Work Text
Nathan SmithAge : 35Occupation : Freddy Fazbear's Pizzera [ Fired ]Height : 5' 11"Ethnicity : Korean AmericanAppearance : Black hair , brown eyes , tan skinIdentifying Marks : 2 Large tattoos [ Right arm ] , 7 smaller individual tattoos [ Left arm ] , 14 mm guages [ Right & left earlobes ]
Ever since the fire at Freddy's Nate hasn't been the same . Who would be after something so traumatizing . The two security guards were quick to escape without as much as a nick before the place was burned to the ground .
Mark was quick to help the animatronics even after everything , he seemed to have grown a soft spot for the furry guys . The animatronics seemed quite relieved that he wasn't so on edge with them in the same room anymore . While Mark had moved to a nice place somewhere on the outskirts of the town where such events took place , Nate hadn't been so . . . fortunate . He was constantly couch hopping , switching motels , trying to find the cheapest places to stay .
He was constantly on the move in fear of HIM . Which was impossible . . . R i g h t ? He was in prison serving his TIME . He was going to get the death penalty , but fear always slowly crept behind him like a stalker hunting it's p r e y .
But Nate had been right .
Of course he had to be right as he watched the screen in front of him , putting an even more damper on his mood . He shut the laptop and in a spur of panic Nate begins packing his bag , packing all of his essentials as he fell into his usual routine . Toothbrush , Toothpaste , water , charger , laptop , phone , tazer and pepper spray . . . And a spare change of clothes and undergarments . The raven made a mental note to remind himself to Doordash a few orders when he realizes that the change in his pocket isn't gonna cut it tonight . He needed to eat and he just ate the last granola bar last night , as much as he hated the taste of them .
He groans , running a hand through his oily hair . Right , and a shower was definitely being added to the to-do list . Nate zips his bag and throws it over his shoulder , phone nestled in his pocket so he could quickly take it out if he needed to . With haste he quickly shuts the curtains and switches off the lights .
He double and then triple checked to make sure he didn't forget anything or it would be a hassle and dangerous even to retrace his steps when there's a killer on the loose who is no doubt trying to kill him . The voice of him still rings in his ears like an earworm relaying the same annoying song in his head , unable to escape his own mind .The raven quickly goes down the stairs and out the building , but not before tipping the girl at the desk to apologize for leaving the room such a mess . The world was just waking up , the sun just peaking from the skyline .
Orange and yellow hues wash over the town like a warm beautiful blanket. He had quickly learned that big cities were a huge no . Big cities meant the prices were higher and he couldn't afford to live in such a place .
Of course , small rural towns meant little civilization
. . . Nate shivers at the thought of being trapped all alone without being able to call for help as he walks down the street of Bakersfield .
He pulls out his phone , biting his lip while debating whether it's a good idea to visit his dear friend again . While he was always welcome ( Mark had said as such ) he didn't want to burden him with anymore trouble after everything .
His paranoia wracked brain would almost definitely worry his red headed friend and he couldn't do that to him . Nate sighs and slips his phone back into his pocket .
As stores and restaurants open up the raven could see the library slowly coming into view . He had chained his bike to the bars in front of the entrance of the building .
He feared that someone would try sabatoging his bike if they knew he owned it . Better safe than sorry he had told himself quite frequently .
Once Nate arrived at his desired location he fishes out his key , fitting it into the lock connecting the chain and bike . Nate slides his hand down the bars of his only available transportation before climbing on .
It was time to go . Leave just like all the other times , there was no breaks for him . He wouldn't allow himself any .
" Fuck! " Nate curses to himself , sucking in a breath . It didn't hurt , it didn't hurt , it didn't hurt . . . His attempt at gaslighting himself wasn't as successful as he had hoped .
The raven had suddenly felt light headed when he was riding his bike and had wiped out in an alleyway . Not the most fun he's had
unfortunately . The inside of his stomach churned with bile .
He was feeling quite faint like he did before . He lets out a pathetic whimper , pressing his cheek against the cold brick wall of the alleyway .
He grasps at his raven hair , tugging at it as if to get rid of the throbbing pain in his head . His ankle was starting to swell up , red marring his tan skin . Nate had twisted it when he crashed .
