Bendy and the Ink Machine - Trouble Or Just Paranoia?

Memory Of Past Regrets

Hello there and welcome to part 4 of the Descend into Madness series.

This part isn't actually relevant to the main plot of the series, it's a look into what went on in the still working upper levels of the studio while Sammy is trying to find a way out.

Disclaimer: I don't own any of the characters, nor the environment or fundamental idea of the story.

Comments are as always appreciated. Now, without further ado, 
Enjoy :)

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Tap, tap, tap, tap, stop.

Tap, tap, tap, tap, stop.

Tap, tap, tap, tap, stop.

Tap, tap, tap, tap, stop.

Tap, tap, tap, tap, stop.

Tap, tap, tap, t-

"Shawn, what's wrong?" I sighed.

"Why'd ya think something's wrong?" he asked in reply, stopping in his step to look at me.

"Because you've been pacing on that ledge nonstop for the last 30 minutes. Now, either you stop so that I can concentrate and get some work done, or you start talking and tell me what's bothering you so much." I replied as I put my pen down, as much work as I may have had, if Shawn wanted to talk, I'd give him my full attention. Friends are more important than work after all.

He sighed and rubbed the back of his neck briefly, seeming unsure. Still, a moment or two later he started to speak. "It's just...something's wrong. People have been disappearing lately. First it were a few that you wouldn't notice are missing if you don't work directly with them. I for sure didn't notice. But then, well...Susie is gone"

"She's not gone, she-" I interjected only to be interrupted by the Irishman, "She quit because she got a better offer at another place, I know what the boss said Jack! But I don't believe it!"

"And why not? It seems perfectly reasonable, especially considering that Mr. Drew replaced her with Miss Pendle for Alice Angels' voice." I tried to reason; it was kind of logical after all. And while a 'goodbye' would have been nice, I wouldn't have been upset if she'd left without telling me. She was always a lot closer to Sammy than me after all.

"I know, but it isn't just Susie! Norman has gone missing too! He wanted to go investigate 'bout the disappearances and next thing you know Mr. Drew says he's been let go!

But I can't find him anywhere! I was at his house, checked the bars he likes to go to, absolutely everywhere that would hire a projectionist, I even checked at Sammy's flat! Absolutely no trace of him!

And if that ain't enough Wally's now missin' as well! 'nd ya can't tell me that he just up an' left without a goodbye, 'cus we both know that Wally wouldn't do that! He'd say bye to everyone, even Mr. Attraction-Park-Builder whatever and his crew, even though he's always annoyed with them." he said, well...nearly yelled, Shawn was a loud person when worried...even louder than he usually already was that is.

"Sammy's gone as well..." I told him after a brief pause.

"Sammy? He's gone too?" he seemed surprised, guess I'd be the first one to notice, he was my direct superior and closest friend after all.

I nodded. "Yeah, he stayed late two weeks ago to work on some songs. Haven't seen him since. I first thought he might be sick, wouldn't have surprised me with his work ethic and how often he's covered in ink these days. But...he's never been gone more than two weeks before, no matter how sick. I'm starting to get a bit concerned." I admitted, frowning slightly as I looked at the nearly black, water-ink mixture flowing sluggishly through the sewer.

The toy maker hummed in reply, arms now crossed as he stared at the ground. "Maybe I'm just overreacting, maybe there is an easy explanation after all and I'm just paranoid. The others are probably fine. Still...I'll keep an eye out for Sammy and the others." Shawn said, he was trying to backtrack, say something that would keep me from worrying.

I knew that. Just like I knew that there wasn't really that easy of an explanation for all the missing people. I knew of a few of the other disappearances as well already and I could put two and two together, I'm not stupid after all.

It was just, that at the time, I didn't want to acknowledge the very real possibility that something wasn't right, I didn't want having to realise that people I consider my friends could be in danger.

Looking back at it now, that was stupid of me. Maybe if I'd stopped denying everything and went searching with Shawn things would have happened differently. Maybe we'd all still be alive and free. Maybe I wouldn't be stuck here in my own head, just aware enough of my surroundings to keep my hat and the valve from the infirmary with me. Maybe I could have saved someone from their fate, anyone.

But it's too late now to change the actions of the past. What happened, happened and that's it.

All I can hope for is that I can keep anyone unfortunate enough to stumble in here from going further down into certain death.

I hear footsteps...I can't have them catch me, for their own sake.