N is for Night-Terrors

I am not a normal girl. I've known that for a while now. Ever since I can remember, I've been able to see things before they happen, especially things that happen to people I know and love. But lately, things have gotten worse. Now I have what my mom calls “Night-Terrors”; bad dreams, even when I'm awake. I know they are really visions, but I haven't told my Mom that, yet.

My “father” Greg is not a good person. He wants my powers, these visions for himself. He wants to be able to move things with his mind and control things. But him wanting what was not his to have didn't turn out well for him. Now he is where he belongs.

Last August the night terrors started getting worse. It all started with a boy named Tanner. I watched as he became an abomination, something truly evil. I watched as he has killed, through his eyes. I saw him suck people dry until there was nothing left. I have watched others kill or be killed. I have seen a woman tear her own skin off her flesh with her own bare hands. I have tried to help all that I can, so far I have failed.

Tonight, things changed. Tonight I finally saw justice. It all started out like any other normal night.
Mom picked me up from my after-school program. I'm in advanced classes. She is a teacher at another middle school. We went home, I did homework, she cleaned. We ate dinner. I was relaxing in the living room (watching YouTube on my mom's phone, mostly “Fredbear and Friends” stuff). I looked over at the Nanny cam (yeah Mom put a video camera in the Freddy plushie, she thinks I don't know). As soon as I looked into Freddy's glowing eyes, I saw **HIM**. I gasped, jumped up, and ran into the kitchen where Mom was.

“Mom!”, I shouted, “Call the police! Greg, he's coming for us.” I felt the tears well up in my eyes. When I looked at Mom there was blood all over the kitchen… I could see Greg… I shuddered and the vision was gone. Mom ran over to me quick and grabbed me up in a hug. “Sammy, listen to me, go upstairs and hide. Make me a promise: do not come out. No matter what you hear.” I didn't want to promise her that but I knew Mom wouldn't be able to think straight if I didn't. “Ok Mom.” “Good! Now, GO!” I ran up the stairs and Mom started to follow. I then remembered, at the same time she did, the cellphone was in the living room, where I left it. I kept going and ran up to my closet. I hid in the back behind all my clothes. That night was one of the scariest nights of my life. I'll never forget all the noises I heard...

Later, after the police came and the EMTs checked us over Mom and I got clothes and went to a hotel room. I knew why we couldn't stay in the house, but I wondered if she knew, too. If she didn't, she would find out soon enough. Before we left, a police officer came over and told Mom they needed to take our statements at the police station; also, there was someone there from another jurisdiction who wanted to talk to us. Mom promised them we would be there soon, in the morning. That's where we are going now.
***
Mom is driving and she's been so quiet since last night. We pull into the parking lot, Mom stops the car, and she looks at me. “Sammy, tell the officer what you want to tell him, OK? I know there are some special things about you and I know you'll know if he's a good man, trust your instincts.” I smile and I just nod at her. “Ready kiddo?” “Yep.” “Ok, let's get going then.”

When we walk into the station, it's very quiet. I look at the middle aged woman and she catches my eye. I know immediately that her name is Teri and she's going through a divorce. I instantly feel bad for her and notice the black circles under her eyes. Poor woman.

Mom speaks to her and tells her that we are here to see Officer Burke. “Ok, Ms. Harris, just one minute, he'll be right out.” So we wait. We don't wait long.

Officer Burke is a kind looking man. I've seen him before,of course, in my dreams. He is a good man and I know he is the one I need to talk to. He's talking to my Mom, first, but of course I can see and hear it all. This is their conversation.

>##B = Clay Burke, N = Nicole Harris
>**B**: Hello Madam, my name is Clay Burke from the Hurricane UT Police Department, and we have a few questions.

>**N**: Utah, huh? That’s a long ways away.

>**B**: For the record, we need you to state your name, date of birth, and address.

