The Butcher Gang isn't too much of a concern to anyone, but that hasn't always been the case. Although most numbskulls nowadays wouldn't remember, there was a time where the trio was ahead of their game by a landslide. Charley Stowaway is their leader, he's harsh but ultimately civil. He's had back problems for nearly two decades but he doesn't let that stop him. Barley Ridgewater is Charley's right hand man, a quiet sailor only a few years older than his captain. He was the head of shipment from their previous moonshine business, bares an eyepatch over his right eye, and lost his humor ages ago. Edgar Dwyer is the third wheel of the group, as most would assume. Dwyer is a wreck; having lost the left side of his torso and half of his sight in a fatal car crash. Even before the accident, he's had a finicky attitude and a twitchy trigger finger; nobody really knows what Charley sees in him. They used to be the most notorious crime trio of their time...

Until they got old and fat.

They used to rob banks, smuggle artifacts, generally cause an uproar... they lived the good life in their golden days. Immediately after their golden days were over, however, they agreed to start brewing moonshine. The Butcher Gang doesn't care much about profit anymore, and if anything, their business is just to keep themselves busy. But me oh my, how much of a snoozefest it can become. So when word got out that Devil was back in town, the three couldn't help but feel... intrigued by his return.

~~~

As soon as they set foot out of Looney Poons, the duo of wolf and demon paused to watch a vehicle as it skid out of the slim parking lot entrance. Bendy broke the frozen movement by continuing in his path, Boris cautiously doing the same. The wolf could tell Bendy was aggravated by the brief and abrupt gesture the fiend gave him towards the passenger's side as they neared it. Boris got comfortably situated first, meanwhile Bendy took his sweet time to carelessly plot himself in his seat. As soon as he got in the vehicle, the very first thing the demon did was set flame to the end of a cigarette. While the demon desperately tried to calm himself down with nicotine smoke, the three toons in the backseat waited patiently for an explanation. Although to their displeasure, their leader had no say on the matter. Bendy pulled the automobile into reverse, drove out of the parking spot, shifted the gear back into drive, and away they went.

The fiend refused to speak throughout the entire car ride home; too caught up in his own thoughts to even muster a word. There was a single time where Boris tried to lighten the mood, but to no avail. He was bitterly ignored by the demon and got nothing more than a slow shake of the head from the cat sitting in the back. The wolf felt something of worry festering in his stomach as he noticed the familiar turn, recognizing all the shades of green passing the vehicle in bursts and hearing the soft scrunching of gravel.

When the farm home came close, Bendy noticeably changed his posture and turned the automobile into the designated pathway. After pulling the car to the side of the house, Bendy almost immediately plucked the keys out of the ignition. Instinctively, Boris shakily reached for the door before halting as Bendy cleared his throat. The wolf met the demon's harsh glare and pulled his hand back. The fiend half-heartedly glanced in the backseat moments later.

"You three get out of the car." Bendy instructed firmly with an inward huff, "We'll meet you inside."

The trio in the back gave each other sideways glances before doing as instructed and shutting doors behind them. Duo of wolf and demon watched as the other three took their leave, Boris anxiously tugging at his sleeves while Bendy's eyes trailed after them.

For a while, the fiend didn't speak. Taking a drag from his dying cigarette, the demon leaned back in his seat with a flat expression. Boris spared Bendy a sideways glance as the fiend sighed, the familiar scent of nicotine filling the interior of the automobile. "Alright." Bendy muttered under his breath with a long sigh, "So..." The fiend rubbed his temples in a desperate attempt to center himself. "What the fuck was that?"

Boris was taken aback by the firm statement, jolting in his place. The wolf swallowed as his hands began to gently shutter, "I-I... I panicked, Mr. Devil."

"You panicked?" Bendy repeated in a low growl. The canine wearily nodded his head as he shakily rung his hands. "I got so c-caught up in everything I-I..." Boris' voice trailed as he struggled to gather the words he so desperately wanted to speak. The wolf's mouth went dry as the fiend pressed his cigarette to his lips. "I guess I thought I could h-have handled them."

Bendy exhaled another lung-full of smoke as he sturdily shook his head, "Do you think I give orders just to hear myself talk, kid?" The demon spat with an irritated undertone. Boris blinked before slowly shaking his head. Bendy scoffed as he gave his puny cigarette butt a glare. "Don't listen to your elders, and one of these days you're gonna get yourself scrambled." The fiend growled. Bendy huffed before flicking his cigarette butt out the window, "Maybe it'd teach you a lesson." The demon added with a loose shrug. 

