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

Chapter 10: Rescue

Henry and the three kids made their way cautiously down the hallway, the ink dripping as it crawled and squirmed around them. It was rather frightening and disgusting, and poor Wally was shaking in his shoes as he avoided stepping in the stuff, "Mr. Stein?"

"Yes, Wally?"

"I'm scared."

Henry patted his head and smiled, "It's going to be okay, just keep that stick close, and I'll protect you." he answered, not to sure what else to say. He had no idea what he would do if the ink should claim him.

Wally nodded thickly, looking this way and that for intruders as they tip-toed quietly down the lino flooring, shoes squeaking softly every now and then. Norman stopped in his tracks as a shadow passed nearby and he quickly pressed himself up against the wall, motioning for the others to do the same. The four watched in shock as a man made of ink walked passed, whistling a tune to himself. Henry knew that tune, it had been the studio's theme song for their television ad; they had played it in the halls before the lunch bell had rung. It had been a slow but happy warning before the shrill ring made them all jump. 

Sammy Lawrence looked this way and that, his breathing raspy and wet as if he was struggling to take in air. Not noticing anything out of the ordinary, he melted through the walls to assess the other hallways of the Studio.

There was a door open nearby, noises issuing from within, Henry heard children talking, low and soft, but audible to his ears. Henry turned his head as they all heard it and a bit of hope bubbled up inside him, "The kids, they're here" he whispered loudly.

"What are we waiting for!?" Susie cried, "Lets go get them!"

She made to go forward, but Henry held her back, "Let me, I need to make sure it's clear first." he spoke, pushing her back gently and going in her place. He held up the axe just in case and peered into the compact office space. Immediately his eyes caught his son, lying deathly still on a filthy table, still in the pajamas. His skin was white as snow, and his hair and body were heavily ink stained. He motioned for the three to come forward before he went over to make sure he was okay, "Ben? Ben, can you hear me? Son?" he asked, tapping his cheek with a finger.

Benjamin's eyes shot open and Henry stepped back a bit as he stared at the pools of darkness that had replaced them. "B-Ben?" he whispered.

"Dad? Dad!" the thing cried, launching himself at him and hugging him weakly. Henry stood there frozen as the boy sobbed against him. He recognized that familiar cry, that hair, that face, even though it all seemed so different. 

This was his son, wasn't it?

"Oh dear, what has Joey done to you?" Henry muttered, wrapping his arms around him and comforting him the best he could. Ben sobbed, his tears thick and black, and staining the front of his father's shirt. Susie smiled softly at the joyful reunion before she and the others yanked off the tarpaulin covering the cages at their end. "Boris! Alice! I knew it! I knew you guys were still alive!" the girl cried happily, rushing to unlock the doors as Norman passed her the key he had found on Joeys desk. Alice looked up in shock at the girl standing over her. She was a bit older, but she knew who she was by that sassy smile.

"Sister!!"

Susie opened the cage and pulled her out, while Norman and Wally helped Boris out of his confinements, "Boris, it's so good to see you!" Norman said happily, pulling his mute friend into a warm and careful hug. Boris whined softly and hugged back, his previously hidden tail wagging happily, happy to see his pals. Wally was still a bit concerned with their changes, "What happened to you guys?" he asked, gesturing to their unfamiliar looks.

"Joey's been experimenting on us, the ink he used on us is alive. Unfortunately, Boris and I were failed projects and were kept away. Ben, however, is a success." Alice replied. Henry pulled his son away from him and tilted his face up to examine him as he wiped away the strange tears with a finger, "This? I don't understand"

"He's supposed to be superhuman, faster, stronger, more agile, a weapon of mass destruction"

"Where are the triplets?" Henry asked, trying to ignore the fact that Joey had been turning his son into a weapon. Alice pointed to the three jars on the windowsill, "They didn't make it... Trial three failed."

Wally went over, wiping away the dust with a sad look as the sun came in through the dirty and boarded up window "Oh no..." he whispered, picking them all up as carefully as he could, afraid he might drop them. They were labelled too, his friend's names in Joey's scrawling writing. Norman ruffled his hair as he whimpered, crystal tears running down his face, "At least we can lay them to rest properly now, don't be sad."

"Ah, visitors! How fun! Cup of tea?" Joey asked, entering the room with a smile and a wave. Everyone gasped and turned to him, each and every one of them now on high alert. Joey held up a cup of ink and took a sip, "Fresh from the pot too! I even have biscuits! Might be a bit old, but that's part of the fun!"

Henry clutched his son's upper arm tightly, "Joey Drew. So, your still alive" he growled, stepped back as Sammy poked his head through the wall. Joey winked at him, looking almost the exact same as he had done all those years ago, 

"I never died."