Chapter based on 'Batim : ch 1' Prepare your butts for the next chapter. Comment what you think.

As the car engine sung to the lone country roads, Henry relished the roaring winds that twirled in his short dull hair and whistled in his ears. The distressed middle aged man's grip tightened on the leathered driving wheel. His fingers were cold and shaky. Every now and then, His tired eyes glance at the road, and back to the Inky letter on the front seat beside him.

"Dear Henry," - so was written ;

"It seems like a lifetime since we worked on cartoons together. 30 years really slips away, doesn't it? If you're back in town , come visit the old workshop. There's something I need to show you."

And the worst part that turned the old animator's blood cold, was the last sentence that was written in a so familiar Inky handwriting - "Your best pal, Joey Drew" - with the iconic main logo of Bendy's Head and a Capital B in it.

Driving by the old parking lot,This place seems so foreign now. The narrow streets were empty, while the animation studio was left trembling. Last time he saw this working place, it was filled with police cars and yellow barricades. The gentle scent of the fresh air and roses kindled memories of summers gone outside of the animation studio door. Sammy Lawrence would usually stand by and smoke his cigarettes during the break, or Henry and (Y/n) would just stand by and enjoy the fresh summer air.

Henry slowly turned off his car, still hesitant to get out.

The Man looked around, those flowers flourished and bloomed everywhere around the parking lot and the main entrance. In fact, they looked so well tied and cut, almost as if someone took care of them all those 30 years...

"Huh...These flowers were clearly taken care of, despite them being abandon... though I must confess, they look very lovely."

The door screeched wide open.

They say that the strongest link to sparking a memory is through one of the six senses - not sight, taste or touch, not even sound, but smell.

The main entrance, the lobby of the first floor that was once full of the most talented and hardworking employees, was now just an empty dusty hall that held an ominous atmosphere along the old rusty gears. The smell of the room awakened memories long forgotten, echos of those long ago vintage paper jarred Henry's mind. Suddenly being forced to swim once more in the tide waters of the past, he slowly walked down the wooden corridor with attitude of a soldier returning to the battlefield.

"I'm back, Joey, let's see what you wanted to show me."

At this point, poor Henry completely forgot that he used to work under certain animations and characters 30 years ago - his mind swirled like a hurricane, in one moment he felt adrenaline rush - he was ready to burst in this old workshop to finally meet his old friends physically. But on the other hand, Henry felt like calling the police and just quiver in fear. It's impossible, he accepted the fact that all those people he knew there were , lightly saying, "mysteriously disappeared" or presumably - dead.

Henry's head couldn't comprehend any other memories, just faces of his colleagues.

The young, passionate and creative expression of those people he used to work and spend time with : Joey Drew, Sammy Lawrence, Susie Campbell, Norman Polk, Grant Cohen , Shawn Flynn , Thomas Connor and....

(Y/n)(L/n) - thought Henry.

Of course, if Joey Drew wrote the letter - it means they're alive. Everyone.

A spark of hope flashed inside the heart of the Adult Man. Perhaps now, all those people who used to work here have aged well and changed completely.

Maybe, just maybe - thought Henry ; (Y/n) has completely changed into a new women. She was 26 years old last time he recalled, but now she must be over her 50's. He wondered if she still had the same caring and kind (eye-color) eyes, or (hair-colored) lock. By now, she surely had a family of her own. Beautiful dazzling children who got all the good characteristics from their dear mother, And a handsome ,loving husband who takes care of her. All in all, a man far better than him.

Henry signed, his steps were the only cause of noise in this abounded and ominous floor. He decided to explore a little bit while searching for Drew or (L/n). His peers still didn't seem to be anywhere, just the noise of rusty gears.

"The good old Devil Darling" - whispered Henry to himself, as he was met with an old Bendy cardboard cutout leaning on the wall next to a dusty projector. Henry chuckled to ease himself, despite him feeling anxious in the gut. Whether it was due to his nervousness trying to kick in, or it was his senses screaming that someone was with him - physically.

All in all, the innocent man couldn't shrug off the feeling that someone was indeed observing his every move.

"So what if I went and painted some of those Bendy dolls with a crooked smile?"

"So wot if I went and painted some o' dose Bendy dolls with a crooked smile?" - repeated a certain (Hair-colored) female with the thickest Irish accent she can ever withhold.

There it sits at an jaunty angle, a worn out rectangular cassette player of cheap plastic, playing muffled voice record of Shawn Flynn who used to work with the Toy Machine and merchandise.
Meanwhile Shawn's prerecorded voice spoke, (Y/n)(L/n) stood next to the table , with her hands on her hips.

"-And if he really wants to be so helpful, he could be tellin' me what I'm to be doin' with this warehouse I got full of that angel whatchamacalit. Not a scrap of mess be a-sellin'" - continued the recorder, while (Y/n) sarcastically tried to mimic his every word with a stereotypical energetic Irish accent.

Boris was leaning on the table in front of Miss (Y/n), his childish black eyes gleaming with joy at the skits the female was playing.Since the poor wolf can no longer mutter a word, Boris had to get used to use random hand gestures and movements, in order to visualize his ideas and opinions.

