Pulling Strings

Aaron never liked lying to his wife. It was one of the things he didn't like being responsible for the synthetics and keeping them safe. It was a big enough secret without having to conceal more from her. It was with a guilty feeling that he told his wife he'd be late getting home he was going to see an old friend. It was true really, but it wasn't exactly going to be catch up over a cold beer.

Still, he comforted himself that it was what he had to do to protect them. From a man he used to like and respect, to look upon as a friend. Not for the first time, he wished he could be done with this sort of business.

But he kept in mind the phrase that had originated from his home country during its darkest days: keep calm and carry on. So that's what he did as he drove on through the night to Phil's old house on the edge of town. The man himself hadn't actually been home for a long time, but he had his associate Brad keep it while he was away.

Phil felt exasperation at just the thought of the man. There was no denying he was very savvy technical wise and was very good at keeping himself up to date with various goings on. But when it came to keeping him on a subject he made Phil look focused by comparison. When he started on a tangent, he would see it through to the end. How could a man so in touch be so out of touch at the same time?

Aaron had been to his home once before and the smell he could pick up sometimes made him raise an eyebrow or two. But he was necessary for what needed to be done.

Aaron pulled up at the single storey house. There was nothing completely remarkable about it. No lawn decorations or even many flowers growing in the small lawn at the front. It was simply unassuming, like the man himself. He got out and walked up the drive to see a note left under a rock next to the door.

Door's unlocked. Come on in.

Aaron did so, noting how much more concise he was in his writing than his speaking. He entered the small entrance hall that lead directly into a moderately sized living area. The house bore signs of having not being occupied for a while. Dust coated the furnishings in a thick layer. Hooks for coats stood empty. There were no personal affectations or decorations. Portraits of family and such. Or it could just be another reflection of the rather plain man who lived here.

"Phil?" he called. "Where are you?"

No reply. He coughed a little when he inhaled a cloud of dust. Apparently Brad hadn't done the best job at keeping this place clean. He tried the light switch, but nothing happened. Hadn't even fixed in new bleeding bulbs. His concern growing, Aaron entered the living room. Perhaps Phil was waiting for him to join him there.

But he wasn't. However, there was something that wasn't covered in dust. A small table with a chair and a drawer fixed underneath. The only thing on it was what looked like an electronic tablet, not unlike the one they used for the cameras at Freddy's. He walked over to examine it. Had Phil set this up to extra security perhaps? Some other way to get in touch?

Aaron felt a sense of foreboding shadow over him. Something wasn't right here. Why would Phil arrange to meet at his house and not be here? He'd never failed to keep in line with arrangements they made. Unless something had happened.

He pulled out his mobile phone urgently to find out but almost dropped it out of fright when it started to ring. He checked the caller ID. It was Phil.

"Phil? Where the devil are you?" he asked urgently.

"Hello, Mr. Johnson. On time, just like I was told you would be."

Aaron tensed. That wasn't Phil's voice. This voice seemed to slither into his ear like a snake, hissing gently and enticingly before it struck.

"Who is this? How did you get this number?" Aaron asked at once.

"Hey, hey, calm down, Aaron. Can I call you Aaron?" he asked conversationally. "I'm just having a nice chat with you, that's all."

"How did you get this number?" he repeated.

The voice chuckled. "How else? From our mutual friend Phil, of course. It took a little bit of coaxing, but he and I have this unique understanding. Right, pal?"

Aaron heard the rustling of the phone being passed over to someone else. Phil's terrified tones came through.

"A-Aaron? I-I'm sorry. He-" He was cut off by further phone rustling.

"There you go, see?" It was the other voice again. "We're like best buds and considering how close you two seem to be, I thought it was high time we finally get acquainted."

"What have you done to him?" demanded Aaron.

"Relax, he's fine. It's nothing he won't recover from. Physically anyway." He laughed, but there was nothing remotely present about the sound. "But he's not why I'm here. You see, Aaron, you and I have a little negotiation to settle."

