The 'Michael, Don't Leave Me Here' meme originates from the survival horror game Freddy Fazbear's Pizzeria Simulator, the sixth main installment in the Five Nights at Freddy's franchise. The audio features William Afton, the series' primary antagonist, screaming in agony and desperation as he is trapped in a burning building while pleading with his son, Michael, to save him. It gained viral status across TikTok and YouTube around 2022, where creators paired the dramatic audio with various humorous or relatable situations involving being left behind, ignored, or stuck in inconvenient places. The meme's appeal lies in the stark contrast between the visceral, gravelly voice acting and the often mundane or absurd scenarios it is applied to, making it a staple of modern internet 'shitposting' culture.