𝓜𝔂 𝓑𝓻𝓸𝓽𝓱𝓮𝓻'𝓼 𝓒𝓻𝓲𝓶𝓮 || 𝓕𝓝𝓐𝓕 𝓕𝓪𝓷𝓯𝓲𝓬

5 - The Trauma

September 22nd 1985 – Freddy Fazbear's Pizza

In the middle of the parking lot stood a huge sign that read "Freddy Fazbear's Pizza," glowing with bright, multicolored lights designed to catch the eye of every kid heading home from school.

It worked perfectly. His friend's face lit up the moment they saw it, even Jeremy, who was usually so good at hiding his excitement. Evan's heart was beating fast too, but not for the same reasons. And they hadn't even gone inside yet...

"This seems so cool! I can't wait to see Foxy!" Fritz said, practically bouncing.

Evan cringed at the name, though he couldn't explain them why. It bothered him every time, but no one seemed to notice. His friends were way too excited, acting like little kids. Evan just followed along, even though he didn't want to.

Then everything happened fast. They pushed through the glass doors, and suddenly there was noise everywhere—screaming, shouting, laughing. It was a loud, chaotic mess. Evan kept his head down, staring at the black and white checkered floor, not ready to look up just yet.

But when he looked up, his friends were gone. He was alone in the crowd, surrounded by flashing colors, kids running around, and the smell of pizza—way too much pizza. Evan didn't hate pizza, but here, it made him sick. And then... they were there.

His eyes started to tear up, and suddenly, he felt someone behind him. His heart dropped. Who the hell was about to get him? Freddy? No, still singing. Bonnie? Nah, playing guitar as always. Chica? Too busy serving those stupid pizza. That left...

"FOXY?!"

Evan spun around, heart pounding. But it was just Fritz, grinning, he looked amused as Evan let out a nervous laugh.

"Jeez, Evan, for a second I thought you were actually freaked out!" Fritz laughed, thinking Evan was just pretending.

Evan forced a laugh and tried to shake off the panic rising inside him. Get your shit together, he told himself. It's just a bad moment... But as they started walking, his confidence started to crumble. His stomach twisted. He didn't know what to do anymore.

"Let's head to the stage," Gabriel said, pointing toward the back. "There should be—"

"I'm gonna get the pizza!" Evan blurted out before he could stop himself.

They all stopped and stared at him, confused.

"You mean... you'll go by yourself? You have money?" Gabriel asked, raising an eyebrow.

Evan swallowed. No, he didn't have money. But he couldn't stay here. Not with everything feeling so wrong. He nodded, trying to seem sure of himself. Maybe he'd regret it, but he couldn't face them right now. If they saw him, he might break down right in front of them.

"I'm coming with you," Jeremy said, stepping forward.

Great. This was exactly what he didn't want. Why was it so hard to lie to them? He didn't want to disappoint them, but he also couldn't bear the thought of their pity.

"Yeah, me too... Foxy can wait," Gabriel said, giving a half-smile. "Come on, Fritz."

Now they were all going to see he was full of shit. Evan instinctively shoved his hands in his pockets. Empty. The only thing inside was his flashlight, the one thing that made him feel even slightly safer than Fredbear. No money. Nothing.

He'd spent all his pocket money buying something for Michael, hoping it would make his brother like him more. It worked for a week. Maybe less.

"You really don't have to. Just... have fun, I'll be quick, I swear," Evan said, trying to back out.