The duo basked in the quiet for a while before Boris let out a deep sigh. "But, that meetup..." The wolf added quietly. Bendy leaned back in his chair with a grunt, "With Charley? What about it?" The demon questioned flatly. "What are we gonna d-do?" Boris asked briefly. Bendy suddenly blew a loud raspberry, "What's this 'we' talk?" The demon countered with a bitterly amused grin. Boris' eyes went wide, "Are y-you really going by yourself?"

"Do I have much of a choice?"

"W-Well you could-"

"If you're gonna suggest that I take 'backup', I think it's safe to say we've already gotten a little taste of what that's like." Bendy interrupted sourly. "Don't you think?" The demon asked, anger lacing his question. Boris felt his mind draw a blank, finding himself at a loss for words as the demon propped open his door and left the vehicle without another word.

As the days passed, Boris felt like Bendy was getting harsher and harsher. Every time the wolf tried to reach out, he would get immediately shot down. Whenever he attempted to strike up any type of conversation, he was either given blunt responses or was bitterly ignored. Eventually, as Chester suggested, Boris tried to offer Bendy a cup of joe from the recovering coffee machine in the kitchen every morning. But the demon would always figure out something wrong with it and make him repeat the process from square one. The first time it was cream, he made it abundantly clear that he hated any sweet in his caffeine cup. The second time it was too cold, and Bendy half-heartedly explaining that Boris should try to get it to him faster. From that point it just got ludicrous. From how much was in the mug, to a crack in the cup, even to a speck of sawdust he saw in one of them, there was no end to his ridiculous rejection. Bendy eventually ridiculed Boris' stutter, telling him that it would be better if the wolf didn't speak unless he thoroughly pondered his words. He noted that the small talk Boris brought was boring and that he didn't need it to interrupt his work. With each passing day the wolf began to see more and more that he was chasing his own tail. If Bendy was trying to make Boris feel fruitless, the demon most certainly was doing the trick.

Friday was nearing, and as far as Boris was concerned Bendy was fixed on his decision and had no intention to change it. Although the wolf still gathered up the courage to take the demon's coffee to him even with the feeling of dread outweighing his hope. He made a checklist in his head and made sure that the mug was as presentable as Bendy wished it to be. Boris was swift but careful on his feet as he carried the cup to its designated door, knocking gently before entering without so much as a mumble. As expected, Bendy was writing away on his desk without so much as sparing the wolf a greeting. Silently, Boris placed the coffee mug on the desk, hesitance in the action. "I hope it's alright." The wolf murmured softly, discourage in his tone. As Boris straightened his posture and turned heel, he heard the demon briefly shift in his chair. After the soft squeak of seat hinges and the twisting of a doorknob, Bendy exhaled softly. "Thanks." The fiend mumbled.

Boris halted in his movements as the grateful word lingered in the air. The wolf almost couldn't believe his ears, turning his head back to Bendy, whom of which sipped from his mug. For a long while neither of them spoke, until the demon swished the liquid around in his cup. "Don't you have somewhere to be?" The fiend grumbled under his breath. Boris caught himself lost in a trance and shook his head rapidly, "R-Right, you're right. Have a good r-rest of your morning, Mr. Devil." The wolf rapidly farewelled before taking his leave.

Throughout the afternoon, Boris sat in the gameroom with the others for the most part. Chester and Ricky played a hostile game of go-fish while the duo of canines relaxed on the tan sofa and watched some silly program on the 'idiot box', as William calls it. 

As soon as commercials rolled in, both of the canines sitting on the couch paused in their tense stances to stretch in place. The larger canine's gaze lingered to the wolf beside him. "What did the coffee rozzer complain about this morning?" William questioned with a smirk. Boris waved a hand, "He didn't complain at all. In fact, he even thanked me." The wolf explained with a shy smile. The canine's expression went soft. "Well I'll be." William replied warmly, giving the lanky wolf a gentle nudge. "He's always been a sucker for his coffee, so I shouldn't say I'm surprised, but..." The canine's voice trailed playfully, "did he say anything else?"

Boris shook his head with a questioning look, "Other than telling me to get lost, not really." The wolf replied with a soft chuckle. William's expression twisted into something of disappointment before he caught it and shook it away. "Well, damn." The canine commented with a chuckle.

