[BATIM/BATDR]A Lonely Sepia Melody

Part 7

Okay, it's short chapter my apologies lmao. English 101 has wrung me of all my existing braincells.

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Heidi was an... interesting Lost One, to say the least (and the most). Maybe with a few screws loose in that inky head of hers.

But to be fair, Bonzy thought idly, I feel like all of us have a few screws loose by this point. What's a couple more? Heidi was at first speaking to Audrey, though when her eyes turned upon Bonzy, they could feel the grin on her scrunched-up face.

"Oh, you're very pretty! Can you play Hide-and-Seek with me, Miss? Please, oh please. I'll open the door for you if you do!" Bonzy's eyes widened and they looked between Charlie and Audrey, who were standing on either side of them. Charlie appeared apprehensive with a tight grip on his weapon, though Audrey looked open to the idea. At least, they thought she was. "Please, Miss!"

"Okay..." they replied, unsure, before smiling up at Heidi- what's the harm a game of hide and seek could do? "Sounds fun."

"Oh yes!" Heidi grinned, her hands clasped together, "turn around, all three of you, and I'll hide. No peeking," she reminded them in a squeaky voice as she skidded off down the stairwell. Audrey turned around, placing her hands over her eyes with resignation. Bonzy turned to Charlie, fixing him with a look when he didn't turn around.

"No peeking Charles."

"But-."

"No peeking."

Charlie muttered something under his breath but crossed his arms and turned around, also resigned. Bonzy bumped shoulders with him as they covered their eyes, a small thank you . Charlie didn't reply but they did see him close his eyes out of a small hole in their hands. A small smile overtook Bonzy's face as they quietly counted to 30. Once finished they turned, "Alrighty crew, let's find us a Lost One." And they did.

Well, Bonzy did, after a few close calls and Charlie nearly getting swiped at by a Keeper if it hadn't been for a nearby vent. They finally spotted the ladder leading to a higher loft area.

They poked their head over a cluster of boxes and barrels and Heidi popped out nearly startling the ink right off their body(which might have actually been preferable to be honest). Heidi pressed her fingers together, her uneven gait extremely present as she beamed at Bonzy. "Oh, you did it! You found me! You were brilliant Miss!" Bony felt their heart melt a little at this odd Lost One. She was kind of endearing.

Behind them, Audrey appeared over their shoulder.

"Now can you open that door for us?" Heidi's shoulders slumped a little at Audrey's words and her fingers fidgeted together as she nodded more times than necessary.

"Oh yes, the door. I think you'll find it's open now." Audrey smiled gratefully at Heidi as she reached out with her more human hand, grasping Heidi's lightly.

"Thank you, Heidi. It was fun playing." Bonzy nodded too.

"Oh yeah! We'll play again sometime for sure!" Heidi's eyes scrunched in an ecstatic expression as she nodded eagerly, her fisted hands pounding up and down in the air.

"Oh thank you, Miss!" Heidi turned to Audrey, "She's very amazing at seeking." Audrey giggled and nodded.

"Yes, Bonzy is quite good at games." Bonzy leaned into Audrey's side with a cheesy grin.
"Aw, you care." Audrey shoved her shoulder against theirs as she headed back to the ladder, where Bonzy realized Charlie was waiting for them.

"Of course I care."

Bonzy turned back to Heidi, thanking her again for the game and following their companions, waving to the Lost One.