"Michael? Wake up, Michael." A voice called out. I slowly opened my eyes, trying to figure out where I was. I realized I was staring at the ceiling of a dark place.
"Michael?" The voice called out again. I looked to my right to find Cassidy standing nearby. A concerned look visibly cast on her face. "Are you okay?"
I clenched my head as I stood up from the floor.
"I'm fine—just a headache." Cassidy watched as I steadied myself against the wall of the hallway. My head screamed with pain but soon began recovering after a few minutes of rest. How did I even get a headache? Let alone come to this place again?
"You fell pretty hard when you fainted in the bathroom," Cassidy spoke. "I think it was the first time I felt something in a while."
"You read my mind," I joked. "I never knew spirits could still express emotions even after death."
"Usually we don't. But in this instance, what I saw in those stalls surprised me and disgusted me," Cassidy said. "When you fainted, I figured it was the time for you to come here again. If you hadn't, I would've done it when you're in the office."
"Thanks… I guess."
"No need." Cassidy said, shifting the room around us with the wave of her hand. The hallway shifted from the dark hallway into a colorful, familiar, bright dining room. It was Fredbear's Family Diner. There stood a dark oak table that contained a vintage tv and a cassette player was next to it—the same as the other night.
"That's right, I never viewed the tape I got from the kitchen because…" Images of Robin instantly flashed in my mind, twisting my stomach. I'm sure my face betrayed me, because Cassidy's eyes softened with concern. At least, that's what it looked like.
"I know… It was quite brutal and barbaric… He didn't deserve that," Cassidy spoke. "You don't have to play the tape if—"
"No… I'm fine. I can do it," I interrupted. Immediately, a chair appeared to the right of me.
"You're going to need it, Michael," Cassidy said, pushing it forward. I didn't say anything and took her advice, sitting in front of the TV. The VHS tape seemed to call to me. I picked it up, bracing myself. Soon, the TV whirred and flickered, pulling me in.
Another memory began to play.
***
"Ya-ha-ha-harr! Never underestimate the cunning of a pirate or a fox, for that matter." Foxy said, swinging his hook in a playful, animated way.
The children watching the show laughed and clapped, completely captivated by the charismatic pirate character. In fact, Foxy was one of the most popular characters of the animal animatronic band despite being the newest addition to the band.
So much so that he had his own showtimes and sometimes even birthday party events apart from the band. Every time Foxy came on stage, the kids would cheer and shout his catchphrase together: "Yarr, matey!"
The magical part of it all was the fact he could move around the pizzeria and interact with kids in a way that seemed almost lifelike—something kids absolutely adored.
Unfortunately, parents found him to be a "liability" with his metal hook and sharp teeth.
Thus, the complaints came in.
Despite this, the children continued to beg their parents to return to the pizzeria for another chance to see him. It was successful.
Until a tragic incident happened at the pizzeria, causing parents to be concerned with the safety of their children.
The tragic incident of three kids missing from the establishment raised suspicions of foul play that brought distrust of the popular pizzeria.
Business became slow, and the animatronics couldn't be kept up like they used to be. This led to Foxy being out of order due to maintenance issues that the company couldn't pay for. Ever since, Foxy had been sitting in the corner of Pirate's Cove, motionless and lifeless behind a curtain...that used to open and close as he peeked out to interact with guests.
That didn't stop Fritz from hoping one day he would see Foxy perform again. But deep down, he knew Foxy's performing days were probably over forever.
Yet, he couldn't help but hold onto a glimmer of hope.
The car finally parked, and Fritz quickly opened the door to leave. His brother promised to take him one last time, as his parents wanted him to stop going there because of the rumors surrounding the pizzeria.
Fritz loved his brother because he would do things like this, even when he was in trouble. I mean, Fritz's brother was 20 years old and studying to become a police officer or something.
Fritz was only ten, so he didn't remember exactly what his brother was doing, but he was inspired to be just like him. The only thing Fritz ever had in mind was maximizing his time with the arcade machines and splurging on pizza—naturally.