"It's 'dang', William." Chester corrected teasingly from the table. "An' he's jus' a big ol' softie when it comes down ta it, Bori.  Don't take it too person'lly when he's grumpy." The feline reassured with a friendly grin.

The wolf would strongly disagree to the biased observation, but he didn't feel the need to comment. Boris silently questioned if maybe the others' experiences were a little different when they first met Bendy. William had mentioned more than once that the fiend wasn't always as sour as he is today, the canine didn't go into great detail or anything but the topic has lingered before. The demon was a mystery to even his closest companions, from what the wolf had gathered. So maybe he was a big softie, but as far as Boris was concerned, that was highly unlikely.

The scratching of plastic chair against wooden flooring pulled Boris out of his thoughts. "That's it, I'm done." Ricky growled as he angrily stood from his seat. Chester giggled, "Yeah cuz ya keep loosin' even though yer cheatin'." The feline replied as he idly shuffled the cards in his hands. Ricky grit his teeth at the comment. "I ain't cheatin'!" The raccoon snapped back. The feline snickered. "Oh so yer jus' that bad, huh?" Chester teasingly exclaimed. Ricky huffed angrily through his nostrils before furiously turning and storming out of the room. "Hey! I'm jus' yankin' yer chain!" Chester shouted through giggles, "Ricky! C'mon, stop bein' a sourpuss!" The cat shook his head sturdily as he watched said raccoon's feet slink out of sight. "What a baby." Chester muttered under his breath before slapping down the deck of cards. "Welp, who's up for a game?" The feline requested to the other toons in the room. William briefly waved a hand, indicating his uninterest. Chester's eyes lingering to Boris, whom of which wearily met his gaze. The cat's warm grin widened, and the wolf briefly shook his head before hoisting himself to his feet.

"What are you playing?" The wolf asked as he walked around the couch.

"Well, we were playin' War, but I don't think Ricky liked it too much."

"War? What's that?"

"You've never heard o' War before?"

Boris shook his head slowly and Chester's tail twitched with excitement. The feline eagerly patted the table, gesturing towards the other end, "Well, pardner, sit down an' I'll show ya!"

Ten o'clock rolled around and by then everyone was already sitting down, practically bashing their fists on the table as they impatiently awaited grub. The doorbell rang and Chester quickly scrambled for the backdoor. After plucking all the warm papersacks from Alice's arms, the feline thanked her profusely and scampered back to the gameroom. Within fifteen minutes the deep fried meal was completely demolished, Boris not even bothering to eat so much as a morsel. The fact that all the toons in the household could handle buckets of grease on the daily was mind boggling for the wolf, but he didn't bother to question it. There were a lot of things around here, he felt, he could never get legitimate answers to. While the remaining crumbs clinging to their lips were being licked away, Chester suddenly clicked his tongue.

"So, Ben, have you decided what yer gonna do yet?" The feline questioned as he placed his rung hands on the tabletop. Bendy gave Chester, as well as William a few short glances before he sighed deeply and crossed his arms. "Yeah." The demon muttered. The largest toon of the bunch raised one of his big brows, "And?" William asked sternly. Bendy recognized the tone and leaned back in his seat while he tightly wound his crossed arms. "I'll..." The fiend's voice trailed as he exhaled through gritted his teeth, "I'll take the kid with me." Bendy mumbled bitterly under his breath. Boris jolted in his seat, and Chester let out a squeak of second-hand excitement. The wolf shook his head rapidly, trying to process the situation the best he could, "Wait, s-seriously?" Boris stuttered. Bendy gave the wolf across from him a stern glare and a brief nod of the head. The canine couldn't help fight an anxious, but excited smile. The demon returned the look with a underlying scowl, "We'll leave at eleven fifteen, it's gonna take a while to get out there." Bendy explained flatly, "So it'd be smart to head out early."

Boris let out a brief, bubbly giggle; almost too mystified to speak. "You're trusting me e-enough to come along with y-you?" The wolf asked, a gleam of excitement shining in his gaze. Bendy caught this and huffed, resisting the urge to roll his eyes. The fiend gave another firm nod before lifting himself up from his seat, Boris' gaze following after him. "Just be in the car in thirty minutes or you're out of the equation." The demon grumbled softly before calmly taking his leave from the game room.

