It Flows Ever On

by Heart-of-the-Phoenix

It has been many years since Henry Stein disappeared into the halls of the Studios. Over the years, it has become a location sought out by aspiring urbex explorers. Those who descend beyond the first floor however have never returned, and for some reason, the authorities close each and every case without investigation. The question remains, what lies hidden beneath the Studios...?

1. Prologue

Prologue

Once, Joey Drew's Studios were a bastion of creativity. Cartoons that captured the love of thousands, if not millions, were created within these halls. The little demon himself, with his friends the wolf and angel, endeared themselves into the minds of people of all ages. However, one day, the dream came to an end.

Financial troubles grew within the Studios. Reports spoke of how Joey Drew had been growing erratic, leaving tensions to grow. In the end, the Studios were forced to shut down, leaving all in a state of disarray. With the end of an era, the eyes of those people moved to the future; memories of the past becoming just that. Memories.

For many years, few people ever heard the name of Joey Drew. He, as well as most of his staff, stayed out of the light of the public eye. Rumours speculated that perhaps he left the country, his staff dispersing, as he tried to avoid the shame of his failure. Perhaps that erratic state of his had finally caused him to snap - a cover up having been formed to keep the light off of the former creator.

After many years, the name of Joey Drew returned to the public light. One evening, the police caught a middle aged man who was later identified as Henry Stein, the co-creator of the Bendy cartoons, entering the ancient studios. No-one learnt of his fate, as he never returned. When police later investigated, they saw an abnormal amount of ink staining the walls and floor - a gaping hole that nearly claimed another victim right in front of the door.

Upon further investigation, the police found an odd machine sitting in a large, back room. They had no indication as to what it was - the rusted chains holding it above a deep, deep 'chasm', as they later described it. They saw disturbing indications of Joey Drew's potential madness, such as a Borris the Wolf with his chest split open, the ribs splayed as if someone ripped out his heart.

The one thing they never did however was venture deeper into the Studios. No-one thought to suggest it, as if the very thought was not even possible. In the official report, they claimed the excuse of the dangerous conditions. The building was in no condition to be explored, else they might risk the accidental deaths of those who sought to explore.

They marked the building as condemned. Henry Stein was presumed deceased - the result of an accidental fall through the rotted they never touched the building again. They never thought to tear the building down. They simply locked the building up and closed the case.

Over the years, many have sought to explore this ruined landmark for themselves. The first floor, many urbex professionals have marked as safe, although more than a little bit disturbing. Those who wandered further down into the Studios never returned, the authorities for some reason never look further into the case when they learnt where the disappearances took place. With each mission person, the Joey Drew Studios grew in notoriety. Locals feared it and tourists and urbex professionals sought it out, leading to another disappearance or two every few years. Still, action was never taken.

The question rang in the thoughts of many, even if they dare not speak it aloud. What lie beneath the first floor?