Fritz entered the pizzeria, watching his brother drive off.
It was time to go all out today.
He was going to spend every buck and quarter he had at this place. He was determined to have the best last day here of his life.
He deserved it.
After a few hours of gaming, Fritz decided to take a break and order a pizza. While he waited, he noticed a few workers near Foxy's cove. Immediately, Fritz knew he had to investigate.
Were they finally fixing him? Was he going to see Foxy perform one last time?
Fritz wanted to walk up to them to ask questions, but a wave of shyness suddenly hit him. Then, he felt scared asking questions. Maybe he would accidentally ask a stupid question and they'll laugh at him.
At least, that's what would happen in school.
As Fritz kept thinking, the workers soon dragged Foxy to the employee-only room. Fritz decided to stay quiet and observe. Soon, a smile brewed on Fritz's face when the workers left the room with Foxy unattended.
This was the chance to sneak a look at Foxy.
Fritz immediately sat up from the table and began making his way to the employees-only room. His heart was racing with excitement as he drew closer to the door.
Before entering, Fritz checked around to see if anyone was paying attention to him before slipping inside.
Foxy stood in the corner of the room, deactivated. Wires hung out of the animatronic like it was his flesh, and its fur hide was torn in some places, exposing its metal exoskeleton. Despite Foxy's frightening look, Fritz drew closer to examine him deeply. Fritz wasn't afraid of Foxy—he was curious.
The animatronic had definitely seen better days.
"How badly have they treated you?" Fritz whispered under his breath as he took his hand and brushed it on Foxy's soft red fur.
Suddenly, Foxy's eyes flickered to life, and it suddenly began moving, startling Fritz in the process. Foxy's eyes locked onto his, and, after a moment, It began speaking.
"Yarr! It be me! Foxy!" Foxy said, swinging his arms in a robotic, performative way. Fritz's face instantly switched to a smile when Foxy spoke.
He wasn't broken after all.
"When I tell ya we got a grand show for you today, mateys, in 5 minutes! Can ye believe it?" Fritz was willing to wait the five minutes—Anything to watch him perform one last time.
He was going to make it count.
Foxy stopped moving and stared in front of him. Fritz looked behind him and found nothing. Why was Foxy staring behind him?
"Arghhh! Bonnie, Perhaps it's best for ye to tune that guitar of yours instead of practicing your voice. I myself need to practice my swordsmanship before our next battle."
Oh right, everything is automated so Foxy is doing as it was programmed to do. Fritz smirked as foxy did this.
It was humorous because it wasn't performing for anyone but Fritz.
"Yarg! Look at ye time. It be time for the grand show! Chica's yapping distracted me from practicing!"
This is it! The time for Foxy to perform is now! Fritz's eyes widened with excitement as Foxy readied himself for his performance.
"What do ye say Bonnie? Are the kiddos ready to party?"
"I think they are." A voice called from behind Fritz.
Immediately, Fritz turned around to see a yellow rabbit standing behind him.
"Bonnie?" Fritz asked.
"Not quite. I'm a different bunny." The yellow rabbit replied. Fritz noticed the rabbit had a knife in its hand.
Slowly, Fritz began to back up.
His insides screamed and begged to run away, but there was nowhere to run. Fritz knew that he couldn't fight the rabbit either because he was too big.
What else was there to do?
"What's the matter, little pirate? Aren't you going to enjoy the show?" the yellow rabbit said, walking slowly up to Fritz.
Music began emitting from Foxy as he began his performance, swinging his hands and hook around.
Maybe Fritz could use Foxy as protection.
All he needed to do was get to the door and get out of this place.
Fritz backed up to Foxy, eying the yellow rabbit for any sudden movements.
The yellow rabbit kept a steady movement towards Fritz.
"I love when children back themselves into a corner like a timid kitten—It makes the kill more thrilling!" The rabbit laughed cruelly.
As Fritz finally neared Foxy, he turned and hid behind the animatronic.
"Hiding will do you no good if I already know where you are!"
