Chapter Text
May 10th, 1998 - Hurricane, Utah; Evan’s Apartment - 9:15pm
It was another rainy night in the small town of Hurricane located in Utah. A young man in his twenties lay on the couch of his apartment after a tiresome day at work. There was a CRT TV in front of him with the leftovers of his dinner on the table in front of him.
A tired sigh left his lips.
He had green eyes and neat brown locks that fell in front of his eyes that he really needed to get cut. His fringe was long but the back was short. He was still wearing his uniform from his job as a dayshift worker at Freddy’s.
He’d hated the animatronics when he was little but he’d grown out of that fear as the years went by.
They did still creep him out on occasion.
His brother had been one of the root causes of his fear.
His brother…
It had been ten years since he’s seen his brother. He hadn’t even spoken to Michael since he’d left home after turning eighteen. He and his brother hadn’t had a good relationship before the bite, but after it happened it just seemed to get worse. Michael being a teenager, warped in guilt while Evan was a preteen they had butted heads a lot.
Evan had said … a lot of unkind things to his brother.
Things he knew probably hurt his feelings.
But he never had the guts to apologise before Michael left.
As his thoughts wandered more to if he could possibly have done more or if there was any way to rekindle whatever was left of their bond his phone rang causing him to jerk up. He stood up from the couch and hurried over the phone so that it wouldn’t end the incoming call.
He picked the phone up off its receiver and answered, “Hello, this is Evan Afton speaking.”
“Hello, I’m Doctor Smith from the local hospital here in Hurricane. I need you to come in. We need clarification from a living family member on something.”
Evan blinked multiple times, trying to understand what he had just heard. “I’m sorry. I’m trying to understand. What do you need me to clarify exactly?”
There was a tired sigh on the other end and Evan felt that too. “There was an accident on the main road a few hours ago. One of the victims didn’t make it while the other is currently in critical condition.” The doctor sounded like he was reading off of a paper which irritated Evan a little. “The deceased was identified as Michael Afton; your older brother, correct?”
Evan froze at hearing those words leave the doctor.
There was no way this was his brother that the doctor was talking about.
It had to be someone else.
It always seemed like nothing could touch his brother.
As if he was invincible.
As if he wasn’t afraid of anything…
”T…There must be some sort of mistake…?”
”This is why we wish for you to clarify with us.” Evan swallowed, nodding even if the doctor couldn’t see it. “We will also be asking you if you would like to sign guardian papers.”
”Guardian papers?”
Then he remembered that there was someone else in the vehicle with his brother that the doctor had mentioned.
If it had to do with guardianship it must be a child.
But what was his brother doing with a child?
”The other victim who is currently in critical condition is eight-year old Gregory Afton.” A solemn sigh escapes the doctor. “That poor kid. He was barely lucid at the scene, crying over the deceased. Which I assume was his Father.”
Evan felt a pit settle in his stomach at hearing this.
His brother had had a kid.
And now his brother was gone.
They had never been able to rekindle whatever brother bond they had.
It’s now too late.
Not only that but Michael’s son; his nephew was in critical condition after such an accident.
He didn’t want to think on how this affected such a young mind.
He knew that both he and Michael were affected by the bite that only caused minor injuries, but a car accident that actually equalled in someone’s death would definitely traumatise a child.
”My sincere condolences…” The doctor said allowing Evan to come back to his senses, shaking his head.
He took in a shuddering breath, brushing his fingers through his hair with his spare hand.
”I’ll be down soon…” Evan spoke into the receiver, swallowing. He didn’t bother hearing the answer from the doctor before he hung up.
He leaned against the wall and put his head in his hands, taking deep breaths.
His brother was dead.
But he hasn’t seen the body yet.
That’s why he was called in to confirm if it’s actually Michael.
It may not even be him.
Maybe someone else had the same surname as them.
It happened…
But at the same time it was doubtful…
Afton wasn’t a popular surname…
”Please. I know I said bad things to you but I didn’t mean them. Don’t let this be true…” He whimpered, holding his head in his hands as he tried to hold back his tears.
It couldn’t be true.
They hadn’t even fixed what was broken.
They hadn’t spoken in years.
Why did this have to happen?
Why…?
