Afraid of The Dark

Welcome!

  The building looks bigger on the inside.  Neon lights covered the ceilings and black tiles stretched endlessly across the floor.  It looked more like casino rather than a children's entertainment center.

  "Y/N, you're here!" a voice echoed across the room.  Even when the main lights were shut off, I could still see her bathed in pink and green light.  I walked to her briskly, my footsteps clacking against the hard floor.

  "Miss Vanessa, correct?" Her face scrunched up for a second, looking slightly offended.

"Just Vanessa is fine.  You don't hear anyone calling Freddy 'Mr. Fazbear'."  She laughed a little, slapping her knee for the irony of her own bad joke.  I kind of just stood there, awkwardly.  Damn, this uniform is uncomfortable.  Could they not find pants my size?

"So, Vanessa... Are you the daycare attendant I'm assisting?"  I asked, cautiously as a security bot passed by, waving its flashlight at us.  Vanessa waved back at it before answering.

"That would be a 'no'.  Your coworkers are currently in the daycare right now.  I advise you not to go in there until we're open.  It usually takes about thirty minutes for daycare staff to prep the area.  You can use that time to introduce yourself to them."  

If they're there, why couldn't I go in now?  There are two?  Why is there a wet floor sign staring at me?  It's rude to stare.

"Why am I here if not to meet the staff I'll be working with?"  I asked, slightly losing patience.  It's two in the morning, and my coffee machine broke last night.  I might drift off into a dream if I'm stationary for another minute.  

"You're here for a tour, Y/N.  The building is large as hell.  While you'll be spending most of your time in the daycare, your coworkers don't normally leave, so you might have to go around and do some things that they can't do like gathering cleaning supplies, fetching food for yourself or even helping with animatronic maintenance," she said.  My head was spinning.  Too many words at once.

"No questions?  Let's go!"

We walked around for what seemed like hours.  Maybe it was.  I wasn't keeping track and there were no windows to see if the sun's come up.  

I thought my soul had left me when I was greeted by a MapBot.  Vanessa said it happens to everyone.  

For a second, I thought I saw a very stylish bird robot wandering into the kitchen.  I decided it was better than to question it.  

We passed the daycare.  I heard a real funky tune playing through the doors.  Posters of the same two characters covered the walls surrounding us.  They looked so sweet.  I felt glad I took this job.  Taking care of children has held a special place in my heart.  It made some inner part of me happy.  

"When you go in tomorrow, your room should be next to the balcony entryway.  I'm sure one of them can show you where it is," Vanessa said nonchalantly as if we discussed my living arrangements in this building before.

"Excuse me, what."

Vanessa looked at me like I was supposed to know this.  

"They didn't tell you?  Well, I was told you were staying here to watch any children that might've been left behind, so we can contact their parents and keep an eye on them at the same time.  Unfortunately, our naptime attendant scares the kids a bit so we can't exactly use him."

Why the hell would they hire a guy like that?  

"So, when exactly do I move in?" I asked, dreading the answer I knew would come.  It's not like I had much to move.  My apartment is pretty small.  I just hope they let me bring comfier clothes than khakis and a dress shirt.  Besides, most kids seem to like my pajamas better than any formal clothing.  Sadly, that is not professional.