The fluorescent lights flickered overhead as you adjusted your uniform, sighing as you stared at your reflection in the grimy mirror of the employees’ restroom. Tonight was your first official solo shift at Freddy Fazbear’s Pizza, and you weren’t exactly thrilled. The job itself wasn’t bad—cleaning up after kids, watching the animatronics shuffle through their pre-programmed routines—but there was always something… off about the place.

And then there was him.

Michael Afton.

Your coworker. The quiet, laid back and brooding type who always kept to himself unless absolutely necessary. He had this permanent tired look in his blue eyes, like he’d seen things no one else had. You weren’t sure what his deal was, but something about him made you both curious and cautious.

Pushing open the restroom door, you walked back toward the security office, where Michael was already slumped in the chair, arms crossed. “You’re late.” His voice was laid back, tinged with sarcasm.

You rolled your eyes. “Yeah, by like two minutes. Calm down.”

Michael let out a short chuckle, shaking his head. “That’s two minutes closer to losing your sanity in this place.”

You leaned against the desk, watching as the animatronics—Freddy, Bonnie, Chica, and Foxy—stood lifelessly on the stage. “You say that like you’re speaking from experience.”

Michael didn’t respond right away. Instead, he stared at the screen, his expression unreadable. After a moment, he muttered, “Just… be careful. There’s more to this place than you think.”

You furrowed your brows. “What’s that supposed to mean?”

Again, no answer. Typical.

Sighing, you changed the subject. “So, what do we even do all night? Just sit here and make sure nothing moves?”

Michael smirked slightly, finally turning to look at you. “Pretty much. That, and try not to die of boredom.”

You smirked back. “Sounds thrilling.”

The rest of the night was uneventful -aside from the occasional flicker of the cameras and the strange way the animatronics seemed to shift positions when you weren't looking.