Broken and Together

Chapter One: A Lost Friend

    Hello, reader! This was one of my first fics that ever got recognition. I'm actually quite happy to post it back here, since this is where it was first posted. And, hey, now I've made it its own cover with my own art and everything. Pretty proud of that. 

    Anyways, all you need to know before getting into this fic is that this is my own personal au. Michael and Charlie are both around 18-19 at the start to the story, there are hints of the Silver Eyes, but this is mostly based on the actual FNAF games, Charlie is sort of my own version of her (a combination of Silver Eyes Charlie and game Charlie, I guess you could say), and the rest of it you'll find out as you read. 

    Thank you for clicking on this story! I do love talking with readers and hearing what they think of my fic, so don't be afraid to comment. Votes are also always appreciated, of course. And, without further ado, enjoy!

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    Friendships don't often last forever. Especially ones made early in life, during childhood or even high school. Such companionship is often lost. In most cases, circumstances get between the two, whether it's a sudden move, a change of schools, a loss of contact, an argument, or simply the passage of time, friendships end. And for Michael, he learned this the hard way. One incident, one slip up, and he not only lost part of his sanity and his very own brother, but all his friends. Practically his life. He knew he'd spend the rest of his days guilty, and probably alone.

    However, even if many friendships end, there are those few gems, those friends you meet and never quite lose. They are always there, your closest companion. Though Michael didn't know it, he had one of those friends. They would lose contact once, but after that, when they met again, they would gain a closeness that perhaps not even the most difficult of circumstances could break.

    Not even death itself...

    It all started the day the Afton kids met the Emily family for the first time. They'd recently moved to America, where William had started a business with his best friend, Henry. It was a diner—a family diner, to be precise, with animatronic entertainment, suited for kids of all ages. The odd children of the Afton family became acquainted with the sweet children of Henry Emily during a busy night at the diner, when they were all taken there for a fun time. Many other visitors roamed the building, and numerous activities were set up that afternoon, including many performances from the two animatronics, Fredbear and Spring Bonnie.

    Michael stood off to the side and watched the other children play. He was in a sour mood, due to the sudden move he'd recently experienced, and the fact that, well, he was in a rather sullen stage of his life. He surveyed the diner with a critical eye, sending dirty looks to any kids that dared near him. Occasionally, he glanced over at his parents who chatted with Henry and a few other adults, discussing what he assumed to be boring grown-up things.

    "Ugh, I already hate this place," he said. "It's boring."

    "Hey!" A sudden hand tugged on the sleeve of his jacket.

    Michael startled away from the wall he leaned against, whirling around to the person who had caught his attention. A young brunette girl stood behind him, her hair pulled back into a ponytail. She wore a light-colored shirt and a jean skirt. She looked around Michael's age (nine, at the time), with fair skin and deep brown eyes.

    "You're one of Mr. Afton's kids, right?" she said.

    "Yeah," said he, his voice (which had a heavy British accent layered to it) taking on a suspicious tone. "Who's asking?"