>**N**: Nicole Harris 10/31/91 my address is 1426 Elm Road.
>Um...Sir, before we begin, can I please light a cigarette? I have anxiety you see and this whole thing this, I can't. I need... (mumbles)

>**B**: Take your time.

>We received a call at around 9:26 PM last night about a possible break-in and domestic violence incident in progress.
>Mind telling me what happened?

>**N**: Yes, see, well... you're never going to believe me.

>**B**: I have been on the force for a very long time, Madam. Not much really surprises me anymore.

>**N**: Ohhh, I doubt you've heard this. Or have ever seen what I saw tonight.

>**B**: Humor me.
>What prompted the 911 call?

>**N**: Samantha told me to call them...

>**B**: Samantha, your daughter?

>**N**: Yes. She knew Greg was coming to hurt me and to take her away.

>**B**: Has this been attempted before?

>**N**: Yes. We moved to get away from Greg. He… he was very controlling and abusive. I got custody of her, but he was always trying to get Samantha. So, that's why we moved here. To get away.

>**B**: And yet he somehow managed to find you.

>**N**: I don't know how, but he always does. (Mom looks down in her lap, wrings her hands together-her hands are shaking, badly).

>**B**: What happened then?

>**N**: As soon as Samantha told me he was coming, I told her to hide. I told her not to come out, no matter what she heard.
>I told her to only come out for me or for the police.
>I went to the living room, where my cellphone was, and I called 911.

>**B**: And then you went to confront him?

>**N**: I didn't have time to confront him. I barely got my name and address out and he had me. He grabbed me, knocked the phone out of my hand. I was shocked for a second. Then we were fighting.

>**B**: Alright, then...

>**N**: I knew he was going to hurt me. I knew if he got Samantha, that was it. All of this was over. He would kill me and hurt her - maybe kill her, I don't - I don't know. She said, she said, he wanted her...that he was going to use her for a sacrifice.
>But while we were fighting, something else happened...
>The door, it blew off the hinges. It was like some strong force with the strength of ten men hit it.
>…(Mom looks down at her hands again and is speaking much lower now).
>This next part, you're really not going to believe me. But I swear-it's the truth.

>**B**: Continue

>**N**: There was this… well, it looked like my teddy bear. Freddy. Except he had these long red strands all over him, uncoiling from him, reaching out...his eyes glowed...I think both Greg and I stood there shocked for a minute. He hit Greg, sent him flying. I began screaming, but then he…roared? I guess you could call it that. Oh God, its mouth opened so wide, like it was going to swallow me alive... I couldn’t move, something… some… force was holding me in place. Like the very air itself was trying to crush me. I was choking. I couldn't breathe. Then everything went black.

While we're on that particular topic, I'd like to comment on what everyone in the house felt when Freddy roared like that. I have never seen that kind of raw savage anger before, and I would give so much to never experience it again. It felt like a bomb went off downstairs, I could feel the shockwave, only it was more... continuous? What he did was unlike anything I'd heard of; it's like what I do when moving objects, but his force directly affects the mind. Some kind of compulsion, a push if you will, like "Glare" or "Leer" in Pokemon but much much more powerful.

>**B**: Do you remember anything else afterwards?

>**N**: Just when I woke up. There was blood everywhere. The EMT lady was telling me to take it easy but I had to know where Samantha was. I was so scared he hurt her. She was ok, I ran up to her room. She was coming out with the EMT. I don't know where Greg was. I think that thing, Freddy, took him...

>**B**: The only trace we found of the intrusion was the extensive damage to the front door, as well as... um...
>Mrs. Harris, do you really want to hear this next part? You're not in trouble or anything and you're free to leave anytime.

>(Mom doesn't respond right away, her expression seems to show she is torn, indecisive).
>Mrs. Harris?

>**N**: Yes, I think I need to know. I want to know what that thing did. Greg, he was a bad, bad, man. I can't bring myself to feel sorry for him, after all he has done to us. But, I still feel that I should know.

