The Night Shift

Chapter 1 ~ The Night Shift

Tom had always been a night owl, so when he saw the job posting for a night security guard at Freddy Fazbear's Pizza, it seemed perfect. The pay was decent, and he could work while finishing his online classes during the day. The job description seemed straightforward enough: monitor security cameras, ensure the safety of property and equipment, and watch over the animatronic characters that entertained children during the day. As Tom filled out the application, he couldn't help but feel a strange mix of excitement and apprehension. The ad had mentioned something about the animatronics being quirky at night, but he figured it was just part of the job. After all, how bad could it be? Little did Tom know, Freddy Fazbear's Pizza had a reputation for being haunted. Stories circulated online about strange happenings, mysterious disappearances, and eerie sightings after dark. But Tom brushed off these rumors as nothing more than urban legends designed to scare people. He was more focused on the practical aspects of the job: earning money and gaining some work experience. A week later, Tom received a call from the manager of Freddy Fazbear's Pizza, offering him the position. Thrilled, he accepted immediately and was scheduled to start the following Monday. As he hung up the phone, a sense of anticipation bubbled within him. This was his chance to prove himself as a responsible adult capable of handling whatever challenges came his way. Monday night arrived, and Tom reported for his first shift as a security guard. The manager, a gruff but friendly man named Dave, gave him a brief tour of the premises and showed him how to operate the security cameras. "Remember," Dave said, his voice serious, "your main job is to keep an eye on those animatronics. They have a tendency to... wander at night." Tom nodded, trying to ignore the chill that ran down his spine. He followed Dave to the security office, where he would be stationed for the duration of his shift. The office was small and dimly lit, with a bank of monitors displaying footage from the various cameras scattered throughout the building. Tom settled into the uncomfortable chair behind the desk and prepared himself for a long night. Hours passed slowly, with nothing out of the ordinary happening. Tom watched the monitors diligently, occasionally getting up to stretch his legs or grab a snack from the vending machine in the corner. As the night wore on, however, he couldn't shake the feeling of being watched. At around 2 a.m., Tom's attention was drawn to one of the cameras trained on the main stage. One of the animatronics, a large bear named Freddy, seemed to be moving ever so slightly. Tom blinked, convinced he was imagining things. But when he looked again, Freddy had definitely shifted position. Heart pounding, Tom radioed Dave to report what he had seen. "It's probably just a malfunction," Dave replied, his voice crackling over the radio. "Happens all the time. Just keep an eye on it, and I'll send someone to take a look in the morning." Reluctantly, Tom returned his gaze to the monitor, his nerves on edge. He watched as Freddy continued to move, jerky and unnatural, like a puppet being manipulated by unseen hands. Sweat beaded on Tom's forehead as he struggled to rationalize what he was seeing. Suddenly, a loud bang echoed through the building, causing Tom to jump in his seat. He whipped around, scanning the security office for any sign of danger. But everything appeared to be normal. Heart racing, he returned his attention to the monitors, only to find Freddy's stage empty. Panic set in as Tom frantically searched the footage for any sign of the animatronic bear. He spotted movement in the hallway outside the security office and zoomed in to get a closer look. To his horror, he saw Freddy lumbering down the corridor, his mechanical eyes fixed on the camera as if he could see Tom watching him. Without hesitation, Tom bolted from the security office, determined to find out what was happening. He raced down the darkened hallways, the only sound his own ragged breaths echoing off the walls. But when he reached the main stage, Freddy was nowhere to be found. Desperate now, Tom continued to search the building, his fear mounting with each passing moment. He checked every room, every corner, but there was no sign of the animatronic bear. It was as if Freddy had vanished into thin air. Just as Tom was about to give up hope, he heard a faint noise coming from the basement. With a sense of dread gnawing at his insides, he made his way down the stairs, the darkness pressing in around him like a suffocating blanket. As he reached the bottom, Tom's worst fears were realized.


























Cliffhanger :D

(805 words)