5 Nights Later

Things seemed to be on the up and up. After being unemployed for almost 2 years I finally got a job. I’m a night security guard at some kiddy family restaurant. You know the type. Lots of little snots running around, pizza that tastes like card board, and singing animatronic shows, cheesier than all the pizza they got in this dump. Nothing fancy. Still Mom nearly cried from sheer joy. I haven’t had the most cough cough, favorable record. I’ve been on the wrong side of the law a couple of time. Nothing big. Public intoxication, fighting, unpaid tickets, that sort of thing. It all gets blow out of proportion on paper. For example My record shows [Was in Possession of Illegal Substances] it was a roach for crying out loud! Anyway that’s the kind of thing that makes it hard for a guy like me to get a job. I’m done with all that stuff now but it still follows me. Luckily they didn’t do a background check before hiring me. You’d think that for a job in security that would be kind of important but, maybe since the closest thing to a weapon I get is a flashlight they don’t consider me a “real officer” whatever. In all honesty they just seemed really eager to fill the position. I just walked in and got hired the same day. Not that I’m complaining though. If there desperate and I’m desperate I figure we can help each other out. I only met my supervisor once. He does security during the day. He leaves at 11:00 P.M., an hour after the restaurant closes and I come in at 11:55. He stressed that it’s extremely important that I get there before midnight because once the auto security locks activated at 12:00A.M. , there would be no getting in or out. He also told me that most areas of the building had really bad reception particularly the security room in the center of the restaurant. Since we would never be working at the same time and have a generally small window of being able to reliably communicate with each other he set up an elaborate communications system. He said if I had any questions I could record them on this ancient looking tape recorder they kept in the security room and he would record an answer back. When I opted to just write my questions on a note pad he seemed a bit let down but agreed after informing me he would still be using the tape recorder to relay information. The guy was probably just looking for a reason to use the dumb thing. Whatever.

The 1st Night

I got to the restaurant at 11:50. P.M. It would really suck to have to explain to my supervisor that I got locked out and missed work the very 1st day. I punched in the security code and the door opened for me. I was a bit surprised at how dark it was inside. There were a few red bulbs spread sporadically on the walls and ceiling. The deep red light being emitted from these orbs did little to illuminate my surroundings. Instead it provided areas bathed in its dim light an eerie glow while apparently deepening the darkness unpenetrated by the light due to the uneven placement. I allowed myself to ponder a moment on whose dumb idea this was before I pulled out my flashlight and proceeded to the security room. It wasn’t too difficult to find even in the dimly lit restaurant. My supervisor took my around most of the restaurant the day I was hired and the security room was located right in the center. I was glad to see that the security room was at least a little better lit. the bulb still had a red tint however and it gave a somewhat sinister look to the clutter that littered the security room. I found the tape recorder and hit play

Hey guy! kshhh welcome to your 1st night on the job! Like I told ya yesterday it’s a kshhhh pretty lax job. Just keep an eye on the cameras and report anything suspicious and kshhhh uuum don’t worry about the kitchen camera, that one’s been out for a while. kshhh Been meaning to get that fixed actually… let’s see what else... The button to the automatic doors are on the right side near the bottom of the camera controls. Kshhh I’d keep those closed if I were you. I’m sure you see the fan. Kshhhh You can use that if it starts to get stuffy in there… I guess that’s it. Good luck on your 1st night!...Kshhh

Once I was sure there was nothing else on the tape I hit stop. Heck this was going to be even easier than I thought. When he originally told me that my job would be to basically to sit around watching cameras I figured I would need to take regular patrols around the restaurant also, but after listening to the tape apparently I don’t. In any case it sounded like this place was locked down death con four mode after midnight anyway so I’m not sure what I was watching for. I looked around the control panel near the bottom labeled camera controls. Sure enough there were two buttons side by side labelled R.D.. and L.D. Right and left door a presumed. Judging by the panel I came through the right door. I pushed R.D. and a thick metal door slid quickly from a grove in the wall merged into a grove on the opposite end and sealed the exit. It’s no wonder I didn’t realize there was another door. It mended right into the wall. It looked like solid steel. Once that was brought to my attention I noticed the entire room seemed to be built to keep people out… or people in… I chuckled at my own twisted imagination.

