Phantom in the Field

Extended Prologue: Rain

The sound of thunder echoed elastically through the air as the heavy rainfall soaked Samuel's hair. He phased out a faint sigh as he and his family approached yet closer to the establishment, and through the damp leaves of the surrounding trees, the boy could almost see the bright LED eyes of the characters on the "Fredbear and Friends" logo blinking jubilantly in the building's distance.

Samuel took slow, watchful steps as he moved, careful to evade accidentally stepping in puddles of water as they rippled through the evening. He gazed at a large puddle in the center of the pavement, and only then did he notice his reflection; His light brown hair was ruffled atop his head, and he appeared to be on edge. But why?

Samuel's mother grinned as she shifted her view towards him and met his gaze.

"You're going to see great things in here..." she exclaimed cheerfully.

"Did you know it is one of the most well known franchises in the world? It'll be fun, right Samuel?" she continued.

Samuel paused for a few seconds, and then spoke.

"Sure... I guess." he softly responded. "But... I don't really like the animatronics. Only the games, I like. The games."

There was another brief moment of silence. Then, his mother's face expressed utter confusion.

"Darling," she began.

"The robots are only the best part of the experience! Wouldn't you like to be up close to one for yourself??" she then queried.

"Well.. but... " Samuel stammered.

Before he could formulate another word, his older brother, Ryan, lunged forward into the scene.

"It's because he's scared!" Ryan snarled as he swiftly snatched Samuel's tickets and coupons out of his wet hands.

"HEY!", a distressed Samuel yelled. "I need those! They're my free passes to the arcade games at Fredbear's!!!"

Ryan scoffed. A total lack of interest was now sprayed across his face, which was unfortunately nothing new for Samuel.

"Oh.. well then, I guess you won't mind if I do this!" Ryan grinned as he raised one eyebrow.

Suddenly, he began to tear the ends of the tickets apart, whilst deliberately releasing his grasp on two of Fredbears' brand coupons to the blowing wind.

Samuel momentarily met his brother's entitled gaze and began to clench his fists in anger.

In return, Ryan cackled.

Luckily though, Samuel's mother quickly broke in and stopped Ryan before he could go any further.

"Oh you, just quit it!" she yelled, and demanded Ryan gave the remainder of the passes back to his brother.

"Whatever." Ryan laughed as he plopped the now slightly ripped, but still acceptable tickets back into Samuel's hands.

"And besides..." Ryan began with a smirk.

"I was just doing you a favor... I'm sure one day you'll want to get up close and personal to the animatronics. And then... they'll... EAT YOU ALIVE!!!" Ryan jumped in front of Samuel with his hands raised out at him.

Samuel instinctively jumped at this, and attempted to waver his brother away. But it was too late; he could already sense the tears starting.

"Okay, Ryan, that is enough!" the mother broke in, angered.

"Let's please make sure Samuel has a fun time at this diner that I'm paying good money for, and I don't want to hear any more arguments, got it?"

"Fine." Ryan grumbled as he rolled his eyes.