How lovely .
The raven shakily lifts his wrist to check his watch . 3:01 pm . He grimaces and leans against the brick wall . He's been getting these migraines far more than frequent than he liked and it was driving him up the wall . He needed them to
STOP .
The weather was taking a turn for the worst as dark clouds started heading in his direction . Oh how unlucky was Nathan Smith , barely able to catch a break .
He clears his throat , swallowing thickly . Trembling with dark brown eyes fixed on the now cracked screen that was his phone , a thumb clicks on a very familiar phone number on his contact list .
He lifts the electronic to his hear , waiting until the ringing comes to a stop . He grits his teeth , his head continuing to throb ." Hey , Mark . . . Long time no see eh ? . . . Watcha been up to ? " The voice of his friend brings a calmness wash over him despite the constant stress and migraines that have worn him down over the past few months ." Is that the Nathan Sharp ? The same Nate we all know and love . My very bestest best friend ? "
Nate could imagine Mark making unremarkable silly faces behind the screen which earned himself a small laugh , a smile creeping onto his face . He coughs , his response a little delayed as he rolls his eyes ." As a matter of fact it is , " Nate rubs his eyes , " How are you and Amy ? You two still together ?" he reiterates , adding onto the question .
Mark had been telling him about this girl that he was talking to and that they had just recently made it official a month ago - the last time he talked to him . There's some shuffling on the other end before a new voice enters the conversation .
Hi ! " Amy calls out before his phone dings , letting him know that Mark just sent him something . The raven pulls the phone away from his ear and clicks on the attachment Mark had sent .
A photo of a blonde woman with glasses and a certain red haired man filled out his screen with smiley faces . Nate could feel the wholesomeness and pure joy radiating from the picture .
If it was possible he'd have cavities just from looking at the couple together . It only filled the raven with contentment , his gaze softening slightly ." Sweet picture . You two look great . "
" Thank youuuu my good sirrr ! Now shan't I ask why you called me ? Or did you just miss my amazing and awesome voice . " Nate goes to retaliate to the comment but it's his body involuntarily shivering that forces him to stop .
The cold air nipped at his bare skin where he couldn't cover up , blood rushing to the surface in an attempt to regulate his body temperature . Rain droplets start landing on his cheeks makes him start talking again ." I . . . May need a ride . . . And a place to stay for the night . . . If that's alright with you ? I kind of busted the chain when I wiped out . " Nate mindlessly rubs the material of his jacket as he tries explaining the situation,
awkwardness and guilt wracking his body without his consent .How rude ." Of course man ! I can be there as soon as I can ! Where are you ? " Mark asks , prompting Nate to take a closer look at his surroundings . He was currently on the outskirts of Bakersfield but what street he was on had completely been forgotten when he took a nasty crash into the dark alley . He manages to push the bike off of him and drags himself closer to the side walk .
He sighs in relief when he spots a sign with a street name on it . He wets his lips before speaking .
" Uh . . . North New London Street in Bakersfield . " There's a few clicks on the other end .
" Got it ! On my way , Mr. Nathan Sharp ! " Nate snorts." Bye , Mark . "
" Buh byeee- ! "
----- CHAPTER BREAK -----
" He's out like a light . Do you think he's getting enough sleep ? " An ashy hand twitches in the back seat , head lulled to the side . The low hum of the heater and the bass of the song had quickly calmed him into a sense of security like a warm blanket ." Mark , he looks like he hasn't slept in days . "" I know . That's what worries me . He hasn't called or texted me after . . . I think maybe once but that's it ! "
The raven's breathing was even , in tempo with the beat of his heart . The car was filled with various collections of stuff . Several sizes of cardboard boxes were taped and stacked on top of each other in the seat next to the resting body . An ashy black hand trails down jaw , nails tickling tan skin . Nate was dead asleep . Nothing could possibly wake him up . This encouraged the
C R E A T U R E
to brush its hand against his cheek , its hand calloused and rough with ridges and thickened skin . It was almost flakey to the touch . As if . . . It was made out of real ash . The hand goes to grasp the electronic device next to Nate . It seemed to have peaked the creature's interest . It's fingers click on the cracked screen but it quickly became frustrated , violently tapping at the phone's lock screen . Why wouldn't this damn thing unlock ! ?" Nate ? " And as quickly as the hand appeared it was gone , slinking away into the vast darkness of the car . The raven jerks awake , blinking hastily . His vision was blurry as he was disoriented from being torn from his ( surprisingly ) dreamless sleep ." Hm- What . . . ? " Nate slurs his syllables . He could barely comprehend the words spilling from Mark's lips . It all sounded gibberish to him . He leans into the warm hand that grasps his shoulder . " Uhm- Uh . . . Say 'gain . . "
" We're here . Let's go inside , " Mark repeats , helping his friend out of the vehicle . Trembling , Nate stumbles as he drunkenly climbs out of the car with Mark's help while Amy locks up the car and holds open the front door for them . He wasn't actually drunk thankfully but the lack of sleep definitely didnt help his case . The migraines were back and even worse than before . Mark had to practically carry Nate from the car to the couch .