So on the plus side the job was super easy. The downside of that is it was also super boring. I spent the 1st couple of hours actually watching the cameras. It was kind of fun being able to move the cameras around a little bit, but it got old fast. By 2:00 A.M. I was bored to tears. Did they really want me to watch a bunch of empty corridors for 6 hours? Screw that! I started playing on my phone. I figured if this place is really as secure as they say then no one can get in until morning. So really I’ve already seen everything there is to see. It was about 4:45 A.M. when my phone battery was on very low. I looked around for a free outlet but didn’t find one. In fact the only outlet in the room seemed to be the one for the fan. I tried to pull it out. I mean really tried but it was like the thing was fused together. I decided I could head out in search of an outlet charge my phone for maybe 30 min then. Head back to the security room for the rest of the time. I hit the automatic door button and stepped out into the hallway. I forgot just how dark it was and my phone didn’t have enough battery to use the flash light. I felt around with my hand running along the hallway wall almost groggily. I wondered to myself how I was supposed to find an outlet when I could barely see five feet in front of me. Then I stopped. I heard something. At 1st I thought it was the normal creaking and groaning of an old building but no it was to rhythmic. Kuthunk. Kuthunk. Kuthunk. Almost like footsteps?… heavy footsteps. Kuthunk. Kuthunk. Kuthunk. They were getting further away. Hey is someone there.. I called in a quiet voice. I know I should have sounded more assertive if someone actually was trespassing but the idea that I wasn’t alone in the restaurant was kind of unnerving. I was close to the main restaurant area when I remembered I had a flashlight. I pulled it out and flipped it on. The place still seemed empty. Hello! I called. Kuthunk! Kuthunk! Whatever was making that noise was definitely in the main area just around the corner. I turned quickly and shined my light across the room… and saw something disappear around corner… or did I? it could have been a shadow. You know how your mind plays tricks on you sometimes. I stood there for a few minutes listening. I didn’t hear anything so I went back to the security room. I decided I would give the cameras another look. I scanned each one looking for any sign of movement. Nope nothing. I checked the full range of camera motions on each monitor. Nope still nothing I probably imagined it. My phone had died by this point but according to my watch it was 5:49. It was almost time to go. I remembered I was supposed to write something down to let my manager know how things went.I pulled a note pad and a pen out the clutter and then wrote;

1st night was a piece of cake. The camera functions are pretty basic. The instructions were helpful… I hesitated then wrote. I heard some strange sound pretty late into my shift. I’m not sure where it was coming from but I just thought you should know. Or maybe it’s normal?

When I finished it was 5:59. I gathered up and went to the front door. The security grid went from red to green and I went home.

2nd Night

I arrived at 11:57 P.M., you know how it is. 1st day you get there early after that its whatever. So long as I beat the security alarm. I did come prepared though. I had 3 cans of coffee, and a portable phone charger. I made my way to the security room and hit the panel to closed the door. I look around the cluttered desk. My note was gone. Only then did the thought of that sound I heard last night return to my mind. A picked up the tape recorder and hit play.

Hey guy! You made it! Got the hang of things yet? Yah that sound you heard Kshhhh was probably one of the animatronics. I think I mentioned them to you during orientation. Kshhhh They enter “free roam mode” around midnight. Something about servos locking up if there deactivated Kshhhh for too long or something. Can’t have that. The owners spent a small fortune on those things Kshhhh. There equipped with facial recognition software and a crime record data bases. If a red flag comes up Kshhhh the animatronics are programmed to take care of it. Honestly we should be paying them to guard you heh heh. It shouldn’t be a problem though, Kshhhh Safest place in the world really. Just keep an eye on the cameras Kshhhh be smart about opening the door and everything should be super!... Kshhhh