"What makes you think I would even want to? You still haven't told me who you are," he said sharply.

"I guess not," the voice said offhandedly. "Didn't Phil ever tell you? I'm a special associate of Sid's. You know how he doesn't like to get his hands dirty, so he calls me in for it."

The way he said sent a shiver down his spine. "What does that mean?"

"Well, stuff like this for example. Now, I think it's time we discuss business."

"I'm not inclined to discuss the bloody weather with you, let alone business!" he snapped. "I'm going to hang up this phone and I'll be ringing the police not long after!"

"Is that so?" the voice asked.

"Better believe it, sunshine!" he retorted. "I've heard enough here to be happy in the knowledge that I'll never hear from you again!"

"Would you say the same about your lovely wife and daughter?"

Aaron's blood chilled like ice. "What?"

"They're really lovely, actually. I'm looking at them right now. Your wife, she looks good for a woman her age, you lucky devil. And the little one. What was her name, Annie right? She seems like a really spirited kid. I always like the spirited ones. So vibrant and full of life." Aaron clenched his fist tighter around the phone. "They must really mean a lot to you. It's always so touching, you know? Seeing such a close family. I can't imagine how you'd feel if anything happened to them. Here, want to see? Turn on that tablet there. I think they're just laying out the dinner table."

With shaking hands, Aaron picked it up. A grainy, shaking image flickered onscreen. But even like this, Aaron recognised his house. It was being filmed from a car parked across the street. There they were in the brightly lit dining room. Hannah was setting dinner down with Annie laying places.

"I sat close by on the bus they were on," he went on casually. "On their way back from Annie's school. Seems like a great woman, honestly does. She said it was her turn to cook tonight, but Annie was going to cut the vegetables. Kid looked like Christmas had come early when her mom told her that. Now that's a good family dynamic right there, you don't see it much. She asked if daddy was going to come home early. The disappointment they both had when she told her you were going to be late. My heart just went out to them and that chicken looks really good. I might go keep them company, see if they need help carving. I'm pretty good with a knife."

"Don't hurt them," whispered Aaron shakily. "If you touch them-!"

"Touch them?" He sounded offended. "Aaron, what do you take me for? What kind of decent house guest does that? But you know, cases of food poisoning happen more often than you think. I might need to make sure they've cooked everything to proper standards in case anything happens. After all, I'd hate to spoil your dinner."

"What do you want?"

"Are we done with small talk? That's a shame, I kind of wanted to know more. Does Annie enjoy school? She got any friends? And oh man, how does Hannah get the chicken that perfect golden colour? With the juices giving it that mouth-watering sheen. I could never get that!"

"Stop it!" he shouted. "You leave them out of this!"

"Okay, I can take a hint." The screen went blank. "Personally, I think it's a little rude that you won't invite me into your home, but if you'd rather get on with business that's fine by me. Open the drawer in front of you. Take out what you find inside and mull it over so you understand."

Aaron did so. Inside was a form and a pen. The palms of his hands sweating, Aaron read it. What it entailed did nothing to assuage his anguish.

"You can't be serious!"

"Hey, that was quick," the voice remarked. "Did you make sure to read the fine print too? That always trips people up."

"I won't sign this!"

"Really? Was there something you're not clear on? Because we could always discuss it at dinner, if you prefer. I never like to do things on an empty stomach personally," he said casually. "Of course, it would be a private discussion so we can't have Hannah and Annie around to hear. You'd understand if I made sure they were out of the way, right?"

"You… you bastard!" Aaron cursed.

"Hey, no need for that language," chided the voice. "It's really simple. Just sign that form. Hold the tablet so I can make sure you have and we'll be done here. I'll swing by and pick it up later. Oh and you'd better not try anything stupid like tearing up the form or calling the cops so they catch me when I come here or phone home to tell Hannah she'll be expecting a visitor. Otherwise, well, I can't be held responsible for what might happen."

