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There was no manager at Freddy's.
Not that the others needed to know that, Vincent kept that information all to himself. He merely told the others that Mr Johnson had taken a leave of absence for the sake of his family and that he wouldn't be back for a while. The others didn't have any issue with that. They seemed to be aware of the on-going problems with the Johnson family so nobody questioned Vincent when he told them that.
Vincent, of course, knew better. Knew how to use the situation to his advantage.
It's how he was able to remove Gavin from his position.
Did he feel bad about using Gavin's gambling addiction against him? Maybe - addiction was hard to deal with after all, and his wife was using that against him so that he couldn't seen his kids. But he was also stealing money from Freddy's. Money that was going towards who knows what - repaying debts? His wife? It really didn't matter to him. Vincent had what he wanted and he used that to get Gavin out.
Naturally, the former manager had been rather skeptical about leaving - Not to mention rather dismissive when Vincent brought up the embezzlement. But Vincent didn't really give him any other choice. It was either leave Freddy's and have his debts repaid, or he would pass the information on to someone who could truly the information against him. Namely, his wife.
Gavin took the former, but then he wondered how exactly he was going to repay Vincent back.
But Vincent merely smiled at him. "Oh, I wouldn't worry about that." He said. "Just give me Freddy's, and I'll consider the debt repaid."
That's how Vincent found himself in the manager's office. Now, technically, he was in charge, but he didn't say it officially. He didn't know what he was going to do with the place. Vincent despised Freddy's. He wants nothing more than to burn it and its company to the ground. At least then he would never have to deal with Freddy's ever again. But being in this position did give him some advantages.
For one thing, he was able to carry out his investigation without any interruptions. He needs to find Allister Turner, the owner of Fazbear Entertainment. If he truly wants Freddy's gone then he would have to take them out as well. Because everything he had done so far... hasn't worked. He was able to get Freddy's closed through some... despicable means, only to have another one take its place sooner after.
Vincent would say that universe was working against him.
He was the reason as to why the children went missing in the first place. He was the reason as to why the remains of Toy Foxy attacked a police office who was getting to close for comfort.
And now he was back again. Trying to find something that was proving to be impossible to complete. Allister was good at hiding, Vincent had to give him that, but he wasn't known for backing down from a challenge. It just meant that Mr Turner would be facing some more serve consequences then he already planned.
Still though, until that day happened, he was stuck with this version of Freddy's. It wasn't... bad by any means. It just needs a lot of work... And Foxy needs to be fixed... And there were probably some other things that needed to be dealt with too.
Okay, so it was a lot. But there was no point in restoring it if he was just going to shut it down later on.
Or... Maybe he could keep it. It did go against everything he had done so far but, at the end of the day, he was a businessman. He had taken over his Father's businesses when the time was right - mainly out of spite - and he was working on some other projects with his son. Maybe he could keep it for himself. Maybe.
He could always give it to Alec. Early birthday present and all that. And, by having him here, it meant that they would be able to spend some more time together. Vincent hated being away from home, hated being away from his son. It was safer there, and the two of them were never bother by anyone.
Safer...
… And lonelier.
He only had Alec left.
His wife was dead.
His Brother wanted nothing to do with him.
Blake, his best friend since childhood, never contacted him.
Scott, another one friend of his, was either missing or dead.
And Mikey...
Mikey was missing.
He had been for the past thirteen years.
Vincent couldn't find him. He was trying, he would never break his promise to Alec, he just doesn't know where he is. He suspected Francis was involved with his son's disappearance. But he couldn't ask him any questions because, conveniently, he was missing too.
But, once he gets his hands on his traitorous brother...
Vincent was brought out of his thoughts by a knock at the door. Odd, he wasn't expecting any visitors today. He made sure to check the planner Gavin had left for him before gathering his research and putting it in the open drawer. There were no meetings scheduled for today. Maybe it was one of the employees? He kept a radio in the office. He hadn't heard from them in a while. Maybe...
There was another knock at the door. Vincent closed the drawer and tidied up the area around him before allowing the person to come in.