I waited but there was nothing else. What the heck!? The animatronics move around at night. Something about that seemed a bit creepy. Yes he did mention the animatronics a lot. He even referred to them by name. He seemed a little too interested in the animatronics but I just thought he was being weird. Ok… so the animatronics walk around at night. After I got over the initial shock. It didn’t seem like that big of a deal. After all it shouldn’t affect me much. I did wonder why I didn’t see them on the cameras last night though. I began toggling the cameras. I didn’t see any activity. How strange. It was a little after 2:00 A.M. and I’d been watching the cameras on and off all night without incident before I finally saw one. I couldn’t really tell what it was supposed to be. A chicken maybe? Its movements were slow and clunky. I could practically here the kuthunk in its walking rhythm. I guess that really is what I heard. I continued to watch. I almost jumped when I turned one of the cameras and saw another animatronic. This one was clearly a bunny. Its face was almost in the camera. I watched as it turned its head slowly from side to side as if searching for something. Then it walked to the end of the hallway and out of the view of the camera. I shuddered slightly. The thought that those things were wandering around aimlessly just outside my door was kind of eerie to think about. Well there was really no reason to leave the security room so I really wouldn’t need to worry about running into those creepy puppet robots. Except.. I got a reason around 4:20 A.M. those coffees just shot through me. I seriously needed to take a piss. I thought about just waiting it out. But as slow as time seemed to move in this dump waiting another hour and a half was the equivalent of waiting until I was eighty! I wasn’t scared of the animatronics I just thought that running into one of those things in the dark would be kind of … uncomfortable. Then I remembered duh cameras! So I watched as the two animatronics walked around. They seemed to be following a loose kind of pattern. In any case I figured once the bunny made it to the stage area that would be the best time to run over to the bathroom take care of business then head back. I waited another five minutes, which was torture. Finally when everything was in place I hit the security door button and went out into the hall way. I flashed my light. Cost was clear. I jogged down the hall turned the corner and headed down the hallway leading to the restrooms then I stopped dead. Halfway down the hall I saw one of the things standing there. Just standing there in the middle of the hallway. It was the fox. This was one of the security cameras blind spots. Had it been here the whole time? The fact that I knew it could move and it wasn’t gave me the creeps. Kinda like when you see a spider just sitting… waiting… I really didn’t want to walk past that thing. It was blocking the way to the bathroom. I was still debating on whether or not I could hold it another few minutes when the thing turned its head towards me. Slowly… slowly… then it pounced! Running at me with surprising speed. I only had time for a quick shriek of terror then I turned and ran for all I was worth. I had to get back to the security room. I turned the corner, too busy pumping my arms to bother utilizing my flashlight. I did chance a glace back at the fox and regretted it instantly. Part of me was hoping it wouldn’t follow me around the corner but it did. It was still hot on my trail moving fast with both mangled arms outstretched towards me. I cried out in utter horror but nearly cried out again in relief the security room was in sight. I sprinted inside and practically dove for the automatic door button. The door closed swiftly behind me. 3 seconds later I heard a loud boom as the thing smacked into the door. Such force! I felt like I was going to be sick. With the impact that thing had on the door, what were they made of? And even more disturbing what would it have done if it caught me? I was shaking and… wet? I realized with disgust that I peed myself, though I’m not sure when exactly it happened. I tried to calm myself. It seemed completely irrational that some stupid kiddy cartoon robot would, and could harm me. But when remembering its mangled outstretched hands reaching for me somehow I couldn’t except that it was just trying to give me a hug. Noo there was something sinister about it.

6:00 A.M. rolled around. It seemed like all the animatronics were on the same schedule as the security locks. Lucky me. I grabbed the note pad and began writing down what happened then I stopped and crumpled it up. I’d been trying to make sense of things when a sudden unpleasant thought arose. The animatronics have a crime record data base. What if they were trying to catch me because of my record? It seemed stupid but why else would a kid friendly automaton would try to catch me. It was enough to convince me to keep quiet about the incident. The only reason I even got this job in the 1st place was because they didn’t do a back ground check. I couldn’t afford to bring it to attention that I was having problem with the crime fighting robots. If they looked into it and my history comes up I’d be out of the job faster than you can say crappy pizza. So instead I wrote.

Hey. Everything’s been going good here. That’s pretty interesting about the animatronics. Now that I think about it I guess that is what I heard last night. They do a pretty good job patrolling the restaurant maybe we really should be paying them (Jk) Just out of curiosity what do they do if they catch a criminal?

3rd Night

I arrived at 11:50 P.M. I sped walked all the way to the security room. I was scared. During the day it’s easy to write off everything that happens here as shadows, spooky lighting and nerves but one you get inside it’s just... scary. I arrived and hit the door button. The door slowly slid out shrinking the open space. I was just thinking to myself if the door was moving slower than usual? When it stopped a few inches from fully closing the space. What? I hit the button again. And the door opened. I hit it once more and the same thing happened. It stopped 3 or 4 inches from connecting to the wall. What the heck was going on? I figured there might be an explanation on the tape.