The yellow rabbit leaned down to grasp Fritz, who stood behind Foxy. Fritz fought to slip free, but the yellow rabbit's grip locked around him.
Fritz wiggled and squirmed, trying to escape the yellow rabbit's grasp but ultimately failed in doing so.
Swoosh! Crunch!
The yellow rabbit groaned in pain as Foxy's hook dug deep in the rabbit's shoulder.
Foxy's "assist" freed Fritz from the yellow rabbit's tight grasp.
Fritz took this opportunity to dash to the door as the yellow rabbit was stuck on Foxy's hook.
In a short instance, Fritz reached and tried the door, only to realize it was locked.
The door handle rattled uselessly in his trembling hands as he twisted and turned it, hoping for a different result or miracle to happen.
What could he do?
Think, Fritz, Think!
Meanwhile, the yellow rabbit groaned as he wiggled out of Foxy's piercing hook. It looked visibly painful as Foxy was also performing, further damaging the yellow rabbit.
As the rabbit set himself free, it kicked Foxy down to the floor, finally able to escape Foxy's painful grasp.
Foxy came down with a metal clunk and went haywire, causing the music to stop.
The now-blood-soaked rabbit knelt down in pain but soon got up, looking at Fritz with piercing purple eyes.
Fritz immediately felt chills down his spine as his eyes widened in fear.
"I wasn't expecting a little accident for that to occur. No wonder why we were going to destroy this stupid fox." The yellow rabbit spoke. Its voice was no longer playful but filled with malice and anger. The yellow rabbit then laughed menacingly.
"But that's okay! Accidents happen! Don't they, little child?" The yellow rabbit walked to Fritz. "You'll learn that soon enough." The yellow rabbit walked slowly towards Fritz, like a predator waiting for its prey to react.
Fritz's instincts yelled at him to run… But where? Where could he run to?
Fritz ran to the table, dividing him and the yellow rabbit apart. He screamed for help—only to find it useless as the music drowned him out.
"It's no use—They won't hear you!" The yellow rabbit laughed, following Fritz's movements as he played carrousel with the table between them both.
"Just come to me and I'll make it quick and easy for you!" The rabbit leered.
"B-but I d-don't want to!" Fritz cried. Tears streamed down Fritz's face, blurring his vision partially.
"Aw, don't cry now! You're guilty of going somewhere you weren't supposed to… Now you have to pay the consequences!" The yellow rabbit snarled. Then, the rabbit took a quick, deep breath.
"But it's okay. If you come now—I'll make your death quick and painless."
"But I—I don't want to die!" Fritz stuttered, his voice breaking as more tears streamed down his face. The yellow rabbit glared with malice until it broke into sinister laughter.
Then it became quiet.
The yellow rabbit pushed the metal table with sudden force towards Fritz.
Before Fritz could realize, it was already too late as the metal edge slammed into his gut, crushing him against the wall with a deep, sickening thud.
His breath escaped in a gasp that sounded like a choke. For a moment, the room froze. Then, the pain bloomed like a flower in spring.
Fritz wanted to faint from the sheer immense pain of his stomach and ribs, but something kept him awake.
His fingers curled around the cold table edge, trembling as his knees buckled beneath.
Every breath taken doubled the pain that Fritz had to endure.
The yellow rabbit walked to the side of the table where a trapped Fritz hung.
The yellow rabbit pushed the table off, dropping Fritz to the floor as he hugged his body out of pain and gasped for air.
"You really should have taken the easy route—look at what you made me do!" The yellow rabbit crooned.
"But that's okay." The rabbit continued, its voice flat and hollow. "There's always an end to the pain."
Fritz's eyes went livid as the yellow rabbit raised the knife.
"No! Please! NO!" Fritz screamed.
Down came the knife, hitting Fritz in the chest. Fritz gurgled as blood began to fill his mouth.
The knife then sliced across all the way to the hips, where the yellow rabbit stabbed once more.
Pain. Sorrow. Fear. Anger. Coldness…
Fritz lay there, suffering the sharp pains of the knife as it kept coming down to different parts of his body.
