CALL OF THE SHADOW [Freedom AU Book Eight]{FNAF/UT}

E̸̗͆͛̕L̸̥̤͕͋̄̀͂͘Ę̵͓̯̪́̉̒̍̊V̵̤̄E̴̟͚̿̒̚N̴̨̬͓̪̫̓̊͑̚͝

A.N. Welp, guess it's time to submit my own art to this story, after having two other people make art instead. (Thanks again to the two who made art for this story, ya'll are 👌). Enjoy, or kinda, idk-

Heads up, it gets sad :,)

(small detail about the art I forgot to mention, that was Fred's outfit while they were performing for the company-)

~~~

He blinked. Suddenly, he was looking himself in the mirror, dressed in more appropriate attire for a funeral. It was looming behind his reflection, looking way to happy—as was becoming more usual these past several days. Bon's postured slouched even more, as his phone buzzed. A text reminding him that he had to leave now, or he'd be late. Begrudgingly, the bunny made his way out of the house.

~~~

For a funeral, it was way too sunny outside, Bon thought. He always imagined the weather would reflect everyone's moods and feelings. The sadness, the grief, the mourning, all incapsulated with either an overcast sky, or better yet, rain. But no, the sun was high in the sky, shining upon the gathering, consisting of mostly anthros, and also Sophie Grant, in the small and growing graveyard in Newer Home.

Asgore had been asked to lead the service. The monster king stood before everyone, but Bonbell wasn't paying attention to what he was saying. His thoughts were elsewhere, distracted mostly by it. The bunny missed the side glance his sister, Toy, had given him as she had noticed how he'd—though subtly—began to shake. She gave his hand a small squeeze to try and regain his attention, but hardly got a response. She shuddered a sigh, turquoise eyes still red and wet as she looked down again.

~~~

Next was the after service. For the first little while, Bon stood with both Toy and Vixen. As a result, he also ended up standing amongst both Bonnie and Foxy too. Must be nice, Bon couldn't help but think. Still having someone for emotional support. Being able to go back home, and not be left alone with your thoughts like he would have to. Fredrick was his emotional support, and now he was-

He...

And now... Fredrick was gone. His sole confidant when it came to dealing with the shadow, was no longer there to help him keep his feet on the ground. His beloved brother, who'd done nothing but love and care about him. Just like that, was no more. It wasn't fair. Fredrick didn't deserve this.

Bon excused himself, and went to stand off by himself. Even while his gaze was directed to the floor, the bunny couldn't help but notice the stares the others were giving him. He knew the feeling of being stared at all too well to not be aware of his friends' staring. Bon did his best to ignore them, keeping to himself.

What a beautiful sight~ The voice began. They're all here because of us! It sounded sickeningly giddy about that fact. Bon quietly muttered for it to be quiet, to leave him alone. That now wasn't the time for this. It hummed. The bunny tried his best not to think about that, about how the voice was right. It was his fault everyone was gathered together to mourn a loss. Bon would only have to wish it to never happen again—he wouldn't be attending the funerals that were going to be inevitably held for those monsters once their deaths are discovered.

Two people finally came over to talk to him. "Hey, Bon." Freddy quietly greeted first, putting a hand on the bunny's shoulder. Bonbell flinched a bit, but forced himself to look up to the bear. The the love of the one he nearly killed those weeks ago. It whispered to him—tone suddenly low and menacing—that Freddy most likely would be acting hostile if he knew the truth.

"Bon?" Sophie quietly addressed. The bunny blinked. He hadn't been paying attention. "S-Sorry... What did you say?" Freddy paused, exchanging glances with Sophie, before answering. "We were just saying... Fred's death is a loss for all of us. We're all so close-knit, that... it can be hard for everyone." The bear began, as the bunny resisted a sneer. Sophie continued with, "But... I imagine it must be even harder for you three. We-well, I just... want you to know, you aren't alone."

"... Yeah." Bon mumbled, glancing away. He was still shaking, and the two noticed. Neither of them said anything, but Freddy instead added with, "We're a family, and family helps each other... don't ever hesitate to ask, alright?" Bon nodded shakily, before Freddy sighed and turned to find who he'd been talking with. Sophie then gave the bunny's shoulder a gentle squeeze. "I'm always open to talk, alright?" Bon nodded, before the human finally walked off. After the two left him alone, Bon went to the washrooms.

~~~

"Don't panic", he said. "It'll be fine!" he said. The bright blue bunny grasped at his head, desperately wishing the voice would stop taunting him. Look where that's gotten you now. Moving quickly and shakily, Bon turned on one of the bathroom taps. Once the water began running, he just as shakily and quickly splashed water onto his face, as if that would wash away his growing panic. He just wanted it to leave him alone the rest of the service, that was all!

Now, your brother is dead, and it was YOUR fault for going to his apartment in the first place! Bon quietly uttered a 'stop it', not wanting his voice to echo from the bathroom. He could still be here, right now. But he ISN'T.

".... p-please-"

You're pathetic. Tears beginning to stream down his face, Bon slammed his fist on the bathroom counter. Unable to stop himself, he shouted, "SHUT UP!" Before slowly falling to the ground, curling in on himself. He lost awareness of his surroundings after, overwhelmed with the sudden flood of emotions as it did just as he asked.

He was hardly aware of those who rushed into the bathroom only to find him in a fetal position on the ground, shaking and sobbing. Hardly aware of the hands helping him to slowly stand up, the hands that tried to subtly escort him from the building without causing a scene. Hardly aware of who had even driven him home, and made sure he was safely laying atop his bed. Just, barely aware of anything until his emerald eyes slowly began to fall shut from exhaustion.

Bon wanted to do nothing more but fall asleep, never to awake again. The nightmares suddenly didn't seem as bad as the hell it was now putting him through. He'd gladly take them over what was reality. Even if that meant seeing his own brother die time and again in the nightmarish dreamscape. At least then, Fredrick was actually there. To Bon, that counted for something.

~~~

A.N. Well, this ended up being half as long as the last chapter, but like, that chapters was so stinkin' long tho-

Next chapter will be, as usual, next Saturday, so stay tuned!