Chapter Text
Mike was done with all the shit he had to deal with that came with his job from working at Freddy's. He just wanted a normal life, not only for himself but mostly for Abby. That was all left in the past now. After the fight (if you could even call it that) that happened at his house with the plastic looking animatronics and the old ones, Mike and Abby decided to stay at a hotel temporarily whilst the house is in repair. Jeremy did offer to let them stay over but Mike simply couldn't bear the guilt he would feel, after all, Jeremy helped the two of them so much already it would feel selfish of Mike to ask for more from him.
Vanessa was nowhere to be seen or heard from since Mike told her to stay away. She was just too untrustworthy. She broke the trust he had with her with all those secrets that she kept from him that put Abby in danger. It was a hard decision but one that had to be made. Although it is a bit strange that he hasn't even seen her around town. Not in her police car or her normal car, not in any shops or park. But that's not Mike's problem anymore. He was done and that was it. No further discussion needed.
Of course, Abby missed her. She asked Mike a few times if she will ever see Vanessa again but Mike kept his answers vague and, like always, giving out empty promises. He hoped that Abby would soon forget about it and move on.
---
The apartment was quiet now as midnight approached. Every sound echoed through the rooms and every shadow stretched in obscure thin shapes. Abby was asleep in her room, the door cracked just enough for Mike to see the glow of the nightlight on her bedside table. She has been sleeping this way since Charlotte possessed her. She even kept the music box wound up sometimes just to be extra sure that she will be safe.
Mike was sitting on the couch watching TV...actually it was on mute. He was only pretending that the flickering images were enough to drown his thoughts but they aren't. Just as he was about to drift off, his phone buzzed on the coffee table in front of him. Mike glanced down without much interest since he didn't have many people in his contacts. Unknown number with no name attached. Probably just some scam. He thought, so he let it buzz. Once it stopped, he exhaled a breath he didn't even know he was holding in. The phone call threw him out of his daydream so he decided to pick up the TV remote instead-
The phone buzzed again. Same thing again. Unknown number with no name. Mike swore under his breath and snatched it up. His thumb hovered over the decline button. He almost pressed it without looking but something stopped him. He had a gut feeling like this isn't just a scam call and maybe - just maybe - something more important. He presses the call button.
"Hello?"
For a moment, there was only breathing on the other end. Almost as if they were surprised he answered.
"You shouldn't have answered." a man said calmly. His voice was low and sounded quite tired.
Mike sat up in an instant. "Who is this?"
"That doesn't matter." The man replied. "What matters is that Vanessa Shelly is in danger.”
Mike's grip tightened around the phone. There is only one person who would call him to talk to him about Vanessa.
"Look, Michael, I don't know how you got my number." He said sharply. "But you don't get-"
"She's already been in danger for a long time."
Mike hesitated but then hung up. Yes, he was worried about Vanessa but he promised to himself that he would no longer get involved in the Afton family drama. His heart was pounding, but he told himself it's just adrenaline. Vanessa is a cop. She was able to handle herself just fine all these years and now should be no different. Michael was probably just paranoid.
Mike tossed his phone back onto the table and rubbed a hand over his face. "Get a grip." He muttered to himself.
His eyes landed on the TV once more. Some soap opera played on screen. Mike lazily watched although he wasn't focused on most of what was going on in the show. His mind was solely focused on the strange call from that weird man. Why can't I just stop thinking about this bullshit? Then, exactly as the thought of the man had crossed his mind, his phone buzzed once more.
Mike stared at the phone as if that would make it stop ringing. This time he didn't answer right away. He waited until it stopped and rang again almost as if he wanted to find out how persistent Michael was gonna get. But eventually, he answered.
"If this is about Freddy's" Mike snapped. "Then I don't want to get involved. I'm done. I don't care if-
"The Marionette." Michael interrupted. "Charlotte."
The name made Mike's heart sink. He froze.
"That's not funny." He said quietly.
"I'm not joking."
Mike closed his eyes. He could almost see it. The long black and white limbs, the crying-smiling face, the way it moved without a sound. It gave him shivers.
