"Uncle Will?"
"Yes, sweetheart?"
"What happened to mommy?"
"Oh, Vero. There was an accident at work, you know that."
"Yeah, I do. But what was the accident? What happened? No one tells me anything."
"You're too young."
"But...."
"Listen. If you still want to know when you're older, I'll tell you. I'll tell you everything"
-----------------------------
My footsteps echoes on the pavement as I made my way to work. My dad walked next to me, questioning my choice in job.
"Are you sure about Freddy's? I mean, I know that our family has a history here but-" I cut him off.
"I want to work here, dad. Yea, I'll admit that you, mom, and uncle Will play a part in it but this is what I want." I walked ahead of him.
"Besides, it was either this or McDonald's. This is an awfully small town." My dad sighed.
"You're right, but you do remember the risks, correct? And why a security guard? You could be a waitress, a cook, or even an entertainer. We still have those suits"
"I don't trust those suits. Not one bit. I'm also terrible at cooking and interacting with other people. So I'll be a security guard. The risks are there, yes, but I can deal with them." We stopped in front of the building. Freddy Fazbear's Pizza. A banner stretched over the entrance proclaiming the grand opening.
"I'm serious, Vero. This place is dangerous. Especially for the guards. You know this." I glared at him.
"I'm not stupid, dad. Have some faith in me." I pushed the front door open and walked into a child's paradise. It was colorful, covered in streamers, games, and posters. I whistled.
"Damn, this place might be even more colorful than Baby's." My father nodded.
"You might be right. Too bad baby's didn't stay open very long." I winced, remembering the incident.
"Do you think Uncle Will is here?" I peered around the place. A voice came from my right.
"Well, of course I am." I turned my head to see my uncle leaning against the wall.
"I am one of the founders, after all. I wouldn't miss the opening of a new franchise for the world." I grinned.
"There you are. I was wondering if you were gonna show up", I teased.
"Oh come here, you." He grabbed me and rubbed his knuckles on my head in an affectionate noogie as I laughed and pushed him away.
"Not the hair! I just got it done." He raised an eyebrow.
"I see that. You trying to live up to your nickname, Purple?" I stuck my tongue out at him.
"Purple happens to be my favorite color, jerk." My dad chuckled next to me.
"Enough fooling around, guys. We have work to do." I nodded and followed my dad to the back of the restaurant. We walked into the security office and my dad sat me at the security desk.
"This is where you will be working this week. During the day, you will watch for any suspicious activity." He held out a radio.
"If you see anything, radio the guards what you see, and which camera you saw it on. Each guard knows which camera number corresponds which each room. Got that?" I nodded and took the radio from him.
"Got it. Where are you gonna be today?" He sighed.
"I have to be the night guard this week. The one they hired isnt going to be in until next week, so I have to assume the position for the week." I grimaced.
"Yikes. But why you? You always tell me these stories about the night shift. Doesn't sound like something they would risk their head of security on." He rolled his eyes.
"Normally they wouldn't. But I am the only one willing to do it, so here we are. It's actually a good opportunity to record messages for future night guards. I have to be here for the opening, then I'm going home and resting up for tonight. Enjoy your shift." He kissed my head and left the office. I spun around in the chair, immediately bored.
I spun back towards the desk, sending a piece of paper flying to the ground. I stopped and picked it up. It read:
'For the day guard;
The doors on either side of you are meant for the night guard. However, they can be utilized by the day guard in case of emergency. In the event that an animatronic goes haywire or an active shooter situation, the office can be used as a safe room. Close both doors and that animatronic and/or person will be unable to get to the inhabitants of the room. The next step would be to call a mechanic or a security guard to take care of the situation.
In the event of a fire, exit the office in a clean, calm manner. If one cannot leave the office, don't panic. Close the doors and get under the desk until help comes.'
-Management
'That was..... informational', I thought. I put the paper down just as the clock chimed 10. Freddy Fazbear's Pizzeria was officially open for business. I flicked through the cameras to see the first family come in. They were here for their son's birthday. I saw my dad greet the family. He then turned and looked up at the camera, somehow knowing I was watching and winked.
I let out a small laugh as my dad left the building. I spun around again in my chair, knowing that no one else would be in the building until a bit later.
"So this is what we're paying you to do?" I stopped and saw my uncle standing in the left doorway. I paused and really looked at him for a moment. My uncle had really changed since I was a little girl. He used to be a big guy, happy too. Then something changed about him. No one could quite place it, but he lost alot of weight in a short period of time. My dad said it was probably the double trauma of losing his wife and my mom in quick succession. It made sense so I never questioned it.
"Well, there's like one family here right now so I dont think i have to do much right now." He scratched at one of the scars on his neck.
"You're right." He groaned and shifted his shoulder.
"You ok, Uncle Will?" He pulled at his shirt, revealing a few more scars.
"Sorry, yea I'll be fine. Damn scars are itching like a bitch. Pain in the ass...." I got up and re-buttoned his shirt. He raised an eyebrow at me.
"Where did these come from? The scars." He shifted
"You're right to distrust the suits. They are dangerous. One wrong move can get you killed. I was lucky. It almost killed me. But I didn't die. If I'm being honest, I probably should have."
"Why do you say that?" He chuckled.
"I have my reasons. Now I'm distracting you from your job. If I'm correct, a few more guests for that party just arrived."
"Yes sir, boss man." I plopped back down in my chair and grabbed the tablet. I flicked through the camera feeds. I looked up to see my uncle studying me.
"Yes?" He flinched as if he didn't realize I was looking at him.
"Sorry, just.... thinking", he walked up to the desk. Suddenly everything became blurry. I was so lightheaded. Everything went black. For how long, I couldn't tell.
I woke up to my uncle shaking me. Groggily, I looked up at him.
"Ver, are you ok? Ver!" I shook my head and rubbed at my face.
"I'm fine. What happened?"
"You just blacked out. I dont know why but you did. You just slumped over." He looked concerned.
"I have no idea why. None. Probably just a vasovagal syncope." I cracked my neck. I looked up to see Uncle Will staring blankly at me.
"Basically, it's a fainting spell. During one, your heartrate and your blood pressure drop suddenly and you black out. It happens to me on occasion. My body likes to overreact to stimulus and shut down." He nodded.
"Well, you take it easy. Dont strain yourself. Keep an eye on those cameras. I'll be back later to check up on you." I nodded, absently and he left.
I was confused. I hadn't fainted in a couple months. No matter. I had a job to do and I was going to do it