Leo's POV - 4 days until the party
I feel like I'm going to be sick, when we ran into Michael yesterday, I thought the worst thing that would happen would be him, I never thought… Ok I need to focus, is going to mom and dad even an option? What I'm I supposed to say?! 'Hey killer animatronics are in our house, and Evan is from a video game' I don't even need to say it to them to know what their reaction would be! It's out of the question to go to Mia, it's already a disaster that a kid Evan's age has to be a part of this, the last thing I want to do is to bring another into this. Maybe I can go to Emily, she's not quick to disregard something right off the bat. But something like this isn't believable. The best chance at convincing them would be to get them to be in the room at midnight, that way they will be able to see what's happening. But if something goes wrong, I would never forgive myself.
Going back to my room I sit down on my bed, as I take a deep breath. After five minutes of thinking, I get up and make my way to Emily's room. After a moment of hesitation, I knock on the door. I hear a yawn come in response and within seconds the door opens. Emily stands in the doorway, her body slumped, and a look of annoyance plastered on her face. Her eyes stare at me before widening as she notices how panicked and lost I am.
"Leo, what are you doing up? What's wrong?!" I open my mouth trying to think of what to say. Emily meanwhile is looking at me in complete confusion and looks out into the hallway scanning for anything that could indicate what's upsetting me.
Calming down, my voice quivers as I begin talking. "Emily, you're not going to believe this…..there's killer animatronics after Evan."
Evan's POV:
Waking up I see that Michael is still asleep, with a huge smile plastered on his face. He really cares about me…. I was so young at the time Michael changed, the memories of before that are fuzzy. I never thought things would go back to the way they were before mommy left. It feels so strange, but most of all I feel happy. Turning my head I notice everyone else is at the kitchen table, looking at the clock on the wall I see that it's 7:30. As I move around Michael stirs awake and smiles as he starts to get up. Liam is the first to notice that we are awake as his gentle voice carries across the room.
"Hey there sleepy heads. Breakfast is ready whenever you want it. The two of you were just too peaceful to wake up." The warmth in his smile is infectious, getting up the two of us sit down at the table with everyone else. While everyone else is talking and enjoying their breakfast, I notice that Emily and Leo are acting off. Emily is looking at Leo strangely with a mixture of skepticism and worry, Leo himself seems to be deep in thought barely even touching his food. I barely have an appetite too with what happened last night. But Emily I don't know what's bothering her. Did Leo tell her? And if he did, does she believe it? Emily notices me staring at her and she looks at me with concern, sheepishly I look down at my plate. She definitely knows the look she gave me is the same one that she had when she saw me awake on the lookout for the Nightmares.
Suddenly everyone turns their attention to Olivia as she starts speaking "Where having your birthday party at the park, we have already called Zoey and Cole's parents, and they will drop them off at the party." Oliva's mood drops as she notices how tense I am. I'm barely able to bring my fork up to my mouth as I think about what happened last night. They're back and I'm going to have to worry about them tonight again. I should have known that my happiness wouldn't last.
Olivia exchanges glances with Liam as they both look at me in concern. Their gaze goes to Michael and for a second, I could swear I see anger in their eyes. They think I'm stressed because of Michael; they won't throw him out right? I still love him, while I still feel fear around him, I can tell he really has changed. They're going to talk to me about it eventually, but would they believe me? I remember how it went the first time I tried to tell daddy and Michael; will this be any different?
I look away trying to avoid their glances, Mia meanwhile is energetic and is already brainstorming fun things we can do at the party. Since there is a playground at the park there is plenty for us and our friends from school to do.
After we finish eating, I begin to make my way to my room, but I'm interrupted by Olivia "Honey, before you start playing, we need to talk to you.". I turn around to see Liam and Oliver are still at the table. My brain races as I take a deep breath and sit down.
Emily's POV:
I can't believe what Leo told me this morning. I understand that Michael being here struck a nerve but to be convinced that our little brother is from a horror game and that there are killer animatronics coming after him. Evan's probably scared half to death and will be up all night! But Leo isn't the type to lie, and the pure look of terror on his face says enough for me to know he believes it. Maybe Michael has gotten back to his old habits and when Leo came into Evan's room, he was just too tired to remember right. But still it would be hard to believe that Leo wouldn't see that it was Michael afterwards. My hand tightens into a fist. If that's the case I'll throw Michael out myself, no one hurts my little brother!