>**B**: His body was discovered in the kitchen, hanging from the rafters.
>He was suspended by his own belt, feet facing up.
>(Mom pales as Officer Burke continues)
>Also...
>Almost every bone in his body was broken and his clothes had been completely ripped to shreds.
>And... well, I don't quite know how to explain this...

>**N**: Not much that happened tonight can be easily explained Sir…
>(This time it's Officer Burke that looks torn and indecisive).
>**N**:  What is it? Please tell me.

>**B**: Mrs. Harris, did you watch Mel Gibson's "*Passion of the Christ?*"

>**N**: I think so... is this relevant?

>**B**: Yes.

>**N**: Why?

>**B**: Do you remember the scene where Jesus was scourged on the pillar by the Romans?

>**N**: Oh... So he was not only killed, he was beaten or whipped too?

>**B**: ...
>Mrs. Harris...
>We don't exactly know the circumstances...
>We found 26 massive lacerations on his back.
>He had been gouged so severely that ribs and parts of his spine were exposed.
>We're still running forensic tests, but the current hypothesis is that Greg had been scourged with his own belt, the one that suspended him from the rafters.
>Whoever did it, did so with inhuman savagery.
>He must have wanted Greg dead very badly.
>The tissues isolated from the belt indicate that he had been struck by the buckle, not by the tail end as is most common in domestic abuse cases.

>**N**: I don't… I don't… I don't understand this. is this something Greg did? Did this thing come after him because of his "devil worship?" I just wanted Samantha to have a good, normal life. (she breaks down crying)

>**B**: So this Freddy... do you think he did this?

>**N**: I think so. I don't know who else could have done this. It had to be Freddy. I saw him. I saw the hatred in those dead, glowing eyes. Those eyes will haunt me. I know it. I don't know why he wanted Greg dead but ...

>**B**: I see.
>Mrs. Harris, one detail you mentioned red strands. Could you elaborate on that?

>**N**: They were… they were like appendages… like they had a mind of their own. They were wrapped around him and the ends floated in the air… sort of like they were searching for something. Red and glistening wet like blood vessels, like body parts on the outside.

>**B**: Like actual blood vessels?
>(He is becoming noticeably tense at this point)

>**N**: Yes.
>What is it? Officer?
>(His eyes widen for the briefest instant and he mouths "From bad to worse..." under his breath)
>Mrs. Harris...
>I do actually believe you.
>Thank you for telling me all this.

>**N**: You do? (Mom is visibly shocked; pretty bold of Mr. Burke, even I thought going in that direction was pretty impressive. Everyone else asked her about drugs and stuff)

>**B**: You have provided me with some critical information.
>(He pulls out a series of photographs, the first one depicting Tanner).
>(Tanner's corpse).
>(Next few pictures are of the ransacked bomb shelter).

>**N**: Who is this? Where is this? I'm afraid I don't understand, Officer.

>**B**: Madam, I was not entirely forthcoming to you. I traveled all this way from Utah because I believe this incident might be related to an ongoing case.
>The body displayed here is a student in Brushton, UT named Tanner Albright.
>I was called to this case because of a similar string of murders in Hurricane, a few months prior.
>An urban explorer found an abandoned bomb shelter in the woods that was nearby, unaware of much else.
>He described a giant bear wrapped in red yarn.
>He also claimed that it stood up while he was not looking.
>We were unable to find any evidence for this supposed bear
>Until fairly recently.

>**N**: Freddy...

>**B**: Yes.

>**N**: It's not red string now, now it's blood vessels and he's not a small, cute, cuddly, teddy bear.

>**B**: I see.
>(pulls out another series of photos)
>(each depicting Freddy out and about)
>(these were the photos [Isaac](https://redd.it/7sgy0q) sent to Russ)
>(some of the Freddys are visibly different from the others)
>(like it had begun changing over time)

>**N**: He's getting stronger.
>Bigger, scarier.

