Joey and The Ink Machine. || A BATIM AU FANFICTION.

THE OLD SONG - PART 2

Henry didn't think Sammy had noticed him. At least, that's what he assumed as Sammy continued to approach despite Henry uttering his name aloud.

Upon recognizing Sammy's face—Henry felt relief wash over him. It was someone he knew. There was no need to be afraid after all. He even nearly got out from the wall he was hiding behind just to greet Sammy, but.. something held him back. Something that made his heart pound, something that made his thoughts race. The only thing Henry could do as this feeling swirled in his chest was grip the wall, and peek out as little as he could incase Sammy would notice him.

Something practically screamed for him not to let Sammy know of his presence. To not let out any sort of peep or not make even the slightest obvious peek. He didn't know why. Sammy was a friend! He thought so, anyway. So why was he feeling this way?

He couldn't even bother to reason with himself. He only remained standing behind the wall. And as Sammy approached closer—Henry could make out a faint.. slightly sad, smile on his lips, behind his bangs of dirty blonde hair that covered the entirety of his sweaty forehead. Sammy walked foward, foward, until finally.. he suddenly began to slowly turn on his heel, and walked to a post Henry couldn't see from behind the wall.

Henry blinked in confusion. What was he doing? And—why was he down here? Wasn't he supposed to be directing the music? What business could he possibly have down here? Those questions flooded his mind. And out of curiosity, Henry barely peeked a little more behind the wall—a weak frown twitching on his thin lips.

He could just barely see Sammy shuffling with a few objects on the post that he couldn't really make out. There were clanking sounds, along with some sort of clicking sounds. Before Henry then could have sworn he heard the swift sound of.. fire. The crackling of fire. Something being lit. And as soon as Henry heard that noise, light began to illuminate on Sammy's face—making his expression more visible within the shadows of the studio.

His expression seemed.. well, it was hard to describe. There was a weak, fond smile on Sammy's lips—though in a way it almost seemed kind of desperate. His eyes softly gazed toward what must have been whatever he lit, presumably a candle. Though something within them seemed like it was brimming with something more.. serious.

Sammy then finally let out a sigh, shutting his eyes. And then.. began to clasp his hands over the other, bowing his head. What.. was he doing?

"I thank the Lord who appears from the shadows.. to rain his sweet blessings upon me." Sammy's crisp voice began, raspily calm. "A figure of ink that shines in the darkness. I see you, my savior. And I pray that you hear me."

He smiled to himself again—now just barely opening his eyes. "Those old songs.. yes, I still sing them. For I know you are coming to save me. And I shall be swept into your final loving embrace. Yet.." His eyes then became darker, hardening with a glare Henry couldn't describe.

"..love requires sacrifice." He uttered aloud. "And.. sacrifice.. heh.. I'd be more than willing to give." He then finally whispered in a soft tone, "..amen. Please hear my prayers, and consider my salvation."

..salvation? His Lord? Sacrifice?

Henry then began to hear shuffling noises again, noticing this time that Sammy began to fidget with something that Henry couldn't see. And after a while, Sammy's arms reached foward, and he placed something on the shelf of the post.

With a satisfied hum, Sammy stared foward for a moment, smiling still. Before he then finally let out a single breath. And with the breath, the light washed away. He had blown out the candle, or whatever flame he had lit. Either way, when Sammy finally managed to do such a thing—he began to turn. And.. he began to slowly make his way toward the exit of the room from which he had emerged, practically marching as he did so as if going off to retrieve something else.