Chapter 11: Strings Everywhere
It's been a week since Halloween. The costumes that Aaliyah made were a hit! Business has grown even more since then. What also grew was Benji's curiosity towards the new area under construction. Scott had vaguely told the night guard about it when he noticed it a couple of days after the holiday.
Benji sat in Scott's office, nervously fidgeting with his name badge. The CEO of the revamped Fazbear Entertainment leaned forward, elbows on the desk, his demeanor casual yet commanding.
"I'll be straight with you, Benji," Scott said, his eyes sharp but kind. "This place has history—a lot of history. Some good, some... not so good."
Benji tilted his head. "What do you mean?"
Scott waved a hand as if brushing off the question. "Nothing you need to worry about. What I do need you to know is that we're expanding. Bringing in a piece of that history to make this Pizzeria even better."
Benji frowned. "You mean the new renovations? I've been hearing the construction."
Scott smiled knowingly. "Exactly. That space will house a very special addition. Something families loved back in the day. We're talking next-level nostalgia here."
"New animatronics?" Benji asked, his curiosity piqued.
Scott's expression grew distant for a moment. "You could say that. But remember, Benji, every new chapter is built on the last. Sometimes, pieces of the past linger, waiting to be rediscovered. Just... keep an open mind."
Before Benji could press further, Scott clapped his hands together. "Now, about that coffee machine—it's been acting up, hasn't it?" The subject change was abrupt, but Benji knew better than to push.
Benji loved his boss, but he didn't like being left in the dark. He stopped in front of the "UNDER CONSTRUCTION: NEW AREA COMING SOON!" sign taped to a pair of heavy double doors. The faint hum of machinery rumbled from beyond, accompanied by the occasional clang of metal.
"Next-level nostalgia, huh?" Benji muttered, tracing a finger over the taped sign. He glanced over his shoulder. The animatronics were shut down for the night, their stage dark. Scott was long gone, and as far as Benji knew, the construction workers never stayed past nine.
Curiosity gnawed at him. He leaned closer to the door, pressing his ear against it. The noise was faint now, like something moving deep within the unfinished space. It could be nothing...
Or it could be something.
Benji just shook it off as nothing and headed towards the security office to start his shift. As the clock struck midnight, he glanced between the cameras on the tablet. When he was done, the night guard switched off the tablet and headed towards the dining area. When he was done, the night guard switched off the tablet and headed towards the dining area. As Benji walked into the room, Freddy, Bonnie, Chica, and Foxy were starting to wake up from their little power nap. Golden Freddy appeared right next to the night guard. Benji jumped slightly as Golden Freddy materialized beside him. Even after weeks on the job, the animatronics' ability to move freely at night still unnerved him.
"Evening, Goldie," Benji said, trying to keep his voice steady. The golden bear's empty eye sockets stared back at him, unblinking.
"Something troubles you, my friend", Golden Freddy intoned, his voice a low, echoing rumble.
Benji hesitated, glancing at the other animatronics as they stretched and came to life. Should he voice his concerns? These robotic entertainers had become something like friends over the past month, but there was still so much mystery surrounding them.
"It's... it's nothing," Benji mumbled, but Golden Freddy tilted his head, unconvinced.
Freddy stepped off the stage, his heavy footfalls echoing in the quiet pizzeria. "Now, now, Benji. We can tell when something's bothering you. No use hiding it from us."
Chica nodded, her beak clacking. "Yeah! We're your friends. You can tell us anything!"
Benji sighed, running a hand through his hair. "It's just... Scott mentioned something about the new area. Said it was bringing back a piece of history, but he was so vague about it. I can't help but feel like there's something he's not telling me."
Bonnie's ears twitched. "New area? You mean the construction behind those doors?"
"Aye, lad," Foxy chimed in, hook gleaming in the dim light. "We've been wonderin' about that ourselves. Strange noises comin' from behind those doors, even when the workers be gone."
Benji's eyes widened. "You've heard them too? I thought I was imagining things."
The animatronics exchanged glances, an unspoken conversation passing between them. Freddy stepped forward, his blue eyes flickering with an emotion Benji couldn't quite place.
"Benji," Freddy began, his voice low and serious, "there's much about this place—about us—that you don't know. Scott's right to be cautious. The past... it's complicated."
Chica wrung her hands nervously. "But we trust you, Benji. You've been nothing but kind to us."
Golden Freddy's form flickered, his voice taking on an eerie, distant quality. "The past has a way of resurfacing, whether we want it to or not. What lies beyond those doors... it's both old and new."