>**B**: These photos were sent to the urban explorer that had initially discovered the bunker. [He then turned the photos to us.](https://redd.it/7nddo9)
>Similar incidents have been happening throughout the [country](https://redd.it/7tf65k).
>Though not as vicious as in this case.

>**N**: Yes! Speaking of other incidents, Officer, have you heard anything about my sister? Charisma Harris?

>**B**: ...

>**N**: I was here a few months ago, I brought in the memory card with the videos, she was in [Centralia, PA](https://redd.it/7onu3i). She has gone missing.

>**B**: We did find a body...

>**N**: A..a.. body?

>**B**: One Jason Collins.

>(Mom pulls out another cigarette)

>**N**: Oh, Jason...
>Poor boy he was attacked by that...mangled...thing...

>**B**: However... we have not been able to locate your sister. Her case is still ongoing.

>**N**: Oh. Well, that's good. Maybe she's hiding? Or lost? But still alive?

>**B**: We don't know.

>**N**: Isaac… I think he will find her.
>Officer, I have one more thing to say. I've been thinking on this.

>**B**: Yes?

>**N**: This Freddy, he's not... he's not good but he saved us. He saved Samantha. He could have hurt us, killed us, and he didn't.
>...
>I almost feel like I owe him a thank you. I don't like what he did to Greg, but Greg was an evil man. He was evil. I don't know what he would have done to Samantha.
>...

>**B**: I think that's all for now. Thanks for coming in.

>**N**: Thank you Officer, please let me know if you hear anything about my sister. Please.

>**B**: Of course, Madam. (shakes her hand)

***
Mom didn't look too happy when she came out, even less so when Officer Burke then asked if he can speak to me too. She was surprised at first, but she agreed. I am happy he wants to talk to me. This is what I've been waiting for, after all.
***
>(All 3 of us in the room together, this time there's a bowl of candy on the table)

>##B = Clay Burke, S = Samantha Harris, N = Nicole Harris

>**B**: Hello Miss, my name is Clay Burke from the Hurricane, UT Police Department; I already spoke with your mother about last night's incident. I was hoping to hear from your perspective. For the record, we need you to state your name, date of birth, and address.

>**S**: Ok Mr. Burke, Samantha Harris December 30th 2006, 1426 Elm Avenue.

>**B**: Before we continue, would you like some candy?

>**S**: Sure
>(waits for me to grab and open candy)

>**B**: Your mother told me that you knew that Greg was coming. Could you elaborate on that?

>**S**: I saw him coming. Just like I saw you...

>**B**: Wait... saw me?

>**S**: I saw you through his eyes. He knows you're looking for him.

>**B**: ... whose eyes?

>**S**: Freddy, he used to be Tanner. I saw that too.

>**B**: … um… well...let's get back to the main topic. So you saw Greg coming, why do you think he came?

>**S**: To sacrifice me to his God. The devil. He says I have power and he wants it.

>**B**: Power?

>**S**: I see things, I dream about things, and I see death. [I saw a little boy get his ears cut off](https://redd.it/7tnews), I saw a purple wall crumble, [I saw a little blond girl being stuffed into golden Freddy](https://redd.it/7r5pmx), I saw a lot. And I can move things with my mind. I saw a priest too...but he's not a priest...he's bad. He hurts people. I saw you coming here, because you're looking for the bad Freddy...but he knows you're looking for him, be careful.

>**B**: … this bad Freddy… your mother described some big intruder, and she claims he took Greg. She doesn't remember what happened; claimed that she went straight to you upon waking up.

>**S**: Yes, he did. I saw what he did to Greg.

>**B**: Where were you when he... did... what he did to Greg?

>**S**: In my closet. I wanted to leave and check on Mom but I saw that she was breathing.

>**B:** ...