I have agreed to stay in Evan's room tonight with Micheal and Leo. Regardless of what's true I'll know by tonight. Mom and dad noticed Evan was upset this morning, there in the kitchen talking with him. Hopefully they can find out what's wrong. They have been talking about getting Evan a therapist in order to help him overcome his past trauma. Now with Michael back it will make things even more confusing. But I know that we'll find out and do what we can to help Evan. We aren't going to give up.
Right now, I am standing in Evan's bedroom with Leo. He is currently putting a lock on the closet door after having brought in dozens of batteries in case our flashlights run out. "Don't you think you're going overboard? Leo please, I'm worried about you!" Leo turns to look at me, and I can see desperation in his eyes. Immediately I feel a sting of guilt, I don't want to hurt Leo's feelings but the way this situation is….. Could there really be something after us in the house?
"I know you don't believe me Em. Before I had proof and enough time to digest it, I couldn't believe it either. But it's true, and when the nightmares come, we need to be here for Evan." Sighing I sit down in a chair just as Evan and Michael enter the room.
"I have finished getting everything we need; we shouldn't have to worry about the closet door. Which only leaves the bedroom door and the bed." That's weird, there is no anger in Leo's tone. Every time he interacted with Micheal so far it has been hostile, but now he sounds focused and determined. There's even a sense of comradery in his words.
"Someone should stay by the closet anyway in case it tries to break through. I'll take the bedroom door. I brought a sleeping bag with me, since the Freddles come from the bed, Evan will need someplace else to sleep until we can get rid of them."
Evan looks at Michael with concern and protest. "But I need to help, what if they hurt any of you. They won't stop at trying to get in. I can't lose you." Evan's eyes tear up and Michael kneels down next to him and puts his hand on his shoulder. "Buddy, I know you want to help, but you need your sleep. Nothing is going to get in this room while we're here." His tone is gentle yet assertive as Evan hesitantly nods.
"Olivia and Liam talked to me after breakfast, they know something is wrong. I was worried that if I told them everything, they would think Michael being here is the cause. So, I just told them I am having nightmares again, and that it started a few days ago before Michael showed up." Michael smiles as he hugs Evan, maybe Michael isn't behind this. The care that he is showing… it just seems too real.
"I guess Leo told you about what's happening. Regardless of whether you believe us, we need to protect Evan." I look at Michael with a small frown, Leo and him both seem to believe it. But I guess I won't know until night comes. In the meantime, I'll help out anyway I can, at least that way I can make Evan feel more comfortable.
Emily's Pov: 12 am
The day went by relatively slowly. But during that time everyone has been working on making Evan's room practically a fortress. The windows have been locked along with the door. The lock was broken about a week ago and only due to Leo's instance did dad repair it an hour ago. Strangely enough there were scratches around the locking mechanism which was the cause with mom and dad concluding it was accidentally broken while someone was closing the door. But Leo seems to think it was done by the 'Nightmares' he even showed me his closet door as proof of something lurking around this house.
Other than that Leo left his phone on the bathroom sink propped up and pointed at the hallway. On the bed next to me is Leo's laptop with a live video coming from the phone's camera. If there is anything out in the hallway the camera will see it. They went all out for this to the point that it's making me kind of nervous. But I try to hide it as I hold my flashlight in hand aimed at the center of the bed. Evan is in a sleeping bag on the floor far away from any entry points, and I can tell he is having trouble sleeping as he trembles and is constantly turning and shifting. It breaks my heart to see him like this, but after Leo and Michael see that there is no Nightmare animatronics we can get it off our minds.
Leo is next to the closet door with Michael guarding the bedroom door. Both have a look of concentration and terror as the seconds feel like years. Three minutes pass by with nothing happening. I am about to get up and go over to Leo to say that here is nothing coming. Then we'll all laugh about it and put it behind us. But before I do I glance at the computer and my eyes widen.
There's something standing in the hallway. Even though it's dark I can make out its twisted appearance. It turns and stares right at the camera.
Author's Notes:
Emily is now in on what is happening. In the coming days leading up to the party the group's troubles will grow as the Nightmares get closer. The day of the party is nearing.
Sorry for the wait everyone, I have been busy lately but I'm back and excited to continue writing as ever! Have a great day everyone!