The Ink Trials (A Bendy & The Ink Machine AU)

Chapter 3: Fated

Bendy groaned, rolling over in his bed as he tried to get comfortable. But his bed wasn't comfortable, which bothered him greatly. He opened his eyes and winced at the bright lights above him, raising a hand to shield himself from the glare. A leather strap stopped his movement, and he turned his head and gasped as he looked around.

He was no longer in his bedroom, instead he was strapped down to a metal table in a very old looking doctor's office. A black substance was splattered all over the place, on old mugs, paperwork and even on the doors and handles of the cupboards. Right at the end of the messy room were a bunch of cages, stacked side by side and covered slightly in a blue sheet of tarp. He could hear small noises of whimpering and whining, and wondered if perhaps there were animals caged inside.

"Hello?" he called out, wondering if perhaps he was dreaming all this. A man peered in, covered head to toe in dark, dripping liquid and grinning from ear to ear. Bendy screamed and struggled to free himself as it came closer, "Shhh, My Lord is sleeping, do not be afraid, fated one" the black creature whispered, trying to get him to stay quiet. 

Bendy trembled, "W-Who are you? Where am I!?" he cried. The man bowed, "Sammy's the name, My Lord's work office is where we are." 

"Why are you covered in that stuff?" 

"The ink? It chose me, just like it will choose you!" Sammy giggled.

This creature was off his rocker. 

"SAMMY! Get away from him! NOW!" a voice growled. Sammy squeaked and rushed over to the corner, falling silent as squeaky footsteps made their way down the hall. A man dressed in a grubby lab coat entered the room, black rubber gloves on his hands that went up to his elbows. 

"Benjamin Wells, a pleasure. My name's Joey Drew, welcome to my humble abode. Make yourself at home."

Bendy's eyes widen, "Wait, thee Joey Drew?" 

Joey nodded and Bendy gaped, "You're real!!??" 

Joey nodded again and Bendy grumbled, "Great, I've been kidnapped by a child murderer." 

"I don't murder, son, I change!" he exclaimed, putting up his arms as if rather excited by this fact. Bendy looked confused, "Change? Change what? Outfits? Cause you sure could use a new outfit" he said, grimacing at the stained uniform. 

When was the last time he had washed them?  Ew.

Joey laughed, "Oh, aren't you just amusing!" he replied, sauntering over and grabbing his face in a gloved hand. Bendy winced as the fingers pinched him painfully, "Welcome to the Ink Trials, my boy."

~ 

"I told you! Joey Drew has him! He's in the building across the street!" Wally cried, pointing out the window at the grimy brick building in the distance. The Policeman sighed, "Son, that place is empty, searched it myself back when the owner disappeared, all that's left is ink-filled hallways and empty rooms." 

"NO! He's in there! You've got to believe us!" Norman spluttered. 

How could these adults be so dumb!? 

Had they not heard the stories!?

The rumors!?

Henry shook his head, "Norman? Wally? He's probably gone for a morning walk and gotten a bit lost, why don't you guys go and scout out the favorite haunts for him?" 

Wally sighed and grabbed his bike helmet from the seat, taking the food Linda passed him so they wouldn't get hungry, "Okay...Thanks Mister and Misses Stein" he muttered. Norman frowned but followed after his friend as he left the house, if the police were no help then it was up to them to find Ben. Wally pushed the pedals as he adjusted the greasy chain, "Norman?"

"Yes, Wally?" 

"Do ya think Ben's dead?" 

"No, Ben's a fighter, he'll come home, don't you worry, pal" Norman said, taking Wally's helmet and putting it on his head for him. Wally smiled and munched on a sausage from the brown paper bag as his friend clipped the clip, "Come on then, lets go check out the hangouts, maybe he did just get lost" he said with his mouth full. Norman nodded, "Okay, but I doubt it." 

~ 

"You're going to do what!?" 

"Inject you with my work, AKA the ink I've been manipulating, Trail One first, then Trial Two, and finally Trial Three if your body can handle Trial Two." 

"This is illegal!!!" Bendy shrieked. Joey grinned, a mad look in his eyes, "I know! Isn't it exciting!?" 

"You're insane!!" 

"Your father said that once, but he was wrong! My life's work is finally working!" 

"What? You knew my father?" 

"Yes, back in ye ole days, we worked together on a few projects." 

"How come he hasn't told me this?" 

"You're a child, he had no need too, now, be quiet" Joey replied, opening the doors of the cabinet nearby and pulling down a vial from the many stacked within. "Behold! Trail 1! It has proven some promising results and is vital to move on to the next stages." 

Bendy struggled in the straps as Joey filled a syringe with the contents and advanced over to him, "NO! LET ME GO! DON'T YOU DARE! YOU CAN'T DO THIS TO ME!" he yelled.

Sammy held his head still as the needle went in, and Benjamin Wells screamed as Joey injected the contents into his neck. "Tsk tsk, my boy, so loud and noisy, I haven't had a fighter like you in years." 

"GO TO HELL, OLD MAN!" Bendy spat. Joey laughed, "And such a mouth, does Henry know you speak such vile words to your elders?" 

Bendy growled, Oh how he hated this nutter, 

"When I get free I'm going straight to the police! They'll put you on deathrow for sure!" 

"Oh?" Joey leaned down and grinned at him with yellowed (and crooked) teeth, "I welcome death." 

~

Wally sat down on the rotting log and finished off the sausages, they hadn't found their friend and Norman was growing angry, "Why can't we just go and get him since we know where he is!" he asked, balling up the greasy bag and shoving it into his pocket. Norman grabbed him by his suspenders and yanked him up, "Are you mad!?"

Wally shook his head, "N-No?"

"We can't just go in guns blazing, Franks! We need a plan, and a good one! Grab your bike, lets go meet with the others." Norman said, letting him go and closing and locking the door of the wooden fort they had built out here in the woods. Sometimes homeless people used it if the lock wasn't on right. Wally nodded and fished his bike from the bushes, clipping his helmet on and waiting for Norman to get his own bike before cycling away.

"Hang in there, Ben." he muttered.