The Root of all Evil

The Root of all Evil is a short story by Aldrasos. It explains the very beginning of Five Nights at Freddy's from the perspective of Jace Redd, Head Engineer at the time, as well as the fateful encounter between him and 'Ponytail'.

Chapter 1
24th April, 1987

Another animatronic shut down today. Foxy, this time. One moment he was walking around just like normal, and then suddenly he just stopped, looked down and froze. My assistants had to drag him back to the maintenance room quickly before the children noticed, which isn't easy considering how heavy he weighs. All those electronic components cost a small fortune to replace, and the manager isn't happy with me ordering new parts. I need to figure out what is happening with them soon, or else I might be next up to the chopping block.

I shake my head. No, that's not quite right. They can't afford to lose me. I've been working here since day one. I made those suits all those years ago, and no one else knows them as well as I do. That small thought alone gives me hope enough not to bother worrying about it.

I draw out another cigarette and lean back against the wall, feeling a light breeze blow against my face as the spring wind blows through town. I like standing here when on break - the fresh air clears my mind, allowing me to organise my thoughts more clearly. Flicking open my lighter, I raise my hand just as the door next to me opens suddenly, the outside handle smashing into the bricks of the building. Glancing over with mild curiousness I watch as a tall, average-looking employee steps out, hands in his pockets and a scowl on his face. His short brown ponytail hitting the back of his neck as he descended the steps. He didn't seem to notice me as he walked forward towards the chain-linked fence of the parking lot, and after staring at it for a moment kicked it several times while muttering illegible curses.

'What did that fence ever do to you?' I ask, eyes half closed from mid-day drowsiness.

The man stopped what he was doing and raised his head, apparently startled. He turned around to meet me, his face as dark as his foul mood.

'Those damned kids won't shut up! Seriously, they're everywhere and I can't escape them!'

I smile. Yeah, I've heard all this before. Front-line employees tend not to last too long, especially the guys. I relish the blessing of being an engineer, and not having to cater to the kids. I'm not an animatronic, after all. Or an unskilled worker, for that matter.

'It's a family diner. Did you expect it to be filled with old people?' I respond in a sarcastic but jokey manner. The man seemed to appreciate the attempt, offering a faint shadow of a smirk in return.

'So, you out here for the fresh air or what?' he replied, walking towards me.

I raise my hand, showing him the lighter. 'I'm not sure 'fresh air' would describe what I'm doing very well.'

The man smiled again, wider this time, revealing surprisingly well-kept, gleaming white teeth. 'Mind if I have one?'

I flick open the packet again and offer one to him, which he accepts gladly. We light up and as I breath out the numbing smoke I throw a quick glance at my new companion as he stands next to me, smoking the cigarette quietly. He seems the withdrawn type, who doesn't really fit in well with the crowd. His downcast eyes indicate that he feels regretful, or perhaps disappointed with something, or someone. In that single second, I think I gather a pretty accurate profile for him and come to a final conclusion barely a second afterwards.

I don't like this guy.

He seems troublesome. I know these low-paying jobs don't always attract the best of people, or bring out their good side for that matter, but this guy seems to be more than just undesirable no. 1. I have the sneaking suspicion he will get into trouble with the law later in life. Serious trouble.

For the moment, though, I simply take in the welcoming coolness of the natural world from within the confines of this restaurant. Thinking about it, I don't feel like I've seen this guy before. A new employee perhaps? Maybe I just haven't seen him before, and being in the back room all day doesn't exactly promote interaction between employees. Not that I care, I'm fine with just Freddy and co for company.

'I haven't met you before. What's your name?' the man asks suddenly, snapping me out of my thoughts. I turn to see him looking at me out the corners of his eye.

'Redd. Jace Redd. I'm the head engineer here, and have been for over 10 years.'

'Redd, huh? Seems fitting, considering your hair and eyes. Those contacts?'

I run my hand through my hair instinctively. My hair is a dark red. Dyed, obviously. My red eyes, though, are quite natural.

'No. I have a medical condition which causes my eyes to be the colour that they are. Blood vessels, or something.'

'That's pretty cool. Is red your favourite colour then?'

I scowl, but turn away so that he doesn't notice. I don't like how this guy is trying to act all friendly with me. I seems fake in an unnecessary, unwelcoming way, like he's trying to pull cotton over my eyes for some reason.

'I guess. What's yours?' I reply through gritted teeth.

The man seems to ponder the question for a moment, before turning to me with gleeful eyes and a deadly grin.

'Well, I guess if I had to choose...it would have to be purple.'