“Mmmm...” I mumbled as I slowly forced my eyes to open.

I wish I could say I saw something, but all I saw was darkness. Darkness surrounded every corner of my being, almost as if it were drawn to my very presense. I could see absolutely nothing, but I could hear the breathing of someone behind me. They were VERY CLOSE... Far too close for comfort, especially for one as distant and detached from people as myself.

As I breathed, my chest and stomach tightened, but not in a natural way... It felt like someone was either hugging me REALLY tightly or I was restrained by something. I couldn’t tell which of the two it was, however. Starting to panic a little, I attempted to speak, but no words came out. The only thing to come out was a raspy breath, devoid of any notable emotion (despite the fact that I was obviously panicked).

Feeling like there was no other option, I hastily started to struggle against my restraints, hoping to break free. My attempt, however, was futile, as my movements only seemed to tighten the restraints even more. However, it was then that it became obvious that the thing holding me down was a thick, strong and durable rope, which was tied to an uncomfortable wooden chair, which likely belonged in someone’s dining room at some point. I hoped to God that whoever kidnapped me wasn’t going to eat me. This was NOT how I wanted to go out (even though my untimely demise is inevitable anyway)!

After a few more moments of struggling, I eventually stopped... But my sudden movements had caught some... Unwanted attention from some (seemingly) invisible entity (I thought it was a bloody ghost in that moment, despite not being one to believe in ghosts)...

“Ah, good, one of you NAUGHTY children is awake. I was wondering if I had accidentally killed you both by accident!” A nasally, male’s voice called out as I nearly get blinded by an unnaturally bright light.

As my eyes gradually adjusted to the light, I instantly recognised the man who stood before me.

Mr. Baldi.

The idiotic-looking man’s face curled into a twisted grin as he looked me over, licking his lips as he done so.

“You’ve been a naughty boy over the past year, eh Neffy? Never turning homework in on time, rarely showing up for class and worst of all, insulting my intelligence! Honestly, you were, without a doubt, one of my WORST students that I EVER had... But, at the same time, I also kinda admire you. You stood against me for the sake of being there for dear little Nilly here...” He said in an odd tone, pointing his ruler to something behind me.

I turned my head and saw the very one he spoke of.

Everything in my head clicked as my memories came flooding back to me. Today was exam day at school. Everyone in our class failed... Well, everyone except for Nilly and I (I done it at the last minute before Mr Baldi could put me in detention with everyone else in that dimwitted class). Mr. Baldi, without even giving us a decision, told us to get into his car for a ‘special surprise’ to celebrate our academic excellence in the exam. We both wanted to back out, but Mr. Baldi insisted that we got our ‘award’ for passing the exam.

Nilly glared at Mr. Baldi before turning back to me. As Mr. Baldi gloated about how he had been ‘waiting for this moment for so long’, Nilly suddenly pulled my head closer to his. “Psst, I have a knife in my back pocket... Could you reach it, Nef...? My arms are losing blood from how tightly they’ve been bound to the chair...” He whispered to me in a stressed voice.

It took a lot of wiggling my tied wrists about, but eventually, I slipped the small knife out of the pocket of his poofy blue shorts. I could tell from the look in his eyes what he wanted me to do next. I started to cut through the ropes around our chairs.

However, just as we thought we were free, Mr. Baldi suddenly snatched the knife out of my hand.

“Heh heh... Going somewhere?” He smirked.

“H-how d-did you...?” Nilly stammered breathlessly.

“Heh... I may not have any magical powers, but I AM incredibly perceptive...” He said steadily, his grin widening and his sharp stare intensifying.