The door opened. There was a young man at the door. Vincent had never seen him before.
"Hello." He greeted. "I'm here about the security job."
Security job? Oh, right. They still needed to find a replacement for Scott. He had almost forgotten about that... And those animatronics definitely needed to be watched.
"Um. I know its a bit... unorthodox, what with me turning up out of the blue and not asking for a meeting before hand, but I was passing by when I saw the notice and I really, really need a job so..."
Vincent chuckled. There was something adorable about the man's ramblings.
"It's alright." He assured him. "I'm free now. Why don't you take a seat and hand me your resume?"
There was a smile on the young man's face as he came closer to Vincent. He watched him as the young man took off his back, opened it and brought out a display book. He opened the book up, brought out a piece of paper and handed it over to him. Vincent couldn't help but study him as he put the book back into his bag and took a seat in the chair before him.
He seemed pleasant enough. He looked young - early twenties, maybe? He looked smart but causal. Probably a bit too simple for a job interview but maybe he hadn't plan on getting one today. Red hair... Vincent forced himself to turn away slightly as he went over the resume. It wasn't important, he told himself. Lots of people have red hair...
Vincent hummed as he went over the resume. It was interesting but... something wasn't adding up. It seems to be that the redhead in question was more suitable to the arts then anything in the restaurant industry. Which wasn't bad but it didn't explain why he was could have any job in that area - or, maybe something better than that if he wanted to -yet he wants to work at Freddy's as the night guard.
'There again this could be his first job. Maybe he needs the money now in order to support himself. He might look for something better later on.' Vincent thought.
Well, if that's what he wants...
Vincent's eyes drifted to the top of the page and...
He blinked.
That... That name! It couldn't be, could it?
Vincent rubbed his eyes just to make sure he wasn't imagining it.
He checked again. It hadn't changed.
Michael James Schmidt.
Mike Schmidt.
Mike
Schmidt.
Mikey.
His Mikey.
Vincent had to restrain himself before he jumped out of his chair and pulled the redhead in for a hug. There's no way its him. It had to be a coincidence - lots of people have the same names, right? There's no way his son was sitting before him now. Not when he spent so many years looking for him.
And yet...
Vincent turns to look at him. The redhead wasn't looking at him, he was too busy looking at a poster on the wall. But, when he feels Vincent's gaze on him, he turns back to face him. Vincent is met with that smile and those blue eyes.
The same as Samantha's.
It felt like he was looking into a mirror. Mikey had inherited his Mother's eyes and hair colour, but he had his nose and his hair was almost similar to his.
'Not yet.' Vincent tells himself. He needs more information before he can confirm his suspicions.
The redhead tilted his head slightly to the side. "Are you alright" He asked him. "You look like you have just seen a ghost."
"0-0h. Its... Its nothing, really. Don't worry about it." Vincent brushed him off. "So, Michael, tell me. Why do you need this job? Your resume is wonderful, don't get me wrong, but why come here? Why come to Freddy's when you could have something more suitable to your preferences?"
"You... You noticed that?"
"How could I not?" Vincent questioned. "Everything about you screams professional. Why would you waste your time here when you could have something better?"
He watches as the redhead opens and closes his mouth. It looks like he is struggling to say something - something he shouldn't by the looks of things - as he turns away from him slightly. He looks... embarrassed. Vincent couldn't help but be troubled by that. If something were to happen to his son... Well, Vincent didn't enjoy the things he had done in the past but if someone were to hurt his son...
"I need the money right now." The young man eventually said as he turned back to face him. "My... living situation isn't great. I need to move out, even if Miss Thompson doesn't agree with it. I just... I don't want to be a burden anymore."
"A burden?" Vincent repeated. As if! He's son was not a burden! Who in their right mind would say something like that? "To who?"
"To Aisha." The young man cringes when he realises what he has said. "Sorry, I shouldn't have said that. I meant Miss Thompson. That's the name of my guardian. She says I'm not a burden to her but... I just feel like everything would be better if I wasn't there..."
