Just a Happy Ending

Believing

Buddy came around in his own head. He sat up, realizing he was outside the circle. 

In it stood Boris.

He looked... blank.

Just blank.

Perhaps a little helpless.

Didn't make Buddy any less angry at him. He stood up and swore at the wolf, "What was that? Why did you do that?! Do you not understand that could have killed us?!"

The wolf didn't respond.

Buddy grabbed him by the straps of his overalls and yanked him bodily out of the circle. He could feel their shared body go even more limp. Buddy glared Boris down, "Your inaction is going to get us sent back to the puddles; so stop fighting me."

The human stepped under the light.

Pain. Everything hurt.

Buddy forced an eye open. He had to see how badly he was injured.

Everything was blurry and unfocused. He could make out his own arm draped over something solid, could move it if he focused.

Everything hurt.

He shut his eye again, but resolved to stay awake. Focus on something.

Not the pain, that won't help.

Something positive.

He beat the ride.

... The ride beat him.

He survived. He survived, so he could keep going.

Could save Henry and Sammy.

He had hope.

Buddy opened his eyes again.

He wasn't dead... but he kind of felt like it.

Everything... really hurt.

Something heavy pressed down across his upper back.

The ride's last arm had crashed against the same wall Buddy had been slammed into, the dented metal falling on top of him and pinning him to the floor when it fell. Ink oozed from shallow wounds on Buddy's head and shoulders.

Slowly, carefully, Buddy was able to slide out from under the rubble and flop down a few paces away.

Don't fall asleep. Don't have time.

Get-... get up.

One arm. The other. Shoulders, chest, stomach.

Stars, everything hurt.

Knees. Pull them up. Okay, just... sit for a second.

Try not to pass out.

Arms are shaking. Ears ringing. Shoulders really hurt.

Don't pass out.

Don't. Pass. Out. Stay awake.

Octopus.

What?

The ride. It's called an octopus ride.

Why is that important?

Well, head's clearer now.

An octopus.

Just... fought... a possessed... octopus ride.

That's... kind of absurd.

It's fine. It's Joey Drew Studios. Everything's absurd.

Like still sitting here.