Boris crossed his arms neatly as he waited outside the backdoor. The wolf found himself to be too anxious waiting around with the others, so he figured he'd spend the last five minutes or so he had left outside. Although it was a little chilly, Boris didn't mind the cold. He wore rather thin clothes, so he was more so surprised it didn't affect him more than it did. The backyard was a little menasing, if he had to be honest. The deep, dark forested area and prickly thorn bushes around the perimeter was the beaming image of someone saying, 'keep away'. From the looks of it, one could get lost around a place like this. Every time Boris turned, it seemed to appear the same; prickly thorns with dark maple trees caked by the dozens behind them.

The wolf's heart did a backflip when he heard the doorknob being fiddled with beside him, having to catch his breath a little when he spotted Bendy exiting the home. The fiend clamped his teeth around a freshly lit cigarette as he closed the door behind him. Shortly afterwards, the demon gave Boris a blank glare before silently motioning for the wolf to follow him.

Going around the house and nearing the car, the only thing Bendy muttered was, "Driver's seat" in a monotone voice while he gestured his thumb to the left side of the vehicle. Boris cautiously abided to the order and slunk into the captain's chair. The wolf shakily held his grasp on the wheel as Bendy calmly climbed into the passenger's side, crossing his arms almost immediately after he seated himself. Boris wearily turned the key on the ignition, hearing a loud purr before the sound went neutral. The wolf thinned his lips in a line and tapped on the wheel for a short period of time as he tried to figure out a way to break the ice.

"What's the hold up?" Bendy snapped. The wolf jolted as the demon's question snapped him out of his trance. Boris shook away his doubt and swallowed the lump in his throat. "About l-last week, I hope we're on g-good terms." Boris stuttered, not even gathering the courage to spare the demon anything outside of a few short glances. Bendy exhaled sharply before swiftly rolling down his window and tossing his half-smoked cigarette butt to the dirt. Slowly, he wound the handle in the opposing direction as the window closed back up. For a moment, the demon didn't move before he finally spared the wolf a bitter glance. "Drive." He instructed firmly. Boris swallowed and did as he was told.

The narrow gravel road they drove down was a walk in the park compared to the highways they rode. Twenty-five minutes of nothing but wheels hitting concrete, and no talking either, for that matter. Aside from blunt directions, it was a little too quiet for Boris' comfort. The tension was thick in the air, and the negativity resonating from the demon wasn't helping much either. Eventually he noticed a sudden posture shift from the toon beside him as he straightened himself.

"You know the plan?" The demon questioned. The wolf shook his head wearily, "No, I can't say we ever w-went over it." Boris replied cautiously. Bendy scoffed sharply at the response and adjusted his seated position once more. "Stay in the car." The toon instructed simply.

Boris' shoulders stiffened, fighting the urge to glance at the toon beside him as his gaze was planted firmly on the road. "S-Stay in the car?"

"That's what I said, didn't I?"

"Well, y-yes, but why do I-"

"Good." Bendy interrupted sharply. Boris was quiet after he was interrupted, although the quiet didn't last for long, much to Bendy's distaste. "What good am I to c-come if I'm just s-staying in the car?" Boris countered. The demon sighed deeply as his irritation steadily rose. "Lookout." He stated firmly, his tone lining with nothing short of annoyance. "Do I need to spell it out for you?"

Boris took in a short breath of air at the response he received. He wanted to shoot back a bitter reply, but he bit his tongue in the fear of Bendy's rebuttal being even harsher. "I was just wondering." The wolf murmured quietly. The demon narrowed his glare.  "Well don't. Keep the bitching to yourself." The fiend replied sourly. There was silence between the two for a long while as they drove.

"Pretty sure you're an e-easier target if you go by yourself, but I'm not the boss." Boris mumbled under his breath. Bendy's eyes widened in realization, but within a mere moment the recognition twisted into aggravation. After cursing under his breath, the fiend stubbornly huffed and didn't bother to respond to the comment.

Even if Bendy was giving directions, he was never clear with where they were even going in the first place. Of course with the fact that the chimp and the demon were wanted criminals, their meetup had to be done in a secluded area. Which by the looks of it, was exactly where they were going. The wolf's mind was going on a daze as he drove, silently pondering where they could possibly be going. They could be going anywhere, hell, they could even be driving to their very deaths. The idea was scary, but Boris would be lying if he said it wasn't a little exciting, too.