>**S**: I know he whipped him 26 times. (Mom gave me a very shocked look and began crying again)

>**S**: I saw him hang him upside down and whip him. I heard Greg begging for his life.

>**S**: I also know that you didn't tell Mom everything about his death, did you Mr. Burke? (Mom abruptly stops crying and turns to look at Mr. Burke)

>**B**: … I told her what she needed to...

>**S**: Yes, you did

>**B**: What makes you think that-

>**S**: Mom still loves him. She won't admit it, but she does. She can't help it.
>...
>(Mom starts to say something and I look at her and she just stops and stares at me.)

>**S**: Mom it's ok. I can feel love like I feel hate.
>...
>Mom is full of love but Greg was not. I won't say what else he did, I'll just say that it's connected to those blood vessels.

>**B**: (stares at Mom wide-eyed, she has the same expression. [He knew *exactly* what I was talking about.](https://redd.it/7tf65k))

>**S**: You know Mr. Burke, you're gonna have to completely open yourself to the possibility that there are things out there, that shouldn't exist, that do. Because if you don't, you won't find Tanner.

>**B**: How do you know about-

>**S**: I told you, you came here looking for answers. And truthfully, you came here looking for Tanner. I saw the pictures that Isaac sent you, too. I saw that because I can see through Mom's eyes, too. We're linked. I'm her daughter and she gave me life. I'm linked to her.

>**B**: The suicide...

>**S**: Yes. Tanner figured out how to become Freddy. Or rather he went into Freddy...his soul did... He did a spell, out of a journal a guy named Henry used to have. Yes, Mr Burke. That's it. He didn't die, he just went into a different vessel. You don't have to fear or worry about me Mr. Burke, I'm one of the good guys. I want to stop them. They're hurting children. You have a lot more going on than you know. It's not just Tanner you should be looking for.

>(at this point I know he was thinking of a conversation he had with his old mentor. Bless Mr. Walton… his heart was in the right place, but it had been far too late for Mr. Burke to walk away for a long time)

>Mr. Burke, you know who I mean. Don't you?

>**B**: Animus...

>**S**: Society

>**S**: Mom, why don't you go outside and get some water. I really need to talk to the officer. I don't want to upset you. I love you.

>**N**: Sammy, I...

>**S**: No, Mom, please. Let me do what I was born to do.

>(Mom throws up her hands in resignation and sighs)

>**N**: Sammy, ok...I don't know what to say...um.. Mr. Burke are you ok with this?

>(Burke is too shaken to really respond to any of this. I may not be a cop but I've seen enough *Law and Order: SVU* to know that this was definitely a protocol no-no, but then again, protocol had no category for any of this)

>**B**: ... it's... it's fine.

>**N**: Ok then, I guess I'll see about that water and have a cigarette. And Samantha, that's all the time I'm giving you. I don't like this, but I trust you.
>15 minutes.

>**S**: Ok Mom, that's perfect.

>(Mom picks up her purse and jacket and gives us a long stare before leaving the room.)
>...

>**B**: Sam...

>**S**: Yes?

>**B**: Everything you told me...

>**S**: Is it hard to accept, is it impossible for me to know, or a little bit of both...?

>(He replays the entire conversation in his head; we both knew that every single detail was consistent with what I said, and that I had no access to any of it beforehand. Not by any normal means anyway.)

>(Burke sighs and answers truthfully. Smart man.)

>**B**: This is a lot to take in...

>**B**: I've seen so much more within the past few years than any rational man should see in a lifetime.

>**B**: Ever since [Fazbear's Fright](https://redd.it/7qg3g7) burned down, nothing really made sense anymore.

>**S**: I know Mr. Burke, but we don't have a lot of time. Things are getting worse.

>**B**: What do you mean worse?

>**S**: It's got to be hard for a man of faith to accept, I know, but yes, it's going to get worse. This Animus Society, they are hurting kids. Kids like me, with powers. They're hunting them down. And Chica, Foxy, Bonnie, Mangle, all of them are helping. Did you ever find the boy with no ears?

