He was hanging from its mouth, his body motionless and limp. I tried to convince myself it was a dream. But it wasn't. How could I let this happen?
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"Happy Birthday!" we all shouted excitedly. Evan smiled and wiped away his tears. Although he didn't particularly enjoy visiting the pizzeria, we couldn't not take him there for his birthday. And, being the co-owner of the place, the party didn't cost me a cent! I don't know what he's so scared of. The big, huggable Fredbear? Or my beloved Springbonnie? "They're just robots, Evan. Don't worry." Elizabeth reassured him. Evan has been having nightmares for five nights in a row before his party. Michael didn't help. He kept scaring the poor kid. I hope he'll be alright though.
"Let's go, it'll be fun!" I said it in a way that would excite him. Nothing could go wrong, right?
When we got to the pizzeria, I just let the kids do their thing. It was a party, after all, rules would ruin the fun. "Hey, William!" I instantly turned around. Who said that? Henry stood at the back of the pizzeria, smiling and waving. He laughs softly. "Did I scare you? Sorry about that." I manage a smile, it was just my friend and colleague, Henry. It felt so strange. We've gone from school friends to the owners of a pizzeria. I take another glance at Michael as he torments Evan for disliking the animatronics, then go over to Henry. "He doesn't seem to be enjoying it." I sigh, why do children have to be so difficult?
Michael and his friends put their hands around Evan and lift him into the air. Henry's voice suddenly makes me jump. "It's probably just a game, don't worry." I turn away from them and face Henry. I give him a smile that is clearly fake. Me and Henry enjoy a casual chat, and I almost forget about the children. Suddenly, there was a loud crack, then silence. No crying, laughter, or any movement whatsoever. Everything was silent and still. I freeze mid-sentence and my eyes widen. Henry has a horrified expression, and he seems speechless. I am scared to look at whatever is behind me.
I turn around slowly and it takes me a while to realise what I am looking at. It feels as if I have turned to stone. I stop breathing, I don't blink and my heartbeat appears to have ceased. I hear a muffled voice that most likely belongs to Henry. Perhaps the crack sound burst my eardrums. "Father.." I hear Michael say, but I continue staring up at the disaster in front of me, my mouth agape.
I feel a hand on my shoulder and instantly yelp in fear. I realise everyone is staring at me, waiting to see what happens next. I look at Michael with a cold stare. "What..." My throat is dry and I struggle to speak. "What have you done?" I can't help but glance back at the massacre. My son, my youngest son, is hanging limply from the mouth of Fredbear, his head misshapen and coated in blood. The robot glared at me with cold, lifeless eyes, Evan's head wedged in its jaw.
This isn't real. This is a dream. Evan's party is tomorrow and it will be fun. He is turning nine years old. He is excited. I can't wait to see him open his presents. His presents. He will never open his presents. He will never blow out another birthday candle.
I touched Evan's fingers. They were dripping with blood and still warm. The robot had bit down so hard on Evan's head that there was no way he could've survived. I just had to face it.
"Why did you do that.." Michael was silent. "I said, why... did you do that?" Still no answer. I turn to look at him. Michael is standing still, just staring at me. His friends run off but I don't feel like chasing them. Michael finally decided to speak. "Sorry..?" he says with an awkward smile. Does he find this funny?
I walk towards Michael slowly. My legs are reluctant to move at first. "Is this your idea of a joke?" His voice faltered when he tried to speak. "I-I didn't mean.."
His voice was more high-pitched than normal and he appeared to be shaking. "Your brother is dead." He suddenly burst out crying.
I lose control and slap him. He falls silent, confused and surprised. Michael holds a trembling hand onto his face. As if that would stop the pain. "That- that hurt..." He usually isn't this much of a wimp. "You promised to stop doing that..." I shrug nonchalantly.
Maybe this is the best way to deal with it. Hide all of my emotions. I hear the faint sound of sirens and Henry slips his phone into his pocket, pale and trembling.
I approach him slowly. "Did you... call the police?" He nods. I sigh and put my head in my hands. Paramedics and policemen storm in and immediately start yelling instructions.
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"Sorry, there's no sign of a heartbeat." How can he say it so calmly? Not even a hint of pity or sympathy. "Even if we had got there sooner, it would still be too late. Michael sits on the other side of the hospital bed, silent and staring. Was he even listening? I want to slap him again.
Dying on your birthday, because of your own brother. What could be a worse fate?
