Autophobia

Chapter 23: Alive

Author's note: Sorry for the wait on this! Thanks for bearing with me! Obviously the title (and content) of this chapter was inspired by the awesome song "Alive" by Aviators. I appreciate feedback and votes a lot!  Enjoy! 

Charlie and Michael were staying at the Green River for another night, despite Charlie's objections. She'd woken up with a migraine that left her unable to stand. She spent the day in bed, buried under the covers, only emerging when Michael enticed her to drink some water. She slept at random intervals, waking up at the slightest sound.

"Charlotte?" Even Michael's calm, subdued voice was jarring. Charlie groaned and poked her head out from under the covers. It was nighttime at last, and the darkened room was incredibly soothing to her stinging eyes.

"How is it?" Michael sat on the edge of the bed and extended a fresh cup of water to her. She didn't feel like throwing up anymore and the pain in her head was now a dull ache, but she was still nauseous.

"...Better." She sat up and took a sip of water. Michael pressed the back of his hand to her forehead.

"Still no fever. That's good."

"I'm not sick. It's just a migraine."

The two sat in silence, listening to the ambiance of the motel. There was a passing conversation and footsteps followed by a door shutting out in the hallway. Michael cleared his throat and shattered the silence a few seconds later.

"...So I brought the letters with me. The letters from my mom."

"...Really?" Charlie looked at him quizzically.

"I reread a good chunk of them while you were sleeping, just to see if there was any information we could use... and I think I found something." Michael stood up and retrieved a letter from the cluttered desk by the TV. "There's another Freddy's."

"What?"

Michael cleared his throat again and sat down on the foot of the bed.

"Michael- it seems your father has taken on a new venture. He bought an old coal refinery aways out of town and he has hired a contractor and construction crew. He says that what he has in store will be a great thing for us, but I have my reservations. Elizabeth is much more excited than me, mainly because your father is promising her something extra special."

Michael shuffled the first letter behind another and started reading the next one.

"... I don't know how your father managed it, but he's created four robots. They're the star attractions of his new business venture, "Circus Baby's Rentals". Elizabeth and I were "introduced" today. There's a Fox ("Funtime Foxy"), a bear ("Funtime Freddy") a ballerina (Ballora; she's my least favorite by far), and Circus Baby herself, a clown girl. Circus Baby is the extra special thing your father promised Elizabeth. Obviously Funtime Freddy and Foxy are blatant ripoffs of Henry's creations.

But they aren't ordinary animatronics, Michael. There's something very off about each of them, but I can't put my finger on it. One thing I can put my finger on, however, is the stolen blueprint I found in your father's office. I've included it in this envelope- it was a big risk, sneaking it in, but I promised I'd give you any and all information. I don't know what this SCUP device does, but Henry designed it with good intentions and I'm certain your father will twist it somehow.

This isn't good, Michael. Something terrible is going to happen. I will gather whatever information I can, even if it means going to this place everyday." Michael sighed and refolded the letters.