'Oh, Mikey...' Vincent feels his heart ache. He's son shouldn't be feeling like that. He had no idea of what was going on but he deserves to be seen, to not hide away. Who has done this to him? Who would dare hurt his son like this?
Wait.
Aisha Thompson? Didn't his bother used to date someone with that name?
Oh, wait a minute.
That's why he couldn't find him. It was all starting to make sense to him now. Fran took Mikey to Aisha's. It would be the one place where he wouldn't think to look for him there. They had known each other when they were younger, yet he didn't know Aisha all that well. She was a transfer student at that time.
So, Mikey was living with Aisha. It wouldn't be too hard to find her address. Maybe now he could finally get the answers he was looking for.
"You don't live with your family, do you?" Vincent questioned. It seemed so silly to ask, yet if Francis was living there as well...
"No. Just my guardian." The redhead replied. "I think she and my Mother used to know each other. She doesn't like to talk about her. My... My Mother passed away when I was ten years old."
"Do... Do you know her name?" Vincent inquired. 'Say it. Say her name. Tell me you are who I think you are.'
The redhead frowns but he tells him anyway.
"Its Samantha. Samantha Robinson."
Again, Vincent had to restrain himself - this time he had to restrain himself from jumping with joy - yet he couldn't prevent the smile tugging at the corners of his lips. His suspicions had been correct. Mikey knew his Mother's name. It him. Its definitely him. If he wasn't sure about it before, he definitely was now.
He finally found him...
…And he wants the night guard job.
Absolutely not!
Vincent had done it before. It was a week before Jeremy took over at the previous location. At first, he wasn't sure what it was. He had been told that the Toy animatronics were moving around because they were searching around for loud noises. But that didn't explain the other animatronics. They weren't meant to be walking around and yet they were. Something was controlling them, keeping them in working order. Vincent knew who it was as they had made the mistake of revealing themselves. It was the Marionette, who seemed to have a personal vendetta against him.
Long story short, that location closed and the older animatronics were brought here. They were still moving around, of course - something about their servos locking up if they didn't. But, they were still moving around like before. Coming far to close to the security office for Vincent's liking. And he wasn't going to put his son in danger because of that.
"Is this going somewhere?" Mikey asked. "I just don't see how me giving you my Mother's name is relevant to me getting this job."
'Oh. But it is relevant, my dearest cub.' Vincent thought. "Just not in the way you were expecting.'
Instead, he told him. "Actually, I do have a job for you. One that's more... suitable for your talents."
"My - My talents?" The redhead repeated, unsure of what he has heard. "W-What are you talking about?"
Vincent smiles. "Freddy's needs a lot of work. Its needs updating. It needs warmth to put the guests at ease, life to bring joy to the children. It needs something special, something creative, something wonderful. And I believe you can provide that, Mikey. I can handle everything else. But I need someone with artistic capabilities. That someone could be you, if you are interested."
Vincent watches as the young man turns away from him slightly, there's warmth present in his cheeks. For a moment Vincent wonders if it had been too much for him. If it was too personal, to inviting. That the boundaries between manager and potential employee had been crossed. Maybe he had laid it on a bit too thick. But he had to keep Mikey close, had to make sure that he wouldn't disappear again. It would do him no good if he were to run away now. Not when he had been so close.
He still didn't know what he was going to do with this place. He had no desire to be the manager of Freddy's. But... If Mikey were to be here... He could give it to him. He came here looking for a job, but if he were to stay, then he could leave with so much more. And Vincent would be able to keep him close. And it would be enough just to see him every single day, to see that smile, to hear that very same laughter that had once brighten the place.
Maybe one day they could be a family again.
"If it helps." Vincent said as he picked up a pen and a piece of paper. He writes down a sum of money onto the paper just as Mikey turns towards him again. "This is how much I can give you."
Mikey took the paper from him. Vincent couldn't help but chuckle as Mikey widened his eyes. Perhaps it was too much. It was double the number of what the night guard gets if they managed to complete their week shift... and then some. Money was no object when it comes to his children.
