Neverending Loops

Chapter 15.

In the end, it was decided that Joey would stay behind with Susie to help with gun repair, which he knew a surprising amount about, while the other three ventured out for supplies. Buddy had some rope and a knife, the resemblance to Tom making Henry feel uneasy. A lot of this was making him feel uneasy really, from the ever rotting walls to the feeling of being watched.

Bendy had been practically radio silent according to Joey, which meant the thing was probably roaming around the levels that they were currently searching. Norman must've picked up on his nervousness, because he held his hand after watching him fidget for a few seconds. Not the one with swirling golden patterns however, because it seemed to cause the former projectionist pain.

They chose to remain silent, communicating through sign language instead. Buddy excluded right now, due to the knife he held drawn and at the ready. The area was nothing but a maze of room, accessible through holes and doors ripped off of hinges. Henry had been trailing his free hand along the walls, leaving a marker incase they had to run. Which wasn't the best thing to think about, but better to be safe than sorry.

The room they stood in now was large, the ceiling covered in cages and chains, the floor littered with ripped up pages and ink. There didn't seem to be any other forms of life around, no Searchers or Butcher Gang members. The whole time they'd been wandering around, it had to have been at least thirty minutes by now, there wasn't anyone.

'Think it is safe to talk now?' Norman made a low clicking noise and nodded, Buddy copying the action.

"Is this normal?'' Henry spoke quietly, not wanting to draw any attention it all to their little group. "Not seeing anyone else?"

Another nod, then a shrug. Something on the floor caught his eye, and Norman made a sharp noise when Henry let go of his hand to pick up the paper from the floor. It was written in neat, precise writing; clear strokes and purpose. It didn't register at first, the slow and regular tapping that began above them as he read the papers familiar handwriting.

It was Joey's. Familiar in all the wrong ways, this wasn't the playful notes left on his desk during breaks, or little drawings that sometimes accompanied them. This was the parts of Joey that he didn't want anyone to know about, tucked away behind that charasmatic and collected facade.

<i>I don't remember what day it is. I know it's important, but it doesn't matter, not anymore. We're going to be remembered now. I can't be forgotten again.

It's getting harder to keep track of all the lies I've told. It won't matter soon. They'll all trust me, they always do. That's what Bendy's saying. Every time I have my doubts, he's there. This will all be worth it. That little party Henry's planned for our 'first big milestone' will be the perfect distraction. I'll have to thank him for at at some point.'

Henry knew his hands were shaking now, Norman was signing something and Buddy was frantically scanning the ceiling. Joey had lied, was still lying. Which version was true? The one that swore everything would be okay, that he had pure intentions? Or the one who lied and held him close, false promises spilling from a sickly sweet smile.

He knew the answer, as much as he didn't want to believe it, not after everything they'd gone through so far. But it was quickly confirmed by the clawed hand reaching through the ceiling. Pocketing the note, Henry pulled Buddy away from the intruding limb, grabbing Norman as he turned towards the door.

The door that wasn't there anymore.

It was covered in a heavy layer of ink, the entire wall sealed shut. They were trapped with the Demon. It ripped cages down as it swung wildly, as if trying to catch them on its claws before pulling itself down fully. Bendy's form was larger now, what looked like parts from other toons' bodies melted into his own. The ever present grin mocking them.