Ink Demonth 2024 Short Stories - Bendy : The Untrusted AU

Day 3 : Hoax

"That isn't funny."

Joey couldn't tell whether or not the sight in front of him was a joke.

Yes, the little devil couldn't be real. It simply isn't possible.

It's all an illusion.

And yet, why did he feel compelled to keep conversing with this obviously very imaginary figure?

The 'Bendy' in front of him grinned even wider, spinning in a playful manner atop Henry's desk sprawled with nearly-done animation frames. His sketch-like appearance leapt from furniture to furniture, leaving a trail of black pen-like sketches behind in each step.

Finally, his shoes landed with a soft thud on the stool next to Joey.

"You should laugh." His mouth didn't open, but the twisted voice reverberated in Joey's head. He was fearful, but also confused, and strangely, quite fascinated.

The grin widened.

"This is the best show you'll ever see in your entire lifetime."

Bendy reached out a hand in a taunting manner.

Joey hated the way those words are ordered in such a fashion that it would only target him, and him only.

He felt another emotion entering his whirlpool of thoughts at that moment- anger. The rage began to seep in, turning his shivering body hot.

He opened his mouth to speak, but could only let out a hoarse croak.

"What?" Bendy laughed, seemingly immediately knowing what Joey was about to say. "No, no, no, no! This is not a hoax! Not a lie, not a trick! Oh- you're laughing too hard, pal!"

Bendy spoke some more words afterwards. Something about "his joke that shouldn't be praised" or "after all- it is not a joke!", but Joey could hear none of it.

He could only feel the tears trickling down his face.

Joey eyes wandered as he kept watching Bendy jump up and down in an excited manner. He felt as if he had lost control of his facial muscles at that moment.

He couldn't help but ponder what kind of expression he was making right now.

Would his teeth be clattering, or gritting? Would he be frowning so deep, so exaggerated that perhaps it'd be as if Henry had drawn a crooked Bendy smile on his face? Or would he be smiling right now? A smile that mirrored the little devil opposite to him....

"Okay- okay! Are you ready to hear me out now!?" Bendy cried out in an impatient manner, putting his hands to his waist and staring down at Joey from the top of the stool.

Joey's eyes fell into a daze again.

Bendy's smile grew so huge, Joey wondered if it would split his cheeky face apart.

"Yes! Yes, of course you are!" Bendy excitedly exclaimed. The little devil darling then slowly, and carefully leaned his back over to Joey, like a snake slowly coiling around its prey.

Joey could hear the voice speak again, in a soft, gentle manner- akin to Henry's..

"Listen carefully, this is how to bring Henry back to life......"

Bendy : The Untrusted AU - Prologue (Part 0/5)