"Okay..." Bendy's low tone caused Boris' thoughts to come to a halt as he spotted a sign up ahead. "Take a right after the next exit." He instructed carefully, his eyes squinting through the streetlights. Boris processed the directive silently, following the signs carefully with his eyes as he drove. Within a minute or so, Bendy pointed an index finger at an approaching exit sign, "Here." The demon instructed, Boris heeded to the command and slowed down the speed as they left the freeway. Up ahead, the wolf spotted a red light and slowly pressed his foot to the brake until the car came to a halt. "Take a right up here." Bendy repeated with a sigh. The demon checked the clock on the dashboard anxiously and sat up in his chair with impatience as they waited at the streetlight for what seemed like ages. Every moment that passed set the demon on edge. The clock read 11:32, but he feared that the next glance he took would only make time go faster.

When they finally took the turn, Bendy shifted in his seat, "Keep going down this road for a while." The demon explained before taking a glance at the speed of the vehicle. His lips twisted into a frown at the sight. "And pick up the pace, we're already starting to run late." The demon added under his breath, checking the dashboard clock once more. "When you see the warehouses up here start to slow down a bit. The one we're looking for is gonna have a big '4301' on the top." Bendy told him firmly. Boris replied with a soft nod of the head as his eyes scanned the area.

The demon was silent for a while before he glanced towards the toon to the left of him. But just as he was opening his mouth, he paused, appearing to be reconsidering his words before he stopped himself completely and shook away the statement. Boris glanced beside him as he noticed the phenomenon in the corner of his eye. "What are their names?"

Bendy took a moment to process the sudden question, "What?" Boris shrugged loosely. "Who are we seeing?" The wolf replied. The demon huffed through his nostrils and began to relax in his chair. "The Butcher Gang. I'm surprised you don't recognize them, kid." Bendy scoffed with a sly smirk. "Are those old cats that ancient?" The demon added with a soft snicker. Boris blinked, slowly shaking his head. "Drew m-mentioned them once or twice but I've never met them 'till last week."

Bendy thinned his lips in a line at the response, "It's better not to get tangled with them. I should've known better." Boris held his gaze firmly on the road ahead, watching carefully for any warehouses. "What happened between you two?" The wolf questioned. Bendy raised a brow, "What, me and Charley?" The demon scoffed sharply at the thought, "Where to even begin with that asshole." The wolf remained quiet as Bendy adjusted his seating posture once more. "We used to be business partners way back in the day, before pigs stuck their noses in anything that even smelled like me. Believe it or not, I haven't always been as adored as I am now." The demon explained, pressing his fingertips to his chest in pride.

Boris shooed away a snarky remark and listened in. "At the time, Charley was my only real friend when it felt like the rest of the world was out to get me." Bendy murmured as he scratched his face, "I looked up to him, he took me in and treated me like I was one of his own." Bendy's tone suddenly got harsh, "But then he took advantage of my trust and double-crossed our deal. Twenty-five percent between all of us, was what he said originally." The demon's glare frostened, "Originally." Bendy repeated bitterly under his breath. Boris couldn't help but spare Bendy a sympathetic glance, staying silent as he contemplated his words.

"It sounds like he wants to make amends, so that's good, right?" Boris reassured with a weary grin. Bendy slowly shook his head with a monotone expression, "I have a weird feeling he doesn't just want to chit chat the problems away." The demon growled. Boris glanced at the toon beside him, "Are you afraid of him?" The wolf's voice was barely loud enough to qualify as a whisper.

Bendy blinked as he stared out the windshield for a good while, basking in the soft purr of the engine. The fiend appeared to be processing the question, but after all the waiting, he didn't say anything in response.

As the conversation from before buzzed in the air, soaking in all the timid silence from before, Boris began to spot the warehouses Bendy and mentioned earlier. The wolf slowed the car's pace and the demon beside him narrowed his eyes as he stared out the windshield, trying to make out the numbers on the warehouses as they passed. "4301." Bendy reminded the wolf simply, placing a gloved hand firmly on the dash.

4295...

4297...

4299...

Then there it was, on the right hand side was number '4301' sloppily written in yellow paint just above the metal building's gaping entrance. Boris slowed the vehicle to lower digits as they neared, and the wolf could practically hear the quickening pace of his heartbeat as they carefully pulled up right beside it. Putting the car into park, they both sat in the car for a while, neither of them daring to say a word as their gazes stained into the structure beside them.

