The Next Reminder

XXV || How Did It End?

*Henry's POV*

On the way back home from St. George, Clay suddenly glances at me.

"How did it end..?" He asks, but quickly looks back to the road. "Eh..I mean, how did you and William's friendship end?"

I sigh, opening my mouth to speak, "it's quite a long story. Are you sure you want to hear it?" I ask, looking up at him.

"I have all the time in the world for you, Henry." Clay smiles. I've never seen him smile like that. Pure fondness and love in his eyes, a real smile.

I recall the memories, and begin to play them back.

It all started in college...I was attending UC Berkeley to major in engineering. Honestly, I was quite relieved I'd gotten in, since I couldn't stand living with my parents and other siblings in New Orleans anymore. I saw this as a new life, another chance to find who I truly was. Then, that's when William came into my life. William and I clicked immediately. His bubbly personality and charm completely contrasted me, and that's how we got along so well. I was proud to call him my best friend. Some of our professors even thought we were a couple... after a couple months of knowing each other, we both already had our business plans together. And then after we were out of college, we started Fredbear's, and then Freddy's...and we were so successful.

That's when William's wife died, and all the murders started to take place. My poor Charlotte went missing, and I didn't know what to do with myself. I went away from the public eye. For a long time. In that time, my wife went away to go stay with her mother, since I was clearly ill. I took that as my chance to get away from everything.

"..So you're still married to your wife?" Clay raises an eyebrow.

I shake my head, "Oh, no. Well technically, yes...but I honestly don't see why she wouldn't want to file for divorce after what I did..."

"Do you still love her?" Clay asks, and it's almost as if he's interrogating me, the way he angrily clutches the steering wheel. He's waiting for me to say no.

I look down at my hands in my lap, shaking my head. "No. She's what kept me tied down to this place for so long. I hate it here." (so i will go to secret gardens in my mind)

Clay asks me why I just don't go back East, and I completely dismiss the idea. "The amount of Freddy's I have seen over there is ridiculous, I'd have to go to Canada to get away from it all."

"Well, you'd fit in. You sure do look Canadian, Henry." He says, looking me up and down, but more specifically making eye contact with me for a moment.

"Considering both Louisiana's people and Canadians both come from French descent, that makes sense." I shrug. "Could we not talk about this anymore..?

Clay nods in agreement, looking back to the road. "Whatever makes you comfortable."

"That's how it ended, Clay.."

*Elizabeth's POV*

"What do you have in your hands?" Carlton looks at me with wild, tired eyes as he jumps down from the abandoned malls window.

I sigh, holding the remnant close. "This is able to fix Henry's condition." I lie, "Although it won't be able to fix his physical appearance, it will make him mortal again."

I run to my car, clutching the remnant close to my chest. I know they're all questioning me. I know they don't trust me.. Jessica puts a hand on my shoulder when she gets into the car. I breathe frantically.

"Just..trust me." I say, starting my car, going back to Clay's.

After we're all back at the house, I quickly stuff the remnant in my drawer.. I sit down on my twin bed, staring over at the other, where Micheal is sleeping. Jessica quickly runs into the room, along with Carlton. John is no where to be seen...

"Elizabeth..what happened back there? What aren't you telling us?" Jessica asks, using a soft tone and putting a hand on my back.

I shake my head, running a hand through my hair. "I encountered my dad..and he gave me a jar of remnant to finish what he started." I say, "I don't...I don't want to do it."

Jessica's eyes widen, "You can't listen to him, Liz..no matter what."

I nod, frowning. "It's just..hard. It's hard to say no to him. He's my dad, afterall.."