Hey Guy you’re doing great! I knew I had a good feeling about you. Kshhhh yah about your question about the criminals, I wouldn’t worry too much about that. Kshhhhh Best to just stay out of there way and let the animatronics do their thing. Kshhhh On that note they seem to get more active as the week progresses. Not that Kshhhh that should be a problem for you or anything. Like I said you’re doing a great job Kshhhh just watch those cameras be smart about the doors and everything will go great! Have a good night!... Kshhhh

I waited but that was all. So did he not know about the door? I walked over and took a closer look. There was no way anything could get in. even an arm would be a pretty tight fit. Well whatever. I already decided that I wasn’t leaving the security room for any reason. I even had an empty bottle just in case... Around 1 A.M. I started seeing them. The fox, the bunny, and the chicken. There should be one more I thought. Well whatever. I spent most of the night glued to the camera screen watching the movements of the robots. The bunny was always on the move looking around, and moved in odd hard to follow patterns. The chicken was slow moving it seemed to have a set path it followed and rarely deviated from it. The fox seemed to be the trickiest. It would go to the camera blind spots and hide out there for however long then move to the next blind spot. could it tell it was being watched? It was around 3:30 A.M. when I started getting an uneasy feeling. You ever get the feeling your being watched? I don’t know how to explain it, it was just an eerie feeling I had. I scanned the cameras again. Nothing seemed to be out of the ordinary. Then my heart stopped. I looked at the door and noticed something glistening. What the... it was an eye! Aaaah! I yelled. I was so startled I fell out of my chair. I looked up from the floor but the eye peering through the crack of the door was gone. I scrambled to the camera screen and was just in time to see the big bear lumbering around a corner to a blind spot. Was the thing actually spying on me? After that the bear mostly hung around the main stage area. I was kind of shaken at the idea of being watched by one of these freaky things but eventually it wore off. The power flickered around 4:15 A.M. I was worried for a moment but then it came back on. I studied the cameras thinking the animatronics must be behind it somehow but everyone seemed to be doing there same old thing. I kind of felt stupid after that. To think these machines were conspiring something? Maybe the night shift didn’t agree with me... 6:00A.M. finally rolled around. I got my note pad and wrote.

Hey, had another peaceful night. I'm taking your advice and just letting the animatronics do their thing. By the way did you know the right side security door is broken? It doesn’t close all the way anymore. It definitely wasn’t like that before just thought you should know.

4th Night

I arrived at 11:55 P.M. I really started to dread coming here. I jogged to the security room and hit the door close button. It was... the same. Didn’t anyone see my note? I checked the note pad. Yep the note was gone. I picked up the tape recorder and hit play.

Hey guy! Glad to hear you’re taking to the job so well. uhh yah about Kshhhh the door, I kind of figured something was wrong when I came in this morning. Kshhh The backup generator was on E. You probably didn’t notice when it kicked on last night.Kshhhh The security door takes up a lot of power to stay shut. When it’s working properly Kshhh it just plugs strait back into the wall and doesn’t take any more energy. since it isn’t Kshhhh completely closed it keeps sending signals to the main grid to supply it more power Kshhhh and well you see how that might cause problems. If the powers completely used up Kshhhh you won’t have a door or lights. The animatronics can get a bit...Kshhhh quirky during a black out. I can't imagine that would be the most... favorable situation. Kshhhh Now don’t worry I doubt it should be a big problem. The only danger for you, if any, would be taking a wrong turn in the dark. Kshhhh You probably wanna just close that door only when it’s absolutely necessary. gotta conserve power. Kshhhh There’s a power supply gage on the bottom of the camera feed so you know Kshhhh how you’re doing. I already put in an order today someone should be here to Kshhhh look at the door tomorrow so just hang tight for the night and everything will be peachy... Kshhhhh

