AN: You're going to hate me for this one...

Bendy laughed as he ran around the playground, easily climbing away and avoiding Chris who was trying to tag him. Knowing he couldn't get the agile little devil, Chris changed targets and started chasing after the giggling Emily. Bendy took a moment to catch his breath, watching the others running around and getting ready to rejoin the game. Before Bendy could run back in though, Mrs. Curtis came walking up to him.

"May I have a word… Bendy…" Mrs. Curtis asked, her smile looking slightly forced. Bendy paused and looked at her in wariness, but gave her a slight nod.

Bendy's nightly exploits weren't exactly unnoticed by the rest of the town. While Bendy had made sure to that no one besides his prey would catch more than a glimpse of him, having criminals and tainted souls of all sorts confessing their sins and turning themselves in fear for their souls doesn't stay quiet for very long. Rumors had spread pretty quickly about the cause behind all this, from a rogue police officer determined to clean up the town to an avenging angel answering the prayers of the innocent. But those in Bendy's neighborhood had realized the truth, that the little toon demon in their midst was the one striking terror in the night into the hearts of criminals.

The neighborhood kids were absolutely thrilled by the knowledge, claiming he was a superhero and gushing about how cool he was. They kept trying to come up with hero names and convince him to wear a costume of some kind. The adults were pretty accepting as well and grateful he was keeping their home safe. Those that had still be skeptical about him still or even a bit antagonistic finally started to accept him and even become friendly to him. But there were still holdouts that still adamantly protested his presence, Mrs. Curtis being one of them.

"Can you help me with something dear?" Mrs. Curtis asked, her sweet voice had an edge that Bendy couldn't identify. "I've heard you are quite handy in making things and I could use your help getting replacement parts for my favorite bookcase. I promise it won't take too long and you'll be able to come back with your friends."

Bendy hesitated, glancing at his friends. They were still running around and playing, but he could see several of them sending him looks of curiosity and a little worry. Looking back at Mrs. Curtis, without actually touching her the only emotion he could see was determination. Maybe she was trying to mend things between them? Flashing his friends a comforting smile, Bendy agreed to follow Mrs. Curtis.

They walked along in mostly an awkward silence as Bendy wasn't really sure what to say and any attempt at starting a conversation quickly died out. So instead, Bendy spent his time watching the world around him, enjoying the sunshine and watching various animals fly by. As they walked through, Mrs. Curtis's soul kept distracting him as it continued to flicker with emotions that weren't clear enough to read, but the determination seemed to be getting a negative vibe. He was also startled to realize they were heading towards a group of angry and hateful souls, setting off all sorts of alarm bells for Bendy.

"I should probably go tell Henry where I'm going to be real quick," Bendy said, smiling innocently. "I don't want to make him worried."

"It won't take long," Mrs. Curtis insisted, her voice taking on a sharp edge. "We're almost there anyway…"

"But I really don't want to get in trouble with him," Bendy replied, trying to subtly place distance between them. "It'll only take a moment to run and…"

"You're not going anywhere," Mrs. Curtis said angerly, snatching onto Bendy's wrist. Bendy hissed as he felt something holy in her hand make contact with his skin, causing it to bubble and hiss as it worked against the demonic magic making up his form. Bendy instantly started struggling, his form bubbling as it tried to transform. But Bendy didn't want to hurt her as she wasn't a corrupted sinner, so he fought against the urge.

Bendy's internal struggle on how to get away without hurting Mrs. Curtis left him vulnerable to be pulled along further down the street. He barely had time to register they were at a church before he was thrown inside. Being forcefully sent onto concentrated ground, surrounded by those that wanted him destroyed for being a demon, meant that the holy energy was targeting Bendy. Bendy's skin became incredibly hot and ink started to drip off of him, but he was strong enough to resist most of the effect and he scrambled to his feet.

"He's trying to escape!"

"Don't let him get away!"

"Hurry! We have to defeat him now!"

Voices shouted around him and Bendy's vision started to blur, making everything a mass of color and glowing souls. His form started to transform as his self-preservation started to overrule his desire not to harm anyone. He let out a pained screech as something was splashed over his body, eating into his body and causing him severe pain. Conscious thought disappeared as Bendy lashed out, cutting people with his sharp claws but he didn't care. Using all his incredible strength, Bendy barreled out of the mob surrounding him.

Ink continued to melt off of him in streams as he burst out of the doors of the church and began running away on all fours toward home. The holy water that had been splashed on him was still eating away at his body, leaving his wings too tattered to fly. He just kept running, leaving a thick stream of ink trailing behind him as his body continued to melt away. His form shrunk, claws becoming shoes and gloves as he went from running on all fours to his two feet. Ink was streaming down his face along with tears of pain, making Bendy practically blind as ran, using the shining light of his Creator's good soul to guide him.

As he got closer to home, he could hear the others shouting in worry as they got sight of his destabilizing form. He was soon surrounded by the comforting presence of his friends before feeling himself being picked up. He could feel the familiar arms of his Creator holding him carefully, Bendy's head resting against Henry's chest, letting the demon hear his heartbeat.

"I've got you, Bendy," Henry said comfortingly as he hurried inside. "I've got you… You're safe…"

Bendy knew he was safe now, but he could only let out a pained whimper, finally passing out from the pain.