(Rewrite) Five Nights At Freddy's 4: Unbitten

Side Story: Like A Second Shadow

(Note: Hey guys, I haven't abandoned this story. I'm just currently trying to write two endings and it's taking longer than I thought. That's why I haven't updated this story in almost a month. So in the meantime, enjoy this little side story while I finish one of the endings. I hope you guys can understand. :])
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'William is acting strange...' Kenneth thinks, looking up from his homework as he sits at the kitchen table. From his position, the boy can see into the living room perfectly.

The older man is slumped on the couch, the only light coming from the T.V. Growing worried, Kenny calls out: "Papa?" William nearly jumps to the ceiling. "Wh-what?" Wild and tired eyes stare at the nine-year-old. The boy flinches back at his father's reaction.

"Are you okay?" Kenny asks softly, sinking down in his chair in fear. William sighs, rubbing his eyes. "Well," Afton trails off, staring at the carpet before focusing on his son. "Daddy's current job isn't going so good, that's all." Kenneth knows Afton is lying.

"Daddy," Kenneth whines. Seeing Kenny's sad face, William groans. "Okay, okay. I'm just.... really sad."
Kenny tilts his head. "Really sad? Why, papa?"
Afton thinks for a moment, then pats the sofa cushion next to him. "Sit over here, please." Now visibly concerned, the child gets out of his chair and sits next to William.

"I am fairly sure your school hasn't taught this yet but....have you heard of depression?" Kenneth blinks in alarm at the large word that sounds dangerous in his mind. He shakes his head in bewilderment. "Hm." William cracks a small smile, soothing the child's light brown hair.

"To put it in a way you'd understand, depression is....a sickness in the brain that makes it hard to stay cheery." Kenneth gasps in horror, face draining of color. "B-but that's terrible!" He squeaks out. "I-it sounds like a monster!"

"It kind of is..." William sighs, looking down at his boy. "Oh, don't cry." Kenny sniffs, wiping away his tears quickly. "Look at me, look at me....that's it." The child stares up at his father. "Listen, I have that illness."
"Is there anything I can do to make you feel better?" Kenneth asks. William kisses the child's cheek quickly. "Just staying here with me is enough."

The boy feels tears sting his eyes. He turns away so William can't see him cry. Kenny feels William trace circles into his back. "I know you're scared, son. If you need to cry, then cry. Don't hold it in." Kenny whirls around, hugging his father and soaking his shirt with tears.

"Oh, baby....that's it. I know you are worried for me. But you shouldn't be. I should be worried about you." Next thing the child knows, he falls asleep. William looks down at his sleeping son with a sigh. "Poor little puppet..." William croons, tilting his head with a sly expression.

He holds his son close, a wave of sadness washing over him. Tears slip from William's eyes without him realizing. Afton touches his wet cheeks with a flash of surprise. "I'm sorry," William chokes out. "I try to be a good father. I really do..."

William gets up from the couch, still holding the boy. Entering Kenneth's room, he lays the child down on his bed, tucking him in. Afton sits on the edge of his bed. "Do you view me as a bad father?" William whispers, not expecting a response.

The older man hangs his head, tears dripping to the blue-purple carpet. He gets up, only to be stopped by a small hand grabbing his uniform. Looking over his shoulder, he sees Kenneth with his hand gripping William's sleeve. "No," Kenneth states, smiling while crying. "I don't."
"K-Kenny..." William gasps.
"No one is perfect, papa." The boy says, letting go of his sleeve. "I understand that."

"Oh, son," William sits back down.
"Papa," Kenny starts, drying his tears. "How can you say that?"
Tears flood William's vision. "I don't know,"
Kenny springs up and out of bed. "That's it, I'm gonna cheer you up! No matter how long it takes."

William smiles. "That is very sweet of you, Kenny. But I'm sure I'll be fine." 
"Can you at least let me try?" The child asks.
William nods, arms crossed.

"Okay, what if I make you something to eat?"
William's eyes widen. "No! No, that's fine!"
Kenny blinks in confusion. Afton laughs nervously.
"Honey, no offense but remember Father's Day?"

Kenny blanks out for a moment. Then the memories come back. "Oh yeah! I made pancakes for you and Terrence and I set the fire alarm off!" He laughs. William snickers, covering his mouth.
"Indeed. And you accidentally put glitter in the batter thinking they were sprinkles."

Kenny catches his breath, laying on his back on the carpet. "And you ate the breakfast anyway! That was awesome!" The child giggles. "I nearly made Terrence choke on his orange juice when he saw me eat it." William feels his cheeks burn with embarrassment. "Not my fondest moment, I'm afraid. Although, looking back, it is rather humorous."

The child calms down, rolling over to lay on his stomach, chin in his hands. "Do you feel better?" He asks timidly. William nods, forcing himself to smile slightly. No, he wasn't ever going to get better. Depression, especially one on William's level, never fully vanishes. Not really. It always follows you like a second shadow. And since the Fredbear incident, it has only gotten worse.

William may be a master at manipulation but even he can still crack and let the real emotions shine through. He wasn't always depressed, though. Back when he had a wife and daughter, everything was okay. But 'okay' isn't going to get your daughter back. 'Okay' isn't going to fix your beyond broken marriage.
All you can do is try to be a good role model for your adopted children. But even he screwed that up.

Even so....
That way Kenneth's blue eyes shone with....hope? Happiness? Made William feel a little better. Having his sons,(even if they aren't related) is still better than being alone.

Afton snaps out of his thoughts when Kenneth pokes him in the shoulder. "Hm?" William blinks. Kenny stands in front of William. "What is it? Is something wrong?" Afton asks gently.

"I..." Kenneth blushes. "I just wanted to let you know that I l-love you. O-okay?" William genuinely smiles this time. "As do I, son. I love both you and your brother."
He ruffles the boy's hair in a teasing manner, making the child laugh. "D-dad!"

William chuckles. Maybe adopting Kenny and Terrence wasn't a bad idea after all.