Lethean (William Afton X Reader)

彡[ᴄʜᴀᴘᴛᴇʀ 50: ʙᴏᴍʙꜱʜᴇʟʟ]彡

+++++ William's POV +++++

Last week was a hectic schedule, nearly every single day, children and families requested our performance. Naturally, I did what I had to do, yet Henry is refusing to step on that stage as Fredbear. We were lucky these can switch between an animatronic and a suit, the only difference is the fluidity of our movements. His excuse was feeling under the weather, and a whole week has passed.

I was done readjusting the springlocks in the Parts and Service, so I stepped outside to return to my office and spotted Vanessa and Neil talking in the hallway. Henry stood next to the brunette, his arms crossed as worry traced his eyes. Luis was there as well, sharing the same expression with all of them.

"So there's no sign of her, like at all?" Vanessa ruffled her hair. "Not even a call?!"

"No, sadly," Neil sighed, placing a hand on their shoulders. "I get that you're worried. Believe me, you two are bad at hiding it-"

"What if she got attacked again?!" Henry yelled and nearly threw his glasses on the checkered floors. "You said it yourself, we have no idea when she can come back!"

I flumped my shoulders as I walked over to the group, "Shouldn't you three be in your stations?" I spoke. Every single pair of eyes shot me a glare of abhorrence, with Henry already huffing out of rage. "None of you are not acting normal-"

"How are we supposed to act normal if one of our employees suddenly left?!" the flannel-shirted man cut me off, digging his nails into his skull and letting his hands fall on his sides. His eye twitched, and with heavy steps, he grabbed my collar and yelled to my face. "YOU! How are you okay with this?!"

I gripped his wrists, "Let go of me, Henry," I said. He complied and released his clutch, leaving me with a wrinkled collar that I attempted to flatten. "(Y/N) might have had an urgent business to attend to, so I suggest that you four settle down. There is no point in getting worked up." My words merely flew over their heads and continued their hateful glares. This has gone on for a week as well, and I'm beginning to grow annoyed by it. 

Vanessa was stomping her way to me but was held back by Luis and Neil. "How would you explain your relationship with Ms. Clara then? What are you gonna tell her once she's back?!" she tried to minimize her voice, yet failed in doing so.

"Bloody hell, what is with you and Clara?" I hissed.

"THIS ISN'T- Damnit, I'm tired of this shit," the woman exhaled, running her hand on her forehead. "I'm not saving your ass if she gets mad at you." 

"You don't have to," I replied. "Don't tamper with my affairs, Vanessa. That is not part of your job description."

The girl furrowed her eyebrows and angrily left the hallway, slamming the break room's door open and closing it with a loud thud. Soon after, Luis followed her while the other two headed to the main party room, still enraged. I finally headed back to my office where Clara read the daily newspaper regarding the arrest of the man who tried to kidnap our daughter. To this day, I'm left to wonder who made it happen.

"Hey honey!" she beamed, sitting up from the couch to kiss my cheek and a strained smile crept on my face. I collapsed on my office chair, rubbing my temples after a long day while the woman moved onto the blank seat opposite the desk. "I heard someone yelling outside. What was that about?" she asked and flipped over to the next page.

"Henry and the others are just missing their colleague."

"Ugh, (Y/N) again?" she rolled her emerald eyes. "They've merely known her for what? Almost a month? A little overdramatic, don't you think?"

That's right... It's been nearly a month ever since we met her, yet she's not here with us, with me. What could be so urgent that (Y/N) needed to return to her city? On the same night we were supposed to go on a date? I've wondered about that since. However, I was forced to do something else that night as well, and I can pin the blame on Clara. It was never my decision, nor did I have any room for choice.