Five Nights At Freddy's

Chapter Twelve: A Fond Farewell

Before him, slumped like a rag doll was a yellow animatronic, dirty and rusty from years of neglect.  Mike squinted at it, lifting his flashlight curiously as he neared.  It didn't stir. 
"Hello?" He tried weakly.  A draft sent shivers down his spine, a whisper on the wind ringing through his ears.  It was quiet at first, but rose and rose which each passing second.  Mike swung his light around, looking for the source.  "Hello?"  He tried again, frantically.  Turning back forward, he discovered the animatronic missing, all that was left in it's wake was a trail of blood leading off into the shadows.  Queasy, Mike took a step forward, lighting his flashlight as the whispers around him grew louder.  "Hello?" 
Hello, they seemed to repeat, hello, hello, hello, hello.  Mike squinted into the darkness.
"Who's there?" Before him, the face of the yellow animatronic, some sort of golden Freddy, unhinged it's jaw and roared a deep, metallic scream that rattled in Mike's bones.  He fell back into shadow. 

Mike awoke with a start to Violet shaking his shoulder.  She gasped and doubled over as he sat up, fear clearly lining her face.  Mike winced, feeling his head.  An imprint from the desk was bright red on his cheek.  He turned toward Violet who recovered, clutching her chest. 
"I thought you were..." her voice trailed off as she looked away.  Mike felt his face fall. 
"I'm sorry, I don't even remember falling asleep.  I didn't mean to startle you."  Mike grimaced and stood, his back aching from the cheap swivel seat.  Suddenly, a thought crashed through his mind.  He'd left Iris's office in state of visible disarray.  He'd be fired for sure. 
"Um, excuse me," Mike yelped, shuffling past Violet who tensed at his touch.  She watched him race down the hall and round the corner into the dining room, her face a mask of surprise.  Mike was running so fast, he nearly crashed into Iris who was calmly making his way to the security office.  He jumped, gripping Mike by the shoulders.
"Mr. Iris!" Mike cried.  Iris blinked.
"Schmidt- what's all the hubbub?  Violet?" Mike turned to see Violet appear behind him. She shrugged. 
"I- I- on the cameras saw- the animatronics break-?" But Mike froze mid sentence.  Iris's office was locked up tightly and neatly, not a single scratch on the wooden door or linoleum.  Iris turned, matching his gaze.  He released Mike and stepped over to the door, casually opening it to reveal the mustard room sitting organized and clean, right as rain.  Mike scratched his head.  "The camera?"
"I checked the footage already," Violet interjected, "there wasn't anything suspicious Mike."
"Nothing?  At all?"  Mike repeated.  Violet shook her head.  Mike nodded, his eyes wide in disbelief, turning toward the stage.  All three of the animatronics turned their eyes away from him swiftly, continuing their robotic routine.  Mike scratched the back of his neck. 
"Anyway," Iris segued, clapping his thick hands together, "I have an announcement for everyone just as soon as Charlie and Jose arrive."  Violet crossed her arms, a dubious look on her sour face.  As though on cue, Jose and Charlie entered, having an intense conversation and stoic looks on their faces.  Iris clapped again, causing them to jump.  "Well, now that everyone's here, I'll go ahead and share my little announcement."  He wandered a little toward to left, stepping in front of the stage.  Jose and Charlie glanced at Violet curiously; she shrugged in return as she stepped forward to stand closer to Mike and Iris.  The four employees formed a semicircle around him, looking at each other for any clue of what was happening.  "As you all know, tomorrow is Violet Jackson's last day as our security guard."  Violet paled. 
"Already?" Charlie exclaimed.  Iris shot him a warning glance, forcing him to shut up. 
"Violet's worked here a very long time and in honor of her dedication to Freddy's I thought we should throw her a little... going away party."
"No," Violet snapped, her face blank.  Jose chuckled.
"It'll be fun," Iris argued, swatting her away, "just the five of us and a few local patrons."
"Absolutely not," Violet hissed. 
"We'll have it at my house at around seven so Mr. Schmidt can join us before his shift tonight," Iris explained.  "We'll close early today as well so I have a little while to get everything prepared." 
"You're forgetting what happened at Thomas's going away party," Jose laughed, "Violet got so drunk he had to carry her home."
"Jose," Iris warned. Violet smiled faintly at the memory which only encouraged Jose further.
"Violet did a keg stand on one of the old animatronics the boss has chilling in his office..."
"Jose, that's enough, we don't want to startle Mr. Schmidt here."
"And then we tried to see how many cigarettes Thomas could fit in his mouth..."
"Okay, enough." Iris snapped.  Jose cleared his throat, ruffling Charlie's hair.
"You're in for a treat little man, you think your grandparents will let you hang out with us?"
  "They let me work here, don't they?"  He shrugged, "I'm sure I can manage a few drinks."
"There will be none of that, it'll be an alcohol free party, we have the brand the think about."
"So BYOB then?" Jose clarified.
"No alcohol!"
"I'm out," Violet growled.
"It's your going away party, you can't be out..." Iris hissed between clenched teeth.  "No alcohol, no cigarettes, just fun, friendly conversation and can we please act like we like each other for one night?"
"We do like each other," Charlie piped up as Jose and Violet exchanged glances over his head.  Upon seeing this, Iris closed his eyes and exhaled deeply, turning to Mike. 
"They're... joking, of course," Iris stuttered, much to Charlie's confusion.  Jose shook his head at Mike, winking.  "Now, arrive by seven, you can bring a small gift if you'd like.  I'll provide food and punch.  Mr. Schmidt, we'll be sure to wrap up by eleven so you can make it to your shift on time."  With that he clapped once more and shooed them away.