Chapter 0 – Freddy Fazebear
I remember that day vividly. It was a bright and sunny Saturday afternoon, and my stepmom, Heather, had a surprise in store for me. I was 16 years old, at an age where I thought I was way too cool for certain things, like what she had planned. Little did I know, that day would turn out to be quite an adventure.
As Heather drove us through the familiar streets of our small town, she seemed unusually excited. I couldn't quite figure out what had gotten into her, but her cheerful demeanour made me curious. I fiddled with the car radio, flipping through the stations aimlessly, as the wind ruffled my hair. My gaze wandered outside the car window until something caught my eye.
We pulled up in front of a building that looked like it had seen better days. The faded sign above the entrance read, "Freddy Fazebear Pizzeria." I couldn't help but cringe at the name. Freddy Fazebear sounded like something out of a children's story, and I was certain this place was not meant for teenagers, especially not cool 16-year-olds like me.
"Heather, seriously? A pizzeria with a bear's name in it?" I couldn't hide the incredulity in my voice.
Heather, ever the optimist, just smiled and said, "Trust me, Ryan, you're going to love it. It's a fun place, and I thought it would be great for us to try something new together."
I hesitated for a moment, my teenage pride urging me to protest and refuse to go inside. But there was something about the look in her eyes that made me relent. Besides, I didn't want to be a brat, and I did enjoy spending time with my stepmom, even if I didn't always admit it.
We stepped out of the car, and as we approached the entrance, the bright colours and whimsical designs on the building became even more pronounced. There were oversized animatronic characters in the windows, and the place was adorned with a riot of colours. My skepticism grew as I couldn't help but feel a bit out of place.
Heather, noticing my reluctance, gave my arm a reassuring squeeze and said, "Come on, Ryan, give it a chance. It's a pizza place, after all. What's the worst that can happen?"
We walked through the door and were immediately greeted by the aroma of freshly baked pizza. The place was bustling with activity, filled with the laughter of children and families. As I glanced around, I noticed a stage in one corner with the animatronics - Freddy Fazebear, Bonnie the Bunny, Chica the Chicken, and Foxy the Pirate Fox - coming to life with their synchronized moves. It was almost like an eerie kind of charm.
Despite myself, I couldn't help but smile at the sight of children's faces lighting up with joy as they watched the animatronics perform. It was clear that this place held a special magic for them, and I realized that I had once been just like them, captivated by the wonders of childhood.
Heather guided me to a booth, and we sat down. I reluctantly picked up a menu, not expecting much from the food, but as I scanned the options, my doubts began to fade. The menu was surprisingly diverse, offering a range of pizzas, pasta, and even some gourmet options. I ordered a slice of their signature pepperoni pizza, still harbouring some skepticism.
As we waited for our order, I observed the joyous atmosphere around me. Families were celebrating birthdays, kids were running around with tokens for the arcade games, and the animatronics were performing a medley of songs. I couldn't deny that the place had a unique charm.
Our pizza arrived, and I took a hesitant bite. To my surprise, it was delicious. The crust was perfectly crispy, the sauce was tangy, and the cheese was gooey and flavourful. I couldn't help but admit that it was one of the best slices of pizza I'd ever had.
I saw a post on my phone that caught my attention. It was a simple poster with bold, eye-catching letters that read, "Freddy Fazebear Pizzeria: Now Hiring Night Guard!" My curiosity got the better of me, and I couldn't help but click on the post. As I read the details, I couldn't suppress a chuckle. A night guard at a pizzeria with animatronic characters? It sounded like something out of a cheesy horror movie.
Heather, my stepmom, strolled into the living room just as I was about to scroll past the ad. Her eyes widened with excitement when she saw what I was looking at. "Oh, Ryan! That place is just around the corner from here, and they're hiring a night guard. You should apply!"
I raised an eyebrow, shaking my head. "Come on, Heather. A night guard at a pizzeria? Seriously? I'm not some security guy, and I'm not interested in working at a place like that."
Heather's enthusiasm didn't waver. "But it could be fun, and you'd have some extra money in your pocket. Plus, it's right in our neighbourhood. What do you say? It might be an interesting experience."
I sighed, feeling a little cornered. I didn't want to disappoint her, but this just seemed so absurd. "I appreciate the thought, but I'm not sure it's the right job for me."
Heather's eyes sparkled with determination as she headed for the door. "Well, you don't have to decide right now. I'm going to go talk to them and see what the job entails. Wait here."
Before I could protest, she was out the door and heading to the pizzeria. A sense of dread settled in my stomach as I followed her to the entrance, contemplating what I had just agreed to.
Heather disappeared into the pizzeria's entrance and came out a short while later with a gleeful expression. "Ryan, they're really interested in hiring you! They said the job is simple and easy money. You'll just have to sit in an office, keep an eye on the security cameras, and make sure nothing goes wrong."
Still feeling apprehensive, I reluctantly agreed to go inside with her. As we entered, the colourful and playful decor of the pizzeria that I'd seen on that first visit was in stark contrast to the dimly lit hallway leading to the office.
Heather and I found our way to the manager's office. The manager, a stern-looking man, explained the responsibilities of the night guard: watching the cameras, ensuring no one tampered with the animatronics, and making sure the building was secure.
As he spoke, I couldn't help but glance at the animatronics stationed in a corner of the office, their lifeless eyes seemingly staring back at me. I tried to ignore them as the manager continued to explain the job. But something about those mechanical creatures sent a shiver down my spine.
After what felt like an eternity, I agreed to take the job. The manager gave me a brief orientation and then handed me a set of keys to the office. "Just remember," he said, his voice taking on a solemn tone, "the animatronics can be a bit quirky at night. Stay out of their way, and don't let them into the office. You'll be fine as long as you do that."
The warning left me puzzled and slightly uneasy, but I dismissed it as mere precaution. How could animatronics be anything but harmless, right?
