This took ages! I'm so sorry! Slap me for my incompetence if you so wish.

Time for a little glimpse into the past. I just wish it could be bigger.

Chapter 19 – A First and Last Visit

2002

Seven-year-old Vincent hid behind Mike's leg as the torrent of kids stormed past and into the pizzeria. He'd been invited to Daniel Blake's birthday party, and since his parents were at work, he was going with his babysitter, Mike Schmidt.

"I don't wanna go, Mike," Vincent whimpered. "What if no one likes me?"

"Well, that's their loss," Mike smirked. "Come on, if it's that bad, then we can leave, okay?"

Still reluctant, but encouraged, Vincent nodded and followed Mike into Freddy Fazbear's Pizzeria. He was instantly overwhelmed by the bright, cheery atmosphere of the place. Children were crowding around the long tables and donning colourful striped party hats. He was nudged forward by Mike, and he dashed over to a free space where he sat down and put on a party hat. It had white and blue stripes.

He almost didn't notice the three animatronics stood on the stage until they were partway through their first song. He decided he liked Chica best. She had a warm and bubbly personality, and although her eyes were purple, her feathers were yellow; his mother's favourite colour. His second most favourite was the big green mole called Maurice for no other reason than because he was funny and friendly.

When the band announced they were taking a break, the kids all started playing party games. The first game was hide and seek.

Daniel; the party boy; counted first. Vincent looked around as other kids dashed under tables and hid behind boxes. His eyes found a big metal door labelled 'Backstage', and he sidled over to it, making sure no one was looking before he quickly opened it, darted in and shut it again.

Vincent found himself in a dimly lit room full of costume heads with empty eyes that freaked him out immensely. But he was alone; and he knew he'd found a great hiding spot.

Waiting, he sat just next to the door, trying to ignore the black pits of the animal masks that stared at him. Outside, he heard the cheering of the other kids as they were found one by one.

After fifteen minutes, he started feeling uncomfortable, and he heard people calling his name. Deciding he was the last one still hiding, he stood up and twisted the doorknob.

It was stuck.

The room started getting cold, and a strange smell started to pervade Vincent's nostrils.

"H-hey!" he yelled, pulling on the door and slamming his fist against it. "I-I'm in here! The door's stuck! Let me out!"

"Don't you wanna play?" whispered a wispy voice behind him.

Vincent's head snapped round to see a pale, thin face staring at him. It was a boy, hardly any older than him, with big, shiny black orbs for eyes with glowing lilac pinpricks. Deep purple tears streamed down his cheeks, and a mournful expression adorned his features.

"Wh-who are you?" Vincent whimpered.

The boy's face hardened all of a sudden. "It's me," he hissed.

Cold, clammy hands suddenly grasped Vincent's neck, and he found it hard to breathe. He choked out a scream, desperately trying to pull the hands away from him.

"Help!" he shouted. "Help me!"

"They can't," the boy snarled, tightening his grip. Vincent pulled away, feeling the fingers dig into his throat. In desperation, he pounded his fists against the door, choking out for help.

The door suddenly opened up behind him, and Vincent fell backwards, the hands vanishing from his throat as he landed with a heavy 'thud!' on the floor.

"You okay, kiddo?"

Vincent looked up to meet the big brown eyes of Maurice. The animatronic mole looked down at him, his bright orange miner's hat threatening to tip over his eyes.

"I-I'm okay," Vincent stuttered, clambering to his feet. He felt sick and dizzy, and he couldn't shake the pure hatred simmering in the boy's eyes. "Just… got stuck…"

"There you are!" Mike exclaimed, marching over to Vincent and shooting a scowl in Maurice's direction for some reason. "Jeez, if your mom had known you'd disappeared on my watch, then she'd flip!"

Immediately, Vincent rushed over to Mike and gripped his leg fearfully. "I wanna go home, Mike," he whimpered. "Please. I don't like it here."

He felt a hand on his shoulder, and looked up to see Mike glaring angrily at the animatronics. "I don't like it here either," the teen growled. "Come on."