May 10th, 1998 - Hurricane, Utah; Local Hospital - 9:50pm
Once Evan arrived at the hospital he signed himself in as it was mandatory to do so that way staff knew who was visiting who before heading to the reception desk to ask for directions.
He couldn’t believe that he was back in a hospital. The last time he’d been here was just after Michael and his friends had played that horrible prank on him.
His brother had just barely pulled his head out of Fredbear in time that the animatronic’s mouth clamped shut. However its teeth did still graze his head meaning that he had to be taken to the hospital. He had only needed stitches, but if Michael hadn’t taken him out in time he’d probably be dead right now.
It was one thing he was glad that Michael was able to do.
If he’d died there his brother would’ve been not just traumatised by the event but would’ve felt huge amounts of guilt.
But because he didn’t it only led to the two of them to drift a part. They were already growing a part because of what happened to their sister.
It only got worse after the bite.
After Michael turned eighteen he took that opportunity to leave; find a job and an apartment of his own.
It left Evan under the same roof as their Father until he was seventeen when his Father was arrested for murder.
And not just any murder either, but child murder.
It definitely came as a shock to Evan when he found out.
There were two witnesses as well.
It meant that his Father didn’t really have much of a chance against the claims against him.
He was convicted.
Which led to Evan having to stay with his honorary Uncle until he was ready to leave and look for a place of his own.
Even through all of that Michael hadn’t shown up to the trial for their Father.
He didn’t understand why at first but now he knows why…
Michael’s son would’ve already been born at that point, so he probably didn’t want to go to the trial since he had a child to look after.
But that raised the question; where was the boy’s Mother?
Why was Evan the last choice for a caretaker?
Why not Henry?
He had experience with kids.
Why him?
Did Michael write down specifically in a Will that he wanted Evan to take care of his son if he died?
Or is it because he’s the boy’s last remaining relative that doesn’t have a criminal record or is currently in prison?
It had to be that one.
It made sense that way.
Why else would he be called otherwise…
“Hello,” he said, smiling nervously at the receptionist. “I’m here to…” he swallowed, trying to find the right words. “…got a call that I need to look over my brother’s body.” He cringed at the way he’d worded it.
It still sounded so wrong to say.
Michael couldn’t be dead.
His big brother; who bullied him and laughed at the face of any kind of challenge … was dead.
He couldn’t believe it … not until he actually saw his brother’s body…
“Oh, Mr Afton!” The receptionist exclaimed as she looked through a list of names on a sheet of paper in front of her. The use of his surname caused the young man to wince inwardly. “Just take a seat and I’ll send a fax to the doctor and he’ll take you to Gregory’s room along with the morgue!”
Evan nodded his head, turning around and heading toward the seats. He shuddered at the way the receptionist kept up such an upbeat persona even while speaking about a child that was injured and the morgue. He knew that hospital workers had to keep up morale to make sure their patients felt at ease but it just made him feel uneasy.
He shook his of the memories of his time here at the hospital and sat up straight in his seat.
He didn’t want to be reminded of all the times a nurse came in with an overly optimistic smile of their face to tell him that he’d be okay.
That everything would be alright.
His brother had come by often when he was in hospital, continuously apologising for what he had done. He had never seen Michael so upset to point he looked about ready to cry.
He never told Michael that he forgave him.
He just wasn’t ready at the time.
Their Father had only come by occasionally, not as often as Michael, Henry and Charlie had.
He and Michael really drifted a part after he got home from the hospital and his brother kept himself confined to his room or kept distancing himself.
Evan hated it.
It got to the point where he had yelled at his brother about acting like that because of his stupid guilt.
That had only made things worse.
Michael had gotten angry and retaliated by yelling back something that he hoped his brother didn't mean.
“I actually wish you’d died that day!”
That began the decent of their relationship. Michael and Evan from then on avoided each other in the house and if their Father noticed the behaviour he didn’t voice it. Once Michael left he didn’t say any goodbyes to either of them not even when Evan was beginning to realise how awful he was to his brother after coming out of hospital.
He knew his brother did a horrible prank on him that could’ve ended his life, but his rash behaviour afterwards basically ruined any semblance they could’ve had of a brotherly bond.
