Five Nights Till Freedom

Stay The Night

When six am came along I didnt want to move. I don't think anyone did.

But we all knew it was time for me to go home.

At least that's what they thought.

Every night that I finished my shift I begged to stay at one of my friends apartments until I could get paid some more.

As I reached the doors of the pizzeria I felt a hand on my shoulder. I turned back to see Fred's gaze on me and none of the others were around. They were hanging out with Thomas until they had to change back into the animatronic state.

I turned towards Fred who was an inch from me, "Yeah Fred, what is it?"

He let out a soft sigh before he slowly brought his arms around me, pulling me to his chest and placed his head on top of mine.

I was startled slightly but I didn't mind.

We were all in a rough place at this point and I needed the comfort after everything that happened the past four nights.

I could feel his heart pounding in his chest and his arms squeeze me tightly, like he was afraid to let go.

"Rachel, I..." He let out a breath as he whispered softly to me, "You can't come to the pizzeria tomorrow night."

I almost burst from his grip right there but I could feel his arms tighten further around me. He knew how I was going to react.

"Before you object Rachel, you have to listen to me this time. I talked to everyone else about this and everyone agrees with me, including Tom and BB." Fred said, rubbing my back softly, "The Puppet is definitely coming tomorrow. We can all feel it in our bodies. It's dark and it churnes like we're going to be sick. Tom said he was willing to watch you tomorrow so that you don't come."

I could feel the burning and hurt that he was refusing for me to come, especially since the person that did this all to them was coming back.

I started trembling and Fred began to rub my head, smoothing my hair, "Rachel, this isn't goodbye. We'll see you again sometime. Okay?"

I could tell he was lying through his teeth.

He was just as scared as me. He didn't know if he was going to be here after tomorrow.

But I nodded anyway, "Okay Fred, I understand. I won't come tomorrow."

He let out a small sigh of relief before he placed one of his hands under my chin, lifting my head so that I could see his face.

There was a small smile there, a thankful smile. He then slowly leaned down and everything seemed to freeze in place.

His lips softly pressed against mine and I could feel my eyes widen.

It only lasted a brief second but it felt like it lasted longer.

I could feel my cheeks were burning red as I looked up at Fred who was chuckling softly at me, "Thank you Rachel for being here for us. You've helped us all more than you think."

Thats when the figure of Thomas came around the corner, flipping around a keychain between his fingers. He gazed between the two of us before walking closer, "Fred, its almost six fifteen, you better get to the stage before you turn."

Fred nodded, taking his arms from around me, placing them by his sides, "Alright, thanks Tom. Make sure to watch over Rachel okay?"

Thomas nodded as Fred began to walk away, leaving me and him alone at the front entrance.

He gazed at me before tilting his head towards the door, "We better get going. I'm sure you're tired."

I nodded slowly, feeling the pull on my eyes as he said that. I didnt really notice before then.

Thomas opened the front door for me and we both stepped out into the parking lot, Thomas leading us to an old red Mustang.

He climbed into the front seat and I went into the passenger, both of us closing the doors at the same time.

He started the engine, beginning to pull out, "Where's your house?"

"Oh it's...." I was about to respond when an alert came over my phone. I looked down, unlocking the screen to see a message from the friend I lived with.

You're going to have to stay with someone else tonight. I'm sorry. My boyfriend is staying all day today.

My words froze in my throat and I could feel Thomas look at me between his gazes at the road, "Rachel, whats the address?"

I shook my head, putting my phone back in my pocket, "My friend can't have me over at her house today, she cancelled at last minute. You should just drop me off at a park bench."

Thomas shook his head, biting his lip. He turned right on the intersection we were on, "That won't be nessesary. I'm not going to leave a friend to sleep outside alone. Especially since you can get kidnapped easily. You're gorgeous, I don't think anyone would pass up the opportunity."

I blushed lightly, not sure if that was a compliment or not, "What do you plan to do then?"

He glanced at me, smiling softly, "You can stay with me for the night as a thank you for taking care of everyone for me.."