The raven sighs as his head hits the soft pillows of the couch . It was as if he had taken melatonin and woke up in the middle of the night , only to find that he were hit with a wave of dizziness and couldn't stand up for more than 2 seconds before crashing to the ground or holding onto something ." M . . . Med'cine . . . " He says , pointing to his head , " hurt . "Mark seemed to have gotten the memo because not even a moment later he's back from the bathroom with Asprin and a cup of water . Nate manages to sit up to drink the water , popping the pills into his mouth and swallowing . He then sets the cup on the table stand next to the table as he leans back on the couch . His vision blurs as sleep carefully tugs at his mind .There's some shuffling before warmth encapsulates the raven which lets him sink deeper into the deep sea of tranquility . Nate curls up under the soft blankets , lips parting as he relaxes . Not too much later all of his thoughts came to a stop . Sleep came to him like the dead that night . It's been so long since he had a proper night sleep . He was forever thankful that Mark and Amy would do such a thing for him . He was never great at accepting help from others . . .
Unfortunately the Asprin didn't seem to quell the nausea eating away at his stomach . Tan fingers anxiously card through oily grown out raven locks before rubbing at his face . He clicks his tongue . He needed a shower , a haircut and a shave . The soft patter of footsteps traveling from the couch to the bathroom and the creaking of the floor felt like the only sound throughout the whole house . A finger flicks on the switch after closing the door , propping himself up with his forearms on the brim of the sink ." God . . . " He swore under his breath . He looked terrible . A shell of a man who used to walk with confidence and pride , now a ghost of its shadow . Harsh shadows frame his face , eyes sunken in with dark circles that made him look even worse as if he was about to succumb to death any moment . He felt horrible , obviously . But that alone felt like an understatement . With shaking hands the raven pulls out his phone right as the screen brightens . An unknown number is calling him . It could've been from the borderline state of deliriousness that he answers the call . Any other time he'd just ignore it while the usual paranoia swallowed him whole .
His heart drops at the familiar voice , a ringing in his ears getting louder and louder accompanied by the breathing on the other end . Or perhaps it was his own . The raven's pupils dilate with fear ." I knew I'd find you . " A loud cruel laugh brought Nate to his knees as he clutched the edge of the sink , his heart pounding in his chest . It sliced through his heart like a dagger , gutting him open like a sack of meat and flesh . All of Nate's common sense and sense of calmness is completely thrown out the window . Fuck fuck fuck FUCK ! FUCK HIS LIFE ! He just couldn't catch a break . All that hiding . . . It was for N O T H I N G !
NOTHING.
He never should've brought Mark and Amy into this . . . Nate bites his lip in regret . The pressure in his head worsens every moment , hissing in agony as his head feels like hot lava burning his insides . He hunches over with his nails digging into his scalp . A silent scream over comes him , mouth hinged open and face contorting with a million emotions . The electronic clattering to the ground was the least of his worries . Numbness seems to take over his insides starting from his legs up as he starts hacking , his body trying to expell whatever is clogging his throat . Thick black liquid spills from his lips like ink on a page . His vision becomes cloudy , eyes fluttering closed while his head collides with the floor with a c r a c k .
