BatIM AU: Henry's Path (OLD - rewrite in progress/consideration)

Act 3, Scene 17: The Truth

Sammy Lawrence

Sammy watched Tom take the lead, remembering the old team's positions in line. He instinctively fell back and let the others go ahead of him, the team now relying on Tom's heightened senses instead of Wally's.

They had barely gone anywhere when A cold, clawed hand covered Sammy's mouth, preventing him from shouting in surprise. He was pulled into an ink passageway and away from the group. It was dark for a moment before his eyes adjusted to the low light. Although he wished he couldn't see the monstrosity of a demon in front of him.

"Treason comes with many, many terrible prices," cooed Joey, running a sharp talon down Sammy's cheek. It burned at the touch. "You were so faithful..."

Sammy refrained from whimpering in terror. "If you want to kill me, do it now," he growled. He closed his eyes and listened to Joey's raspy chuckle.

"Kill you? Heavens, no. I have a much better use for you." Now Joey gripped Sammy's head, tearing his claws into his scalp. Sammy felt the venom burning its way through his nerves, coursing down his veins. It spread quickly, his entire body feeling like it was on fire. He could feel the warm, golden glow from his eyes fade away, replaced with cold, murderous thoughts.

Joey finally released his grip, letting Sammy collapse to the ground.

Henry Stein

Henry's arm hurt again. His wrist was swelling and his entire left side was numb. He was also exhausted; he hadn't slept for more than two hours all week because he was on the run so much. He wanted this hell to end. Soon. They were close to the Ink Demon's lair, and as always, Sammy was in the back making sure no one was left behind, and in replacement of Wally, Tom was in the lead, relying on his senses to lead them. Alison was close behind him, murmuring quietly in his ear. Linda was right next to Henry, shooting worried glances at him every few moments. Despite Alison and Tom's whispering, it was unusually silent. Something didn't feel right.

Then Henry realized that a pair of footsteps were missing. Looking behind him, he noticed that Sammy was gone. Henry felt his mind reel in fear. What happened to him? He was behind them just seconds ago.

"Linda," Henry whispered, nudging her softly. "Did you see Sammy leave?"

Linda's eyes widened in surprise. "No, I didn't. Why would he leave?"

Henry shrugged helplessly. Dread creeped in on him like a pack of wolves stalking their prey. Sammy could be anywhere. He just hoped that nothing bad had happened.

"Why'd we stop?" Alison asked. When Tom continued walking, she pulled him back by the suspenders. He growled in annoyance.

"Sammy's gone," Henry answered. He was looking around for any sign of how he disappeared.

"Good riddance," Tom grumbled. Alison elbowed him sharply in the ribs and he grunted in both surprise and pain.

"When? Just now?" she pressed on.

"I don't know," Henry confessed.

"We just looked back and saw that he was gone," Linda added.

"Maybe Joey got him," Tom snorted. "Doesn't surprise me. Liars work together."

"Tom, stop! Can you keep your mouth shut and just use that obnoxiously large nose of yours to see where he went?" Alison hissed.

Tom rolled his eyes and sighed dramatically. He shouldered past the three and began sniffing around, his ears pricked. He reminded Henry of Wally so much.