It was Michael's birthday, and Jeremy had been tormenting him all week. William had, fortunately, been in control for a few days—but nights were another story. Still, he'd made a Fredbear plushie for Michael, something he could watch over him with. But sometimes Dave seeped through, whispering things Michael didn't need to hear.
William was in the Parts and Service room when cries echoed from Fredbear's main floor. Michael was on the ground, crying, surrounded by Jeremy and his friends.
"Wow, your brother is kind of a baby, isn't he?" one of Jeremy's friends sneered.
"It's hilarious. Why don't we help him get a closer look? He will love it!" Jeremy said.
"No! Please!" Michael pleaded.
"Come on, guys, let's give this little man a lift. He wants to get up close and personal!" Jeremy said, as he and his friends hoisted Michael into the air and started carrying him toward Fredbear's stage.
"No! I don't want to go!" Michael cried.
"You heard the little man! He wants to get even closer! Ha ha ha!" Jeremy jeered, carrying him closer.
Eventually, they reached the stage.
"Hey guys, I think the little man said he wants to give Fredbear a big kiss!" Jeremy said.
"On THREE! One.... two....."
William rushed out, heart hammering. He froze when he saw Michael trapped, Fredbear's jaws closing over him. A laugh echoed—soft, cruel.
Blood splattered. Michael went limp. Jeremy's friends bolted in terror.
"MICHAEL!" William screamed, charging forward. He pulled Michael free and immediately noticed the springlocks—rigged where they shouldn't be. Dave had planned this.
Tears blurred William's vision as he turned to Jeremy.
"I... I—" he stammered. Jeremy could barely speak, frozen in shock.
William did something Jeremy never expected: he pulled him into a hug.
"It's okay, Jeremy. You didn't know. You couldn't have known," William said softly.
Dave took control and whispered into Jeremy's ear. "You've grown up to be just like me. I'm proud of you, kiddo."
Jeremy froze, eyes widening. The words sank deep, and he began to cry.
"Still a crybaby, though. How unfortunate," Dave added, before letting William regain control.
"Jeremy... don't listen to him, okay? No matter what he says," William warned.
Jeremy didn't fully understand what he meant, but he nodded anyway.
"I'll call the hospital," William said, urgency in his voice. "Even if it's just wishful thinking.. we have to try."
The line connected. Help was on the way.
William returned to Jeremy. "I... I'm sorry," Jeremy whispered.
William placed his hands on Jeremy's shoulders. "It's okay. What you did was cruel, yes—but I've done worse. We can get through this together."
"I want to, I really do... but... DAD, I JUST CAN'T ANYMORE! Mom's dead, Elizabeth's dead, and now Michael... because of me! I just wanted to help him face his fears, but I ruined everything! I don't want to get attached to anyone else, just to have them ripped away!" Jeremy sobbed.
William's chest tightened. Jennifer's dead... he thought. That bastard...
"Jeremy... I can't promise I won't leave, but I can promise that I'll do my best not to," William said.
"Thank you, Dad," Jeremy whispered, hugging him.
"Of course, son," William replied, holding him tightly.
Eventually, paramedics arrived and took Michael away. But there was nothing they could do.
"Can you hear me? I don't know if you can hear me..... I'm sorry." Jeremy murmured beside Michael's bed, his hands trembling. He then let out a shaky sigh and turned to William.
"I'm leaving... and I don't just mean the hospital," He said.
"What? Jeremy..." William said, reaching out his hand.
"I have no right to be here. If I go back to the house, it'll just remind me of him... of my sins."
"Jeremy, come on—" William started.
"There's nothing you can say to stop me... d-... William. Goodbye," Jeremy said, his voice breaking as he walked out of the room.
As the door clicked shut, Michael flatlined. William froze, stunned, the world narrowing to a point of unbearable silence.
Then his fists clenched, jaw tightening, and a roar tore from his chest.
"No! I WON'T LET YOU WIN! NOT AGAIN!" he yelled, lifting Michael into his arms, his eyes burning with determination.
"I... I will put you back together," he whispered, voice trembling but firm, into his son's ear.