A few knocks echo through the bathroom . " Nate ? You in thereee ? " He was underwater , drowning . There was a deafening buzzing in his ear that wouldn't go away . Where was he ? He groans . Passing out on the floor wasn't on his to-do list but he guess he couldn't control everything in his life unfortunately . Hands massage the knot in his neck from spending the night on the bathroom floor . It wasn't as comfortable as people claimed ( how could anyone sleep like that ) . He has slept on the floor before but since hitting his head wasn't usually apart of his routine it seemed to have put a crick in his neck .
" Yeah . I'm fine . . . " He groans before prying the door open with numb hands . The raven is greeted with Chica nuzzling his legs with her wet nose prompting him to bend down to scritch her golden fur . A grin adorns his lips , the tail wagging mutt at his side . It was quite . . . Relaxing . He definitely needed it with everything he's delt with ." Such a pretty girl , " he muses . He pets her for a few moments before standing up and moving out of the way for Mark to actually use the bathroom without the raven in it . Chica was always sweet . Prior to getting to know Mark he had seemed like an over-the-top paranoid guy , but after getting to know him he realized he was just a man who loved to entertain and crack silly jokes . In actuality they had switched places . Nate had turned into a paranoid man on the run from a psychotic man who had a thirst for his blood . He was just grateful that Mark and Amy ( and Chica of course ) were living their best lives , even if it meant his own life being on the line .
Fear started to creep behind him , always following him from every corner as his thoughts take a turn for the worst . He had always been an overthinker , trying to find solutions to every problem . And now he had none . Z e r o . It made him twitch . He needed answers . He needed to know why his ex boss was stalking him and trying to kill him . It made his skin crawl . His heart was hammering in his chest as the rage he had been repressing for ages boils over like steaming water .
Drip
Drip
DRIP
" Coffee ? "The voice pulls him out of a sea of emotions . His eyes are fixed on the mug in front of him . It takes him a few moments before answering Amy , taking the steaming cup of coffee . He inhales the strong aroma of the bitter liquid ." I-uhm . . Thank you , " he says indifferently , nodding his head . He hoped that it at least portrayed his gratefulness . One could only hope . The blonde gives him a soft smile , something in her eyes . Pity ?" Don't worry about it . " The raven takes a sip , closing his eyes as the hot coffee burns him . He doesn't wince , taking a long gulp to further soothe the bubbling anger that was present moments ago . It takes him even longer to realize that his tongue now actually hurts and he can't feel his tastebuds . ( yeah no kidding . That's what happens when you don't wait for it to cool ) . Amy sat next to the raven with a mug of steaming liquid . Unlike him , she was blowing on it as she waited for it too cool off a little . He innerly scowls at his own stupidity . Water droplets slid down the glass panels , the weather from last night seemed to have only let up somewhat .
He didn't really feel like talking at the moment and she seemed to have picked up on his closed off demeanor . While she didn't take it personally her body language just screamed of worry and concern . He didn't blame Amy , the raven would've been worried too if the roles were reversed and Anna found Mark bloodied up in an alleyway or . . . Chica let's out a small woof , snapping him from his thoughts . He leans forward , focusing his gaze on the happy little golden retriever . He raises an eyebrow , tilting his head . He hums ( what did she want ? ) . She becomes insistent in the way she paws at his pant leg and whines , getting the attention of Amy as well ." Chica ? " the blonde mutters questioningly .He stumbles when he tries to get up with the mutt pulling his stained hoodie . He's quick to set the wobbling coffee mug in his hand on the table before he could spill any . He'd hate to stain Amy and Mark's floor . . . The raven puts his hands up while Chica is insistant ." I'm coming ! I'm coming ! " he exclaims , following the golden furred animal with Amy at his side , curious as he is . Feet and paws bound down the hallway . Amy bends down as Chica finally stops in her tracks to rub her head , looking up at the door in question . He reluctantly twists the knob , hesitancy in his action . A putrid rotting stench tainted the air , leaving their noses burning of
death . A gasp and a horrible cry escapes the blonde , making her recoil in shock as the raven clenched his fists at the sight . A carcass of a mutilated buck enters their vision .The poor deer was gutted , eyes frozen in a staring contest . Its blood soaked matted clumps of fur and lifeless eyes was enough to freak someone out . The gutted animal and the carvings in the skin quickly ruled out quite a few things . For one , it was done on purpose .
