Autophobia

Chapter 24: No More Secrets

Author's Note: Things are still nuts with work and COVID. I apologize for the spotty updates. Your continued support is very much appreciated! 

This doesn't make any sense. Charlie sat on a chair in the main control module, one hand covering her mouth as tears pricked her eyes. I should be dead. WE should be dead. Michael leaned against the glass separating the main control module from Funtime Auditorium, staring straight ahead. He hadn't said anything since they'd stumbled out of the dark recesses of the facility. Charlie studied him yet again, and all she saw was empty eyes and a blank expression.

"Michael...?"

No response. He just stared at her with those empty eyes.

"What happened?" She asked for the umpteenth time, praying for a coherent answer.

"It was there."

"What do you mean?" Desperation laced Charlie's voice.

"There. In the room. It was there."

"What was there?" Charlie stood up.

"That... thing. From the blueprints."

"That device?"

Another blank stare. Charlie's heart started to pound and she let out a shuddering breath. There was only one person she knew who could shed light on their situation.

"We have to go." She took Michael's clammy hands in hers.

"Where... where are we going?"

She ducked into the entryway vent and Michael followed, albeit reluctantly. The elevator ride to the surface seemed like an eternity. When the doors opened she was off like a shot, walking towards her car purposefully.

"Charlotte, where are we going?" Michael's voice was morose.

"Back." She unlocked the car and fell into the driver's seat.

"What? No."

"It's the only way." Charlie said shakily.

"No! You... you're crazy."

There was the distant sound of a car engine.

"Michael, we have to."

Her companion just stared at her blankly.

Headlights appeared in her rearview mirror and she huffed in frustration.

"Michael-"

"No." He said simply. Charlie leapt out of the car, causing her leg to smart.

"It's the only way!" She repeated indignantly.

"NO!"

She grabbed his hand and he pushed her away. She fell backwards onto the frozen ground, staring at him in shock. Michael stared back at her, but there was no shock or remorse in his eyes. He turned away and stumbled into the nearby field. Pain filled Charlie's chest as she stared after him. A car door slammed behind her and she jumped, but her gaze remained fixated on the field.

"Charlie?"

Chief Clay. She turned her head at last and watched as he approached with another officer. They stopped on either side of her and she just blinked. She couldn't cry out, as much as she wanted to. Her body was hurting. Her heart was hurting. She'd been abandoned, again.

The ride back to Hurricane was tedious for Charlie, but not nearly as tedious as having to sit in the police station while Chief Clay prodded her for every little detail. John had come forward with everything- William's attack, how they'd gone back to Freddy's, and how she'd run away with Michael. Chief Clay didn't use her ex boyfriend's name specifically- he cited an "anonymous source"- but Charlie knew better.