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Gregory liked to believe he was brave. Courageous and maybe a little bit too impulsive. Weren’t most kids like that though? He was just a normal kid, even if said kid was homeless and now stuck in a creepy pizzaplex filled with murderous animatronics.
Yeah…not the best thing to really go through. But so far Gregory would say he was handling himself well! It was easy to get away from those scraps of metal, and all he had to do was survive until 6:00 am! Totally, one hundred percent, not hard in the slightest.
Okay, Gregory will admit, he was a little bit scared. Maybe much more than just a little bit. He didn’t enjoy that. He didn’t enjoy the feeling of his heart beating a bit too fast, the way his legs sometimes shake when he tried to walk and run, the way he felt as if he was constantly sweating. It was the feeling of when the boy occasionally got sick, but the feeling was far more dangerous than that. Was it worse? Honestly he couldn’t really tell.
The pizzaplex was far more vast than he imagined, even an entire basement! He did hope he would never go back there though, it was damp and cold, not something he really liked. And those endoskeletons were even more creepy. Gregory would say that it was a nice building though, warmth and good food (very greasy though). Especially when there was no one here. No children running around, no crowds, though it would have made good cover if he needed it.
The boy groaned, rubbing his forehead and feeling the droplets of sweat dripping down his face. First, gross. Second, it may be time for a break. But how could he take a break? The second he tries, he’ll probably get chased by one of those animatronics. Probably that chicken…but that was the best choice, since both Roxanne and Monty were far more dangerous than her. They are faster…and their words hurt a lot. Well, only Roxanne’s does. Monty is just scary to say the least. Chica…was Chica.
The only animatronic Gregory was not even the slightest bit scared of was Freddy, the star of the pizzaplex and the only one that wasn’t out to get him, honestly that was rather strange to the kid. How come everyone else was out to get him, even that security guard, except for the bear? Maybe their coding was different than Freddy’s? And the security guard could just be doing her job…Still, she scared him. He didn’t know why really, maybe some bad experience with security in the past. That didn’t explain everything though, and that sure didn’t explain that dancing rabbit.
That rabbit really gave him the creeps.
Gregory gazed up, looking at his surroundings. It was the second floor, the hallway towards the daycare. He would prefer not to go back there either. Sundrop gave him the absolute creeps, even if the boy knew he had good intentions. Moondrop…He didn’t want to think about Moondrop. He was the most terrifying out of everyone, even more than that dancing rabbit.
And he was still roaming.
Gregory shook his head, silencing his thoughts. No…The lights were on now. It’s okay. Nothing is out to get him right now.
The boy continued to walk once more, the feeling of dread starting to seep into the poor child’s heart. He continued to try to distract himself however, the only thing on his mind was to keep walking. Yet his heart was beating so fast, his hands were shaking, the overwhelming sense of doom starting to loom over him.
Nothing was out to get him.
Nothing was out to get h-
“There you are!”
It was a masucline, growly voice that was behind. Heavy, metal footsteps rushing towards him. Gregory gasped, not even having time to think as he began to run.
Fast reflexes were the only thing keeping him alive, and he knew that. So he ran as fast as he could and rushed into the gift shop, dodging the security bots and making sure it didn’t even get close to him.
Gregory ducked behind the cashier desk, placing himself against the wall and covering his mouth so no sound gave in to his location. He heard the heavy footsteps slow down, walking into the room he was in. He held his breath as the animatronic walked closer towards him, and closer…
“Gregory?” The voice suddenly called. It wasn’t growly. It was softer, much more gentle as he peered at the boy.
Gregory paused, lowering his hands to his chest and giving a shaky sigh of relief.
“It’s just you…Geez Freddy, don’t scare me like that!” The boy huffed defensively, standing up and backing away from the counter.
The bear seemed confused for a moment, before realizing and gave an apologetic look. “I’m sorry I startled you Gregory. Are you alright?” The animatronic asked, kneeling down to get to eye level with the kid. “I went over cause I saw your heart rate on the fazwatch. It was extremely fast.”
Gregory rolled his eyes, but seemed forgiving of Freddy. “It’s okay…I’m fine. Just when you’re trying to survive it’s probably going to be super fast.” Not that he didn’t blame Freddy for not thinking about that, he was an animatronic, but still. That was just common sense! It had been beating quickly in his chest this entire time!
Freddy stared at the child for a long moment, before standing up and looking around the room. “I suppose. It’s not good for you to stay in this cramped room, there is no one outside either. It will be okay.” He gave a small smile, taking the boy’s hand and walking out.