Without much warning, Bendy wearily opened his car door, the silence from the outside came to be even more eery than he anticipated. As the fiend took in the area, he cautiously glanced towards the wolf and silently beckoned for Boris to follow his lead. The toon behind the wheel was a little confused at first, but eventually caught the drift and shakily turned off the engine. As the car fell still, the wolf uneasily reached over to unfasten his own door while the fiend on the other side stepped out into the open. As soon as Boris felt his shoes hit the gravel, he knew something was off. The way Bendy cautiously glanced left and right wasn't much of a comforting sign either. Once the fiend had just about enough of his own fear, he slammed his door shut, causing Boris to jump at the sound. Bendy sighed audibly as he began to walk around the back of the car, Boris shivering in his skin as he cautiously followed. The demon flicked his tail, "If I die tonight, I'm gonna be fucking pissed."

Boris rung his hands wearily, his gaze anxiously scanning the area as the duo stood in front of the building. Bendy was standing ground with his arms firmly crossed while his expression shifted between worry and impatience. "Where a-are they?" The wolf murmured gently, his tail fidgeting uncomfortably. "How the hell am I supposed to know?" Bendy mumbled sourly, his eyes shifting around the scenery in front of him. The demon let out a brief sigh and checked his watch, "Fifteen 'till." Bendy noted flatly as his gaze flickered to the wolf. "I figured he'd be here early." Bendy could barely hold Boris' gaze. "Guess I was wrong." The fiend muttered, turning his glare away. The wolf noticed Bendy tapping his index finger impatiently on his arm as he stood. The way his eyes couldn't stay still, the way his tail flicked. Boris knew the demon was either naturally twitchy or he was anxious, and the wolf was willing to bet it was the latter.

Time went by, and aside from a quick cigarette break, the duo didn't move from their spots. By the 11:58 mark, Boris could tell the demon was out of patience once he started pacing. "Where is he?" Bendy muttered under his breath, halting in his pacing as he met gazes with the toon beside him. "It just doesn't make any goddamn sense." The demon's voice was thinning with irritation as he checked his watch for the hundredth time. Boris huffed softly through his nostrils as he tried to think of reasonable excuses. "Maybe he got caught up in traffic?"

"Bullshit." The demon countered almost instantly. "He's up to something, and I just need to find out what-"

"BOO!"

The duo leaped out of their skin as a booming voice called from behind them. Both their gazes snapped to the noise, only to find two toons. One that could hardly contain his laughter, while the other let out rusty chuckles. Bendy was nothing short of bewildered, shaking his head rapidly as he tried to recoil what was happening. The confusion quickly escalated to anger as he realized the duo were laughing at him.

"Wh-What the fuck!" The demon practically shouted while Charley began to tear up from his hollering. Wiping away tears, the chimp let out a long sigh, pure amusement in his exhale. "Glad to see you could make it, Benjamin." Charley managed to say through husky laughs. "It's nice that you brought junior along as well." The toon noted with a half-hearted gesture towards the wolf across from him. Bendy took in shallow breaths, irritation obvious in his features. 

The demon noticeably glanced around the area. "Where's Edgar?" Bendy noted as he re-crossed his arms. Charley couldn't even remove the grin from his face, "He decided he didn't want to tag along." The chimp reasoned as he almost struggled to breath. Charley wheezed, receiving a look of worry from the sailor beside him. "Doin' okay?" The toon murmured softly as he reached over to pat his captain on the back. "Y-" Charley paused as he let out another cough, "Yes, thank you, Barley." The chimp replied, clearing his throat sharply. Boris processed the name, meeting eyes with said sailor. The wolf grinned in silent greeting but received only a glare in response. Bendy held his firm expression, "Doesn't sound like him to skip out on the fun." The demon countered crossly. Charley patted his chest as he continued to clear his throat, "Fun?" The chimp repeated, pausing to swallow, "My dear boy, I can assure you we're only here to talk."

Bendy grit his teeth, "Alright, then talk." The demon retorted flatly. "I'd love to know what makes you think I even want to forgive you." The fiend challenged coldly. Charley glanced towards Barley, whom of which twisted heel with his good foot and walked into the gloomy building. "Maybe it'd be best if we spoke your language." The chimp replied softly. The fiend narrowed his eyes at the notion, "The fuck's that supposed to mean?"

"Repaying my debt, perhaps?"