I stared at the tape recorder hoping for more, but there wasn’t. Who the heck designed this stupid dump!? Keeping the door closed uses up the power!?! It seems like every time I come in here there some strange new rule. I looked at the power gage which I’d never paid any attention to at that point. It was already no longer full. I’d been here like five minutes! Even worse it was just a meter so I couldn’t specifically calculate how fast power was being drained all I knew is it was fast. I did a quick scan of the cameras then with a feeling of the deepest dread I hit the button to open the door. It was the longest and most frightening night of my life to date. I felt like I’d been dropped into some sick game of survival. Check the cameras, shut the door, don’t use too much power. It was a nightmare come to life. The animatronic seemed to be everywhere at once. The bear was the worst. If the door was open for more than 5 minutes it would make a bee line for the security room. It was almost like he knew when it was open. Was it really that desperate to get inside? The thought was disturbing. Other times it would walk strait up to the camera and stare like it could see me on the other side. That was unsettling as well. More than once while this was happening I had a close call and only just managed to get the door closed before one of the others ones got into the room. Was the whole thing a diversion? I don’t care if I sound paranoid. I was seriously scared for my life. My stomach sank like lead along with the power gauge as the night wore on. Then the lights started to flicker. The door started closing slower. I wasn’t going to make it! But mercifully the clock rolled over to 6:00 A.M. the onslaught of the wretched animals ceased. I was relived enough to cry. In truth I almost did. I almost forgot to leave a note I was so ready to get out of there. I thought for a second on what to write before jotting;

Hey tonight was kind of rough. Those characters seemed a little too interested in the security room. I was a little uncomfortable. Is there something I need to know?

I wasn’t sure what else to say. I think the robots are trying to kill me? So I just left it at that almost certain that I wouldn’t be coming back.

5th Night

I Arrived at 11:55 P.M. I almost didn’t come. And I mean I was really close to not coming but I did. Not like I had a lot of options. I couldn't just quit on my 1st job in two years before I even lasted a week. I figured the door should be fixed and it’s the last day of the week. If I just lock myself in the security room till 6:00 A.M. there shouldn’t be any trouble. Then I would have a long relaxing weekend away from this dreaded place. When I got to the security room and hit the button for the door I realized I made one of the biggest mistakes of my life. Nothing happened. I hit it again and again refusing to believe this was happening. Nothing. No response at all. No no no. I wasn’t doing this I was getting the heck out of here. I made a run for the door. But I was too late I watched in horror as the security light switched from green to red. The restaurant was in full lock down mode. Nooo! I screamed, pounding uselessly and the heavy doors. I was frantic there had to be a way out. The windows! I thought. I quickly ran and grabbed a large metal stool from the main seating area and dragged it to the front window. Then I heaved it with all of my might. The chair hit the glass and bounced off without leaving so much as a scratch. It clattered noisily to the floor. Was this place supposed to be some kind of prison? I picked it up and repeatedly beat it against the window. It had no effect besides to make more of a racket. Hey! I yelled thinking someone might hear me. Help! Something heard me all right. I heard something stir from behind the stage curtain. Wait but it was too early for them to be walking around. Then I remember the message from earlier, they get more active as the week progresses. Wait a minute the tape recorder! I ran full sprint back to the security office praying the tape had answers for me an vowing if I made it through tonight I was done with this place for good. I made it to the office picked up the tape recorder and hit play.

Hey guy! Uhh what on earth are you doing here, didn’t you get the memo? Kshhhh Your shift tonight was cancelled. Uhh you said something about the animatronics not acting right? Kshhhh Anyway the doors not functional. Were gonna need to order a new part. Yah Kshhhh something broke on the track it’s gonna take a few day at least… I recorded this message Kshhhh in case you happened to come in to work your shift soo if your Kshhhh hearing this don’t worry just get through your shift tonight. We’ll probably move you to day shift Kshhhh for a while… umm I guess you know the drill by now. Uh If you don’t feel Kshhhh comfortable in the security room you can set up somewhere else in the restaurant it’s no problem. Kshhh. So I guess have a good night and I’ll see you next week!...Kshhhh

