Just a Happy Ending

The Wolf

Norman hated the fact that his only guide in this void was Buddy's sobbing. A part of him wasn't sure if he'd find the real Buddy; he'd been tricked twice already. There was also the fact that the ink could easily show him fake memories, so that didn't help his confidence.

Nevertheless, he followed Buddy's cries. As he got closer, the air got thicker. He noticed a web of gold and red threads in the distance. He started running. The web became a wall blocking his path. Buddy was somewhere beyond it.

Norman looked to his left and right. The wall stretched on forever, same as above. He flexed his fist, "Alright, guess we're goin through!"

Threads recoiled like wounded snakes at his strike. Norman kept at it, pushing his way through as the threads assaulted his senses with hallucinations. In them, he saw himself in a body that wasn't his, reaching for a young woman as she was killed. Sometimes Joey stabbed her with a knife, sometimes the Ink Demon drowned her in ink. However it happened and whichever version of Joey did it, the onlooking Norman could do nothing to help.

Norman tried to orient himself. He kept fighting through the web, even as Buddy's voice screamed for help, for someone to save the woman. Sometimes he'd call her name, warning "Dot! Look out!" before she was torn apart with claws or teeth.

Norman gathered as many threads as he could, "She's fine, Buddy! She's alive! This isn't real!"

He pulled. The web dissolved.

Norman staggered forward, catching himself on another nightmare-inducing wall of threads. He faced it resolutely and laid a hand on it, "So, it's keeping you trapped in layers of nightmares? Hang in there, Pup. I'm comin' for ya." He grabbed with both hands and wrenched outward, plunging himself into Buddy's nightmare.

This was far more vivid. Norman, as Buddy Boris, cowered before Henry as the man beat him with a pipe. "Stupid dog!" Henry spat, "You try to keep me here? Where's the door handle? Tell me or I'll break your legs and leave you to the Demon!"

Boris whined and shivered. He lifted a shaking hand toward the toolbox. Henry kicked him in the ribs before stalking over to the box and taking the handle. He made sure the door opened before throwing the toolbox at Boris. "Was that so hard?"

Norman fought his impulses. He wasn't sure what to be angry at, whether Henry for abusing Buddy, or the ink for turning Henry into a villain. How dare the Demon King corrupt Henry's memory! Norman shook his head and fought his way forward into another vision.

Henry threw Boris down in front of Alice. "It's just a pathetic mutt. Whatever you want from it, heck, I'll help you get it!"

Alice seized the wolf's muzzle, "Oh, believe me, I've got wondrous plans for this one."

The world blinked and refocused, this time with Buddy strapped to a table. He barely had time to react before Alice stabbed a knife under his throat and dragged downward.

Henry stepped forward and helped her peel back ribs and flesh.

Norman thought he'd puke when Alice claimed the heart. Henry struck the wolf's face, "Stay awake. We've got more to do."

Norman reached a taught part of the web that wouldn't break as easily. He clawed at it through glaring visions of bestial hands and mismatched body parts. Norman imagined reaching up and grabbing the fake halo over the Brute's head and rending it apart.

The wall broke with the halo.

Norman collapsed to his knees. Something about the threads leeched his energy. The assault of the visions made his head spin. Whatever counted as a heart for him pounded in his chest. He fought for breath. A part of him wanted to curl up and fall asleep. Maybe not wake up.