To send a message .
----- CHAPTER BREAK -----
Tan fingers tug at wet raven locks , forehead pressed against knobby knees . The luke warm water encapsulated the lower half of Nate's bare body . Silence rang across the bathroom walls , droplets of condensation dripping down the sides of smooth acrylic . His mother would make him baths when he was upset as a child . Water used to almost always calm him . Pools , beaches , lakes . Anywhere he could swim and relax . Nate closes his eyes , sighing as he remembers soft , calloused hands massaging his scalp with soothing scented soap .Amy had called the police and were investigating the house at the moment while her and Mark were being questioned . He rubs his face with his hand , dread apparent in his eyes . It was only a matter of time before he was to be interrogated too . The raven knew that talking to them would ( hopefully ) help the case but he didn't feel like talking , he hasn't felt motivated to do anything that wasn't running away from his problems . He had always been a runner . So he decided to take a bath , not only to soothe himself but to stall . Nate grasps the edge of the tub and lifts himself up , towel in hand that he wraps around his waist . He hums as he grabs the blue razor , discarding the clear plastic that guards the blade .Water drips down tan skin , long knotted black hair sticking to his forehead and neck . The blade smoothly glides against the contour of the raven's face . He wasn't stupid enough to mention the supernatural occurrences that seemed to be happening to him . He'd look like he was off his rockers . And he didn't want to be put in a loony bin when there was a mad man on the loose who actually needed to be put in one . His jerks his hand as the muscles in his hand starts spasming . Pain blooms around his cheek , beads of red forming around the cut just about a centimeters in length . Shit . He curses as he wipes the blood away with tissue . Shaving cream . . . Right . . . The man seemed to have forgotten how to shave properly . The raven blinks , narrowing his eyes at his hands . He inspects the area , rubbing it as it flaked with the applied friction . It was . . . Abnormally dark , pitch black a stark contract to his tan skin , and it felt somehow ashy ?" What in the-? What the hell ? " The tips of his fingers looked like he dipped them in ink . At first Nate feared he had frostbite but for one , it wasn't nearly as cold for that to happen and two, his hands didn't feel numb .And it certainly wasn't as grotesque than what he initially thought ( though it still left a pit in his gut ) . He just couldn't wrap his head around why this was all happening .What was even happening to him . . . ? The raven finishes shaving ( properly this time , careful not to nick himself again ) and slips on newly clean clothes that Mark put in the wash and dryer for him . He couldn't possible thank them both enough . The hospitality was probably more than he deserved . Right as he's about to turn the knob he is stopped by a low gutteral and disembodied voice that made anyone with a lick of sense shudder ." Naaateee~ "" Gah- ! "
He flinch hard , clutching his racing heart with wide eyes . His knees went weak and his ears started ringing with the taunting voice inside his swimming thoughts . Nate swallows thickly . The man glances over his shoulder in a haste but he finds no one in the bathroom with him . Why would there be anyone ? It wasn't entirely big and there was barely any space to hide in , the linen closet filled with only clean towels and toiletries . That just wouldn't make any sense and it would be entirely inconvenient and uncomfortable .
He was going mad and he was helpless to his slowly deteriorating sanity . He wets his bottom lip , hesitantly walking over to the mirror . He runs his fingers through his raven locks right before splashing water onto his face in hope for some type of clarity .
