~Dramaturgy~ [Batim AU Project]

Chapter 10: What Goes Around, Comes Around

(Alice POV)

It's been about a week since Bendy disappeared. Joey says that he put him back in his room, and he later ran away. I know that isn't true! Bendy would never leave us here! Not with that...that...madman! I just hope he's okay. Boris has been worried as well. Lately, the only episodes that have been filmed were about the Butcher Gang. Word's been going around that the fans aren't happy. I sighed.

I heard a knock at my door. I stood, a bit frightened. What If it was Joey? "W-who is it?" I managed to say in a shaky voice. "Alice, it's me." Boris. I opened the door and he hastily stepped inside. "What is it?" I asked. He looked me in the eye, his optimism gone. "I'm going to find out what Joey's done. I'm going to put a stop to this." I stood back. He was normally a coward. His expression turned from determined to grim. "If I don't come back, run. Run as far away as you can. Never look back." Tears welled in my eyes. Not you, too! I blinked the tears away. "No." He looked up at me. "Alice, I have to. If I don't stop Joey, who knows what he'll do next!" "I mean that I'm coming with you." I tried my best to hide my fear. "Alice, no! It's too dangerous!" I grabbed his shoulders. "Exactly. I'm not letting you go alone." We remained still for a moment, then he nodded. "Fine...but stay behind me."

In short, the plan was this:

We would sneak into Joey's office when he left and look for clues. If that method failed to bring any information to light, we would check the surveillance. If all else fails, confront Joey directly.

Every part of that plan was suicide, but we weren't going to let Joey get away with this. We would carry out the plan in another week, after we could gather supplies. This was not going to be an easy journey.

(Bendy POV)

I walked up to the elevator. This might be my only way out, so it's do or die. Well this is an old lift, so it could be do and die. I pushed the thought from my head. I pressed a button, and the doors opened. Taking a deep breath, I stepped inside. The lift creaked and swayed a bit, but otherwise, it seemed to be safe. The buttons were confusing. K? P? 9? 11? 14? Which one is to the top? I guessed it would be the one at the top left, so I pushed the button. Level K.

The lift rose, and the other levels passed below. It turns out I was right. Level K was the top. I stepped out of the elevator. A small set of stairs led up to another passageway. I tested each step, as most of the boards were old. They seemed to all be safe. How long has it been? When was the last time I saw Alice and Boris? I was beginning to weaken. I trudged along a small hallway packed with machinery, and a desk stood before me. It had two cans of bacon soup. Cue angel choir. I thought to myself. I hastily downed the cans and pressed on.

There was another hallway. And another. And, you guessed it, another hallway. This place was like a maze! I later arrived in a room with a toy machine. The belt wheels were stuck, with toy parts clogging the wheels. I decided to just leave it. No one comes down here anymore. Well, maybe Joey still does. Joey... how long until he finds out that I escaped? Dozens of visions flashed in my head. He's been treating us like garbage for months, but it's not like we have anywhere else to go! Where will I go? If I just go back to the main studio, well, who knows what Joey would do?

I walked past a huge ink waterfall. It was almost calming to see. I traversed through more doors, more hallways, and more ink puddles. My clothes were stained and, as everyone knows, ink can't be erased. My vision was blurred. All the ink fumes were starting to get to me. My legs wobbled as I walked, and I tripped quite a few times. My surroundings were difficult to make out, but the place was starting to look familiar. I smiled weakly. I was finally going to get out of here! Another door stood in front of me. I reached for the knob. The knob squeaked slightly as I opened the door.

No... NoNoNoNo! NO! It was the same room that Joey had me tied up in! I stumbled backwards. My knees gave out from under me, and my back slid down the door. Tears flooded my eyes. Why did I have to go in a circle? I didn't know how long I walked, and I surely didn't know what time it was. I was so tired... maybe if I just... lie down... and take a little break...

(Word count: 847)