I waited… that was it. Did I get the memo? What stupid memo was he talking about!? The only form of communication we had was this stupid tape recorder! I was angry enough to smash the stupid thing and probably would have had I not heard the lumbering footsteps of something unpleasant. I turned just in time to see the bear appear in the doorway of the security room. That’s it I’m done I thought as the bear stared at me from the door. The only way out. But it wasn’t… I always used the right entrance but the left door panel should be working still! I slammed the L.D. button as the bear entered the room. An opening appeared across the small room like a savior in a story book. With a maniacal clicking noise the bear lunged at me but I was out the door like a bullet. I could hear it following me. It wasn’t as fast as the fox. But all the same it was not a pleasant idea being pursued by the animatronic ring leader. There were also the other three to worry about. Just as the thought crossed my mind I saw the bunny peek around the far end of the hall I was running down. I doubled back and retreated into a doorway I passed trying to avoid being cornered by the two animatronics. I turned and ran trying to figure out where I was. I was a bit disoriented having never used the left door before now. That and of course it was dark. I thought back. I spent the whole week studying the cameras. where was I and where could I hide? Then it clicked the Kitchen! None of the animatronics ever go into the Kitchen! Maybe they’re programmed to not interfere with the cooking? Whatever. It was my best bet and if I was close to the east hall as I started to expect I was then the kitchen was nearby. That’s when the fox jumped out of the shadows. The respite was over. I hurdled a bench and ran into the next hall the fox tailing me all the way. In my mind’s eye I could see the layout of the building. The kitchen would be on my next right. I turned the corner expecting to come face to face with the chicken… but I didn’t. There was the kitchen entrance. Safety. I dove inside the double doors.. It was pitch black inside no lights at all. I waited. Waited for the fox to push open the doors. They weren’t locked obviously. Heck I didn’t even know if they could lock. I waited and I waited. Nothing I finally dared to give a sigh of relief. My hunch was right the animatronics didn’t come into the kitchen for some reason. With any luck I could hold up here until 6:00 A.M. I don’t know how long it was but my eyes weren’t adjusting I was in absolute darkness. I remembered I still had my flashlight. I fumbled clumsily retrieving the light from my belt flipped it on and emitted blood curdling screaming. I swear I almost peed myself again. Sitting across from me in the dark was another animatronic. If the other ones looked creepy this one looked demonic. It was like the bear but it had a golden tint to it and it seemed to be bigger than the others. Its eyes were two huge black holes. Its slack jaw hung open into an endless dark abyss. It sat limply starring into my soul without eyes socket. I sat there across from this monster frozen in place with my light pointed at the thing. I couldn’t move. What was this thing even doing here in the kitchen of all places!? We sat there for who knows how long starring at each other. At last I lost the starring contest. I scurried away from the thing sliding across the floor before getting to my feet. It remained sitting. Limp and lifeless. I was shivering violently as if the temp was below zero. I finally got the courage to shine my light around the dark kitchen prepared to uncover more horrendous secrets. But I didn’t. everything seemed to be what you would expect in your typical restaurant kitchen. I Shone my light on the monster again. Is it possible for empty eye sockets to follow you? I shuddered. It was about the creepiest thing I’d ever laid eyes on but at the very least it seemed to be harmless. Well as long as its friends didn’t decide to get over there fear of the kitchen I decided the best course of action would still be to wait here until. 6:00A.M. I was about to check my phone to see how much time I had left when I realized that I was still holding the tape recorder. I had the thing in a death grip since I ran from the bear in the security room. I had mashed down the record button by mistake apparently my whole nights flight had been recorded on tape. Not that there was much to hear besides me panting and screaming like a girl. I dug my phone out of my pocket it was only 2:27:A.M wonderful. I decided since I had the tape recorder I could go ahead and give a document of what’s been happening the past few nights. It’s helped to pass the time and honestly I feel a whole lot better. Its 5:03 now just an hour left. I’m still hanging out in the kitchen with my new limp friend so it just… wait a minute… where is it? Where the kshhhh is it?! Ok… ok.. I’m not gonna panic I’m sure there’s a perfectly good, what the--?! Holy shikshhhhhhhhhhhhhh!

Manager: So he just quit? No indication no warnings?

Supervisor: Yes sir that seems to be the case.

{The manger shakes his head baffled.}

Manager: I just don’t get it. {Sigh} Well can’t be helped I guess. Go ahead and put the marquee back up. Hopefully we can fill the position sooner than last time.

{He walks away still shaking his head.}

{The supervisor now alone in the room reaches into a black bag and pulls out the tape recorder and a small stuffed bear.}

Supervisor: {Addressing the stuffed bear} Sounds like someone had quite a time didn’t they.

{Strokes the bear affectionately}

Supervisor: That’s five made whole. Now the real fun can begin…