" Nate . "This time it was louder and more clear , demanding to be heard . The man in question snaps his head foreward , eyes trained on his reflection . It's not real , it's not real , it's not REAL . His body shakes with overwhelming emotions that threaten to spill over the edge like teetering Jenga blocks . His hands were locked in a steel grip , the porcelain fracturing under the pressure . A long loud crack echoes throughout the room , prompting Nate to loosen his grasp . His heart was pumping a million times a minute , feeling like he was drowning and couldn't resurface no matter how much he kicked and struggled .How did he . . . ? Did . . . Did he do that . . . ? The raven let's out a strangled gasp , splatters of blood painting the sink . A sharp pain stabs him like a sword through his head , his nose throbbing . The familiar pain brings a memory to the forefront of his mind . 2 month prior Nate had been sharing his previous apartment with Mark right after the altercation with their boss . The bags under his eyes were less prominent and his cheeks were fuller . They were traumatized but lively . He wasn't poisoned with grief and terror . It was earlier in the year , August , the second hottest of the months . The grass was greener and the air was dry . The man with 2 week old red hair let's out a bellowing laugh in response to a joke that wasn't all that funny ( In Nate's opinion of course) . Nate snorts , rolling his eyes as he casually strolls around the room , crossing his arms ." Wow , so funny . Running around in a bear costume wielding a flamethrower chainsaw has to be top funniest things . Who even does that ? " Nate ponders out loud .
" Dunno . I'm just glad I got to keep that thing yknow . . . Got it off of that phone guy ," Mark casually says as he grasps something behind his back , presenting it to the. wide eyed man . Nate reels back as if Mark had LOST his MIND ." You actually took that ? How- Why did you bring that in my house !? " How did he not notice a whole flamethrower in his apartment ? That thing was huge ! Mark just grins , aiming it at the door as he mimics little pew pew sounds . Nate shakes his head , pushing his glasses up so it rests correctly on his nose . He rubs his face ." Right . . . " His friend was a little odd . Not that Nate ever minded , but it didn't stop him from always being a little shocked at the things that man does . Nate leans against the back of the beige colored sofa . " Well , I have an air mattress you can sleep on or , you can just . . Sleep on the couch . . . " Nate trail off , murmuring the last part . A loud snore interrupts him . " Huh . . "His eyes trail down to the man who hugged the flamethrower chainsaw as if if was his baby . He looked like he needed a good rest . He's never seen someone fall asleep that quickly before . Like he said , he was an interesting guy . Nate gives Mark one last glance after carefully putting a blanket on top of the twitchy , trigger happy man . He opens the door to his bedroom , knocking the light out as he climbs into bed . He lets out a deep breath , a sigh of relief .
It was over .
God did he wish that was true .
During the middle of the night, a few hours after Nate went to bed , the crickets were louder than ever . So loud in fact that Nate went put his pillow over his ears , except all his hand grasped was bark . It makes Nate promptly sit up , heart beating a mile a minute as it pumped blood through his circulatory system .
Grass tickles his palm , the other feeling the grooves of the tree as he tried steadying himself . Where the fuck was he ! ? Why was he OUTSIDE . His thoughts were a jumbled and garbled mess , mind in disarray . He inspects his surroundings to get somewhat of an idea of where he's at . He was . . . Behind the apartment complex ?His legs and arms were scraped up and his clothes were disheveled . Dirt cling to his tan skin as Nate tries brushing himself off . His heart wouldn't stop racing no matter how much he tried willing himself to calm down . He shakily exhales before stumbling foreward . How odd .
Back in the present , Nate splashes cold water onto his face before putting his head in his hands . What was wrong with him ! ? Why couldn't he just be normal ? His body shakes and quivers as he lets out a silent cry of frustration , eyes tearful as he weeps without a single noise . He hated this . He just wanted to go back to Anna . . . Why did he leave her . . .
" I-I'm losing my mind . . . " Nate mumbles quietly to himself , his voice hoarse . His throat was incredibly dry . A dry , humorless laugh taunts the man as Nate hangs his head over the sink with his hands clasped over his ears ." You already have . " More laughing . Make it STOP . Make it stop ." Stop it ! " The laughter only grows louder as if to rub salt in the wound . " Stop it , please ! " Nate can only helplessly plead . He begs and begs but it just wouldn't seem to just " SHUT UP ! "
And only then did it quiet down , only Nate's labored breathing to be heard . No one else in the room except him . Nate didn't have to look up at the mirror to know the damage he had just done , guilt slowly crawling down his back . The cracks spiderwebbed out from the sheer impact of the blow , shards of glass imbedded into his shaking knuckles as warm red blood dripped down tan skin . He was drowning in agony and tears .
