Animatronics Awaken

A Heavy Loss

Cheyanne's POV

"What?!" Golden Freddy exclaimed. "What do you mean he's not here? We thought he was at Parts & Service, guarding it. We thought you dealt with him!"

Springtrap's hands moved from my shoulders to hug me from behind in protection as the horrifying conclusion settled across the group. Justin and Raymon stopped playing, and their bloodied faces dropped in despair. Gizzmo huddled closer to Mangle, his aunt, who held him and tried to comfort him the best she could.

"He was, but it was a hallucination!" Ellie snapped. "I have no idea where the real Nightmare is! You think I could've defeated him by myself?" She chuckled in disbelief.

The room went silent as friends took long glances at each other. The animatronics appeared uncomfortable and afraid, ready for Nightmare to jump out at any moment. Justin, Raymon, and Ellie stood back to back with each other, exhaustion lingering in their pose. They weren't ready to deal with the most feared and powerful animatronic, and neither was I. I didn't move from my father's side, knowing he would defend me at all costs.

Amidst the silence, a long, low howl sounded from Mangle's room, where Fang had been left to rest. Justin came back to his senses. "Fang!" He exclaimed, then darted over to his room. I broke away from Springtrap and followed him, worried whether our dog was going to be okay. He stayed close beside me, wary of the entire situation.

I froze in place when Justin stopped short, his shoes skidding on the tile. Then, I took a few cautious steps forward, trying to peer at the scene inside the room. A dark, threatening growl arose from inside, and my breath caught in my throat as I recognized Nightmare. He was stooped over Gabe's lifeless body, digging into the boy's torso, ripping out any organs in the way, and splattering more blood along the floor. Fang, unable to move because of his injury, sat motionless and terrified, his ears folded back on his head and his eyes wide. But Nightmare left the dog alone. Instead, he lifted Gabe's corpse, letting all the internal organs fall to the floor with a splat. He brought the remains to his face, taking in the scent.

"That's disgusting..." Ellie muttered. "What is he doing?"

Justin narrowed his eyes in determination. He prepared his sword to strike, wanting to catch the transparent creature off-guard. Then suddenly, he sprang forward and jumped, aiming for the middle of Nightmare's back, hopefully to stab the heart from the backside. He moved like an anime character, swift and unexpected.

But instead of making contact with the bear, Nightmare turned and slapped Justin while he was in mid-air. He changed course and hit the wall, slumping down about two feet to the floor. Blood smeared the wall where his back hit it, the claw marks in his flesh still exposed and bleeding. He immediately sat up, dazed and panting, prepared for Nightmare to make another move, but he didn't. He went back to sniffing Gabe's body, his jaw slightly ajar. When Justin hit, Fang whimpered and crawled closer to him to rest his head in his lap. He reciprocated by patting the dog's head, even in his dizzy state.

Both Springtrap and Golden Freddy gasped at the scene and rushed forward, attacking as one. I tried to call my father back, afraid he would get hurt, but he ignored me. Both animatronics jumped onto Nightmare, trying to distract him from whatever he was doing. But it seemed like it was too late. Nightmare easily flung both of them off, and Golden Freddy landed next to Justin while Springtrap was flung on the other side of them. He then made a second attack, aiming for Springtrap. His giant form blocked me from the view of my father, and I cried in desperation, unable to help. Golden Freddy tugged at Justin's arm and dragged him out of the room.

"Fang! Fang, come here, boy!" Ellie called.

When Fang didn't move, Justin pulled himself out of Golden Freddy's grasp and went back into the room. He picked up Fang and carried him back out, where it was safer from the chaos inside. Nightmare didn't even notice because he was too focused on Springtrap, throwing out attack after attack against my defensiveness father. He tried to fight back, to protect himself, but Nightmare was way larger and stronger. He blocked any sort of escape from the relentless torture. "Somebody help him!" I cried, covering my eyes from the violence.