The Silver Hook (Sequel to That Crimson Animatronic) Book Three.

Chapter Eleven - 'Waking Up'

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CHAPTER ELEVEN - 'Waking Up'

You finally wake up when you feel someone shaking your shoulders. Your eyes snap open and you find yourself staring at Mike, who has bags under his eyes.

"What happened?" You ask, rubbing your head. There's a snort from Mike and you look up, glaring at him.

"Cliche." He winks. "Anyway, you don't remember?"

"Remember what?" You say dryly. Mike laughs and tugs at his guard top.

"Uh, weird puppet dude?" He pokes you. "Me, Gold and Drusilla saved you. Do I hear any gratitude? Nope, not really."

"Gold was there?" You shoot upwards, throwing Mike off-balance. He stumbles backwards and glares at you.

"Yes, he's the one who told us where you were." Mike explains. "Without him you'd be dead by now. Oh, and where's the thank you? Or 'sorry for nearly getting all of you killed because I released a dangerous puppet'?" 

"Dangerous?" You squeak, incredulous. If you had known, you wouldn't have done it! "I didn't know, I swear!"

"Well, neither did I." Mike rolls his eyes. "The reason I woke you was because staff are arriving. I'll buy you some coke and some chips, if you like."

"Sure." After a moment's hesitation, of which Mike begins walking away, you call out to him. "And thanks by the way!"

You make your way to a table in a secluded spot and shuffle along the seat until you have your cheek against the cold wall. You close your eyes for a moment before opening them to the familiar and comforting smell of chips.

"Here you go." Mike sits opposite you and shoves a plate of chips and a can of coke towards you. "Enjoy it while it lasts."

You bite into a chip and savor it, before tilting your head and staring at Mike. "What do you mean by that?" You ask.

Mike opens his mouth and then his glance dances somewhere else, before resting back on you. He slams his mouth shut and shrugs. "I meant nothing. Just enjoy your food."

You eat quietly and then turn in your seat to face the stage, where Freddy, Bonnie and Chica were getting ready. You smile at them and Bonnie blinks. Chica grins widely, but Freddy doesn't do anything, just has his serious face on.

Once you finish, is when kids start rushing in. The pizzeria explodes into noise, the shrill screeching of children like a wake-up call. You get to your feet and grab the plates from the table and begin towards the kitchen.

"Where are you going?" Mike calls. "Don't go running off again, will you?"

You blink and continue to the kitchen, pushing the door open with your elbow. As soon as you walk in, the chef stares at you. 

"What do you need?" The older woman asks, her eyebrows raised.

"I've got some plates that need washing for you." You place the plates on a counter and smile at the older chef. 

"You're that night guard, right?" The woman asks, glancing you up and down. She noted how dust covered your shoes and trousers. 

You nod. "It's good actually. Not half as bad as it seems." You lie.

"Well, I'd be careful, mind you." The chef mutters, and you're not sure whether you're meant to hear what she says. "Bad things happen all the time here. I'd know; I've been working for this company for twenty years."

You don't ask questions and leave the kitchen, jogging back to the table. Mike's still there, drawing a picture. You raise your eyebrows at the man. 

"Pictures?" You nod to the picture. "I thought you said just the other day that it's for children?"

"It is." Mike grumbled and then looked up. "But you need to see this." 

He shoved the picture towards you. After a confused glance with Mike, you pick it up and stare at it. You stay silent as Mike explains.

"I found this on one of the walls whilst you were asleep." Mike told you. "I just outlined it and colored it to make it clearer. It shows the Marionette. I checked with Gold to make sure."

"So you're hanging out with Gold now?" You cock your head to the side, confused. What was the point of the picture?

"That's all you're worried about?" Mike glared at you. "No, the point is; this is drawn by a child, (your name), a child! So, it means that a child has seen the Marionette before!"

"Does Freddy and the others know?" You lean in, interested. Mike shrugs and scratches his head and neck.

"Freddy and the others have been here longer than us," Mike says. "That's why I asked Gold about it. But do you know what he said?"

You shake your head. "How do you think I'd know?"

"What he said was interesting." Mike continues, his eyes wild with excitement. "He said that the only real answers lie in that basement."

Your eyes widen. "The basement?"

"That's what Gold told me." Mike gets to his feet. "I want to go back down there again."

A thought suddenly popped into your mind. "Where does Gold work? Because he hides somewhere in this building throughout the day."

"I think I have an idea where he might be." Mike agrees. 

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Thanks for reading; I hope you enjoyed! I'll try to post the next chapter in a bit, if I can. Vote, comment nice things and follow, if you like. Thanks again.

Kisses,

- Nat xxx