>**B**: What about him?

>**S**: He died and I watched, I talked to him for days, begged him to come here, but his spirit was broken. His "Mother" did that. (my blood boils at the mere thought of referring to her as mother). You know who killed him? Bonnie, Chica, and Foxy. You know who sent them? Meisberger. He also has Charisma. That's why I didn't want Mom here for this conversation.

>**B**: Wait... Charisma is alive?

>**S**: She is...for now. But I don't know if she will make it or not. That parts fuzzy, so her fate hasn't been decided.

>**B**: Do you know where they took her?

>**S**: I don't. I've been searching. I just know it's dark. I can only see the room she's in.

>**B**: Could you describe this room in more detail?

>**S**: I'm linked to her too, she's my aunt. I have terrible dreams about her. I don't want Mom to know. I don't know how to save her. But I know Meisberger has her. Find him, find her.

>**S**: It's dark and wet...underground, I think… there's rats...there are different people who come into her room, the boy with no ears, Michael, his “Mom” comes in there, sometimes… Speaking of "Michael"...

>**B**: What?

>**S**: He survived the fire. [He took Henry's and Tanner's notes from you guys](https://redd.it/7pjkwk).
>(my, did he looked shocked. In hindsight, I probably should have held that particular detail back)
>**S**: I'm sorry Mr. Burke, I thought you knew the notes were gone.
>But he's not the bad guy, just so you know. He wants to help get rid of Animus, you should find him.
>He's going to have a partner, but he doesn't know that, yet.

>**B**: Who?

>**S**: I can't say. It's not time yet. So you know, Michael is important. He's just...hard to see. I wish I could tell you more, but that's all I can say about them, for now.
>...
>There is one thing...they call Michael...Purple Guy...if that helps. Personally, I call him “the broken man”.

>(I can't really place the reason why, but every time I try to look for him he always looks warped and blurry. As if in order to see him clearly I need glasses. It's only been getting worse too.)

>**S**: Mr. Burke, I have to tell you… you can't trust your old mentor. You are a nice man and I thought you should know.

>**B**: ... he told me never to talk about Animus with him again "if you know what's good for you."

>**S**: Also, Tangled Freddy came into my room- the night he killed Greg.

>**B**: ...he...did?

>**S**: Yes, he stood outside the closet for a while. I thought he was going to rip me out of there and kill me too. He didn't, though. He just walked away.

>**B**: Why do you think he just... left?

>**S**: I don't know. I think he was only there for Greg but then he was curious about me. Ever since then, my powers have gotten stronger.
>I can tell you one thing, Freddy had a deep sadness when he was standing outside my closet.
>Can I have more candy?

>**B**: ... okay

>**S**: Thanks. (I decided to “pull” the bowl closer to me to emphasize my point. He stayed frozen for a half minute so I think he got the message loud and clear.)

>**B**: ... I ... I think that will be all for now. Thank you for coming in.

>**S**: Mom’s coming anyways. Remember what I said Mr. Burke, it's not just Freddy you're looking for.
>(door opens and Mom walks in)

>**S**: Mr Burke- don't trust your mentor...he was a part of something big in a different world. You should know that. [It was very much like Animus.](https://redd.it/7nmmon)

***

So, now I'm in the hotel room. We are staying here for a few days, just until the cleaners get the kitchen done. I've got Mom's cell phone again, it's time to make a call.

Michael answers after two rings. “Hello?”

I tell him the code and I hang up. Modern technology is a miracle; within seconds I have him pinned down and show him everything he needs to know. I only have to say the crucial things out loud; once we establish a connection, it's just a matter of a simple push.

I hope he doesn't get too overwhelmed.

Now the ball is in his court. In the meantime, it's time to do what I was born to [do](https://www.reddit.com/r/26FrightsOfFreddy/).