Bendy's eyes widened, his shoulders hanging loose for a moment before he caught himself, his posture going stiff with hostility once more. "I'll believe it when I see it." The demon shot back with a disapproving glare. Charley gripped his cane as he stood, awaiting his partner's return. "I figured you'd be a little more open to discussion if we bought you over." The chimp reasoned with an amused look. Bendy's face was puckered in a bitter expression, not even daring to bite the friendliness. "You know me well." The fiend muttered in a monotone voice. Not even a moment longer, Barley limped back into view, carrying a thick suitcase tightly in his grasp. The chimp loosely gestured for the sailor to hand it over, and Barley didn't even hesitate. Charley held it out with an extended arm, silently submitting for Bendy to take it.

The chimp's manner twisted into something of triumph as the demon cautiously stepped forward to take the offering. Boris couldn't help but feel unnerved as Bendy left his side. The wolf could only describe his feelings as vulnerable, especially because of the way Barley glared at him. Although as the demon took a step back with the suitcase, Boris felt himself inwardly relax as Bendy anxiously flipped it open. Instantly, the fiend's eyes lit up at the sight, stopping in his awe to glance back at the chimp and the sailor in front of him. "All of it?"

Charley nodded with a satisfied grin on his lips. "All of it." The chimp replied. Bendy spared Boris a sideways glance before handing the wolf the suitcase, "Count it." The demon instructed firmly. Boris was a little surprised by the request but obliged regardless, quickly thumbing his way through the paper. "Looks l-like about ten grand to me." The wolf answered after paused for about a minute or so.

"Disregarding however the hell you managed to get this, why do you want my help?" Bendy questioned with a raised brow, suspicion still obvious in his voice. "Seems like you can handle yourself just fine without me, monkey."

Charley shook his head slowly, amusement in his gaze, "Benjamin, what I'm seeking isn't money, but friendship." The chimp replied slowly, receiving a long eye roll from Bendy in response. "I wanted to apologize. I hate that we have this feud because of my mistake." Charley continued, his voice soft. Boris felt a pang in his stomach as he noticed Bendy relaxing his posture once more, although this time, he didn't catch himself. "So, I'm sorry." The chimp apologized, sincerity in his tone. Charley glanced behind him- almost as if he heard a noise- before resting his gaze back on the demon before him. "I hope we can put the past behind us." The chimp reached out a hand graciously, Bendy staring at the gesture for what seemed like ages before he narrowed his eyes and stared at Charley dead on.

"Keep your filthy fuckin' fingers to yourself." Bendy muttered with cruelty lacing his insult. Although a little taken aback by the response, Charley drew his hand back. He almost looked hurt, but it didn't last long for his face to go dull once more.

The wolf couldn't fight the anxious energy festering in his stomach, something was wrong. Something was very wrong.

Suddenly, there was a soft click that echoed beyond the pitch black entrance of the warehouse and in the corner of his eye, the canine spotted a glimmer. Boris felt his heart stop as his gaze traced a dark silhouette, the figure of which, was carrying a long, narrow object in their grasp. Almost instantly the wolf recognized that whatever the toon was carrying was pointed directly at the blissfully unaware toon below. Without so much as a second thought, Boris jolted forward and shoved Bendy to the gravel. In the same instant the demon was propelled from his feet, the ear-piercing sound of a bullet split through the air.

Bendy sputtered to the rocky floor, bewildered by the notion for a moment until his gaze met with the wolf's. Boris was out of breath, visibly shaking from what unfolded merely moments ago. Even from feet away the demon could see the toon's hands quiver. Bendy was at a loss for words as they both fearfully held eye-contact. Silence, neither of them dared to move as their minds were in too much of a daze to even blink. Although they didn't speak, the wolf didn't need any words to read the expression on the demon's face.

Once the perplexed fear left, all the emotion that Boris saw in Bendy was pure, cold anger. The demon's eyes snapped to the duo beside them, causing Charley to go wide-eyed. The fiend grit his teeth and slowly got to his feet, "So you wanted me to come all this way..." Bendy muttered, his tone so bitter, it sent a chill down Boris' spine. "For a little family reunion, isn't that right?" The demon was hoisting himself from his fall, and by that point the older toons were already drawing back. 

"Please, Benjamin, we can t-talk about this." Charley stuttered, already tripping over his own feet as he desperately tried to flee. Bendy chuckled, "I think our friendly chat is a little past the expiration date." The fiend muttered as he got to his feet and dusted off his legs.