----- CHAPTER BREAK -----
Teeth grind at knuckles anxiously , a tan finger hovering over a green icon with the name that usually always made him smile bigger than humanly possible. But now it only left a bittersweet taste that lingered in his mouth . He curses under his breath , leaning against a wall decorated with a strange stain on it as he avoided the area like that plague . They had to make a stop because they were running alarmingly low on fuel .The gas station looked to be run down , not a person in sight , save for the tired scrawny man that looked like he was on his last leg . He screws his eyes shut as he finally makes up his mind . His thoughts were split in the middle between " Please don't pick up " and " pick up " . It takes only a few clicks before the other line picks up ." Nate , " Anna gasps with a hitch of her breath , " Please . . . " She had been waiting for the moment she could hear him , see him again . He goes to open his mouth but he seemed to have swallowed glass , the shards dragging against his esophagus . He could practically taste the blood from the pure graphic imagery his brain unwillingly presented to him .
" Nate ! "
Her voice had an edge to it , fear and desperation stirring together to form a wail . He was stuck in place , as if the soles of his shoes were glued to the soggy floor . His attempts to call out to Anna remain futile , a gloved leather hand clamping over his mouth with malicious intent . A lethal mechanical-like screech makes his ears ring , rendering Nate incapacitated as he sinks and sinks .
Falling . Until he eventually finds himself bound to a rusty chair , wrists tied together so tight that it dug into his flesh .
" Mm . . " Water drips down leaky rusted pipes while his heart beat at a scarily dangerous rate as if the organ was threatening to burst inside his chest cavity . The yellowing wallpaper was moldy and peeling , an indication of how old and decrepid it all was . The air was thick and damp . Musty , making him struggle to breathe . Suffocating . Intoxicating . Thudding heavy footsteps fill the horrid place , growing louder as they got nearer .
A basement of some sorts perhaps ? Something akin to what you'd find underneath a run down facility . Forgotten . Loneliness and silent empty whispers mixing together in a pot to create something completely horrific and fearsome . Fingers mechanically snaps his head back with a handful of raven locks . Nate winces , cursing in his head , unable to make a sound . The dense air would surely swallow up his words , never uttering a single noise from his lips .
Trying to make sense of his surroundings he looks up . Oh had he wish he never did . Nate was met with eyes that screamed MURDER . Empty . Dead . They matched the decaying place entirely .
R o t t e n
. Like him . Eyes wide , paralyzed with fear he could feel the unwavering stare boring straight through him . As if he was being watched by a wake of vultures , carefully waiting for its prey to fall victim to the claws of death . Waiting until it could finally feed off of the carcass that was strewn across the ground .All at the beady-eyed creature's mercy . He was just a slab of meat to him . Nate felt like he could pass out at any given moment , flesh being slit open with fingers pinching and pulling apart the edges of the messy incision that sliced across the meaty part of his shoulder . The only thing he could smell was the overwhelming scent of blood that oozed from the fresh wound . He could practically taste the iron that poisoned his lungs . Ears were filled with cotten , the room soaking up the screams that never left his lips . Choking and gasping , never heard . His perpetrator had a grin plastered on his scarred and sunken in face . It was a face he'd rather forget but was seared into his mind .
The agony was overwhelming , his vision becoming fuzzy as black spots appear . His jaw was hinged open as if he was screaming into the void . With only his little remaining sight intact he could barely make out him and a small skinny knife that glinted in the yellow wash of the light . Canines sharp as the scalpel that sliced into the trapezius muscle , crazed eyes that gleam with hunger and bloodlust .A hideous laugh pierces the thick air like a knife that belonged to the horrifying grotesque monster that seemed to have mechanical robotic hands . Blood drips down its fleshy lips , chunks of Nate between its molars . It was too much . He wish he could've died , craving the sweet release of death the more he suffered .He must've passed out a few times because he was barely conscious when a pair of gentle hands untied the rope that bore into his wrists and lower body , baring bright red marks that was ingrained into his flesh . The hands weren't cold like metal . They were . Unfamiliar . But they were all at the same time . It was . . . Unnerving . Nate couldn't open his eyes no matter how much he willed for them to . It was as if they were glued shut . He could barely form a single coherent thought , bits and pieces here and there all jumbled up together . Only a faint noise broke the deafening silence but it was quickly shut up with a loud
C R U N C H
and gargling .
