Chapter 19: Reunited
The feeling of being lost was nagging Linda as they wandered further into the depths of the studio, she wasn't sure where they were anymore. Everything looked the same to her, making it seem like they were going in circles. However, the Ink Demon never corrected her nor tried to change course as he continued to follow close behind, so she kept going.
She perked up as she started to hear music playing gently down the hall. Linda looked back at the Ink Demon to see him lift his head a bit higher as if to listen. He then let out a huff and coaxed Linda to press on with a nudge from his arm.
They soon entered a lobby to what appeared to be the music department. The sign and decor on the walls was a dead give away. There were also speakers and record players laying about, but no music was coming from them. However, the music was louder than before and it sounded like a banjo was being played.
A 'searcher' formed out of the ink stained floor, catching the Ink Demon's attention. Linda quickly followed the sound of the banjo so she wouldn't have to watch the poor soul be splattered.
She soon approached the office of Samuel Lawrence as the sign had read above the window; Linda could see Sammy sitting at a desk, strumming away on the banjo. He was too focused on his playing to even notice her. Linda found herself entranced as she didn't realize a banjo could be played in such a playful yet sad way. It seemed maddening, which suited the crazed Prophet.
The trance was soon broken as Linda noticed Sammy was now staring towards her, his Bendy mask grinning at her with missing teeth. Sammy stopped on a sour note and placed the banjo down with care, almost acting like Linda was a wild, timid animal as he moved slowly towards the door. The ink on Linda's body rose defensively like it had before as Sammy exited the office, making him stumble back in fear.
"W-wait!" Sammy yelped. "Forgive me for frightening you, Harbinger!"
He didn't seem to have forgotten the title he had bestowed upon Linda when they first met and he found out she had been with the Ink Demon.
Was it that obvious now?
Or did he remember what had happened in previous time loops?
It was rather unclear, but unlike their last encounter, he didn't seem to have any intention in harming Linda.
"I am just in awe of you." Sammy continued. "I never would've thought my music would draw you to me."
"As long as you keep your distance, the ink won't hurt you." Linda replied, trying to stay calm as the Prophet made her nervous. She had figured the ink reacted to her emotions in some way, but that didn't explain why it reacted the way it did to Henry in the last loop in the cavern.
Perhaps it was something the Ink Demon did.
"I would be a fool to touch My Lord's Harbinger." Sammy said, before perking up with sudden realization. "If you're here, then-"
The mad Prophet was interrupted as the Ink Demon rose up from the ink surrounding Linda, now standing before her and Sammy.
Sammy fell to his knees and lowered his head as the Ink Demon growled in anger.
"My Lord, please have mercy on me!" He begged. "I meant no harm! I have a sacrifice for you of it pleases you!"
"A sacrifice?" Linda asked. "Who are you planning to sacrifice?"
Sammy hesitantly lifted his head as if he were surprised by the question and watched as she had moved around the Ink Demon so that she was in front of him. Sammy crawled back a bit.
"I-I don't know his name. But he does have a familiar face." He answered. "He's like you, but he is no Great Harbinger of My Lord."
Henry.
"Please, take me to him." Linda said.
The Ink Demon growled loudly from behind her, causing her to turn around to face him.
"I have to see him!"
The Ink Demon huffed and turned his head to look away. It appeared he was begrudgingly allowing it.
Linda looked back at Sammy, who quickly stood up at attention.
"R-right this way"
He awkwardly moved around them, the Ink Demon letting out a soft hiss as he passed by, and lead them down the hall.
"Henry!"
Linda ran up to her husband as soon as her eyes landed on him once the shutter door opened. She tried to shake him awake, but he was out cold. He was tied by his hands to a chair, below him was a strange symbol that made Linda's blood run cold.
"Henry, please wake up!"
Sheep, sheep, sheep.
It's time for sleep.
Rest your head.
It's time for bed.
In the morning, you may wake.
Or in the morning, you'll be dead...
Linda looked over at the speakers attached to a wooden archway as she heard Sammy's voice emitting from them.
"My Lord! Claim this tender sheep I have prepared for you! Set me free from my inky prison!" He cried out.
Linda looked around as she realized the Ink Demon wasn't with her. She then froze as she heard Sammy's cries.
"No, My Lord! Stay back! I am your Prophet! I am your-"
His cries were cut short as he let out a bloodcurdling scream. Linda's gaze then landed on ink pooling out from underneath a closed door to the side of the room.
Linda knew they were in trouble as the Ink Demon was full of bloodlust. At least Henry was. She desparately tried to wake him up, shaking him harder this time.
"You need to wake up, Henry!"
Relief began to wash over her as Henry's eyes began to flutter open. At first his eyes seemed lifeless, but life sparked back in them as they locked on hers.
"Li-Linda?" He croaked, his voice sounding groggy.
"Yes, yes my darling, it's me." Linda replied as she gave him a kiss and began to untie his binds. "We need to get you out of here. The Ink Demon's coming!"
Henry went to stand up, but nearly collapsed as he grimaced and yelped in pain. Linda noticed he looked more battered than before, and now he was suffering with a limp as he hobbled over to an axe.
'Searchers' groaned as they rose from the ink puddles on the floor and began to swarm the human couple. Henry swung the axe at them, splattering them. As soon as they were gone, Linda took hold of his hand and started running down their only escape route.
She looked back at Henry tried to keep up, but his bad leg was slowing them down. Oddly enough, it reminded her of the Ink Demon's bad leg.
Just as they were about to enter a section of the corridor flooded with ink, the Ink Demon sprang up and roared.
Linda squealed and quickly turned to head another direction. They ran through what felt like a maze of halls as the Ink Demon gave chase. Henry was panting heavily as he limped as fast as he could, and Linda shoved him past her into a room before them before slamming the door shut behind her as she followed him in.
She quickly threw the board lock down to keep the door from opening, though she doubted it would do much to stop a rampaging demon. However, she was surprised as the Ink Demon only pounded against the door and growled.
The Ink Demon soon gave up and Linda listened to as she heard him stomp away. She looked down at Henry as he was lying on the floor from her shoving him and went to help him up.
"Are you alright?"
"I'll be fine." Henry assured as he sat up. "I've been through worse."
Linda went to grab the axe he had to have him use as some sort of cane, but it was nowhere to be found. They must've lost it when they were being chased.
"I'll see if I can find something to help with that limp." She said as she stood up.
Henry didn't object as she began to walk away.
Entering the next room, Linda flinched as a can of bacon soup suddenly rolled past her.
"Hello? Anyone there?" She asked as she hesitantly approached before stopping as a familiar toon wolf poked his head around the corner.
"Boris!"
A/N: Boris is back! But for how long? Will he continue to go through the same fate like he has in previous loops, or will things be different?
Even I don't know.
Also, Bendy seems a bit bipolar, doesn't he?
