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You pull into the mostly empty parking lot, your eyes immediately drifting to the only other car parked there-a sleek, black Land Cruiser, its pristine surface gleaming in the afternoon sun. It makes your Ford Taurus look even more beat-up than usual, the scuffed paint and worn edges standing out like a sore thumb in comparison. You try not to let it get to you, brushing aside the flash of embarrassment. This isn't about appearances. You had worked hard for this opportunity, and besides, your car got you where you needed to go, even if it was far from flashy.

With a sigh, you turn off the engine, the sudden silence amplifying the anxious churning in your stomach. Everything will be fine, you tell yourself, inhaling deeply in an attempt to settle the nervous flutter building in your chest. Excitement and fear swirl together, making your heart race. You force yourself to think of Henry Emily-the flannel-wearing, friendly man you had already met once. He had put you at ease instantly, his warm smile and easy-going demeanor cutting through any initial anxiety. You'd been emailing back and forth for months, and he had always been kind, patient, and encouraging. He believes in me, you think, trying to bolster your confidence. If he thinks I can do this, then I can.

Stepping out of the car, you smooth down your shirt, your hands trembling slightly as you try to make yourself presentable. First impressions matter, even though technically this wasn't your first. You look up at the building before you-Freddy Fazbear's Pizza, a family restaurant on the outside, but housing something far more important on the inside for you. This apprenticeship wasn't about slinging pizza or managing kids' birthday parties; this was about robotics engineering. One of the best in the state had offered to mentor you, and the fact that it just so happened to be inside a pizzeria with animatronic mascots made the situation even more intriguing. Henry Emily's work is legendary, you remind yourself. This could be life-changing.

Taking a final deep breath, you walk toward the entrance, your shoes making soft sounds on the pavement as your nerves creep back up. The inside of the restaurant greets you with bright, colorful carpeting that screams "family fun." The counter, lined with a few registers, seems oddly quiet without the typical hustle of customers or staff. You glance around, before remembering Henry's instructions-wait in the dining room.

You walk through the lobby and past the arcade, the soft hum of idle games in the background. The dining area opens up before you, tiled floors gleaming under the lights, red and white tables arranged in neat rows, each chair pushed perfectly into place. It looks almost too perfect, like a snapshot frozen in time. The stage dominates the room, and your gaze is immediately drawn to the three animatronics standing on it-Chica, the yellow chicken; Bonnie, the blue rabbit; and Freddy Fazbear, the iconic bear. You'd done your research before arriving, learned their names, their designs, even some of the basic mechanics behind how they worked. But seeing them up close is a different experience entirely. There's something... uncanny about them, the way their lifeless eyes seem to follow you even when they stand perfectly still.

Where's Foxy? you wonder, noticing the absence of the pirate-themed fox animatronic. Maybe he's undergoing repairs? The thought drifts through your mind as you sit at a table near the stage, hoping your excitement shows more than your nerves.

Your fingers drum against the table's surface, betraying the anxious energy coursing through you. The anticipation is starting to gnaw at you, your earlier excitement now tempered by the weight of the unknown. What if I mess up? What if I'm not what Henry expected? You try to shake off the doubts, reminding yourself of how long you've prepared for this moment. But still, a small voice lingers in the back of your mind, whispering uncertainties.

You take another breath, attempting to calm the frantic beat of your heart. This is it-the start of something big. You just have to wait for Henry and hope that everything you've worked for doesn't crumble under the pressure.

Death Of Me (William Afton X Reader)Where stories live. Discover now