"Probably have to melt it all down to be rid of it all." - the cassette player ended, followed by Boris' cheerful claps of applause to (Y/n)'s impersonation of Shawn. It was pretty humorous.

"Thank you, thank you kind sir!" - chanted the 26 year old (Y/n) jokingly, as she bowed lightly. "Shawn , that boy, he surely was the most energetic potato I've ever known. Though I'll have to admit, I'm a complete failure when it comes to accents. I'll never be able to reach this natural level of 'Irishness' just like our lad Shawn."

Boris shrugged, It's not like he'll be able to mimic any vocal accents anymore. As long as it was pure comedy and fun - the goofy Toon is down to it.

"Oh, Boris" - signed (Y/n) in a less charismatic mood "How I miss your dorky remarks. I wish Alice Angel could spend some times with us too... "

Boris the Wolf sensed the negativity and the sorrowful thoughts that Miss (L/n) was thinking about whenever mentioning the Angel. She is quite a gal, after all. Placing his gloved hands on her back, Boris tried to show support and empathy as he deeply agreed with (Y/n). Even if Boris was imperfect - Alice was a in far worse condition than him.

Somewhere else, in an inky gloomy room, a certain deformed Toon of an Angel was staring at her broken reflection with complete hatred and rage.

The receiver of this letter, Henry, was already scared to life. His mind swirling, his breath was shallow. He stumbled to the corner of the room, and with each step his stomach tightened and ached all the more. Henry kept swallowing, and his throat kept clenching, but no matter what he felt himself gagging.

How... An Inky Tall body of Boris The Wolf with his chest ripped right open was placed an a rusty metal table. And Henry had to pass through that room every time. Henry was collecting few things after how he saw an Inky Corpse of Boris and the gigantic Ink Machine.

"oh God... Boris? What did they do to you?" - The poor anxious adult felt confused and worried more than ever, he couldn't find (L/n) or Drew anywhere, only an abandoned Ink Machine. The last room he saw (Y/n), Joey ... And Sammy. All the power and doors were locked, and the only logical explanation would be that this cursed Ink Machine was the source of power around here. "Is that what you wanted me to see, Joey?"

Henry was on his way to place the required items on the pedestal around the Machine. He trudged along the pavement at a sedate pace, his mind focused on the gentle footsteps that seemed to echo throughout the desolate workshop. Right when the man almost reached the end of a hallway, A sudden cupboard cut out of Bendy Peeked from the corner and stared directly at Henry before titling back to its original standing place.

The moment Henry saw the flat Bendy cutout move on its own, his heart sank as he felt himself unconsciously jump in utter surprise and horror.

"what in the name of-...!?"

Henry's heart struck with utter shock, as he felt his beating increase rapidly. He backed away to support himself with a wall, breathing heavily while he tried to calm his mind off. Sighing in despair, Henry felt like he was the most pathetic being in the world. Heck, if someone saw him they would be probably laughing at his paranoid state... Calming down, the poor man hang his head low as he tried to focus again.

Until suddenly Henry's eyes widened in horror and contained completely still. He kept looking down at the floor. His eyes carefully tracing the outline of his shadow.

Except it wasn't his shadow.

Sweating, Henry realized that the dim lighting wasn't portraying his shadow on the floor. It wasn't his. It was a pitch black shadow with (your-weights) figure, with what seems to be (hair-length) hair locks.

This figure was right beneath his feet, observing his every step and staring right at him, almost mockingly.

Someone was definitely watching him. Grinning.

"You promised to fix the Ink Machine, How can I be perfect like this?!"

"Hmm...Perhaps if you realized that fiddling with broken and corrupted Boris prototypes will make you as useless as they are, then no one would have been dealing with you."

"HOW DARE YOU, THIS IS ALL YOUR FAULT! You AND your little-"

"Dare to say one more word of her, you'll face fate far worse than Joey."

Rage boiling in their ink, the argument quickly heated up, as Bendy rose into a taller figure with his ink covering his toony eyes. Bendy was ready to torn anyone who even says a word against his (Y/n). Without hesitation, the deformed Alice was ready to aggressively launch back at the Demon.

"HEY!"

the two animalistic Toons froze

"What's this fighting all about?! Someone tear these two apart - we're not in a circus! None of you are in the clear mind anymore."

The female voice, now booming all around the room, was clearly filled with anger and guilt. Bendy almost calmed down, backing away from Alice who in fact started to shake nervously upon hearing (L/n)'s voice. Alice and Bendy quickly turned around, trying to figure out the source of (Y/n)'s voice, until their pitch black eyes adverted to a shadowy figure on the wall - a (your-height) and (your-weight) figure. Without wasting any time, this Shadow emerged from the wall only to reveal (Y/n)'s normal physical form.

"Oh my sweet dear...You came, say you agree with me-" - Bendy's aura stayed dark yet ominously sweet when his Ink shone upon (Y/n)'s arrival. Of course she'll side with him and agree that-

"NO! I do not want to repeat it. Bendy, dear, it would be better if you leave me and Alice for a minute... please..."

