want an autograph?" Sammy restrained himself from popping up, asking for that. "I can't see her…" Sammy whispered.
"Shh! She's closer!" Gregory said, trying to figure out how close she was to them. "Don't be scared…I'm just trying to help." Roxy said, sounding close now. But Gregory could tell she was turned away. "Come on, let's hurry while her back's turned." Gregory said, quietly stepping out of the bin, and pulling Sammy out.
"Now we run!" Gregory said, grabbing Sammy's hand and running ahead. Roxanne looked over and realized they were getting away! "Get back here!" She tried to lunge at them. "Don't drag your feet, come on!" Gregory said, "I'm going!" Sammy said, scared and trying to keep up with Gregory!
They made their way back through the Prize Corner. "There's the elevator!" Gregory said, opening the door. The boys got inside the elevator, Roxanne was still on their tail. That being said, a new surprise showed itself. It was…the Map Bot from earlier, breaking into their elevator. The robot rolled up to the boys, "Free map. Free map." It said, pushing a map onto the boys. Gregory was worried about Roxanne catching up to them. "Move!" A new voice shouted, shoving Map Bot out of the way. "Gotcha—O-Oh shoot!" It was Officer Vanessa, looking enraged in the moment, but said moment got cut off by the fact that…she accidentally knocked the boys out when she pushed the Map Bot out of the way. "A-Are you okay…W-Well, whatever!" Vanessa said, still very much annoyed.
(Meanwhile)
Asher woke up in the middle of the night and poured a drink of water. He was having a hard time sleeping because of what happened at work, they had called him in for playing those arcade games on the job. Those games were important, though. That's what Jess and…Jeremy said. Asher took a drink of his water and he needed to do next. "Better check for any write ups or anything." Asher said, grabbing his phone and looking through his emails. "Huh…Bonnie, what did you send me?" Asher looked on through the two messages he got from the animatronic rabbit. The newest one was a literal cry for help. "Are you freaking kidding, Bonnie?!" Asher shouted, quietly. Well, at least the man knew what to do now: Go get Bonnie, Gregory and Sammy before the animatronics did anything to them. Asher wrote a note to let Cassie know he went to work early, and to take the bus to school if she needed to if he wasn't going to be back on time. He prayed that it wasn't too late.
(Okay, we're at the end! I hope u guys enjoyed the chapter. I know a lot of it was a bit filler based, but I hope the banter between the characters was funny. Also, for how I handled the Vanessa encounter, it didn't make sense to me. What, did she knock Gregory out and then take him to Lost and Found? Anyways, stay strong and awesome! And I wanna do something I feel more accurate if any knowledge or advice I have is limited. So, I'm gonna try my best to better share the Gospel with u guys!)
Psalm 1:1-2 KJV:
1.Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners
2.But his delight is in the law of the LORD; And in his law doth he meditate night and day.