Boom.

Loud music blared from the stage area where the animatronics were performing, mixed with the sharp rat-tat-tat of Dakota's drums. Children called to each other, chatting and laughing. Foxy's voice could barely be heard above the din. "Don't run around the Pirate's Cove, kiddies, or ye'll be walking the plank!" The fox yelled. Suddenly, the music stopped, the main stage curtains closed, and the spotlights went out. A few minutes later, the curtains reopened and the lights turned on. Only Freddy and Moxie remained onstage.

Henry smiled. It pleased him that children were having fun at his restaurant. The adults were mingling in a section of the building that was reserved for them, and as Henry looked, a woman spotted him and waved before walking over. "Henry!" She exclaimed. "It's so good to see you again!" Henry blinked. "Oh, hi, Cam. It's been quite some time since I saw you." Cam grinned. "I know. I'm glad that this idea of yours was a success. They all look so happy."

There was a small pause, then she added, "Plus, it's good to have a break." She looked pointedly at a small kid playing in the arcade. "He can be a handful," she added tiredly. Suddenly, Cam grabbed Henry's hand and led him to the group of adults. They all waved. "Oh, uh hi," he said awkwardly. There was a pause, then everything dissolved into laughter and conversation.

William shook his head. Of course Henry left to goof off with his friends. Of course. He scanned the room impatiently; Foxy was telling a story to a small group of kids, Dakota was drumming a slow, awkward beat, and Moxie and Freddy were in the middle of a duet performance. Their voices, oddly mechanical yet somehow realistic, mixed with each other, rising and swelling until almost everybody was gathered at the stage. The pair finished the song and bowed. The curtains to the main stage, Pirate’s Cove, and Dhole’s Den all closed. William looked away from the stage and jumped slightly. Henry was standing right next to him, watching everybody leave. “I swear, time flies by faster every day,” he muttered. William shrugged. “I guess.”

There was a knock on the door. It was the night shift worker. Henry walked to the door and let him in, then handed him the keys. “Good evening, Tom.” “Evening,” he replied in a gruff voice. He shot William a cold glare that sent a chill through him. He looked…..mad, almost. Dangerous. “See you tomorrow.” Tom nodded and stepped back so William and Henry could leave. The door closed. The lights turned off. And the shift began.

Tom pulled out his flashlight and turned it on. The beam flickered, dimmed, then returned to full brightness. He flashed it across the restaurant. It was full of people during the day, and there were so many bright lights and sounds. But now it was just…..empty. Lifeless. And, to be honest, really creepy. Tom stepped forward and peeked through the curtains of the main stage.

They were all there, standing still. Freddy Fazbear, Bonnie the Bunny, Chica the Chicken. Tyler the Squirrel, Sterling the Squirrel, and Moxie the Australian Shepherd. Moxie. Moxie was one of the children’s favorite characters, but, to be honest, Tom didn’t see why. They were all just robots. Robots with crappy AI. And they were really…..creepy. It felt like they were watching him all the time. No, not his thing. He stepped back and peered at the Dhole’s Den. As part of his duties as a nightwatchman, he was obligated to check on the animatronics, make sure they were all in their proper places. Why, though, he didn’t know.

Dakota was there, her drum set right in front of her, paws poised as if about to play. Her mouth was partly open, like she was going to say something. The most unsettling part, however, was the eyes. They were green, the kind of green that no dhole would have. Tom shook his head, closed the curtain, and moved on to the Pirate’s Cove. Foxy looked older and duller than the rest of the animatronics. All that Tom knew was that Foxy had been rescued from the fire before it burned the old building-Fredbear’s Family Diner?-down.

His right hand was replaced with a wicked looking hook. The sight of it sent a chill down Tom’s spine. He turned away and was making his way across the dining room when he heard what sounded like a door opening. There was a clatter behind him. Tom whirled around, but saw nothing. He scolded himself. Don’t be silly. Get back to work! He turned again, only to hear another noise. Footsteps, leading to the Parts and Service room.

There was no way he was imagining this. Trying to hide his fear, he took several steps to the Parts and Service area. 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10- Tom opened the door, then jumped back and shined his light into the room. Nothing, nothing, nothing, WAIT- Sitting in the room, slumped over, was a yellow bear animatronic. Its eye sockets were empty, and it-disturbingly-looked a lot like Freddy.

Curious, he stepped into the room and knelt down in front of the yellow bear before placing one hand on its jaw and the other on its chest. I wonder where it came from and why it’s here…..and why it looks so much like Freddy. Maybe I can show it to William or Henry; they’ll know what it i-He was snapped out of his thoughts by the sound of heavy footsteps behind him, moving quickly in his direction. Tom barely had time to shout before pain erupted throughout his whole body and everything went black.

A figure emerged from the shadows. It glared down at the guard, who was slumped on the floor, then stomped loudly into the dining room. It glanced around, making sure it wasn't seen, then continued forward, making its way to the Dhole's Den. The restaurant got even darker.....When it got brighter again, the figure was gone.

This one was pretty short, but don't worry, the next ones will be longer.

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