The room darkened, the faint laughter of the yellow rabbit… all of it came at once as the color of Fritz's eyes slowly faded.
The tears stopped, and Fritz lost all feeling in his body.
The only image was those predatory, purple eyes of the yellow rabbit.
"I'm sorry… Mom…Dad…"
***
I gasped as I woke in the chair I sat in before I entered the memory. My face felt covered with sweat, and my head ached harder than ever. I also felt like…
Oompf Blecccccccch
I threw up on the floor.
Maybe Cassidy was right about not viewing the tape after all.
"Ewww…" Cassidy spoke.
"What do you mean 'ew'? help a brother out instead of watching me suffer!" I said in retaliation. Cassidy looked at me and then chuckled lightly.
"I'm sorry. I'm sorry; it was just unexpected of you to act like that."
"God, you're insensitive as a spirit." Soon, Cassidy stopped laughing.
"I haven't had a laugh like that in a while." Cassidy said, wiping a tear from her cheek. "I've always been surrounded by negativity, so don't take it as a bad thing; I still feel bad that you watched the tape. I should've told you no. Though, you'll find it humorous soon."
"What do you mean?" I asked, clenching my stomach.
"You'll have to figure that one out yourself." Cassidy replied with a smug look.
"God… you're insufferable," I muttered, trying not to throw up again.
After taking some time to recover, I was able to stand back up again.
"Sorry for throwing up on your floor," I said weakly. Cassidy sat at a nearby table, grinning.
"It's alright really—it's easy to clean up here," she said, waving her hand. The puddle of throw-up suddenly disappeared, making the floor clean like it was never there to begin with. Even the smell.
"You know, you're sadistic for grinning at me while I'm suffering."
"Well, it was just humorous to me because I know what happened."
"So, what did happen?" I asked.
Cassidy covered her mouth. It was obvious she was laughing, but I had already discarded the subject. There was no use.
Cassidy cleared her throat before speaking.
"Now that is out of the way, I should tell you where the other tape is before you stumble into the girls' restroom like a creep," Cassidy said with an undertone.
"Yeah, yeah, get it over—Hey, wait a minute! I'm not a creep!" I said. "I wasn't even going to do that in the first place!"
"Sure, you creeper." Cassidy teased.
"Just tell me where the other tape is, you insufferable child…" I pleaded. Cassidy chuckled lightly before calming down.
"The last tape is in the basement. It was actually near you before you and your father interacted with each other," Cassidy spoke. "I was going to tell you beforehand, but the Robin incident happened, so I didn't get a chance."
"I see," I said. "So after all, you could see what I do." Cassidy's face suddenly turned neutral as she stared down at the floor.
"I'm sorry… It must be hard to trust me. I've just about lied to you at every corner, haven't I?" Cassidy said, clenching her blue skirt. "I promised. It's all for a good cause."
Cassidy looked up at me with innocent eyes. They were eyes that sought approval. I couldn't stay mad at her.
"Okay, I chose to believe you. Don't squander it, or else I'll never forgive you. Okay?" I said. Cassidy's face produced a smile.
"Okay!" She replied. I couldn't help but smile at myself. Immediately, the room began to spin and my head ached again.
"Well, I guess it's time for me to go," I said, pressing my head to subside the pain. "I'll see you next time." my knees buckled as I hit the floor and lay there, waiting to return to the world I know today.
"Yes. I'll see you next time, Michael. I hope you are successful." Cassidy replied. It was barely negligible, but I managed to sound out the words before the room around me no longer existed.
***
I opened my eyes, finding myself on the bathroom floor.
That's right… I fainted earlier from seeing the dead cops.
I placed my hand on the floor to push myself up from the dirty bathroom floor. Instead, something wet replaced the cold, hard floor. Now that I notice, I felt like I had wet myself.
I looked to the side of me to find throw-up.
Specifically mine.
"That's why fucking Cassidy was laughing!" I yelled.
And I bet she's laughing up a storm watching me.