Benji felt a chill run down his spine. "What do you mean? Do you know what's in there?"
Freddy placed a large, metallic hand on Benji's shoulder. "We have... suspicions. But it's not our place to reveal Scott's plans. Just know that change is coming, Benji. And with change comes both opportunity and danger."
Foxy's hook twitched, his eye patch flipping up. "Aye, lad. Best be on yer guard. Not all that glitters be gold, if ye catch me drift."
Benji's mind raced, trying to piece together the cryptic words and sentences together.
"Yeah, yeah I get your drift Captain", Benji plastered a smile and gently nudged the pirate fox.
"Those animatronics that are arriving for the new addition to the pizzeria…let's just say we've had a rough history with that group", Freddy sheepishly explained with a slight smile.
Benji's brow furrowed as he processed Freddy's words. "A rough history? What do you mean?"
Bonnie strummed his guitar nervously. "It's... complicated. We weren't always the only ones here, you know."
"There were others?" Benji asked, his curiosity piqued.
Chica nodded, her eyes downcast. "Yeah. They were... different. Newer models, with fancy features. They called them the Toys."
"Toys?" Benji repeated, confused.
Golden Freddy's form flickered again, his voice taking on a haunting tone. "They were meant to replace us. Shinier, safer... or so they thought."
Foxy's hook scraped against the floor, leaving a faint mark. "Aye, but things went wrong. They always do in this cursed place."
Benji felt a shiver run down his spine at Foxy's ominous words. "What exactly went wrong?"
The animatronics exchanged uneasy glances. Freddy stepped forward, his voice low and serious. "There were... incidents. Malfunctions. The Toys weren't as safe as everyone thought. Children got hurt."
Chica wrung her hands nervously. "It was awful. We could only watch as they were torn apart and scrapped."
"Scrapped?" Benji's eyes widened. "You mean they were destroyed?"
Golden Freddy's form flickered, his hollow eyes seeming to stare into Benji's soul. "Not destroyed. Never truly gone. Pieces remain. Memories linger."
Bonnie's ears drooped. "We thought they were gone for good. But if Scott's bringing them back..."
Benji felt a chill run through him. "Wait, you think Scott's bringing back the Toys? But if they were dangerous before..."
Freddy held up a paw. "We don't know for certain. But the signs are there. The secrecy, the construction, Scott's talk of 'rediscovering the past'."
Foxy's hook twitched nervously. "Aye, and those strange noises after hours. Sounds mighty familiar, it does."
Benji's mind raced. "But why? Why bring back animatronics that caused problems before?"
Chica sighed. "Maybe he thinks he can fix them. Make them safe this time."
"Or maybe," Golden Freddy's voice echoed ominously, "there's more to it than that. The past has a way of repeating itself, Benji."
"Maybe", the night guard sighed.
The group with animatronics and the night guard all turned away from the door and headed back into the dining area. As all of their backs were turned, a bundle of long white strings went from the side they were on, and back underneath the other side of the door.
"So, what do you guys want to do?" Benji asked the animatronics while they were lounging around in the dining room. Benji was sitting on Golden Freddy's lap, Freddy was setting up for a party, Bonnie was strumming on his guitar in a chair, Chica was eating a piece of pizza, and Foxy was just lounging with his feet up.
There was a silence in the air. The animatronics that didn't have someone sitting on them looked at each other.
"Maybe, we could do another movie night?" Bonnie finally was the one to say something.
"Ooooh! What about the new Wicked movie?!" Benji exclaimed.
"What's Wicked?" Chica asked after swallowing the last of her pizza slice.
Benji looked at her in bewilderment, "How do you not know?!"
The group of animatronics chuckled softly at Benji's dramatic reaction, their glowing eyes betraying their amusement.
"Chica's been too busy scarfing pizza to keep up with musicals," Bonnie teased, his fingers idly plucking a few notes on his guitar.
Chica crossed her arms, pouting. "Hey! I have hobbies, you know. I just… never thought musicals were my thing."
Benji hopped off Golden Freddy's lap and planted his hands on his hips. "Well, we're fixing that tonight. Wicked is a must-see. It's about witches, friendship, betrayal, and catchy tunes. What's not to love?"
Foxy tilted his head, intrigued. "Witches, ye say? Sounds like somethin' with a bit of flair. Do they cast curses and such?"
Benji grinned. "Oh, Foxy, you have no idea. Trust me, you're gonna love Elphaba."