Gregory flinched, freezing on the spot and getting his hand out of the bear’s grip as fast as possible. His breathing grew heavy, instinctively taking one spot backwards.
The bear turned around, gazing at the trembling boy in front of him and frowned. “...Are you scared of me Gregory?” He asked, his ear twitching as he fully turned around to face the boy.
“No! No I’m not! I’m just-” Gregory felt himself cut off, getting into a defensive stance. After a long moment that felt like hours, he let himself become loose in his posture, giving a more defeated look. “I guess I’m just scared of what’s going to happen. It may be slightly you I guess, I just don’t really trust anybody around here. Except you, even if I may be a bit frightened.”
The boy paused, his expression rather frantic now.
“I don’t want to die.” He mumbled, gripping his shoulder as he stared at the ground.
It was such a common fear that Gregory couldn’t help but feel embarrassed by it. Everyone was scared to die one way or another, but they grew to accept that one day it will happen. Gregory couldn’t accept it yet…He would rather for life to give him something good before he died.
This situation was everything but good.
“Everyone is afraid to die in some way or another, it is instinct.” The gentle voice from above spoke. Almost as if he was thinking the exact same thing Gregory was thinking. “Even I am. I am…afraid of getting decommissioned. Yet it is something I have learned to accept.
“But your situation is different. You shouldn’t die here and no child should go through such a thing. I believe no child should die. They should all have a long life ahead.”
Gregory winced, narrowing his eyes. “Life is cruel Freddy. Doesn’t matter what you believe in, it’ll happen.” It’s probably just all in your coding to care.
“I won’t let you die.” Suddenly Freddy’s voice became stern, almost parental. It caused Gregory to look up instantly, finally letting fear show in his eyes.
“If I can change something, then I will. I will not let you die here. You will survive. But you must be brave. You are already a brave child Gregory, you will survive.”
The child felt himself choking up, his eyes watering. What Freddy said felt genuine, it felt human.
Is it all in your coding?
Or are you really something much more?
The bear kneeled down once more, placing a comforting hand on the boy’s head and rubbing gentle, soothing circles.
Gregory leaned into the touch, his fear suddenly vanishing as he felt his arms wrap around the bear. Despite the metal which would have made it somewhat uncomfortable, it was the most comforting thing he had ever felt.
The boy felt embarrassed he was crying. But screw the embarrassment. He needed this…
Has he ever hugged someone? Gregory wasn’t sure, but it felt right in this moment where he felt safe.
Gregory had never felt safe.
Freddy stared at the boy, his arms wrapping around the child. If he was honest, the animatronic didn’t know what to think of this situation.
It was instinct to protect children after all. It was built into his coding as well. Sure, he was artificial, he wasn’t actually breathing…But he liked to think everything he was feeling was genuine, that he was living in some way.
He knew what he felt was genuine.
The boy started to shake in his arms, his eyes closed shut as the animatronic held him. Freddy ‘sighed’, smiling a little as he began to whisper reassuring words.
“There is no need to be afraid.” The animatronic spoke. “I am here. I am here to protect you. There is not a single thing that could hurt you beyond repair.”
Freddy sure hoped he wouldn’t let that happen. To let this boy die, or any child die, would haunt him for a lifetime. However long his own ‘life’ might be.
Gregory seemed silent for a long moment, slowly pulling away from the animatronic. Even if he really didn’t want to. The overwhelming fear of showing weakness he supposed.
“...I know Freddy. I know. Sorry. We should just keep moving.” He spoke, starting to walk before suddenly the animatronic stopped him, stepping in front.
“Wait superstar. I do admire your bravery, but you are still shaking. Your heartrate is up immensely.” Freddy’s tone grew concerned, gazing around with a frown. “I would say you can climb into my stomach hatch, however I think a break would do for now. Once you have calmed down we can continue.”
The boy seemed to narrow his eyes, gazing the bear with a look of annoyance before his eyes widened. Freddy couldn’t determine why, but Gregory gave in. “Fine.” He mumbled, slumping up against the wall.
Freddy took this chance to do a scan of Gregory, searching for any wounds he could find on him. There was quite a bit, bruises and small cuts that had the danger of being infected. But Freddy wasn’t sure what to do. Sun and Moon were more programmed for such things, but considering the virus, there wasn’t much he could do.
All they could do was wait it out. Wait it out until 6 am. But it seemed like a lifetime for both of them. Gregory found his arms wrapping around the animatronics arm, staring outside of the room with a paranoid gaze.
Freddy just did his best, whispering comforting words that seemed natural to him until they began moving once more.