Nate was lifted into arms , unable to protest ; exhaustion seeps into his bones like a corrosive liquid , paralyzing him
from the inside out . There's a rip before he lets out a silent moan as pressure is pressed against his gushing wound .
" Nate . " No response .
" Nathan ! "He let's out a gasp , sitting up . Blankets pool around his waist as he pants , waking up in a cold sweat . He swipes the back of his soaked neck . A hand mindlessly brushes against a freshly healed scar as he blinks . He tries to calm himself and his beating heart . And while he's trying to steady his breathing Nate could barely make out a figure in the corner in his eye . His body automatically tenses up , flinching back as he comes eye to eye with a humanoid creature .Said creature had almost inked or painted indigo tear marks trailing its cheeks with extremely dark circles around its eyes . Its face looked hallow and sunken in , but fuller than HIM . Nate rolls his lips together , biting them . He ponders in thought for a moment ." . . . So . . You . . stayin a while ? " He speaks , stringing together an awkward mess of words . It sat in a chair across the quest room , hunched over . It looked almost bored , but the aura that it seem to eminate was almost anxious . It stands up , cracking its back in a grotesque fashion . There's an audible POP and CRACK . Nate cringes at the sounds .
" We need to leave , " It tersely says finally , tone gravely . Right at that moment Nate knew . An awful feeling in his gut starting to swell as it sat uncomfortable inside him , a bucket of ice cold water dumping onto him .
Ethan lifts up his favorite mug , taking a sip of coffee as his footsteps echo through the hallway . Mark , Amy , and Chica had all came to visit him unexpectedly . Well , Mark did call him before they headed there but . . It was just out of the blue . He wasn't exactly complaining but he wished it wasnt such a dire situation . It was an emergency Mark had told him without any further explanation . At 4:23 AM .He had just hung up , leaving Ethan's mouth agape as he sat upright in bed with confusion written entirely on his face . Yes , Mark was a little eccentric but so was Ethan . But it wasn't like Mark to act like this . Was it ? Since he's been friends with him this has never happened before . He finally makes his way towards the guest room upstairs .
He runs his fingers through his blue hair before knocking on it . When he gets no answer be pushes open the door , letting it creak loudly ." What are you doing . . ? " Ethan says slowly , making the raven haired man freeze in place with half his body outside the window .
" Uh . . " Wide eyed , the man gingerly pulls himself into the room again . He grins , awkwardly chuckling as if to pretend that nothing happened . Ethan stares at the man , bewildered . " Nothing . . . ! " Nate blurts out . His eyes were glued to the wall . Ethan tilts his head , following his gaze but finding nothing ." Are you alright ? " he asks . Mark had told him about Nate: the man who he met at his old work place . Nate responds with a vigorous nod . ( Not suspicious at all . . ) .
He raises an eyebrow , chewing on the inside of his cheeks .
" Oh , Nate ! " Thank god . Mark gives them a grin . Though it didnt seem to be entirely genuine , Ethan thought . " What's up ? Did you sleep well ? " A few moments of silence pass by slowly , only the ticks of the clock heard . The tension was so thick that he could cut the air with a dull butter knife ." We need to talk . Now , " Nate demands with urgency , leaving Ethan to contemplate what was going on . . He blinks , pushing blue hair out of his eyes as the door is slammed shut in his face .
What the fuck . .
" You can't be- ! Nate , look at yourself ! "" I just know ! Why won't you take me fucking seriously ! ? "" Nate , please ! Why would he know where Ethan lives ! ? "" Listen to ME ! "
" . . . Okay , okay ! But you're not going anywhere ! Got it ? I don't need my friends going missing , alright ? "
" But what about - ! "" I'll figure it out . "
" Mark . . ? MARK ! "In a voice so cruel that made Nate itch to pull locks of his hair out , a prerecorded message fills the room . A familiar , putrid voice .
" So I guess this isn't exactly what you were expecting . . " a disgusting laugh echoes from the cellular device in Nate's hand . " Isn't that funny . You're friend is awfully loud . . . "