The animatronics gathered in their usual spot for movie nights: a makeshift lounge area with mismatched chairs and beanbags Benji had brought in over the weeks. He fiddled with the projector, muttering to himself as he navigated the controls.
As the movie began, the animatronics settled in. Chica's eyes widened as the first soaring notes of "No One Mourns the Wicked" filled the air from Ariana. Bonnie stopped strumming and leaned forward, captivated by the vibrant stage imagery. Freddy and Foxy exchanged glances, both silently impressed by the storytelling.
Golden Freddy, as enigmatic as ever, remained as Benji's chair, his glowing eyes fixed on the screen. But even he seemed... engaged.
As the credits rolled, Benji turned to see the animatronics' reactions. "Well? What did you guys think?"
"I didn't think I'd care much for musicals, but that was... surprisingly good," Freddy admitted with a nod. "The story had depth, and the music was incredible."
"I liked the flying monkeys," Foxy said with a sly grin. "Wouldn't mind a crew like that meself."
Bonnie gave a low whistle. "That song—Defying Gravity? Talk about powerful."
Chica clapped her hands together, her animatronic eyes gleaming. "I think I love musicals now! We have to watch more!"
Golden Freddy remained silent for a moment before his voice cut through the chatter. "A tale of duality, of light and shadow. Fitting, considering where we find ourselves."
The room fell quiet for a beat, the golden bear's words hanging heavily in the air.
Benji forced a smile, clapping his hands together, and looked up at the gold bear. "Okay, okay. No need to get philosophical, Goldie. Let's just enjoy the good vibes while we can, yeah?"
The animatronics nodded, but Benji couldn't shake the lingering tension. Golden Freddy chuckled slightly and ruffled Benji's hair. Something about Golden Freddy's comment, combined with the mysterious strings from earlier, made his stomach twist.
As the group cleaned up their makeshift movie night, a faint scraping sound echoed from the direction of the "UNDER CONSTRUCTION" doors. It was subtle at first, like metal dragging across concrete, but in the eerie quiet of the Pizzeria, it might as well have been a thunderclap. The laughter from earlier faded into uneasy silence as everyone froze.
"You heard that, right?" Benji asked, his voice barely above a whisper, gripping the edge of the table for support.
Freddy's ears twitched, swiveling toward the source of the sound. His blue eyes narrowed, the warmth of moments ago replaced with sharp focus. "Aye. That wasn't your imagination this time."
Foxy pushed himself to his feet, his hook gleaming in the dim light. His tail flicked nervously. "That be no ordinary noise, lad. Sounds like somethin'—or someone—movin' where they've no business bein'."
Golden Freddy's flickering form appeared by the door without a sound. He stood still as stone, his hollow eyes fixed on the faint light slipping through the cracks. When he finally spoke, his voice was a low rumble that seemed to echo in Benji's chest. "The past stirs. Strings pull. Watch closely, Benji."
A shiver crawled up Benji's spine. His throat felt dry as he swallowed hard, trying to muster some courage. He glanced at the animatronics, who had all fallen unusually silent, their usual playfulness replaced by something darker, more serious.
"We can't just ignore that," he said, stepping forward, though his legs felt like jelly. "What if it's... I don't know, something dangerous?"
Bonnie strummed his guitar nervously, his fingers missing the strings and creating an awkward, dissonant twang. "Dangerous? You mean like the kind of dangerous that ends with things disappearing? Or worse?"
Chica wrung her hands together, her gaze darting between the door and her friends. "Maybe it's just the workers? They might've left something running."
Foxy shook his head, his voice sharp. "Then why's it makin' noise at this hour, eh? No sane worker lingers here past sundown. They know better."
Benji glanced at Golden Freddy, who hadn't moved an inch. His form flickered again, and his words sent chills through the room. "You're drawn to it, aren't you, Benji? The door calls to you. Be careful what you seek."
Benji shifted uneasily, his fingers curling into fists. "Fine. I'll go check it out. Alone if I have to."
"No way!" Bonnie said, stepping in front of him. "If you go, we all go. Right, guys?"
The animatronics nodded, their glowing eyes locking onto Benji with an almost protective intensity. Despite their towering frames and mechanical forms, their loyalty felt palpable. It filled Benji with a mix of gratitude and dread.