And now he was the one regretting past actions. He’d been in his brother’s face about his actions after the bite but now that his brother was dead he’s regretting now having at least talked to him to fix their relationship in the past fifteen years.
He didn’t even know what his brother looked like as an adult.
Michael looked a lot more like their Father than he did but Michael always hated the comparison.
His brother had probably looked like a younger version of their Father but since his brother hated suits he probably wore casual wear half the time.
A sigh escaped Evan’s lips as he buried his head into his hands.
All of these thoughts roaming around in his head and he couldn’t stop them.
Why couldn’t they just go away?
“Mr. Afton?” He lifted his head up to see a male doctor in front in him. He had black hair and glasses and he was holding a clipboard. “I’m Dr. Smith. I spoke to you over the phone.”
“Oh right…” Evan said as he got to his feet.
“If you would follow me I can lead you to Gregory’s room.”
“Actually I’d … like to check on the body first…” Evan hesitated a few times, unsure on how to continue.
Doctor Smith nodded his head at Evan’s request. “Understandable. Just follow me.”
Evan complied with the request and followed the doctor down the hall. They passed multiple patient rooms until they arrived at where the elevators were located. Doctor Smith pressed the button for the elevator to come up and once it arrived the two got in and descended down to one of the lower levels.
It was an awkward walk to the elevators.
It was even worse inside.
Evan let out a breath as he watched the numbers go by on the screen for each floor they passed. It was just too awkward to start up a conversation with a doctor. He knew a lot people’s probably would but not him.
It just wasn’t something he was comfortable with…
It always came back to his fear of hospitals.
He didn’t blame the doctors and nurses.
They did amazing jobs saving lives, but the trauma he received as a child was still strong.
He would’ve made sure to continue staying away from any hospitals if he hadn’t gotten that call.
The elevator door opened to the floor they were meant to get off at. Doctor Smith led him down another long white hallway until they arrived at large double doors. The doctor pushed the doors open and gestured for Evan to follow. The two walked inside the morgue and Evan could instantly tell upon entry that it was cold and desolate. There was a table in the middle of the room with a bunch of papers and a computer. All along the walls were large compartments that most likely held the bodies until family members took them to be buried or cremated.
“Here. He’s in compartment #28.”
As the doctor moved across the room toward where the compartments were and started checking the numbers on them Evan rubbed his arms. He wasn’t cold he was just nervous.
How was he supposed to recognise his brother if he hadn’t seen him in ten years?
Should he go off of what he remembered Michael looking like as a teenager?
Or should he go off of what their Father looks like and hope his brother looks similar so that he can tell it’s him?
He honestly didn’t know…
“Here it is!”
He froze at hearing that.
He wasn’t ready.
He couldn’t face the fact that his brother could be dead.
How could he?
He turned around to face away from the doctor, clenching his shirt and trying to calm his nerves as best to his ability. He wasn’t doing a very good job at it but he had to try. He took in a deep breath, let it out before turning back around only to see the doctor had already pulled the compartment out for him to view the body.
It was still covered by a plain white sheet.
Evan shuddered, pushing his nerves down and approached the table that lay outside the compartment. He looked down at where the head would be and swallowed.
“Are you ready?”
“Ready as I’ll ever be…” Evan mumbled out, wincing.
The doctor nodded, pulling the sheet back and Evan was hit full force by the similarity between the Michael in front of him and their Father when they were kids. His brother’s skin was pale, eyes closed. His brown hair was matted and dirty and there was a little bit of stubble on his chin.
Evan’s heart ached.
It was his brother.
There was no way he could not see the similarities between his Father and his brother.
It hurt to now know for real that his brother was truly dead.
His big brother was dead…
“Yes…” Evan mumbled out, turning his head away. He couldn’t look at the dead form of his brother any longer. “…it’s him…”
“Thank you.” The doctor nodded as he put the sheet back over his brother’s head. “Can you wait for me outside while I finish up in here then I’ll take you to Gregory’s room.”
Evan just nodded his head, numbly before heading across the room and out of the double doors that led out of the morgue.
It was almost like he was on autopilot.
He still couldn’t believe it.
He stood outside the door and grabbed his face, feeling tears escape his eyes and fall down his cheeks.
