Total Insecurity

Just Wait

Gregory glanced back at the charging Freddy before opening the red doors before him. They were silent, which he was ever grateful for, and he was met with a dimly lit hallway. It wa blocked towards the middle, but there was a bathroom door to his right. However, when he opened it, Gregory was met with the sight of a very dirty Glamrock Chica eating the garbage on the floor.

He took a small step back and looked around for something, anything, he could use to pass her. Gregory remembered something Freddy had said in passing earlier that night.

"Loud noises can be distractions. Loud noises, loud noises..." He caught sight of a few paint cans on top of the barrier. Roughly knocking on them, Gregory could hear Chica's exclamation, and he scrambled through the open doorway, just in time to see the animatronic chicken pass through. Sighing in relief, Gregory carefully made his way through the dirty bathroom, sparing a glance and the pile of garbage Chica had been happily munching on.

Quietly moving past her, Gregory made his way around the next corner, sighing in relief when he wasn't caught.

Looking at his Fazwatch, he couldn't help but send out a short message to his... friend?

He couldn't help but grin when he received an answer.

"Hello, son! I will be done charging soon, so there is no need to worry. If anything, we can meet in the main area so I can give you a proper tour before you go play."

Gregory relaxed and began walking again, taking note of the other pictures taped on the wall. They seemed to be an older version of Freddy since the bear didn't have any of his fancy blue markings in the drawings. He passed through several storage rooms, picking up little toys and nick-nacks along the way until he came across a more metallic hallway.

Stepping through the doorway, Gregory felt something akin to dread fill his stomach, pushing him to move, to run, to do something .

"There You Are!"

Gregory turned around and was met with the sight of Monty, who had raised his too sharp claws high in the air, ready to strike. The boy let out a strangled noise as he began to run, stumbling over ridges of steel and vent covers, wincing at the sound of heavy footsteps getting closer and closer. Taking a turn, Gregory saw some boxes fly, revealing Chica who joined in on the chase.

Gregory gasped for breath, barely registering the tears on his cheeks as he ran faster and faster, scrambling up the stairs that went higher and higher.

Farther from Freddy.

Farther from safety.

Gregory let out a soft sob when he reached a door, wincing when it closed behind him. Falling to his knees, the boy let himself cry, hiccuping and wiping at his cheeks. "-ry? Gregory, are you there?"

Sniffling, Gregory poked at the Fazwatch, looking down at its small screen. "F-Freddy-y? I-I-"

"Don't worry about talking right now. I can see that you are in a security office, you should be safe there. The metal doors were designed to keep our highly-trained security staff safe in the event of an emergency, so long as the doors stay closed... So long as they have ample power..."

Looking at the door he walked through, Gregory stifled another cry. "The door's only at fifteen percent! Monty's gonna get me!"

"Do not panic. On the desk, you should see an interface. I will make it accessible to you." The bear went silent for a moment before a short click sounded out. "There. You can now activate security protocols."

Pressing the glowing button, Gregory heard a small chime sound from his Fazwatch. "Your Fazwatch is now connected to the security camera system. The small boxes on your mini-map are nearby cameras, and when movement is detected by the motion sensors, you should see red alert icons. You can switch between cameras to find a safe path out of the office and to the main lobby."

Nodding Gregory looked at the cameras, watching as Chica walked around the loop, only stopping at a certain corner to eject the previously eaten trash. "You can do this, superstar."

Taking a deep breath, Gregory opened the other door, quietly moving behind Chica. Clenching his fists, the boy pushed open the red doors that would lead him out of there. He stopped, for a moment, holding his head and closing his eyes. He had survived. He had just been chased by a giant animatronic, and he had survived. Blinking back new tears, Gregory opened the next set of doors, gasping when he was met with an even bigger area than before.

"Woah..."

"I hear you've made it to the main lobby! That is very good to hear. I am almost finished recharging, so I will be able to meet with you soon."

Gregory grinned, looking around at the bright lights and flashy signs. "Question for you, Freddy. When do these doors open again? Cause they look a little heavy to me."

All was silent for a moment, save for the sound of the cleaning and security bots. "The doors will not open for another day or so, unfortunately. The Pizzaplex has been closed for the next week due to my... glitch earlier today."

"O-Oh..."

That changes things.

"So I'll be stuck here until the doors open again?"

Freddy hummed from across the line. "Yes, unfortunately. But, I will still be here to protect you, son."

A feeling of warmth spread through Gregory's chest at the nickname. Sure, Freddy had already used it once or twice, but something seemed... different? Almost warmer, fonder, safer.

He liked it.

"...Thanks, Freddy."

Running a hand through his messy hair, Gregory walked towards the main entrance, stopping at the turnstiles.

"It looks like you'll need a Complementary Pizzaplex Entry Pass. There should be one near the main entrance."

Nodding, the boy began looking around, carefully moving past the cleaning bot that was stationed not too far from the pass. Grabbing it, Gregory let out a soft cheer, jumping ever so slightly in excitement. Scanning the past, he couldn't help but smile as the turnstiles opened, allowing him to walk through. "Well done, superstar! You did it! However, that complimentary entry ticket does not allow you access to the pizzeria." Gregory couldn't help but frown at that, staring at the security bot that made its rounds in front of him. "You will have to find and use the upgrade machine in Customer Service."

"Customer Service. Customer Service... How am I meant to find Customer Service? "

The cameras!

Gregory grinned, pulling up the cameras on his Fazwatch. After clicking around, he eventually found it. "Okay, first floor, near the escalators..."

Looking around, the boy began walking, carefully moving past the Security Bot in front of him. He could see Chica moving around, calling out to him, offering candy and safety.

God, he wanted Freddy.

Moving towards the door to Customer Service, Gregory groaned when he saw the door closed and locked. He would have to go around.

He felt his heart race as he watched Chica pace around, stopping every so often to look around.

"Who wants candy!"

Gregory growled under his breath, crawling behind her and up the escalator stairs.

"Staff only!" Was all he heard before the sound of pounding footsteps began. Holding back a scream, Gregory started to run, hurriedly hiding in a photo booth, holding his chest as he gasped for breath.

He could hear the chicken animatronic walk away, and he peeked out of the curtain, checking to see if the coast was clear. When it was, Gregory ran towards Faz-Pad, gasping when he was face to face with a Security Bot. Hiding behind a counter, Gregory caught his breath before rushing towards the door hidden behind a ledge.

He felt his heart stop when an alarm blared behind him.

Dashing through the door, Gregory rushed down a flight of stairs, being met with Customer Service and very few places to hide. He scrambled into a stray stroller, curling in on himself and holding his panicked breath.

And as he watched Chica walk in front of him, he had only one thought on his mind.

'I want my dad.'