Chapter 11: The Proof And Truth

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The sun was just beginning to rise, casting a soft golden light over the quiet streets of Utah. Inside their hotel room, Dennie and Xavier were already up, the fatigue from their sleepless night etched on their faces. They had spent the early hours piecing together the puzzle, and now, as the city awakened, they prepared to take the next crucial steps in their investigation.

Xavier sipped on his third cup of coffee, the bitter taste doing little to chase away the exhaustion. He looked at Dennie, who was meticulously organizing their notes and photographs. "Alright, we've got a lead on Afton's past and some possible connections with former employees. What's our plan for today?"

Dennie glanced up, his eyes sharp despite the lack of sleep. "We need to start by confirming Afton's identity and his involvement. We've got those former employees to track down. If we can get them to talk, we might be able to gather the proof we need."

Xavier nodded, feeling a renewed sense of purpose. "Let's divide and conquer. I'll head to the addresses we found for the former employees. You can stay here and keep digging through Afton's financials and recent activities."

With their plan set, they gathered their materials and prepared to head out. The drive to the first address was quiet, each detective lost in their thoughts. As they pulled up to a small, nondescript house, Xavier took a deep breath, steeling himself for the confrontation ahead.

The door was answered by a middle-aged man with a wary expression. "Can I help you?"

Xavier flashed his badge. "Detective Reed. I'm here to ask you a few questions about your time working at Freddy's Pizzeria."

The man's eyes widened with recognition and a hint of fear. "I... I don't know what I can tell you. I left that place years ago."

Xavier remained calm, sensing the man's reluctance. "We're trying to get to the bottom of some very serious allegations. Anything you can tell us about William Afton and the events during your employment could be crucial."

After a moment's hesitation, the man sighed and stepped aside, inviting Xavier into his modest living room. As they sat down, the former employee began to speak, his voice trembling slightly. "Afton... he was always a bit off. Kept to himself mostly, but there were rumors. Strange things happening after hours. And then there were the kids..."

Xavier listened intently, taking notes as the man recounted his experiences. The stories were disturbing, hinting at a dark undercurrent beneath the seemingly innocent facade of the pizzeria. When he finished, Xavier thanked him and headed back to the hotel, feeling a mix of determination and dread.

Meanwhile, Dennie was deep into Afton's financial records. He had found several discrepancies and suspicious transactions that hinted at something far more sinister. Just as he was about to give up for the day, he stumbled upon a series of payments to an obscure company linked to advanced animatronic technology. His heart raced as he realized the implications.

As Xavier returned, the two detectives shared their findings, the pieces of the puzzle finally starting to come together. They now had enough to confront Raglan—Afton—and force him to reveal the truth. But they knew they needed to be careful. Afton was cunning, and if he sensed they were onto him, he could disappear again.

With a renewed sense of urgency, they planned their next move. It was time to gather the proof and bring Afton to justice, no matter what it took.

Dennie looked at Xavier, his eyes filled with resolve. "This is it. We've got to be smart about this. If we can catch him off guard, we might be able to get him to slip up."

Xavier nodded, feeling a surge of adrenaline. "Let's do this."

As the sun dipped below the horizon, casting long shadows across the city, the detectives prepared for their confrontation with William Afton. They knew the stakes were high, but they were determined to see justice served. The truth was within their grasp, and they would stop at nothing to uncover it.

A few hours passed as Xavier and Dennie poured over the files they had found in Raglan's office. The revelation that Steve Raglan was, in fact, William Afton had left them both restless and determined. They needed to confront him directly, but they had to be smart about it. They knew they couldn't afford any missteps.

Dennie picked up the phone and called Raglan. "Raglan, we need to speak about something important," he said, eyeing Xavier, who nodded in agreement.

Raglan's voice came through the line. "Alright, where will we meet?"

"JR's Bar. The parking lot. See you in thirty minutes," Dennie replied before hanging up.

The detectives drove to JR's Bar, an old establishment on the outskirts of town. The parking lot was mostly empty, with only a few cars scattered around. They parked under a flickering streetlight, its erratic glow adding to the tension in the air. As they waited, Xavier checked his phone, glancing at the time. "You think he'll show?"

Dennie nodded. "He's too curious not to. Plus, he doesn't know how much we know."

Minutes later, Raglan's car pulled into the lot. He stepped out, a confident smile on his face. "Detectives," he greeted them, adjusting his glasses.

Dennie and Xavier approached him, their expressions serious. "Thanks for coming, Raglan. We've got a few more questions for you," Dennie began, trying to keep his tone neutral.

Raglan nodded, his smile never wavering. "Of course, anything to help."

Xavier stepped forward, his eyes narrowing. "Let's cut to the chase. Did you kill those children?"

For a moment, there was silence. Then, Raglan's smile widened into a grin. He took off his glasses, revealing a cold, calculating gaze. "Took you long enough, detectives."

Xavier's fists clenched in anger. "Come with us. We don't want to have to hurt you... William Afton."

Afton laughed, the sound echoing in the empty lot. "HAH. Nope." In a swift movement, he dashed to his car and sped away, tires screeching against the asphalt.

"Damn it!" Dennie shouted, rushing to their car. Xavier was right behind him, adrenaline pumping through their veins. They jumped into the vehicle, Xavier starting the engine with a roar.

As they tore out of the parking lot, the chase began. Afton's car weaved through the streets, trying to lose them in the maze of the city. Dennie gripped the dashboard, his eyes focused on their target. "We can't let him get away. This is our only chance."

Xavier nodded, his jaw set with determination. "Hold on, we're taking a shortcut." He swerved down a narrow alley, their car narrowly missing the walls. They emerged ahead of Afton, cutting him off at an intersection.

Afton's car swerved violently, but he managed to regain control and sped away, his taillights disappearing around a corner. Xavier and Dennie followed, their car's engine roaring as they pushed it to its limits. They navigated through the city, weaving between other vehicles and narrowly avoiding collisions.

"Stay close, we can't let him out of our sight," Dennie urged, his eyes never leaving Afton's car.

Afton made a sharp turn onto a highway, accelerating as he tried to put distance between them. Xavier kept pace, expertly maneuvering through traffic. The lights of the city blurred past them as the chase intensified.

Suddenly, Afton took an unexpected exit, leading them onto a winding, deserted road. The path was narrow, with sharp turns and steep drops on either side. Xavier gritted his teeth, his focus unwavering. Dennie kept his eyes on Afton's car, anticipating every move.

As they sped along the winding road, Afton's car began to lose traction. He struggled to maintain control, and in a desperate attempt to shake them, he veered off onto a dirt path. Xavier followed without hesitation, their car kicking up clouds of dust as they pursued their quarry.

Afton's car hit a bump and went airborne for a moment before crashing back down, skidding to a stop. Xavier and Dennie's car skidded to a halt behind him, and they jumped out, ready for a confrontation.

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