"You... You can't do this." The chimp exclaimed while Bendy straightened his posture. In the distance, there was audible fiddling while a toon was mumbling terrified curses under their breath. "If you're going to shoot me, at least m-make it swift." Charley begged as he swallowed.

"You think I'm gonna shoot you?" The fiend repeated with a phony chuckle, "That's a low blow, Charley." Bendy growled as he brushed the gravel from his sleeves and tugged on the ends of his gloves. "I prefer to use my hands when I skin rats."

As soon as those words left the demon's lips, Bendy lunged forward, a gunshot striking through the air once more as the fiend tacked Charley to the ground. Drawing back his arm after each swing, Bendy continuously threw sharp punches to the chimp's face. The older toon's breathing was ragged and the sound of knuckle hitting cheek was physically painful to listen to. Boris would have turned his head away had he not been frozen in pure horror. The wolf couldn't control his shaking, his heart beating in his eardrums, and a lump deep in his throat. The yelling of agony and the constant shot of a rifle caused Boris to go in such a shock that he felt his legs give way.  The wolf never had the intention to tag along and see something like this.  And he most certainly never wanted to see Bendy snap to the point where he was pummeling a senior to death with his fists. 

The shouting and screaming was too much to bare. Boris could vaguely see Barley desperately trying to remove Bendy from atop his leader, although he was failing miserably. The canine felt as if he could hardly breathe, finding the strength only to cover his eyes with his gloves in a desperate attempt to comfort himself. Any more of the fighting and no doubt he would faint from the panic.

BANG!

Once more, a gunshot rang through the air. This time, the area went quiet. But that quiet didn't last for long.

"Oh god! Barley!"

A voice screamed from above, a loud clunk of metal hitting metal following shortly after. Boris slowly lifted his head from his hands, shakily glancing at the scene. His attention was first drawn to his own partner, whom of which was slowly getting back to his feet and drawing away from his own anger. Bendy towered over Charley, the chimp quivering and weakly crawling away on his hands and knees. When Boris' gaze shifted merely inches to the right, he immediately spotted Barley; motionless on the cold ground while scarlet seeped from his head. Edgar was rushing towards the body, his movements twitchy and panicked. "Barley! Please tell me I didn't..." The toon fell to his knees, his hands shakily hovering over the still sailor.

Charley was wheezing and sputtering as he struggled to get to his cane, shakily reaching for his walking stick that was feet away. Bendy took a glance at the cane before harshly kicked it towards the chimp, scoffing sharply. Bendy felt his eyes move over to the grieving spider as he towered over a now deceased Barley. Edgar let out trembling sobs as he cried over his fallen friend, not even seeming to realize that a toon was staring at him. The demon blinked slowly, processing the area carefully before he turned heel to leave them be. Boris was almost surprised Bendy didn't want to finish the job, but the fiend's expression said it all. The demon silently called for the wolf beside him to follow, his gesture showing exhaustion, "Come on, kid. Let's go home."

Boris looked behind him, spotting the suitcase that started this whole mess. "W-What about the money...?" The wolf questioned, unsteadily gesturing towards the discarded dollar bills lying in clumps on the gravel. Bendy gave a fatigued shake of the head before he slowly carried his feet. Boris followed in the demon's footsteps, not able to fight the urge to glance back. The sight was difficult to swallow. Charley was struggling to get to his feet on his own, only to stand in utter disbelief as he grounded himself beside his loved ones. His expression twisted into undeniable sadness, even if his face was bloodied and torn. The choked weep of the chimp only made Boris feel worse as he watched Charley shakily get down on one knee and place a hand gently on Edgar's arm. Not long after the empathetic gesture, the spider envelope the chimp in a miserable embrace, roughly sobbing against Charley's shoulder.

The duo of wolf and demon slowly made their way back to the car. Wearily, Bendy climbed into the driver's seat, meanwhile Boris sat down in the passenger's seat. The wolf found himself glancing at the fiend's gloves, finding bright scarlet to be stained into the knuckles. Bendy appeared to have been knocked around a bit himself, a visible bruise around his chin and an even bigger mark on his forearm. Without really thinking much, the lanky canine took in a deep inhale through his nostrils and met gazes with the demon beside him.

"Why d-did you stop?" Boris shakily questioned, finding his hands to still be quivering. Bendy turned the keys in the ignition sharply, silently basking in the noise of the engine for a moment.

"I don't know." The fiend muttered plainly before pulling the car out of park.