Together, they approached the construction doors. The faint scraping noise had stopped, replaced by an unsettling silence. Freddy led the way, his movements deliberate and cautious. Foxy stayed close to Benji, his hook raised as if ready to strike at any moment. Chica hung back, clutching a tray she'd picked up as if it could shield her.
When they reached the doors, Freddy raised a paw, signaling everyone to stop. His eyes studied the seam between the heavy panels, where faint light and cold air seeped through. "Whatever's behind here," he said quietly, "we face it together."
Benji felt the air grow colder, his breath visible in faint puffs. His hand trembled as he raised his flashlight. "Ready?"
Freddy nodded, his paw gripping the handle. With a low creak, he pulled the doors open.
The scene beyond was surreal. The unfinished space was bathed in dim, flickering light from overhead bulbs that swung gently on their cables. Scattered tools and half-built structures cluttered the area, casting jagged shadows on the walls. But it was the far corner of the room that drew everyone's attention.
A tangle of white strings stretched across the space, gleaming faintly in the uneven light. They seemed to emanate from a single figure slumped in the corner. It was humanoid, but its proportions were wrong—its arms and legs were impossibly long, with joints that bent unnaturally. Its head lolled to one side, as if held up by the same strings that radiated outward like a spider's web.
Benji's flashlight beam caught the edge of the figure, and the air in the room seemed to thicken. His throat tightened as he took a step closer, but Freddy's paw shot out to stop him.
"Careful," Freddy whispered. "That's no ordinary animatronic."
The figure twitched, its head snapping upright with a sharp, mechanical crack. Glowing white eyes pierced through the shadows, locking onto the group with unnerving precision. For a moment, nothing happened. Then, a distorted, mechanical voice broke the silence.
"Why... have you... awakened me?"
The strings stretched and tightened, creaking as if alive. They pulled against the walls and ceiling, sending shudders through the room. The air grew colder still, and Benji's flashlight flickered wildly.
The animatronics bristled, forming a protective circle around Benji. Foxy's hook gleamed, and Bonnie clutched his guitar like a weapon. Golden Freddy flickered violently, his voice resonating with eerie authority.
"We did not wake you. You were never truly asleep."
The figure rose, its movements jerky and unnatural as it untangled itself from the strings. Its voice grew louder, more distorted. "The strings remember. The past cannot be severed."
Benji's heart pounded as he stumbled back. "What... what is that thing?"
Freddy's expression was grim. "The Puppet."
Before anyone could react, the strings lashed out, whipping toward them with a speed that defied belief. Freddy grabbed Benji, pulling him back as Foxy and Bonnie slammed the doors shut. Chica threw her weight against the barricade as Foxy shoved a heavy tool chest in front of it.
The room fell into stunned silence, save for Benji's ragged breathing. His hands were shaking as he looked at the animatronics.
"That... that thing's supposed to be part of the new area? Are you kidding me?"
Freddy shook his head. "That's not just an animatronic, Benji. It's something older. Something dangerous."
Golden Freddy's voice cut through the tension, quiet but chilling. "The Puppet has returned. And with it, the strings of the past will tighten."
Benji's mind reeled. The Puppet. The strings. The cryptic warnings from Scott and the animatronics. He couldn't shake the feeling that they were all connected—and that this was only the beginning.
The barricade held firm against the doors, but the tension in the air lingered. Benji leaned against the wall, struggling to catch his breath. His mind raced with questions, none of which had easy answers.
"Okay," he finally managed, his voice shaky. "So... the Puppet. What exactly is it? And why is it here?"
Freddy glanced at the others before stepping forward, his eyes somber. "The Puppet was part of the original lineup, back when Fazbear Entertainment first began expanding. It was... different. Not like the rest of us."
"It wasn't just a performer," Chica added, her voice softer than usual. "It was... a caretaker. Watching over the children, keeping them safe."
Foxy grunted, crossing his arms. "Safe, aye. But it weren't just for the livin'. That thing had a way of watchin' over things it shouldn't."
Benji frowned, the pieces of the puzzle falling into place too slowly for his liking. "Things it shouldn't? Like what?"
Golden Freddy's flickering form materialized in front of him, his voice cutting through the room with unsettling clarity. "Spirits. Memories. It was a vessel—a bridge between this world and what lies beyond."
Benji shuddered, his gaze darting to the barricaded doors. "You're telling me that thing can... what? Talk to ghosts?"
Golden Freddy's head tilted slightly, his empty sockets fixed on Benji. "Not talk. It binds. It remembers. The strings are more than metal and wire, Benji. They carry the weight of the past. The Puppet was... is a keeper of unfinished business."
