Five Nights Till Freedom

Forgive and Forget

The silence was overwhelming in the pizzeria as we had all gathered around the body of Mangle as we had moved her into one of the party rooms before the stage.

The only sounds were the sobs of Chika, who found out what had happened when she heard the screams.

Telling her over again what happened was the most difficult part. Realizing it wasn't a dream.

BB was still unconscious, so Fred was holding the boy on his lap as he sat in a folding chairs. The rest of us sitting in chairs beside him.

No one could speak a single word.

Foxy had tears streaming from his eye as he covered his face with his hands. He kept shuddering and shaking, I knew that he was taking this as hard or more than BB did.

Bon was staring at Mangle, almost not blinking. It's like he couldn't actually believe she was gone. To be honest I really didn't either, until I thought about the pulse I didnt feel.

Fred was cradling BB in his arms, like a newborn baby. He didn't even bother to look up at the rest of us and I could see some of Fred's tears gently fall onto BB's face. He quickly used his thumb to wipe them off though.

Never had I seen the faces of the people before me so strikes with grief and sorrow.

My head slowly fell into my hands as well, my tears still falling.

Why was this happening to them..?

Suddenly I heard a loud ringing coming from the direction of the office. Everyone slowly looked up towards the hall before looking at me.

Fred cleared his throat before nodding towards the hall, "You better go answer that Rachel. It's probably Thomas, you'll need to tell him what happened."

Tears ran down my cheeks at the mention of me having to repeat the story over again, but I quickly nodded, standing up and making my way to my office.

I ran down the hall and into the room, picking up the phone before it hit the third ring, "H...hello?"

There was a small second worth of silence before Thomas's voice rang though the receiver, "Rachel? You sound upset. What happened?"

He sounded genuinely worried and there was a tone of sorrow in his voice, like he already knew something bad had happened.

I made a soft choking noise, trying to hold down my tears. I slowly began to tell him the story of what happened and how Mangle was no longer with us.

It took a good half hour for me to get through the whole story because of the sobs that ran through me, but by the time I finished and I had stopped talking, I heard the sound of a car door being slammed shut.

"T...Thomas?" I asked softly, "What are you doing?"

There was soft breathing and the sound of a car being started, "I'm on my way to the pizzeria right now. Sit tight Rachel." He then hung up as soon as he said that, leaving me with the phone in my hand.

I placed the phone back on the desk before making my way back out to the group. Their eyes followed me as I went to sit down.

BB was groaning softly and I could see Fred trying to ease him awake.

Bon looked towards me, his hands clasped together, "What did Thomas say?"

I looked him in the eyes, taking a breath, "He said he was on his way."

Foxy's ears suddenly perked up and Bon's eyes widened in surprise, "You mean he's coming back to the pizzeria?"

I nodded my head. Before I could speak a single word I heard a loud banging coming from the front door. I jumped up, startled before making my way to it.

That's where I saw Thomas, in a grey tee shirt over a pair of navy blue jeans. His hair was messy and his eyes wild. When he saw me through the glass door he gestured for me to quickly open it.

I did as he asked, letting him inside.

"Thank you Rachel ...." He was panting softly, looking from me down to the hallway, "God..." he muttered, "I can't imagine how hard these past nights have been for you."

He reached over and gripped my shoulder tightly, giving me somewhat of a comfort.

I nodded slowly and began walking back towards where the others were, "They're in here."

Thomas nodded as well, his eyes filled with worry.

When we came into the room, everyone looked at Thomas with wide eyes, like they hadn't seen him in forever. Slowly all of them began to stand up except for Fred who was holding BB who was starting to wake up fully.

Foxy wiped his eye with the sleeve of his leather jacket, "Hey Thomas, its been awhile..."

Chika upon seeing him, ran towards him and through her arms around him, pulling herself to his chest, "Thomas!"

Thomas slowly stroked her head, small tears clouding his eyes, "Yeah, its been awhile huh?"

Thomas looked from Foxy and Bon to Fred and BB. BB was slowly starting to sit up, running his eyes. When he opened them Fred began to smile. BB coughed softly before his eyes widened at the sight of Thomas, "Tom?" He muttered softly.

Thomas nodded, a sad look in his eyes as he smiled softly, "How have you been little buddy?"

BB's gaze then saddened as he looked from him to the table, where Mangle was laying. Tears began to fill his eyes once more and Fred pulled him close to his chest.

Thomas slowly looked at the table with a sad look in his eyes. Chika let go of Thomas as he approached the table, giving him some space, "You know..." he said softly. "I only knew of the bad things from her, from the story you guys told me, but seeing her here. It doesn't make me feel angry about what she did to you guys."

Foxy shook his head, "She was forced by the Puppet to help. She didn't do it with her free will."

Thomas nodded, "I didn't think she did either, because friends don't just betray eachother like that." Slowly he reached over and grabbed Mangles wrist lightly.

But when he touched her, the space where he touched began to glow a golden honey color. Petals began to form from her body, causing parts of her to disintegrate. Starting with where Thomas touched her and then rapidly began moving to the rest of her body.

My eyes widened as I saw the transformation from the girl that was wrongly accused turn into golden Petals that floated gently around the room.

Thomas's hand jetted back but it was already too late.

Her face turned into Petals last of all and then the Petals even began to split and disintegrate into sparkling gold mist, that rained all over Thomas.

He began shaking as he turned towards the rest of them, "G..guys I didnt mean...." he looked like he was on the verge of breaking down.

Foxy and Bon quickly shook their heads as Fred began to speak, "So this is the way we go huh? It's not too bad actually....."

BB was shaking against Fred but he nodded slowly, "Tom it isn't your fault, she was bound to go at some point. It was just a coincidence that you touched her at that time."

Tears clouded his eyes as he then fell back against me, putting his head on my shoulder, "I'm so sorry guys, I'm sorry for your loss"