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Prologue

Artist: heberu_520

The car was uncomfortably silent between the two of you. The whole event still processing since it all happened so quickly. The studio was still presumably burning to ashes as the yellow Volkswagen continued the opposite direction down the barren road. The sky still not lifted from its dark hues. " So um, you're a toon now? ", Henry spared a glace your way. Seemingly trying to lift the heavy atmosphere. It would of been comical in any other instance.

You stared out the passenger window gripped with the crushing sense of another existential crisis coming. How could you go about life like this? You struggled to choke back the sobs that threatened to escape your mouth, having a death grip on your chin to keep from succumbing in front of your father who you haven't seen in a few years.

" Yeah, from the ink machine "

" That's why that bastard put you in there!...well..I'm just glad you're alive ", You could hear pain in his own voice as he spoke, recalling seeing you writhe in your presumed death.

You'd save the breakdown for when you got home, it wouldn't help you both since Henry was driving anyways.

Henry pulled into his drive way and into the garage, looking completely exhausted from the festivities of the night. The sky a cloudy blue as it was now early morning. Henry entered the house through the garage door and you closed it shut behind you.

Your mind continuing to race with thoughts, showing no sign of drowsiness in your system. It all felt so surreal knowing that everything was gone for good, expected to live life as if nothing happened. You stood in the open of the living room awkwardly, unsure of what to do at that point. 

" So, are we going to figure out my toon situation soon? ", You watched as your dad sluggishly walk across the room into the kitchen. 

You heard your father shuffle through the cabinets, searching for something. Presumably something that will help with your physical situation.

Henry came back into view with a hand running through his salt and pepper hair. Looking lost. You felt particles of sweat form across your forehead at the idea of what laid behold. 

" let me think. I've never had to do this before so I'm kind of stumped on what to do ", Henry paced back and forth with a stern gaze directed at his feet, pondering.

Bendy had used the ink machine to change you but it doesn't allow a reversed affect if used on someone again. The only thought that could come to mind was a ritual. But what exactly would Henry use and do for the process?

" The only idea I have is a ritual which makes sense in some form. But I'm not exactly sure what.. Do you have any idea (Y/N)? ", Henry looked over at you with a raised brow.

You never recalled any rituals being mentioned your time at the studio. No books came to mind either that you could of seen lying around. Dread crawled like a tarantula up your spin.

You didn't want to stay like this for the rest of your life, so much you'd miss out on since you'd be forced to confine in isolation. Problem after problem, you just couldn't catch a break.

" no nothing I can think of. At least right now "

Henry shot his head back down with a grunt. " Damn " showing to become stressed.

Henry walked around from behind the couch and fell back into the cushions. You walked over and took a seat next to him.

" If we don't find a solution today, there's still tomorrow? I'm not bothered with staying like this for a little while longer ", you placed a glove on your fathers shoulder, giving it a light shake by the end of your sentence.

" I know it's just.. I just can't imagine how you must feel! You can't do anything in the real world in this state and its frustrating for even me. I want to help you so desperately ", Henry slumped over with his face buried in his palms. His shoulder jumping with each strangling cry that he released. 

You looked at your father in pity for a moment before embracing him with your head on his shoulder. Holding him as he cried over you, closing your eyes whilst trying your best to suppress the sound of his sobs.

" I don't know what to do (Y/N) "

" Dad it's alright "

" But it's not, you know that "

" ...it'll get better. I promise "

After a while longer, the weeping subsided and the living room grew silent. You released your arms from him and sat back. As suspected, your father was in a deep sleep. Slumped over completely with his hands placed limply between his knees threatening to fall off the couch. " Oh dad.. ", you snicker to yourself at the sight. You placed his upper body back onto the couch without disturbing him and fetched a blanket from his room to wrap around him as he lightly snored. You stood in front of him watching how peaceful he looked. You didn't doubt how exhausted he must be especially since he's been up for over twenty-four restless hours. 

You looked out the window to your left noticing men and woman now making their way to work. The window blinds only hiding the view vertically halfway. Despite you yourself being a toon, you couldn't help but feel weary yourself. Leaving Henry to sleep in the room, you made your way to the guest bedroom across from his room. 

You laid across the softness of the pillowed surface, you could feel the grip of sleep wanting to drag you to the world of dreams. Staring up at the popcorned ceiling, you thought more about your condition. You and Henry both had no idea how to change you back as of now. You feared staying like this but the more you thought, you became with the idea. Seeming inevitable that the idea of being human again could be a possibility. 

As much as you didn't want to accept it, there was a high chance you guys could do nothing about it. Couldn't even risk reaching out for help in fear of being perceived as delusional. With that final thought, you finally succumbed to sleep. Unexcited for the future mornings to come.