He didn’t want to cry here, but how could he not?
His Mother is missing.
His younger sister is dead.
His Father is in jail.
Now his older brother is dead too.
And it also turned out his brother was a Father as well.
How was he supposed to look after a kid?
The doctor finally came out of the morgue after putting his brother’s body back in the cold recesses of the compartment. The older man gestured for Evan to follow back down the long white hallway to where the elevators were located. Evan wiped his eyes and composed himself before following the doctor down the hallway once more. They got onto the elevator and headed back up to the main floor.
Once there the doctor led Evan around the corner, down another hallway until they came to room with the surname ‘Afton’ on the plate. The doctor opened the door and Evan followed the doctor inside, making sure to remember the way to his nephew’s room. Once he was in the room his eyes lay on the hospital bed and his eyes widened at the sight before.
The boy on the bed looked so weak and pale. There was an oxygen mask over his face along with a tube going down his throat. A clip was on his index finger and a needle was inserted into his vein on the same hand.
It reminded him of how he had looked after coming out of the hospital after the bite. He’d been pale and skinny too and it had scared him how close he was to dying.
Now this kid; his nephew was at death’s door like he once was.
His Father was dead as well.
And the only remaining family the kid had was an Uncle he probably didn’t even know existed.
“I’ll give you a few minutes,” the doctor said before taking his leave.
Evan nodded, hearing the closing of the door behind him and sitting in one of the seats surrounding the bed. He took in a shuddering breath, closing his eyes before opening them again.
“Hi, I’m you’re Uncle Evan. I’m your Dad’s younger brother…” He cringed as he said this. “I know they say people in comas can sometimes hear you but this feels weird…”
He caught sight of the boy’s face and swallowed. He looked so much like Michael did at that age.
Evan leaned back in the seat and let out another deep breath, looking up at the ceiling as he still tried to process everything that had just happened.
This was too much.
He needed to talk to someone.
Evan got up from his seat and left the room, taking out his upgraded Nokia 101, dialling a number and putting it to his ear. He not only had to talk to someone but they also had to know about this.
“Hello…” A tired voice grumbles on the other line.
“Charlie, I’m so sorry for calling at this hour,” Evan said, hoping that he didn’t make the girl on the other end upset.
“Evan, it’s practically ten-thirty at night,” he heard a yawn come from her. “What’s this about? You don’t usually call this late unless something is bothering you.”
Evan swallowed, swapping his phone to the other hand and using his now free hand to fiddle with the hem of his shirt. “I’m at the hospital…”
“The hospital? Why are you there?” There was concern tinting her voice at the questions she had just voiced.
“I got a call from a doctor about an accident.” He swallowed, trying his best to keep himself together especially for his cousin. “I was requested to come here to…” He couldn’t stop himself anymore. He could feel the tears once more coming. “…I can’t…”
“Evan, take it slow. What happened?”
He sniffed, hiding his face with his free hand. “Mike’s dead, Charlie. I was asked to come in to check his body. I was hoping over and over again that it wasn’t him. That maybe I got the wrong call. I…It was him. He looked so different, but … it was definitely him…”
“Holy…” he heard her say, her tone of voice also sounding a little emotional. “D…Do you want me and Dad to come down there?”
“I’d like that…” Evan said, a smile now playing across his lips. He wiped his eyes, sniffing. “And Charlie…”
“Yea?”
“…apparently I’m an Uncle…”
There was silence on the other line before she yelled out in shock. “Excuse me! What?! You can’t just blurt that out of nowhere!”
Evan chuckled but there was no humour in his voice. “I’m sorry. Apparently because I'm Mike’s brother I get the option to take his kid in.” Evan’s voice became soft and solemn. “He’s in horrible condition. It brings back bad memories.
There was silence on the other end as it sounded like Charlie was trying to compose herself. “I…I’ll let Dad know and we’ll see you soon. Bye Ev…”
Evan said his own goodbye before hanging up, pocketing his phone and heading back into the room his nephew was situated in. He took his seat once more and let out a sigh. His eyes went over to the boy and worry plastered itself across his face.
“You don’t deserve this…” He lowered his head into his hands. “Is this damn family cursed or what?”