Lethean (William Afton X Reader)

彡[ᴄʜᴀᴘᴛᴇʀ 32: ᴛᴜꜰᴛꜱ]彡

The route to Michael's school was oddly familiar, some buildings resembled a few from my own timeline. Walking takes around 15 minutes and 5 by car. When we got there, that's when it clicked; this was the same school I went to, the same one where I graduated from my elementary days but of course, the building's original white paint was there. I felt the rush of nostalgia in my mind and heart, remembering how my mother held my hand every day as we strolled back and forth.

Michael expressed his gratification through a tight hug and bid me goodbye as I wished him a good day in school. Somehow, this made him jolt a little, his eyes widened temporarily but he brushed it off with a gleeful smile and stepped past the silver gates. Now I know how my mom felt when sending me off. Yes, I know Mike's not my actual kid. Either way, it's a small tug on my heartstrings.

The boy told me the pizzeria was another 15 minutes on foot. However, I had this thought of taking my usual route to my "apartment".  I wasn't late yet because it was 8:46 AM, I saw it from my hidden phone so I still have a lot of time. I only want to see a bit of the past while I have a chance.

While I was on my way to the site, my headache started acting up, barely tolerable than the previous ones. Fucking time-travel side effects. I don't think I can tolerate this for more than a few months.

I kept ruffling my hair until I reached a recognizable street name and a familiar building number. It was also an apartment but with lesser floors, reaching up to the third floor only and the gate was built low, along with the black metal fence. It seemed newly built as well, and every unit was occupied by busy tenants.

Someone was whistling the tune of "Hooked on a Feeling" approaching the gate with their relaxed hands on the back of their heads. "Oh fuck, not you again" they hissed. Surprise surprise, it's Neil himself. "Are you stalking me?"

"No, I don't even know you live here" I answered. I don't owe him any explanation after all, then I remembered throwing an empty alcohol bottle last night, "Is your head fine?" I asked.

His stoic expression softened while his tensed body slumped like he was exhausted, "Yeah yeah, didn't bleed". Neil tried to shift his weight into another leg, but a huff of pain left his mouth. "Anyways, what are you doing here? I don't see you pass by often so I'm guessing you're taking another route?" he asked.

That was the longest sentence I ever heard from the grumpy man, so it surprised me. "I wanted to see something, but I didn't expect to run into you. You heading to work?"

"Didn't plan to at first, but you already saw me and I don't want you telling Mr. Emily or Mr. Afton that I'm slacking off, so yes." Clearly struggling with walking and standing, he headed back inside the gardens of the apartment and opened one of the doors on the second floor. I decided to wait for him since we are going to the same place. Besides, I have some questions that need answering.

I heard the whistle again as he turned to another wall where I waiting, "JESUS! You're still here?!" the man exclaimed.

"Yeah...? Figured we'd go together"

"You better not pull out another bottle to-"

"Are we really gonna talk about that?"

Our walking pace was slow for obvious reasons. The tense atmosphere made me unable to talk, yet Neil would sneak narrow glances at me and continue his whistling. I can say that I feel kinda guilty for what happened, but can you really blame me for the self-defense? When the universe always sends bad shit in your direction, you can't help but be on guard at all times. A single moment of doubt could be the death of me. That may be the reason why I rarely get joy in life.

There was something odd about this guy, and it's not just the bitterness he solely portrays. By "odd", I didn't mean like a tendency to violence, not that one. I can't quite explain it, and it boggles my mind. He could be hiding something.