Neverending Loops

Chapter 6.

The first thing Joey was aware of when he opened his eyes was a lack of warmth on his shoulder, and the hard floorboards beneath him. The second was the sharp pain in his head, forcing him to open his eyes and look at his surroundings. He wasn't in the room he'd fallen asleep in; wait when had he fallen asleep? Joey shook his head, immediately regretting it when another stab of pain pierced his skull.

This room was much smaller, but brighter, lit with both candles and half functioning lights. Ropes hung from the ceiling, and as Joey stared blankly across the room, he realized three things. One, his hands were tied behind his back and around a pole with rough rope, digging into his skin. Two, there was an axe leaning against the wall to his right; and three. Henry wasn't beside him anymore.

A newfound wave of panic cleared his head, and he looked around again, desperate to see some kind of clue. Then a voice spoke up from the darkest corner of the room.

"Ah, there you are. I was wondering if we'd killed you for a moment little lamb." It was Sammy, sharp teeth on full display as he grinned with malice.

"Where's- where is this?" His throat was scratchy, and a dull pain made it ache as he spoke.

"Ah, ah. You'll know soon enough, once your <i>friend,</i>" He spit the words out like it was poisoned before continuing on. "Is awake. And once the others join us off course, can't have a fair trial without them know can we."

The ink covered man walked to the far wall across from Joey, forcing him to notice a curtain that was blocking his view. He pulled it back, revealing a wooden structure.

<i><b>Drew, are you there?</i></b> Bendy's voice came through distorted and warped, but just clear enough for him to make the words out.

<i>I'm here.</i>

Joey listened, hearing nothing but his own heartbeat. It seemed the demon was gone, or was afraid that the Machine would sense his presence. He focused his attention on Sammy once again however, when he revealed someone slumped over in a chair, their hands tied behind them like Joey's. They groaned, and Sammy clapped his hands, the noise causing Joey to flinch in pain.

"Wakey wakey little lamb. We've got things to do." Joey strained against the rope, trying to see past the Prophet, only to lean back in slight relief when the person spoke hesitantly.

"Sammy? Where's-" Joey was about to call out to Henry, to let him know it was going to be okay somehow, when Sammy delivered a swift slap across his friends face. That was when Joey decided Sammy was a dead man.

"That's not what I'm called. Not anymore." The corrupted prophet then gently cupped Henry's face in his hands, as if trying to prove a point. Even from where he sat on the floor, now that Sammy had moved, Joey could clearly see him flinch back from the contact.

"See? Stay compliant and everything will be okay, I promise." His tone was gentle, as if consoling a child after a nightmare. But as soon as the last word left his mouth, Sammy let go, turning back to face Joey; stepping to the side. And now that he had a perfectly clear view, Joey instantly hated what he saw.

It was <i>gallows,</i> with a rope noose slowly swaying from the beam, the tail trailing down to the floor. Directly under the noose sat Henry, now focusing on Joey, a barely visible grin on his face even as tears streamed down. This was so different; so brutal, even for Sammy. The sharp toothed man grinned once more, before speaking in a low tone.

"I will give you two a few moments to...reconvene. I must gather the others before we can start our service. I wouldn't suggest trying anything." Then he was gone, walking past the gallows to a door that Joey couldn't see. As soon as he heard it click shut though, he immediately tried to console both himself and this companion.