The Afton Family Reunion

Memories

It was his youngest son, Chris Afton's fifth birthday. They were celebrating at Fredbear's Diner. All was going well, until Michael's school friends decided to play a prank on Chris. Their reasoning was that if Chris was that sensitive throughout his school years, he would get picked on by the school 'bad boys'. They wanted to 'toughen' Chris up. The prank was to grab Chris and put his head in the animatronic Fredbear's mouth for a few seconds and then get his head out again to show that nothing would happen.

However, something horrible happened...

When the kids, each wearing a mask representing the four animatronics Freddy, Chica, Bonnie, and Foxy, picked him up and placed his head in Fredbear's head, there was nothing for a few seconds. 

All of a sudden, there was a sickening crunch and Fredbear's mouth crunched down, crushing Chris' frontal lobe right in front of the terrified kids.

Elizabeth, who had been in on the prank, started wailing and ran to get William from the front where he was talking to their mother, Clara.

Panicking, William called 911 but it was too late.

The four teenagers were horrified at the scene and felt extremely guilty and wouldn't meet William or Clara's eyes.

Later that night, after everyone had gone home, William confronted Michael.

"I'm so sorry, Dad!" Michael sobbed out, between gasps. "I didn't know this would happen! I swear I didn't!"

William sighed and gave Michael a slight smile, "Michael, honey, I know it wasn't your fault. You had no idea that Chris would d-die. I don't blame you. I just wanted to make sure you didn't hold this accident on your hands."

Michael rubbed at his eyes, "Why a-aren't you mad at m-me?"

William engulfed Michael in a gentle hug and said, "Like I said, it was just an accident. You had no idea that this would happen and I don't blame you." He spotted Elizabeth peeking around the doorway, hiding behind the curtains. He gave another gentle smile and beckoned her to come nearer. Elizabeth came near hesitantly. He hugged her as well.

Later, when he had convinced them both that he did not blame them in the slightest and sent them up to go to bed, he found Clara gazing at him from the very same doorway that Elizabeth had been peeking from.

"Why?" She asked. 

"Why, what?" William countered, genuinely confused.

"Why do you act like as if it wasn't Michael's fault? He was the one that suggested the prank, he is the one at the fault."

"What do you mean, it's his fault? Of course, it isn't! He's just a kid, Clara. Cut him some slack. There's no need to be that harsh."

"Oh? He's just a kid? Well, that kid killed my baby boy!" 

"Excuse me? 'That kid', as you so kindly say, is our son! And, even you know that making Mike feel worse isn't going to bring Chris back."

"I knew it!" She shrieked all of a sudden startling William and Michael, who had been eavesdropping.

"Knew what?" William huffed, tired of the argument.

"That you didn't give a damn about anyone except yourself and your precious Michael! You barely spend any time with Elizabeth, let alone me or Chris! Now, you are defending Michael even though he killed his own brother!"

William was in complete shock. "What the hell do you mean by that?! You were the one that kept Chris all to yourself, you were the one that kept either discouraging Elizabeth or telling her to hang out with you and you are the one that has been neglecting Michael! Of course I would spend more time with him!"

Meanwhile, behind the curtain, Michael was shocked. 'Is that what Mother thinks about me? That I k-killed Chris on purpose? But I d-didn't! At least Dad believes me...'

"You know what, William? I am so over this. I want a divorce." 

"W-what?" William couldn't help but splutter at the abrupt turn of the conversation. "All of this because of a prank-gone-wrong?"

Clara rolled her eyes. "Whatever you say, William. I want a divorce and I'm going to get the papers tonight."

"WHAT?! Clara, it's 10! You can't go out at this time!"

"Don't act like you care, William. Besides, the sooner we deal with this, the better. Maybe, you could finally get up the courage to ask out Henry." And, now she was smirking.

"W-wait what-t?!"  William squeaked out, his face completely red.

"Don't lie to me, I know you like him and that you're completely oblivious over your feelings. At this rate, I think it's going to be Henry that asks you out."

"Whatever," mumbled William.

"Alright, I'm going now."

William, being lost in his thoughts, did nothing except mumble a bit and nod.

Behind the curtain, Michael was stifling his laughter behind his hand because even though he was just 10, he had seen the completely lovesick look that his father gave to his co-worker, Henry.

Chris might have died, but all was well.

~

Words : 845