FNiA: Project White Rabbit

Chapter 4: The Deadly Shortstack

Bonnie's eyes lock with mine and panic starts setting in again. I knew hiding under the desk wasn't the best option, but I didn't know it would get me killed. Bonnie dives at me, evidently thinking I'd be too scared to move. Unfortunately for her, I get twitchy.

I barely had room to move, but I got on top of her and crawled out into the rest of the office. I tried to get up, but the rabbit's hand had already grabbed ahold of my foot, despite her being partially under the desk. Struggling, I kicked and kicked at her hand. I will not let myself get killed by a perverted robot.

With one last kick, I was free. I scrambled to my feet and quickly reopened both doors and turned back around to a pissed off Bonnie. My survival instincts screamed at me to run, as I did before, but something else seemed to take hold. An unexplainable anger rose inside me, and I shoulder charged with a strength that would even impress Jason, launching her out of the room, slamming the metal door immediately after. I only had a moment to catch my breath as a hook snagged the back of my shirt and pulled me backwards.

A red-furred woman with a less pronounced body-shape as the other three had me at the throat with a sword in seconds, her fox tail unmoving.

"Y'know, it wouldn't kill ya to be a little less hostile, mate." She said with a growl. "The lass only wanted to be friendly, and now you've gone and pissed me off. Any last words?"

I didn't know what was wrong with me. My mouth started moving, and I couldn't stop it. "Is it entertaining?" I spoke with a confidence that wasn't my own. "Killing those innocent men?"

The fox stepped back, her yellow eyes showing a moment of uncertainty before composing herself again. Whatever made me say that seemed to be pleased, I think. The fox bared her fangs, and barked, "How the hell do you know about that, runt?!"

Again, my lips moved without me being able to prevent it. "Same way I know that sword is cheap plastic, Fox." I clamped my mouth shut immediately after I spoke. The Fox raised the weapon up and I braced myself for the hit. It never came.

I opened my eyes and she was crouched down with a completely different look on her face. It wasn't full of anger, as it was before, but concern. I secretly hoped that feeling would come back, but there wasn't a trace of that bizarre bravery in me. I could only sit and watch as she checked me out.

Then the unmistakable sound of footsteps started, coming from the open door. The fox stood up, cursing under her breath. She looked back at me one last time before walking out and confronting whoever was walking up to us. Meanwhile, I was struggling to understand why she didn't attack. Struggling to understand how I had the strength I did.

"Foxy, where is he? I know he was with you last." It was the brown bear's voice. She sounded angry, and I was tempted to run again.

"Kid ran, Freddy." Foxy said. I was assuming those were their names.

"Cut the bullshit. Bonnie saw you get a hold of him after the door was slammed on her!" Freddy yelled, "So where is he?"

"He caught me off guard, cap'n."

"And how the hell did he do that?"

"He knows something. Asked me if it was entertainin'. If I... liked doing it."

Freddy was quiet for a moment. I heard her sigh before she replied to Foxy. "Then we need to find him, now. Before it goes public. Do not disappoint, fox. You remember what happened last time we trusted one of them. I don't think your sister will like the fact you're trying to hide him."

It was Foxy's turn to be quiet. She remained that way as Freddy's footsteps faded away. And I again was left to wonder, What the fuck happened last time? Foxy walked back inside the office, taking a seat in the chair. Her eyes locked onto me. We stayed there in silence, and I found myself calming down, but not much. I was still stuck in a room with one of them.

Eventually, the ice was broken. "I need you to explain." She said, finally looking away from me. "How did you know about it?"

"I didn't," I said, shakily. Foxy turned back to me. "I don't know how, either. Or how I was able to get Bonnie away from me." The last part I mumbled, looking down at my shaking hands.

"Then why did you take this job, lad?"

"My friend thought it would be perfect for me." I said, half laughing. "Y'know? Just sitting alone in a room, without..." my voice trailed off, I looked at the robot, who understood what I meant.

"So, he unknowingly sent you to die, then?"

"Yeah, I guess. He's kinda the only reason I go out of my apartment at all, really." I said, realizing how stupid I sounded now that it was said out loud.

A small smirk crawled onto Foxy's face. "Y'know, you're a lot like my sis. Kinda get dragged into situations you don't want to be in, right?" I looked at Foxy, surprised. Then the smirk on her face faded away. "Only fight back when you feel like all other options fail?"

"Yeah." I said, staying silent for a moment. Then it clicked. "Holy shit." I said, realizing what she must have gone through.

"You catch on fast. Now get up, before I swab the deck with ya, mate." Foxy said, walking to the door. "You have ta meet someone."

"What? They'll rip me apart out there!"

"If you don't, I'll rip ye apart in here."

"R-right."

As I got up I realized how short Foxy was, her head was only up to my nose, and I still was considered short compared to other guys. She groaned at the height difference and walked out mumbling, gesturing me to follow her. Walking after her, I looked around at the various papers along the hallway walls. While there were a few posters of the girls in rather suggestive poses, many were fan-arts by customers and employees. My eyes kept scanning the walls, until they landed on a framed newspaper clipping.

It was yellowing and faded, but I could clearly see the photo of an old diner with a pair of men in front of it, shaking hands. The diner's sign read "Fredbear's Family Diner" and it suddenly became obvious to me why it was hung up. The caption under it was too faded to read, which left me slightly disappointed. 

"I keep forgettin' they leave that up." Foxy said behind me, making me jump a little. "That's tha day when the founder started working with Afton."

"Afton?" I swear I had heard of it before, though I couldn't remember.

"Yeah, He and Mr. Emily made tha first few sets of us. Damn shame Afton wasn't right in tha head. Heard he was crazier than a man surfing in a tsunami." Foxy said before turning away. I wanted to say something but was cut off. "Enough interruptions mate, we're about to cross rough waters... That be the stage, y'know."

"One last question."

Foxy groaned, "What now?"

"I'm not going to get murdered, right?" Foxy just stared at me. "What? It's a valid question." The short pirate then walked off, only waiting at the corner to watch me scramble to not be left alone. 

"C'mon, lad. Let's get this argument over with."