Neverending Loops

Chapter 3.

Bendy liked to toy with things, see how they ticked and reacted. What scared them and how long it would take to break something only to put it back together and do it all again. And right now? Right now he was greatly enjoying the fun of watching Joey squirm at the sight of a buried memory.

Joey was in his office, one hand behind his back and the other on someone's wrist. It was blurry, as if a strange haze had settled over his eyes. Their voice was distorted, a crackling low and high pitch at the same time. But he knew exactly what he heard in it.

Fear.

Even though he didn't know who it was, he could sense their panic and struggle. Joey could feel their pulse racing under his fingers, a terrified pace with no rhythm. He spoke softly, reassuring them that everything was okay, it was going to be fine. They slowly stopped struggling as he showed off what was in his other hand. A hefty metal pipe; and after giving them just enough time to register, he swung it hard.

A loud crack echoed as the pipe met their skull and they limply fell to the floor, followed by a voice.

Wasn't that exciting?

Joey was panicking, he knew that, but there was nothing he could do, not with the demon listening. But this is what it wanted. A reaction, a breakdown. It was only when he heard his friends voice that he tried to pull himself back together.

"Joey? Are you okay?" He was slightly aware of the fact that Henry was trying to pull away, carefully and slowly. "This kinda hurts a bit."

That was downplaying it a little to be honest, as a bruise was forming from the pressure.

"I...I don't think," Joey loosened his grip, trying desperately to put his unbreakable facade back up. "I don't think its anything to worry about."

Despite whatever had happened to Joey, wherever he might've gone and hadn't fully returned from yet, Henry couldn't just let it go as if nothing had happened. Especially since he knew Joey was lying through his teeth.

"It obviously is, Drew! You look like you just got possessed or something, and I hope to whatever higher entity is out there that it isn't a possibility because you're scaring me."

To emphasize his point, he threw his arms around Joey, just as the other had earlier. Joey let himself be pulled in close, let Henry guide him to the floor so he didn't collapse in a heap. He sat still for a moment, before leaning closer and letting himself be held.

The demon was quietly chuckling at the scene, only to get drowned out as Joey pressed his ear into Henry's chest, wanting to make sure that this was real, that the racing heartbeat wasn't just his own. After a few moments, it wasn't quite as fast-paced, but was still a comforting noise to hear despite the strangeness of the situation.

"I guess I really did scare ya, hm?" Joey's voice was hesitant still, as though he was afraid everything would crumble away if he spoke too loud. It didn't make sense to Joey; the way that his carefully constructed walls immediately crumbled around the other man.

"I didn't know what was happening to you Jo." He absentmindedly placed a hand on Joey's head, glad that this friend was somewhat back to reality. "Do you want to talk about it?"

Joey forced himself out if the embrace, even though he honestly wanted nothing more than to stay like that for a good while longer. But he took Henry's injured hand in his own, just to have something else to look at and distract himself with if need be.

He nodded, but didn't say anything. He figured Henry would still question him, but wouldn't pry too far into the issue if Joey wasn't willing to share.

Seems like he really cares about you Drew.