The room grew colder as the weight of his words settled over them. Benji wrapped his arms around himself, trying to shake off the creeping dread.
"So why is it back now?" he asked, his voice almost a whisper. "What does Scott want with it?"
Freddy sighed, his shoulders slumping. "Scott might think he's in control, but bringing back something like the Puppet... it's not just a matter of flipping a switch. The past has a way of creeping in when you try to rewrite it."
Bonnie plucked at a single string on his guitar, the note echoing through the room. "Maybe Scott doesn't know what he's getting into. Or maybe he thinks he can fix it, like he's trying to fix everything else."
Chica shook her head, her eyes downcast. "But you can't fix the past. You can't change what happened."
Benji's breath caught in his throat. "What... did happen? What's so bad about the Puppet that even you guys are scared of it?"
The animatronics exchanged uneasy glances. Finally, Freddy spoke, his voice heavy with a mix of guilt and sorrow. "It's not just the Puppet. It's everything connected to it. The children, the accidents, the... disappearances. The Puppet's strings aren't just a symbol, Benji. They're a reminder of what we all carry. What we can't let go of."
Golden Freddy's voice cut through the air like a knife. "And now, the strings have found their way back here. They'll tighten. They'll pull. And none of us can stop it."
A loud crash from behind the barricade made everyone jump. The animatronics tensed, their glowing eyes fixed on the doors. Benji stumbled back, clutching his flashlight like a lifeline.
The sound of scraping metal followed, slow and deliberate. The strings from earlier began to creep through the cracks in the door, winding like snakes across the floor. Benji's stomach churned as he realized they were moving toward him.
"Back away!" Freddy barked, stepping in front of Benji. He raised his arms, his normally gentle demeanor replaced with something fiercely protective. "We don't want any trouble!"
The strings paused, hovering inches from Freddy's outstretched paw. For a moment, it seemed like they might retreat.
Then, the Puppet's voice rang out, distorted and haunting. "Trouble? You speak as if you have none to give. But trouble... is woven into your existence."
The strings lunged, wrapping around Freddy's arm with alarming speed. He grunted, trying to pull away, but the strings only tightened, glowing faintly as they pulsed with an unnatural energy.
"Freddy!" Chica cried, rushing to help. She grabbed at the strings, only for them to snap back, sending her sprawling onto the floor.
Benji's heart pounded as he scrambled for something—anything—that could help. His eyes landed on Foxy's hook, gleaming in the dim light. "Foxy! Use your hook!"
The pirate fox didn't hesitate. With a feral snarl, he lunged forward, his hook slashing through the strings with surprising precision. The glowing strands recoiled, writhing like wounded snakes before retreating back under the door.
Freddy stumbled back, clutching his arm. Sparks flew from the damaged joint, and his face twisted in pain. "They're stronger than before," he muttered, his voice strained. "More... determined."
Golden Freddy's form flickered violently, his voice a low, ominous growl. "This is only the beginning. The Puppet's return heralds more than nostalgia. It is a harbinger. A warning."
Benji helped Freddy steady himself, his hands shaking. "A warning of what?"
Golden Freddy turned to him, his flickering form unnervingly still. "The past does not stay buried, Benji. And neither will the secrets that haunt this place."
The room fell into an uneasy silence, broken only by the faint hum of the Pizzeria's machinery. Benji stared at the barricaded doors, his mind swirling with questions and fears.
He had taken this job for some extra cash, maybe a bit of harmless adventure—something to distract him from the nightmares that had haunted him before stepping foot in the Pizzeria. Back then, the worst thing he feared was the echo of memories he couldn't escape. But now, he was caught in something far bigger, far darker. The shadows of this place weren't just stories whispered by the staff or the eerie creaks of aging machinery; they were alive, threading their way into his reality.
This wasn't the simple escape he'd hoped for—it was a descent into a mystery that clawed at the edges of his understanding. And deep down, Benji couldn't ignore the feeling that this place had been waiting for him.
"Whatever's coming," he said quietly, "we're not facing it alone. Right?"
Freddy managed a weak smile, his damaged arm sparking faintly. "Right. We stick together."
The animatronics nodded, their glowing eyes fixed on Benji. Despite their mechanical forms, there was a sense of solidarity between them—a promise that whatever came next, they would face it together.
But as Benji looked back at the door, at the faint glimmer of strings still visible in the shadows, he couldn't shake the feeling that their unity might not be totally enough.