"You don't get to bring her up. Not after you make some sort of deal with her to kill half the town." Mike said.
"She's active again." Michael continued.
Silence stretches between them. Mike scoffed. "Are you not still in a deal with her? Why are you telling me this? Also, I thought she was gone. We ended it."
"Did you?" Michael asked. Mike took note of how he avoided the first two questions.
Mike felt the all too familiar feeling of heat behind his eyes. The anger and fatigue of bone-deep tiredness of being the person things keep happening to.
"I told Vanessa to stay away." He said. "I told her I was done. So if this is your way of making me apologies to her-"
Michael began to laugh on the other side of the phone.
"What's so funny?" Mike gritted his teeth. This guy was beginning to piss him off more than he already was.
"It's just a bit funny isn't it? Vanessa decided to abandon her own flesh and blood for you because you're 'her home'" Michael imitated. "Just for you to throw her away the next second." Michael said the last sentence in a lower voice, more serious.
"I had to, okay? For Abby's sake... Whatever, just tell me what you want already." Mike said a bit louder but still keeping in mind that Abby is asleep in the next room.
"Aww so eager to know? Well if I tell you, you have to promise me something."
"Like hell I'm gonna do that." Mike's thumb went straight to the hang up button but before he could press it-
"Fine, I'll tell you! Just- don't hang up yet."
"... Go on."
"Charlotte knows that Nessa remembers how to fix animatronics. I know this because I saw William show her. Of course now I'm better at fixing them-"
"Just get to the point!"
"Gosh you're being really impatient today aren't you?" Michael teased.
Mike just grumbled in return.
"So that means that Charlotte has taken over Nessa's body so she can find out how to fix the animatronics. That also means she is probably going to try and hurt you and your sister again with them since you got in the way of her plan and I know that Charlotte never forgives. "
That does it. Mike hung up again, hand shaking this time. He didn't sit back down but instead checked Abby's door to make sure she was still asleep. Safe and sound. He went back to the living room and locked the door even though it already was. Twice.
His phone buzzed for a third time. This time he didn't answer and switched it off completely.
---
Across the street, half-hidden by the shadow of a dead streetlight, Michael Afton lowered his phone and exhaled through his nose. He parked his purple sleek car that belonged to his father but well- he can't use it anymore since he is gone.
That went about as expected.
He watched the apartment window where the lights just went off. He could slightly see the faint outline of Mike behind the curtains. Mike was careful and protective of his sister. Michael recognised it because it mirrors something in himself, something he tried to hide instead of show like Mike. He saw it as a weakness and something that just weighs you down.
He hadn't wanted to tell Mike this over the phone. But, just like Michael has learnt over the past week of watching him, Mike Schmidt was stubborn. And stubborn people need proof before they believe.
I'll give him one night to respond.
Michael started his engine and drove off, taking one last glance at the hotel room window.
---
Mike didn't sleep. He laid down on the couch with his eyes open, listening to every creak in the building, every distant siren. His mind kept replaying the call. The way Michael's voice never wavered. Although, the amount of times he called Mike did make him seem a little desperate.
The Marionette. Vannessa. Possessed. Mike squeezed his eyes shut.
"Stop." He whispered to no one in particular.
His phone turned itself back on when the battery reconnected to power. It buzzed.
Damn this guy won't leave me the hell alone. I guess I'll just listen to what he has to say but nothing more. Nothing more...
"What?" He snapped.
"She's missing."
Michael's voice was different now. Still annoying and controlled, but this time more strained, like something cracked when Michael wasn't listening.
"A file was made six hours ago that Vanessa went missing." Michael continued. "Her car was found near the old service road by Freddy's. There was blood."
Mike's heart dropped into his stomach.
"D-dont lie about stuff like that." He said hoarsely. He tried to sound unfazed but in the end it was of no use.
"I'm not."
Mike sunk onto the couch, phone pressed right to his ear. Vannessa was a good friend of his. He did want her to stay away but he felt somewhat guilty of her going missing. He stared at the ceiling. Dread bubbles in his chest knowing this was a terrible idea.
"...Where do we meet?"