(Y/n) voice calmed down with each word, as she didn't want to anger the Demon or pick any sides. Taking the Ink Demon by surprise, he stood in front of his Muse with shock and betrayal. Alice stayed quiet, hunching her back, she kept glaring at both if them.

"What... you're not-?"

"Please Bendy, I need to talk with her, in private."

"Farewell... Love. Have it your way. Consider yourself lucky, Angel." spatting the last part, each word was filled with venom. Bendy won't let anyone share his spotlight or his prize. But (Y/n) didn't have time for that, she needed to speak with Alice... with Susie Campbell.

As the ink Demon turned around, each step was louder and louder, until he finally left the room with loud thuds. Sighing in despair, Miss (L/n) didn't notice she was holding her breath all that time (that is, if she even breathes anymore.) Turning to the other side of the room, she finally faced the female Toon that used to be her dear friend.

"Alice..."

"What do you want of me?!" - (Y/n) flinched at the sudden harsh tone. Alice kept her gaze away from (Y/n), as she had her slender arms hugging her; like a sort of protection. But why would she fear (L/n)?

"Listen, Alice. I mean no harm to you... I, I want to help you."

"Help?! Or do you want to mock me, just like your little devil darling? You're always on his side!"

"what? No... no, I want to fix this. I'm not against you, I never was. I know how hard it is for you to-"

"How can you even know how do I feel? You don't know anything! You're just a perfect figure, not a deformed inky body filed with agonizing screams!" - Alice kept her distance away from (Y/n), as she closed her eyes, ready to break at any moment.

"Oh... dear...I- I may not know that, that's why I want to-" the (hair-colored) female tried to approach The Angle and pull her into her arms, rather than keep looking at her body quivering in fear. As (Y/n)'s hand was close to Alice's shoulder, the Female Toon flinched away while tearing up.

"DON'T TOUCH ME!!!" - and with pitch black eyes screaming with inky tears, The Angel pushed herself into the corner away from (Y/n)'s touch.

"You DON'T KNOW how HARD it Is for ME! AS I TRY TO JUST EXIST IN THIS WICKED BODY!" Sobbing with each word, Alice's voice started to change its pitch,as if two entities were fighting inside of her. "I NEVER ASKED TO BE MADE!"

(Y/N) stood in shock. Of course she would never understand. She was just a perfect body, having everything to herself, just because a certain Ink Demon won't allow anyone to even glare at her. Just because a certain Ink Demon wants to toy with everyone else and destroy them. While (Y/n) was left oblivious to those who suffer. The room was quite, a crying was heard from the Female Toon who crouched in the corner and hid her head on her knees. Unfortunately the 26 year old Female didn't know what to say... she didn't want to make it worse.

"I'm sorry Susie..."

(Y/n) took her leave, and with a shaky voice muttered.

"I will fix this."

"Something's going on here."

Henry keep his stance as he tried to keep his mind clear. He had a way of walking that made him seem perpetually in a hurry. His steps weren't long but they were rapid. Like a speed-walker without that odd twisting motion they make.

All in All, Henry tried to recollect everything odd he witnessed so far : A Bendy Cutouts jumping? Weird (your-height) Shadowy Figure? Different cracking noises in the pipes? No Joey or (Y/n) anywhere near? At any moment Henry was ready to take his leave and search for his colleagues in a different place. But deep inside, Henry felt nostalgic warmth. Like someone wrapping their arms around him to stay... to remember. Perhaps he's missing something? But all in all, the adult man took a deep breath and decided to continue with his plan. To fix the Ink Machine.

The only thing left is to turn the pumping systems, and then pull the lever in the Ink Machine Room. As the hallway light turned off, Henry was on his way to the Ink Machine. Except it appeared to be barricaded with wooden planks.

"Huh...? This wasn't here before-" Taking hesitant steps forward, Henry rubbed the back of his neck. "Who did this? Was Joey h-"

Just seconds before The Adult Male could take a step closer a tall Inky Figure rose launching itself on Henry while clutching it's gloved hands on the wooden planks. Thick black gelatinous goo ,like melted ink, sipped down it's head and covering it's eyes and toothed grin.

" H͍̮̙̊̓ͮ̔ E̴̢̱̩͓ͯ̍̀ͣ̍͗ ̦᷊̆͛ͤ̿̈́͠N̛͚̮̭͉͐͢ R̡̢̭̖͛̇ͨ Y̜͙̙᷿̣᷊̩̓᷈ͅͅ"

In a flash of shock and dread, Henry twitches awake, as his legs shakingly started to step behind far away from this inhuman being. Fear and surprise stabbed the Poor Henry Awake from his calm state causing him to almost stumble on his feet while running away.

"I'm getting the hell out of here-!"

"I see your little friend has finally met his old pal Joey."

"... we have to act quickly."

"After you, m'lady,"

Boris is mute, Alice is deformed, Joey is now an Inky monster, Henry is scared, Bendy is jealous and (Y/n) becomes more aggressive and aware.