It had felt like years since Dave confined William to that place.
He had pounded on the metal door, clawed at it, even thrown his full weight against it. The door never shifted. Not a dent, not a change in the hinges. Only the smears of his fingerprints and claw marks remained.
They felt placed there on purpose.
Like hope, offered only to be crushed.
A laugh echoed behind him—quiet, sharp, unmistakable. William froze.
There was nothing in the world he hated more than that laugh.
"Hello again, William," Dave said, voice smooth. "It's been a while, hasn't it?"
William turned slowly. "You know exactly how long it's been, you bastard."
"Ah. Straight to hostility. How predictable." Dave tilted his head, amused. "Tell me—does it make you feel better? Calling me names?"
"YOU KILLED A CHILD!" William roared.
Dave's smile widened slightly, like a man appreciating fine art. "Four, actually. Accuracy matters."
He then gave a sinister smirk. "And I'm not finished."
William lunged—but the world snapped away.
He jolted awake in his bed, breath shuddering. "...bastard," he muttered under his breath.
Jennifer slept beside him, peaceful, unaware. He rose quietly—then froze at the sound of crying.
A baby.
He followed the sound into a bright yellow room he didn't recognize. A crib sat between two white drawers, and inside the crib lay a baby—a small, adorable thing with bright, beautiful green eyes.
William felt something inside him. A connection, despite the fact that he hadn't even witnessed the birth. Dave had made certain of that.
"Hey, darling! Checking on Jeremy?" Jennifer said from the doorway with a smile.
William forced his voice to steady. "Yeah. He was crying. I... wanted to see what he needed."
"You're such a good father," she said, kissing his cheek. "But you go on and get to Fredbear's. I'll take care of Jeremy."
"Okay. Thank you, Jennifer."
"You're welcome, honey."
On the drive, the world seemed normal—until a figure appeared in the passenger seat.
Dave.
William's hands tightened on the wheel. "How—how are you here? I'm awake."
"I told you," Dave murmured, "I'm growing stronger. And you're getting weaker."
He smiled faintly. "This is only four souls. Imagine what thirty could do."
"DON'T YOU DARE—"
Dave spoke over him, tone soft as silk. "And what do you plan on doing? Do you plan to cry? Like you did when your father tore you apart piece by piece. Or when he finally ended himself."
William struck at him, but his fist passed through.
"Eyes on the road," Dave warned lightly, nodding toward the car swerving into William's lane.
William jerked the wheel, chest hammering.
Dave chuckled. "Your temper has always been your greatest flaw."
"Look who's talking! You killed four children! You bloody monster!"
"If I'm a monster," Dave said, "what does that make you? After all, I was created from your mind."
William's throat tightened. "I'm nothing like you."
"Perhaps that's true. And that's exactly why you will die long before I do."
He faded, smile lingering like a scent.
Once William got to Fredbears, he realized that he forgot his keys. Henry let him in with a laugh, oblivious to his internal suffering.
While William inspected Bonnie's endoskeleton, the voice returned.
"You amaze me, William. All of this, yet you remain determined."
"Leave me alone," William hissed under his breath. "Leave me and everyone I care about alone."
"I could," Dave said. "But why would I? I need your body. And your resistance is so entertaining."
"What are you planning?"
Dave chuckled softly. "Chaos, William. Pure, unrestrained chaos."
William started to yell—but Dave cut him off, calm as ever.
"Henry is just behind that door. Imagine if he heard you. If he knew about me."
A pause.
"I can only ponder what would happen after that. Perhaps you'd be admitted to a mental asylum."
"I don't care!" William snapped. "I'd rather be locked away or imprisoned than let you do this!"
Dave sighed, almost disappointed. "Here I thought I was being merciful — letting you see your wife and newborn son."
Darkness crept in at the edges of William's vision.
"No—Henry—" he gasped, reaching for the exit, forcing his legs to move—
But the world dissolved.
He slammed into the metal floor of the cage, the familiar door looming above him.
He screamed until his throat burned.
Then he slid down the cold steel, breath trembling, the void swallowing his words.
Dave was out there.
And William was trapped once again.