Chapter Text
She blinked slowly, vision and mind feeling clear for the first time in she couldn’t remember how long. The outfit couldn’t be ripped off fast enough and she stumbled as she began to run while leaving a trail of articles behind her.
The pizza plex was huge and she took it in fully as she crashed into the second floor railing, ponytail flinging forward. Her smile transformed into a laugh as sunlight gradually seeped along the expanse of tile and neon lights. But that sun also meant limited time so she took off again. The woman tripped multiple times in her giddy haste and actually fell on the carpeted steps once, rolling for a brief second before she could stop her momentum. Even then, she jumped up and continued descending the stairs with a hand on her bruised face, laughing.
She was prepared when she reached ground level and never broke stride as her shoes adjusted to the linoleum floor. Every second closer to the glass doors felt like fresher air. She had the sense to slow and not crash into them as well, stopping to even out her breathing as she gently reached forward. She’d pushed the door open only an inch when she heard a shuffling sound growing behind her.
Gregory. He stopped when he spotted her spotting him. He’s nervous and she couldn’t blame him seeing as she did chase him all night. Unsure of herself, she carefully pushed the door open all the way, trying to look as friendly and welcoming as possible. It wouldn’t work but something in her wanted to try. Her already small smile dropped a fraction as he took a step back and looked into the duffel hanging from his shoulder. He glanced at her again and she tilted her head as if to say it’s ok, you’re safe. He actually started to approach and she fought the hope building in her chest even though he continued until standing in front of her. His eyes found hers briefly as he crossed the threshold. She stepped after him and the two stood on the sidewalk as Freddy sat in his spot beside Gregory’s hip.
Gregory leaned his head down to whisper as she stared at the concrete and wrung her hands together. “What now?”
She almost chuckled at his attempt to speak privately to the animatronic despite their close proximity.
“I could really go for some ice cream.” She posed the carefully spoken statement as a question, daring a glance at the boy. It was surprising how quickly his unease was replaced with eagerness at the prospect as he nodded and clutched the strap of Freddy’s transport just the smallest bit tighter. She returned his smile and slipped her hands into her jean pockets as they set off down the street, following the directions Freddy announced for the nearest ice cream parlor.
Gregory got vanilla with the chocolate chip cookie chunks offered as a topping, and when she searched her pockets to pay for it and her mint chip a spike of fear ran through her. But it faded when her fingers pinched out a five dollar bill she was grateful she’d only forgotten was there. She took her change with a soft thank you and followed her young companion when the boy said he knew a perfect spot for them to watch the sun.
He wasn’t wrong, and she propped herself up on an arm to enjoy the feel of warmth soaking into her skin as she ate her melting treat atop the grassy hill. She couldn’t remember the last time she’d enjoyed a moment like it and while watching Gregory and Freddy close their eyes with smiles of contentment she realized she never had. It added to the impending doom flooding her chest because she wished it could never end, but it inevitably would. There was too much to explain, too much she regrets, and no way to prevent what she knew was coming. But she again pushed it down, smiling at the child when he opened his eyes. They ate in silence except for the occasional chirping of birds, whom Freddy took great interest in seeing as he’d never met a real one before.
“That’s a bluebird!” His child friend pointed once. “And that’s a crow!” He exclaimed a moment later. He must’ve forgotten the animatronic head would be programmed to be aware of that despite never seeing any, she thought fondly. And when the boy turned to warn her the feathered beings would take their cones if given the chance she gave him a firm nod, putting her hand up in a mock salute. It caused a drop of icecream to hit her nose, which made the boy giggle. She did too, happy to be the source of humor instead of fear for him as she wiped it away.
The ice cream was gone far too soon and as she stood to wipe her hands off against her shirt the boy again gazed at Freddy questioningly while securing him in the duffel, the same question silently hanging in the air.
“I have somewhere you can stay.” She offered. Truthfully, it was pleading on the woman’s part. But the boy's relief at the words was palpable.
“Thank you, Officer Vanessa!” A robotic voice erupted from the bag. She only gave a small, closed mouth smile in reply before motioning with her hand for the scrappy child to follow her as she began their trek down the hill.
*
The key didn’t fit the stubborn lock perfectly, a small amount of force necessary to finally swing open the apartment door. She struggled to remove the key as Gregory tentatively stepped inside while looking around curiously. He was observing the area he guessed was supposed to be a kitchen when she finally managed to get the jagged metal unstuck and close them into the space.
It wasn’t the most well kept living area, but managed well enough for someone with a schedule such as Vanessa’s. The woman stepped over a pair of pants to join Gregory in the kitchen and began rummaging through cabinets wordlessly. Of course the band aids were not in the first, second, or even fourth, but last compartment she checked, she thought with an inward chuckle. Kneeling down, she held one up for the boy with a gentle expression as she took in just how many covered his small body.
He took it with a whispered thanks and began peeling the thin covering as she reached for more. Freddy watched critically from his spot on the cabinet just above her, and when she looked up two pairs of blue eyes locked as his memory log finally registered what was setting off his urge to analyze.
“Gregory, back away.”
He did so immediately despite his obvious confusion. She hung her head and stood, box of bandages in hand. Her mouth opened but stomping and jangling was the only sound the instant before a green eyed security guard burst through her apartment door, throwing aside her hat.
“I failed! I failed ag-“ The blond froze as she took in the scene, shock overtaking anger. The woman at her kitchen aisle put up her hands swiftly, trying for a sorry excuse of a grin that was more a wince.
“Hi, Vanessa…”