The Ink Machine

An Old Friend

   It had been a long day, and as your small flat came into view you couldn't help but sigh relieved. It wasn't often that you hated your work, but today had been hell. Someone had lost the storyboards that you had been working on for weeks, and thus you had been yelled at to redo them in one day. Weeks of sketching and animating to be done in less than a day.  Although you really couldn't complain, at just the young age of twenty you were the youngest animator to ever be recruited by Disney, and it had always been your dream to work for them.

   Bringing your keys out of your pocket you unlocked the door to your house and slipped inside - only pausing briefly to scoop up the letters that lay on the floor. Kicking the door closed you walked over to the kitchen where you sat down bag and your keys. Sifting through the mail you sighed. "Bills...bills...bills...wait, a letter?" You asked to the empty house as you frowned confused. No one ever wrote to you, not even your parents. Setting down the bills you opened the letter and read it. 

(Y/N), my young student.

I do hope this letter finds you well. It has been many years since I last seen you, I hope you achieved your dreams! They do after all come true.

If you are reading this however then I am no longer around. It pains me to put such a burden on your young shoulders, but I must ask you to do something for me. I have enclosed a letter which was sent to me. I need you to go to the old workshop  (I took you there once, remember?). Everything will become clear when you get there.

Your mentor, Henry.

   After reading the letter you frown in contemplation. 'Henry? But I haven't seen Henry since I was a child...why now would he write to me?' Shaking your head, you set down his letter and fish out the second letter which he had enclosed. This one was addressed to Henry and was from his friend Joey. Henry had told you about Joey, they were working together on Bendy the Dancing the Demon but then for some reason Henry had left the team.  He hadn't told you anymore than that.

   With a heavy sigh you discard the letters onto the table, out of sight out of mind after all. You weren't going to drop everything and go right at that moment, you weren't some character in a show or story, and as such all you wanted to do right now was to eat and then go to sleep.

*****

   As you pulled back the covers and slipped into bed you smiled faintly. "Thank god." You breathe out happily, snuggling under the cover further you closed your eyes and in no time at all, fell into a deep and much needed sleep.

*****

You were stood in a dark hallway, it was eerily silent and you felt goosebumps rise on your arms. Walking forward you looked around, from what you could see you were in an old building. "The workshop? Why am I here?" You asked aloud, seemingly to yourself. As if to answer you, the echoing of a projector whirring to life resonated throughout the dark empty halls. 

With a confused frown you make your way to where you think the sound is coming from; stumbling across many cardboard cutouts of the dancing demon and inky pentagrams you feel a growing sense of dread that settles in your gut.

Finally coming to the projection room, you see that there are seats still set out as if expecting an audience. On the wall, the frames play out showing Bendy doing a small and simple dance. Despite the unease that you feel, you can't help but smile softly at the character. "Awe, so this is the infamous Bendy?" 

You are rudely brought out of your thoughts about the cute character as you hear a loud clanging coming from the hall. The frown comes back as you cautiously peek your head out of the door. "Hello?" You call out softly, and when you receive no answer you step out and follow the corridor. It leads you to a room, boards cover the doorway preventing you from getting inside. 'Or something getting out...' You think to yourself.

You move and go to pull the boards away from the doorframe when the dim lighting flickers and something, dark lunges towards you. You scream. Stumbling back from the door you see the creature attempt to pull the boards off. You waste no more time, in seconds you spin on your heel and sprint down the halls, desperately looking for the exit. Eventually the red neon sign greets your vision and you grin thinking that you have escaped. That is until you feel yourself sinking.

Looking down you scream again as you find yourself knee-deep in black ink. You attempt to wade toward the door, outstretching your hand to grasp at the doorknob. 

There is a loud groan, followed by a loud creak.

You scream as you find yourself falling.

Falling.

Falling.

AN:// Hey all! It's Nyx here!! I hope you liked the first chapter of this story! I had a lot of fun writing it! If you liked it, vote, leave a comment, maybe follow me? Love you all and stay creepy!~