The Power Of Despair - FNAF Fanfic

The Middle Child

Evan Afton had a pretty shitty life.

Sure, his father owned the most popular restaurant in the region, and he lived in a decent house, likely with all the toys he could want. That's what everyone thought, kids and even adults. The Aftons looked super rich, so they must be happy, right?

But money doesn't buy everything. Not friendship, not a decent family, and certainly not happiness. Money isn't the solution in a kid's life, especially when it belongs to... him.

William Afton.

There were fathers who bought all the stuff their kids wanted, and there were others who were very strict, not wanting to spoil them. Then, there was Evan's father. On good days, he didn't give a shit about his children, forgetting they even existed. On bad days... he was still neglectful, but in a more... destructive way.

And ever since Evan's mother left, the bad days happened more often.

...

The young Afton watched the other kids getting picked up from school, either by their parents or older siblings. They would be home quickly, avoiding the lonely walk. But to be honest, Evan didn't really envy them that much. The rare times he was picked up, it wasn't pleasant.

The eight-year-old boy still waited a few minutes, hoping to see his big brother or even a familiar purple car pull up. But no. He cursed himself for holding on to that hope. Nobody gave a shit about him at home, so why would they care about picking him up? They probably didn't even know when school ended.

Oh, right. His father did know, since he had dragged him home once. That day, Evan learned just how much of a pain in the ass he was, because he heard it over and over again. William only seemed to acknowledge his middle child when he was fucking half-drunk.

With a sigh, Evan started walking slowly through the cold streets. He was a bit scared of walking alone, but it was also a time to reflect on how his life had gone to shit. Sure, his father played a huge role by being an abusive prick. His mother, too, for abandoning them with...

Him.

But there was one person who played a significant role.

Evan wasn't sure what to think about him. He remembered the countless times he slept in his brother's room after a nightmare, or when his brother took the beatings for him when their father was furious over stupid reasons. Evan had always looked up to Michael. Apparently, when he was a baby, he even stopped crying when he saw his big brother for the first time. But like everything in his life, it all went to shit.

Because now Michael was a teenager.

Because bullying was cool.

Because Evan couldn't stop being a fucking crybaby.

The boy felt his eyes burn. He started tearing up, thinking he would always have to cry for stupid reasons. He once believed that if he cried enough, he would run out of tears. But he heard in school that the human body is mostly made of water... fan-fucking-tastic.

Evan wiped his eyes and tried to think about something else. Dwelling on depressing thoughts only make you depressed, right? But there was nothing else to focus on. Every day, he saw the same stuff on his way home. Except... the air felt a bit colder. October was about to end, which meant...

Evan's birthday was coming close.

That was probably the only thing he was looking forward to.

...

The house felt... empty. Evan took off his shoes and hurried to his room. He didn't see the point in doing anything else, like shouting that he was home. No Afton kid had done that in a long time. Things were more bearable when William didn't acknowledge their existence.

Except for Elizabeth. His little sister.

Evan often forgot about her because, even though she didn't bully him like Michael, she was a lost cause. Even more lost than their brother. Well, because...

"Not now, Elizabeth, I don't have time for this. Get out."

Evan heard his father's voice, even though he was trying to focus on his damn homework. William always swore when he talked to Michael, a little with Evan, but with Liz. Never. However, his icy demeanor didn't make it any less scary. Evan slightly opened his door to hear what was happening.

"I just wanted to ask you... if you could build her like that..."

Evan frowned. Did she seriously think their dad was going to build an animatronic for her?

Since she was his favorite, maybe he could...

"Get out. I won't repeat it."

"Daddy, please..."

Yeah, no. Maybe it's just that she is the least hated.

Now

"Y... yeah, sure, Daddy. Here, I'll leave you the drawing in case you... change your mind."

Evan sighed. She wasn't salvageable because William, the most despicable man in their family, was the center of her world. Trying to get the approval of someone who doesn't care is like a slippery climb, you never feel truly happy.

When he heard his sister in the corridor, Evan quickly returned to his desk, avoiding looking at the door.

Fortunately, she went to her room. Evan calmed down. His sister wanted only her daddy, but now... she was silently sobbing. When William was at Fredbear's Family Diner and she was upset, the entire street knew it. But now it almost felt pathetic how much she tried to hide it.

Evan knew he was her older sibling, but he didn't want to comfort her. Not because he was a jerk... more like a "pussy" as Michael would say. He couldn't help but stutter every time, so he would just look stupid.

He felt useless...

He needed advice but couldn't get any. He never got any. The boy stopped working; his heart was in too much pain to force himself to do this stupid stuff. Too bad the only thing William cared about regarding his children was their grades. But right now, the boy didn't care about him.

Evan lay in his bed, wishing he had a friend who could tell him what to do, or at least encourage him. Maybe he couldn't do anything because he wasn't forced. He shook his head; there were no friends, here or anywhere else. Well, human friends. The kid lifted his pillow and took it.

Fredbear, his only friend.

However, plushies can't speak... but could they listen? At least it felt somewhat good to hug him.

"Sorry for putting you there, I know it sucks, but I don't want Michael to hurt you... he... he's a jerk sometimes... I mean... most of the time."

Evan paused.

"And sometimes, I don't think that's a bad choice. Everyone fears him... he... he's respected... He even befriended bullies! Maybe he's just the smartest of us three."

The yellow bear stared at him with its big white eyes. Evan sighed.

"If only you could talk..."