"Is this... Is this all for one job?" Mikey inquired.
"Well, this would just be for Foxy's room. He used to have a small stage before he was out of order, I'm sure you saw it before coming up here. We recently discovered a room behind the stage. It's quite big." Vincent explained."But I can give you more, if you decide to work with me."
Mikey nodded his head as he went over what he has heard. Eventually, he made up his mind.
"Deal." Mikey said.
Vincent nodded as they shook hands. "Good. I'm looking forward to working with you then, Mikey."
The two of them stood up. Vincent made his way around the desk as Mikey put his bag over his shoulder.
"So, where do we go from here then?" Mikey asked.
Vincent turned to look at the calendar on the wall. "Well, its Thursday now. If you are free on Sunday we can go over our plans then without anyone disturbing us."
"That's not a problem for me. I'm always free so..."
Vincent paused. He hadn't expected that. He had imagined that Mikey was having a productive and happy life. Surrounded by friends and, at the very least, his Uncle. As much as he had issues with his Brother, he knew Fran cared about his nephew. He would be protecting him, guiding him, making sure that Mikey was happy. But, if he wasn't with Mikey then...
And that's when he noticed it...
The bags under Mikey's eyes.
Was he having trouble sleeping? Mikey didn't have nightmares when he was younger. Perhaps it was his work that kept him up at night. He shouldn't be doing that. He needs to sleep. But...
…It just occurred to him that he doesn't know that much about him.
"You're being quiet again."
"Am I?" Vincent blinked. "Oh, my apologies, Mikey. I'm just going over some things in my head."
"Okay." Mikey accepted Vincent's words without pressing harder. "So. Uh. I'll see you on Sunday then?"
"Yes. Yes. Of course, Mikey. I shouldn't be keeping you here any further." Vincent said. "Sunday, of course. We close early on Sunday's so just come after then. I'll be waiting."
"Alright. I'll see you soon then, Mr..." Mikey quickly glanced over to the desk. "Mr Smith."
"Of course, Mikey. I'm looking forward to it."
They said their good byes and Mikey made his way to the door. Vincent, feeling better then he has in years, smiled as he made his way back to his chair. But then he noticed Mikey standing by the door with his right hand on the door knob.
"Is there something wrong, Mikey?"
Mikey turned to face him slightly, confused. "That nickname. Again."
"Oh, Um. Do you not like it? Should I stop using it?" Vincent said.
"I... I prefer Mike." The redhead told him.
Vincent internally sighed. "Of course, Mike. If that makes you feel more comfortable."
Mike nodded, saying good bye again before leaving the room. Slowly, Vincent sat down. Mikey never rejected the nickname before. …Maybe his realisation had been right before. He didn't know that much about him, his preferences or what made him happy. The child he knew... was not that same as the man who was standing before him.
Vincent took of the locket necklace he was wearing. Opening it up, the faces of his sons reflected back to him. He looked at the one that held Mikey's picture.
"What happened to you, cub?" He whispered to no one in particular. "Why have you changed so much? Where's that smile I once used to know? Where has that boy gone?"
He received no answers. He always knew he wouldn't. He probably didn't even knew that he was his son. Yet, something inside of him told him to keep him close, to keep him protected. Maybe in time Mikey would know the truth. That Vincent was his Father and that he doesn't have to be alone anymore.
If not...
Well...
There would be hell to pay. Nobody keeps his son away from him. Vincent might be done with Freddy's, but who said that he had to stop there? He would start with Francis, make him regret the choices he has already made. Oh, he wouldn't kill his dear, dear Brother. Family doesn't hurt Family. No, he would just have to leave an everlasting impression on him. Something that would remind him of his place.
Then he would go after Aisha. How dare she keep his son away from him and not tell him that Mikey was with her.
And then... And then...
Anyone else who dares to harm his son.
"Don't you worry, my precious cub." Vincent murmured. "We will be a family again soon. I promise."