Aaron's gaze shifted rapidly from the tablet to the phone. There could be a chance the man was lying but was it really worth the risk? He already sounded like he'd hurt Phil in some way. And the way he was talking about his family, that he knew who they were and where they lived… He couldn't take the risk.

With a little difficulty due to the tablet and his trembling hand, Aaron signed the form in purple ink.

"Like it? My favourite colour," remarked the voice casually. "Well, everything looks to be in order here. I'll see you around, Aaron. Maybe we'll do lunch sometime. And hey, about the form? Don't worry about it just now. We've still got some other things to settle before we make any final moves, so you just go about as normal. Like nothing happened. You get me? Because I'll know if you don't. Catch you later!"

The phone clicked and he was gone, leaving Aaron alone with a growing sense of dread for what was coming.

Emerald2020: Thank you. Also, get out.

SuperNormalMan: Ship who you please. I personally will always have them as just besties but I won't stop you.

Lord Zalgo: I regret my lord may have to wait some time, but I do hope it will be worth it.

Hickorydaisy: Alice is the name you give to the Puppet, I presume? They are relevant and they will be answered, in time.
Well noticed. Jerry is no one. He's just a guy from Andrew's new job after he left Freddy's.

Arc of Carona: Your feeling would be correct.

Inuyashagirl312: He is rather unnerving.

Flyingshadow451: As I say, I'm almost at the end so I might as well finish it. All of those questions will be answered in the future, I assure you of that.

l OmegaInfinity l: The way I intend to write him will hopefully come across as complex and compelling. Oh hey it's a reference to that thing with the guy and the dude.

Janepiratefox: The other what? That will be explored at another time.

lyokowarrior1999: I like to think I never answer anything. That would just spoil things.

Mobslayer2205: I have plans for him. Possibly, but in this setting it would be difficult to do. Glad you've stuck with me this long.

FnafLord29: I've been told that more than once.

Monkey999Boy: I will not hesitate to blow holes in every single one of your ships! And no. Not yet anyway.

DnWolfy: Sometimes simplicity is the best option. You know, that wouldn't be so farfetched from happening knowing Golden.

Idondoshit: Indeed.

Foxdoc84: High praise indeed. Thank you. You'd be correct in thinking it isn't over. Not yet. I think this'll end up totalling around seven, maybe eight stories. Not counting any specials that I may do.

masquerade of shadows: Believe me, the Marionette's character was one I thought long and hard about. I think you'll like what I have in mind for him. You know, I've never actually thought about that. You're right about them not sweating and such, no bodily oils but that was something I kind of overlooked. Maybe that's fitting considering the original animatronics 'never got a bath' XD

The Ben Who Must Not Be Named: That is very true. Joker is case and point.
Yeah Mike's thoughts tend to go in a vicious circle when he's worried about something, usually making it worse.
Give them time.
It was something she needed to come to terms with to let it go. Now she can. Hopefully.
Give them time and we'll see where things go.
It could only be him. Just you wait and see what happens when he tugs at the strings a little more.

MajorVidGamer: Someone clearly doesn't play or know much of the games XD But you are right to be concerned.

Aiden of Ignis: Keep hoping.

Zanza Flux: Not to mention a literal truck to carry him back in.
Let's just say that best laid plans went astray.
You're right there. The two of them both need to figure things out properly by bonding a little more before they even think about big decisions.
He has his strings, as we will learn.

And that's the end of another instalment. A hearty thank you to each and every one of my readers and reviewers. You make this story just as much as I do. Remember, a storyteller's word is meaningless with no one to hear it.

Now, as I've already said, my writing is going to be severely staggered over this year and some of the next. A dissertation is a big thing and I have two other modules to contend with too. We have to prioritise and as much as I love writing this, it's going to have to take a back seat for now. But rest assured, I have great plans. Oh yes indeed.

Until then my friends, I bid you farewell. Be strong, be swift, be just.

Alpha.