Alone With Them

Before we continue, I just wanted to say thank you all SO MUCH for reading. I can't believe this story has over 1k views. It just blows my mind. So yeah, thanks everyone. Okay, back to the story!!!!

Markus had left soon after reviewing his notes, and sparing no time, Cathryn threw together another quick canned soup supper before finding herself in bed early. Chance managed to fall asleep at record speed.

She had a rough night to say the least.

When Cathryn finally found rest after tossing and turning, her dreams had morphed into something so strange she'd wished she hadn't fallen asleep. At first, it'd been . . . okay? Certainly not normal. She'd found herself best friends with the tooth fairy and tasked with delivering teeth to children around the world. Soon the story changed and the easter bunny joined in, his ears turning purple, his eyes red, and his words mechanic. Joan was a staticky voice in her head screaming to run away and being more of a nuisance than a help. Walls closed in. A familiar mocking tone started hunting her from house to house, only seconds away from catching up and doing who knows what.

Easter bunny Bonnie had just cornered her in California when Cathryn awoke with a throbbing skull and dry throat.

She'd slept past dawn, which was a first for the week and made her smile despite the remaining soreness in her limbs. She was home. There was no restaurant. She didn't have to go to work tonight.

But tomorrow, her thoughts reminded. I have to work tomorrow.

"No I don't," Cathryn denied groggily. She'd rather build her day on a lie than think about the coming Monday. She threw off her blanket and changed into soft clothes that reminded her more of sleep than her wild dreams could.

Her feet padded across the floor in thick socks as Cathryn made her way into the living room. The windows weren't cracked, leaving the air stuffy, and despite it all she found herself thinking of the stupid animatronics. She changed that quickly, sliding open the kitchen window so she could feel a soft morning breeze on her face.

No more thinking about the restaurant today.

Chance was wrapped in his blanket on the couch, his attention trapped on morning cartoons. The wacky sound effects in the background left Cathryn's world calm as she poured herself a bowl of cereal.

The day was supposed to be peaceful, even better than Saturday. If something bad were to happen tomorrow, Cathryn wanted to spend her last 24 hours happy.

Then she paused. Could something bad happen tomorrow? After all, fixing Foxy had been easier than any of the previous animatronics, and if she really had to fix Freddy, would he even attack? Was he already fixed? Would she just have to sit there and talk to them?

No! No more thinking about the restaurant. It didn't matter! Maybe things would be better, perhaps somehow they'd be worse, but Cathryn refused to let herself constantly dwell on those stupid animatronics!

At lunch time, there came a knock on the door.

Cathryn rose from the table where she sat beside Chance, who was drawing and picking apart crackers. She could already picture her mom's face. Her mom had left for work that morning, but on Sundays she was usually home early.

Cathryn sped to the door, smiling. She twisted the knob, froze, and slammed the door shut. The door didn't make it.

"Ow!" Sam called out, shoving himself back into view.

"Go away," Cathryn demanded. His foot was propped in the doorframe, and she smashed it again with the door, this time with a little less force.

"We need to talk."