Chapter Text
Abby giggled as she walked home with her friends. “Bye!” She waved as they turned down another street.
She walked another block or so when a familiar looking man approached her. “Abby, was it? I was hoping we could talk.”
“Ew, you’re that creep from before. You tried to hurt me and my friends.”
“And I am so, so sorry about that. I wanted to bring you a gift, as an apology.” He held out a box to her.
“It’s heavy. What is it?” She glared up at him, his smile creeping her out.
“Open it.”
She carefully undid the bow, then lifted the lid off.
“It’s an endo skeleton head.” He said, “I noticed you had an interest in robotics and thought you’d might like to toy around with it.”
She ran her fingers across the cold metal. “I don’t know if Mike would want me to have this.”
“You two are close, huh?”
“I guess. It’s always been just me and him.”
“I was never close with my sibling.”
“Vanessa?”
He nodded. “I do miss her though. Say, do you know where I could find her?”
She shook her head. “We stopped talking to her after last time.”
“Do you think your brother knows?”
“He might…”
“Could I talk to him?”
“Ummm, maybe. I don’t think he likes anyone in your family.”
“Ouch. It’s not nice to judge someone based off of their relatives.”
“You tried to kill us.”
“Well, yeah, but do you think I can talk to him?”
Abby looked at the robot in her hands. She did really appreciate the gift, and maybe, if this guy could stick around, she could get more. “Yeah, come on. He should be home by now.” She started walking again.
“So, who’s your favorite animatronic?” Michael asked her.
“I like Chica. She’s the one I was closest with before they went to heaven.”
He nodded along.
“Although she did try to stick me in a springlock suit before. I don’t know that one’s name though.”
“What did it look like? Maybe I know.”
“She had a hat, curly hair, and red cheeks.”
“Ahh, that sounds like Ella. My dad’s business partner built that one for his daughter.”
“Partner?”
“Yeah. He was also pretty smart, but they had a falling out.”
“Oh. That’s too bad.” She sighed. “Do you have a favorite animatronic?” Abby asked.
“Foxy. I like his hook. And he’s fast. I always wanted to run fast, but I could never seem to be quick enough.”
“Where were you trying to run to?”
“It was more of what I was trying to run from.” He paused, “This is your house, isn’t it?”
“Yeah. And it looks like Mike’s home.” She pointed to the car in the driveway then ran up the front steps. “Mike! I’m home and I brought someone!”
“Is it one of your friends?” Her brother asked without looking up from the TV.
“Not exactly.” Michael entered the room.
“No.”
“I just want to talk.”
“Get out!” He stood to look more intimidating, but being 5’5 compared to this tall and lanky man, he wasn’t sure he was doing a good job.
“Mike, he just wants to know about Vanessa.” Abby interrupted. “Look what he gave me.” She held up the endo head.
Her brother sighed, realizing she would keep pressuring him if he didn’t give in, not to mention wanting this guy out of his house as fast as possible. “I haven’t talked to her in weeks. I don’t know anything about her.”
“Do you know where she lives?”
“I’m not gonna tell you that.”
“Listen, Mike,” He took a step closer and Mike took a step back, “I never had a good relationship with my sister, and seeing how you and Abby interact made me want that. I’m just trying to fix my relationship with her.”
“I’m worried that you’re going to hurt her. You act just like your dad.”
Michael’s smile faltered, dropping for a moment before flicking right back up. “I didn’t realize it was a crime to be like our fathers.”
“It’s a crime when it’s yours.”
“Well, I’m trying to change myself for the better, and I’m starting with this. I just want to apologize to her. And to you. I’m sorry, Mike.”
“Well, it’s gonna take a lot more than that to get me to forgive you.”
“Can you at least tell me where my sister is?”
“No. Get out.”
Michael nodded, then left.
“That wasn’t very nice.” the girl said.
“Abby, he tried to kill us.”
“He was also hurt by the yellow rabbit, shouldn’t we try to help him?”
“That’s awful and I do feel bad for him, but we shouldn’t have to deal with their family drama, Abs. We have enough going on.” He looked down to the robot in her hands. “Don’t hurt yourself with that thing.”
“So you won’t make me get rid of it?”
“No.” He sighed.
She smiled wide and ran off to her room.